by Leila Lucas
“If you don’t like some of it… or any of it I’ll exchange it for you. Actually, now that I think about it I should have just gotten you a gift card like a normal person.” Dylan sits on the empty seat next to me.
“You picked these out yourself?” I ask skeptically.
“I kind of only had a few hours to pick something out, so I didn’t have time to get Vikki’s help. But really don’t hesitate to tell me if you want me to return things. I don’t shop for girls. Ever. Except my mom, but that’s different.”
“I definitely don’t want to return anything. This is all perfect,” I reassure him. “And as much as I love it I wish you didn’t get me anything because I feel horrible that I didn’t get anyone anything, and now you especially.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m just happy you’re here.” He quickly looks away after he says that and it makes me smile.
“I’m happy you forced me to come here. I think your family ruined Christmas for me forever now. I don’t know who will ever live up to this standard.”
“Consider yourself invited every year.”
“Consider myself attending every year.” I unfold the scarf and wrap it around my neck three times and stand to look at my reflection in the cabinet window across the room.
“You’re drowning in that.” He laughs.
“I know and I love it.” I lean over and hug him. The second his arms wrap around my waist the butterflies set off in my stomach.
DYLAN
“Why are your accents not as strong as your parents’?” She tucks her feet under the blanket. It’s absolutely freezing cold outside, but we offered to supervise the kids in the back so the adults can enjoy their wine in peace.
“We were adopted,” I joke. We both get this question a lot when people hear Mom’s or Dad’s Southern drawl.
“That’d be believable if you didn’t look exactly like your dad.” She laughs.
“My parents both grew up in Nashville, but because we changed states every couple of years we picked up bits of every accent overtime. This is the house we grew up in before we started moving. When my parents decided to come back here for good they fixed it up completely.”
“Must be nice having your family so close,” she says with a sad tone in her voice.
“Yeah, I’m very lucky.” I’m not a momma’s boy—much—but with Dad working and changing friends so often she’s the only constant we had in our lives, so we got very close. Not talk-to-Mom-about-my-sex-life close, but we go see her whenever we can. Growing up with a dad who wasn’t around meant that we didn’t get to bond as much as we’d like, so we try catching up on that now.
“It’s a beautiful house. I always imagined living in a gorgeous house in the South, front porch and all that. A big yard where my shirtless hunky husband will be doing work while I bake an apple pie for us and our six kids in my huge kitchen.”
“SIX? Six kids?”
“You find that more unbelievable than me making a pie?”
“True.” He laughs. “I’ve heard stories about your baking.” A cushion hits my face.
“But really… six kids?”
“Yeah.” She shrugs. “I know I’m lucky to have Vik in my life, but I wished for a sibling every day. I don’t have a big family, but I have the chance to make one.”
“So all you need now is a house, a hot shirtless husband, and some baking lessons. Does that mean you plan to stay here?”
“I love it so far. Sometimes it’s sad that I have absolutely nothing keeping me in one place, but at the same time I get to choose where I settle down. Not many people have that option.”
“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but what about your dad?”
She goes quiet for a while.
“He never wanted anything to do with me.”
“Have you ever met him?” I ask since she’s in a sharing mood.
“No. He paid my mom off to keep me away. I know his name and what he looks like, but I never spoke to him.”
Now I get why her relationship with her mom is so bad. I can’t imagine taking money over my daughter’s relationship with her dad.
“I’m sorry. It’s his loss.” Because in the short amount of time I’ve known her my life changed, so what he’s missing out is a lot greater than that.
“When I was in school I’d lie and tell everyone he was in the army to make up for his constant absence in my life.” She says with sadness in her voice. “But it’s okay now that I’m older. I learned not to make excuses for a man who chose not to know me.”
I don’t know what to say to that. I know she doesn’t want pity, but I have nothing else to offer, so I keep quiet.
“Sorry to put a damper on the conversation.”
“You didn’t. I’m sorry you had to go through all that, but thank you for telling me.”
I pick her phone up from her lap and hand it to her. “How about a game of Words with Friends? I’ve been practicing and I’m confident I can kick your ass this time.”
A huge smile appears on her face as she pulls her hair tie off her wrist and loops her hair in a giant bun.
“We’re going to be here all night if you are expecting to win.”
And we were.
Chapter Twelve
DYLAN
“So I heard Princess spent Christmas with you and your family.” Jenna has a gotcha look on her face. When we were together she was upset that I wouldn’t invite her to be with us on Christmas day. I lied and told her that my mom has a strict family-only policy. Which couldn’t be any further from the truth because I could bring everyone I know and my mom would be ecstatic. The truth is that she heard from big-mouth Ben that there’s a rumor going around that Jenna was cheating on me. Mom called me and threatened to come and kill her for me.
I declined.
I figured it’d be awkward having your girlfriend sit amongst your parents when they think you are screwing around behind their son’s back. On December 27 I found out the rumors were true.
“Chloe,” I correct her. “And not exactly. She just had nowhere to go for Christmas, so we took her along with us.”
“And your mom was cool with that?”
I nod in response.
“Okay… so you guys are serious?”
“We’re not together, Jen. Like I said, she just had nowhere to go.”
“And she was an exception to the family-only policy your mom has?”
“What’s with all the questions? I have to get ready for work soon.”
“I don’t know. This is the first time you’ve had a girlfriend since we broke up.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” Still working on that.
“That’s even worse. She’s not even your girlfriend and you treat her better.”
“Don’t you dare say I treat her better than I did you,” I interrupt. I’m usually nonchalant with Jenna, but she’s just pissing me off right now. “I never did anything bad to you. Took you on dates, bought you gifts, spent any spare time I had with you. For fuck’s sake, I remembered our monthly anniversaries. So don’t even go there,” I warn her.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
I shake my head and get up to put my dishes away. What happened between us was a long time ago. I gave myself time to hate her, but then as months went on I got over it.
“I always thought you and me would be that broken up couple who would find each other again after we’ve found ourselves.”
I don’t bring up the fact that cheating isn’t considered finding yourself. We’ve had that fight about a billion times before. Then one day it just wasn’t worth it and I never talked about it again.
“I still love you, Dylan.” Tears pool in her eyes.
Fucking hell. I just wanted to eat my cereal in peace. I don’t have sympathy for Jenna. Not only because it was entirely her fault our relationship ended, but also because I don’t believe her. Jenna doesn’t want me. She wants to win. In her eyes Chloe has everything and now she mi
ght have something that belonged to her.
“No, you don’t.” I sit back down.
“I do. You’ll just never forgive me enough to love me back.”
“I forgave you a long time ago, but I don’t love you.” Maybe I don’t remember exactly how I felt about Jenna back then, but the way I feel about Chloe now… it’s more. More of what? I don’t know. Just more.
“Do you love Chloe?” she mumbles through her cries.
“I like Chloe. A lot.” I admit. She stays silent. “Maybe in a fucked up way you cheating and losing your boyfriend really was you finding yourself. And there’s a guy somewhere around here who just found himself. And you’ll bump into him and all the mistakes you hopefully learned from will make sense.”
“Why can’t you be an asshole like the rest of them?” She laughs quietly.
“Not all of us are assholes.”
Chapter Thirteen
DYLAN
“You guys were sooooo good.” The bright orange girl coming toward us has a gaggle of friends following her. The other two behind her are just as orange and all of them are dressed like it’s the middle of summer. Although I’m sure they’re perfectly nice girls, they’re not my type. But the guys like their attention, so a bunch of girls always end up at our table. Doesn’t really bother me, but at the same time it stops other girls from approaching the table.
My kind of girls.
Like Chloe.
“Thanks, glad you enjoyed yourselves.” I take my guitar strap off and put it back on the stage. She links her arm with mine and starts dragging me toward the table near the stage.
“Come on, let’s have a few drinks to celebrate,” Ben yells out.
We got good feedback from the talent scout. They’ll be getting in contact with us to come into a studio with them and show them more of what we can do. It’s both terrifying and exciting. We sit with the guys and the rest of the groupies at one of the tables at the back. The waitress already brought over a bunch of drinks for everyone. I see Chloe sitting alone at the bar and she’s got a mean look on her face as she’s staring at our table. She’s wearing a tight black minidress with boots and her hair is up in a high ponytail. She has no idea how many guys are staring at her because she hasn’t taken her eyes off me to notice anyone else.
I motion for her to come over and sit with us. At first she hesitates, but then she slowly walks over. She stops near the table and looks for somewhere to sit. Before I have the chance to ask one of the girls to move over, Ben pulls out a spare chair and places it between him and Jackson. Chloe sits down, avoiding any eye contact with me or the girls. The girls aren’t too happy about having her sit there but turn away from her and continue having a giggly conversation. I’m pretending to listen to the girls talk but from the corner of my eye I can see Chloe talking to Ben. She keeps looking over at me when she thinks I’m not paying attention. Ben whispers something in her ear and she nods eagerly and gets up. They head to the bar. She’s walking in front of him and his hand is lightly resting on her back. I’m normally not a jealous guy, but I think I just became one.
“Hey!” I feel the blonde tapping my thigh. I don’t know when her hand got there, but I take it and put it back up on the table.
“Sorry, I spaced out.”
“That’s okay, you must be so tired. Want to go? We can go to your place.” She sits closer. I look at her face properly for the first time. I notice her right eye looks funny. I lean in a little closer and see her eyelashes are falling off her eyelid. What the actual fuck is happening?
“SHOTSSSSS!” Jackson yells as Ben and Chloe put down a tray of glasses. Chloe chugs down her first shot and makes a really cute disgusted face. She goes for her second shot before she even sits down and I already know this is going to end badly.
Not even an hour goes by before there’s major tension between Chloe and the girls sitting at our table.
“Do people, like, even read books these days?” The loud one giggles with her friends when Chloe says she’s an author. They started giggling the second they heard her so-called funny accent. I think a majority of the jealousy is based on the fact Chloe is sitting really close to Ben. And for once I feel the girls’ pain. I regret not asking the girls to move over because I would kill to be Ben right now.
“Yeah, like, people totes still read books.” She twirls the end of her ponytail. Jackson and Ben are in hysterics and the girls just give them both a death stare.
“Another one?” Chloe turns to Ben.
“I think that’s enough for a first-timer.” I glare at Ben.
“You’ve never had a drink before? What are you, like, a nun?” one of the girl asks, laughing at her own joke.
“Would a nun be taking this guy home tonight?” she pokes Ben’s cheek. The guys almost choke on their drinks.
For fuck’s sake, this situation is getting out of hand.
“Ooooooh, someone is getting laid tonight,” Chester says loud enough for everyone to hear.
Chloe leans over on Ben’s shoulder, hugging his arm. I love my brother, but I could punch him right now.
“Come on, let’s go to your place.” The girl tugs on my arm. I can’t stop staring at her droopy eyelash. It’s freaking me the fuck out.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and I look down.
Ben: I stopped buying her alcoholic drinks half an hr ago
I look up and he tilts his head toward a few glasses in front of Chloe. The half empty pink drinks are sitting in front of her on a tray.
“Dylan, your Oompa Loompas are getting impatient.” Chloe sweetly smiles at me. The girls either have no clue that she’s mocking their very orange tans or just didn’t hear her. “You should take them home,” she adds. This makes the girl turn around and look up at me.
“Yeah, Clarie is right. Come on, let’s go.” She starts getting up. I know she got Chloe’s name wrong on purpose, but Chloe is still sweetly smiling at me.
“Let me get my guitar and jacket.” I get up and go to the stage and put my guitar in the case.
“What are you doing, man?” Ben comes up behind me.
“Packing my guitar.”
“No shit. I’m talking about Chloe.”
“What about her?”
“You don’t take a girl like that home. Don’t do it now to make Chloe jealous. She won’t remember anyway.”
“I was just going to drive her home. Sounds like Chloe is taking you home.”
“I’m sure she’s trying her hardest to make you jealous. Plus, you really think I’d do that to you?”
“She’s not mine.” I shrug.
“I don’t get you two. You’re both into each other, but you don’t cross the friendship line.” He shakes his head. “Just take her home, dude,” he adds as he walks off.
I saw all the girls run to the bathroom, so I take the chance to get out of here before I have to explain myself. I’m sure the guys will be entertaining enough for them to forget about me.
“Come on, Chloe, we’re going home.”
She doesn’t hesitate or ask questions. She gets up slowly and leans her body on mine. I put my jacket around her and hold her up as we slowly walk her to the car, because even though she lives five minutes away there’s no way she will make it home especially in those high-heeled boots.
Within the minute it took me to park in front of the apartment, she fell asleep. I text Vikki and let her know I’m bringing Chloe home, and naturally she gives me a lecture on staying out of Chloe’s bedroom.
I open the back door and look through Chloe’s bag for her keys. I put them between my teeth and pick her up. She nestles her head on shoulder and wraps her arms around my neck. She is wasted in my arms, yet I can’t help but walk a little slower than normal just so I can be close to her. I sound like a sick fuck, but she looks as beautiful. I somehow manage to unlock the door while still holding her in my arms and head straight toward her bedroom.
I put her down in her bed, sit on the end of it, and take her boots o
ff gently.
“Dylan?”
“Yeah, it’s me.” Her eyes aren’t fully open, so I can’t tell if she knows who is with her. “You’re home now and I’m just taking your boots off so you can sleep comfortably.”
“I feel sick.” It’s going to be a long day tomorrow for this rookie.
“I know. It’ll go away if you go to sleep,” I lie. I put the blanket over her and she tugs it all the way to her nose.
“Can you stay with me, until I fall asleep? Someone will break in and dinosaurs and I don’t want to,” she mumbles.
I’m not even going to attempt to understand the second sentence.
I put her boots on the floor and move over to the other side of her bed next to her. I take her blanket from the end of the bed and get underneath it. She turns to face me and leans her head on my chest. I pull her hair tie off her head and run my fingers through her hair.
“I didn’t want to sleep with Ben.”
“I know.”
“Do you want to sleep with me?”
“No.” Not right now.
“Do you want to sleep with Jenna?”
“Nope.”
“Did you want to sleep with the Cheetos?” She lifts her head up a little to look at me and I can’t help but laugh at her jabs. “Because I didn’t want you to.” Her eyes are getting heavy.
“My only plan was to be here with you.” I kiss the top of her head and slowly get out of the bed from underneath her as soon as she falls asleep. If I fall asleep next to her, I’ll either scare the shit out of her in the morning or Vikki will come in and kick my ass. Since Vikki won’t be here until tomorrow afternoon and this is Chloe’s first hangover I spend the night on the couch just to make sure she’s okay.