Alyssa-
I was living with my dad till I found a place. Today was my first day on the job as a police officer. I was on the phone with my mother and eating my cereal. She was going on and on about me not having a boyfriend, she even asked if I preferred women. I choked on my cereal and my dad raised a brow.
"Mom, I like men and before you ask, yes I'm certain", I said.
My dad laughed and I threw my napkin at him.
"Mom listen, I have to go okay. It's my first day and I really don't want to be late okay, love you", I said, hanging up with her.
I could hear her protest before I ended the call. I sighed.
"She just wants to see you happy", my dad said.
"And what made her even think I wasn't? Sometimes I think she doesn't want to see me happy because she's not happy", I said.
"Alyssa", my dad said.
"It's true. First it was me becoming a cop, she said I was killing her and not to be surprised if my first call was to find her dead in her room", I said.
He laughed.
"You know her, always dramatic", he said, changing the page of his newspaper.
"I guess, wish me luck and I'll see you later, love you", I said.
"Love you too and good luck", he said.
I grabbed my car keys and walked out. My mom and dad were divorced after my dad cheated on her. My mom knowing what he did, stuck by his side because that was how she was raised, but after several of their friends found out, she thought it was best to leave him.
I did live with her after, but she was just too controlling and wanted me to hate him. I couldn't take it anymore and moved in with him. She lives in California and my dad lives in Arizona. My phone started ringing and I hit speaker.
"Hello", I answered.
"Hey girlie, good luck today", one of two of my best friends, Nikki.
I smiled.
"Thank you, I need it. Kinda nervous", I said.
"You'll do fine. Brie and I are coming over to your dad's for dinner to celebrate your first day on the job", she said.
"You really don't have to do that", I said.
"Of course we do, you're like a sister to us. Besides, Brie wants to talk to us about something. I don't know what", she said.
"Okay, well I'm pulling into work, I'll see you after", I said.
I hung up with her and walked into the station.
Brie-
We were getting everything ready for when Alyssa got home. Her dad was grilling and Nikki and I were setting up the table outside. I couldn't wait to tell Nikki and Aly the good news.
"I'm home", Aly walked out and smiled, she sent us a wave.
"You don't look too happy. Did something happen?", I asked.
She sighed and sat down.
"My partner officially hates me", she said.
"What? Why?", Nikki asked, hands on her hips.
"I think it's because I'm a woman", she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Why would you think that?", I asked, sitting beside her.
"He's been working there awhile and he's had several partners, so when he got me, just the look on his face spoke volumes. Like he was disgusted or something", she said.
"Maybe he was just cranky", I said.
"Oh and all his previous partners were men", she said.
"What's his name?", her dad asked.
"Dwayne Johnson", she said.
"Good man. He loves helping the kids when they get into bad situations", her dad said.
Her dad was a judge, so he came across almost every police officer.
"Then why doesn't he like me?", Alyssa asked.
He shrugged.
"Tell him I'm your dad", he said.
"No, I don't want him to like me because of who my dad is. I want him to like me because I'm a good partner and a damn good cop", she said pouting.
We all laughed.
"Give him a few days, he'll change his mind", Nikki said.
She sighed.
"I'm hungry, is dinner ready?", Aly asked.
"Almost", her dad said.
Alyssa looked at me and sighed.
"So Brie, what's your news?", Aly asked.
I smiled.
"Well, I was talking to Mickie a couple of days ago and she had mentioned something about wanting to open another office for her wedding planning business but she didn't know where. I suggested San Diego, you know with the Navy and Marine bases close by, the football and baseball players who live in the city. Then it's such a beautiful vacation spot, who wouldn't want to get married on the beach", I said excited.
"Wait you pitched an idea without me? We are in this together Brie", Nikki said.
"I know that, but I couldn't just let this opportunity pass me by. I did this for us", I said.
"Okay wait, so did she say it was a great idea or not?", Alyssa asked.
"She loved it and asked Nikki and I to run it. She wants to start off small and if our office does as good as the one here, she's going to want to open a bigger one", I said excited.
"That's great, you guys have always wanted to run your own office, now you can", Aly said.
"So we just go to San Diego and hope business is good?", Nikki asked.
"She wants us to go down there and look for a nice busy place. There is also going to be a wedding event the same weekend we have to go so we can put our names out there. This will be good Nikki, come on", I said.
Nikki finally smiled.
"I guess you're right", she said.
Alyssa-
It was my second week on the job and my partner was still only giving me one word answers. It frustrated me, but I do believe he is warming up to me. I was picking up groceries for the week when someone's cart hit mine.
"Oh, I'm so sorry", he said.
"It's okay, it was probably my fault. I should have been watching where I was going instead of thinking about work", I said.
He chuckled.
"It's totally fine, I understand because I've been there", he said.
"Alyssa Martinez", I said, holding my hand out to him.
He took my hand and shook it.
"Dolph Ziggler", he said smiling.
"Well sorry again, Mr. Ziggler", I said.
I was about to pass him.
"You know technically since you bumped into me, I might have whiplash. Yeah, I could definitely feel it", he said, rubbing his neck.
I laughed.
"So for insurance purposes, you know strictly for that. Maybe I can get your number?", he asked.
"For insurance purposes?", I asked.
He shrugged.
"I might use it for something else", he said smiling.
"Okay", I nodded.
He smiled bigger and pulled out his phone. He quickly put my number in and called me.
"Now you have mine", he said.
I nodded.
"What days are you free? You know, just in case the insurance people want to get a hold of you", he said.
"Weekends are usually my days off", I said.
"Cool, I'll let them know", he said.
"You do that", I said.
"It was nice bumping into you Alyssa", he said.
I sent him a wave and continued to go down different aisles. I sent a quick group text to Brie and Nikki. Telling them about Dolph. They were excited and wanted to come over to pick out my outfit. I had to remind them that the guy had to ask me out first. Getting home, my dad was just pulling in as well, he helped me with the bags.
"How was work? Dwayne still giving you a hard time?", he asked.
"He cracked a smile today after I told him my joke. Slow but made some progress", I said.
My dad laughed.
"How about we order in tonight for Thursday Night Football?", he asked.
"Sounds good. Chinese?", I asked.
He nodded.
"Get extra egg rolls", he said.
After the food got here, we turned on the game. They were getting ready for kickoff. I looked at my dad and then down at my food.
"I met a guy today", I said.
I noticed him turn to me.
"Really?", he asked, mouth full of noodles.
I nodded and looked up.
"His name's Dolph Ziggler", I said.
"Name sounds familiar", he said, mostly to himself.
"Asked me for my number and he might call me. Who knows, maybe he got one good look at me and decided I wasn't worth it", I said.
"Hey, you are absolutely beautiful and I'm not just saying that because you're my daughter", he said.
I smiled.
"And I want to meet this guy. You might be old enough to drink, but you are still my little girl. No matter how old you are, remember that", he said.
I laughed and nodded.
"Yes sir", I said.
I always did have a better relationship with my dad than my mom. Probably because my dad let me be me and my mom was too busy trying to dress me up and put make up on me. Selling me to the first man that offered an engagement ring.
"Game is starting", he said, taking me out of my thoughts.