by Gage Grayson
Yet, here I am.
“The more he’s here, and the more we work on this, the more I keep thinking about him when he’s not around. And not on a professional level either. I had a dream last night where he showed up at my house, pushed me against the wall, and fucked me until I was left with a stutter.”
“Damn, that must have been one hell of a fuck.” She shakes her head.
“Jessie!”
“Just saying, is all,” she teases with a chuckle. “So, does that mean you’ve given some thought about maybe rekindling that old spark?”
If that isn’t the million-dollar question, then I don’t know what is.
“Well, I’ve thought about it. Obviously. But…thinking about it and acting on it are two vastly different things.”
“Have you thought about talking to him about it?”
We step out of the school and into the brightness of the Texas sun, and a heavy sigh escapes my lips. “Every fucking night.”
“Then maybe you should sit down with Dylan and get it all off your chest.”
“But now isn’t the greatest time to go trudging up the past, Jessie. Or to talk about whatever this is that I’m feeling now.”
“If not now, then when, Brooke?”
Now, that’s the million-dollar question.
Chapter 13
Dylan
“You couldn’t ask for a better day.” I turn to Brooke with a nod of agreement and a smile.
But it’s not her comment that has me smiling—it’s Brooke herself.
She looks amazing in her black pencil skirt, heels, blue-and-yellow button-up plaid shirt, and the thin, white long-sleeved shirt over it.
Her makeup is muted, making her sapphire eyes shine brightly, and her long, black hair rests evenly over each shoulder to perfectly frame her beautiful features.
It’s hard not to look, and harder to look away once you do.
“You sound nervous, Miss Sinclair. Should I postpone or put Eric up in your place?” I tease as an all too comfortable grin spreads on my lips.
“Fuck that. You put Eric up there, and we’ll be closing down for sure.” She lets out a gentle laugh that seems to ease her nerves as she looks visibly more relaxed now.
“Either that, or—hear me out—I turn this bitch into a live Magic Mike show and earn us some real coverage and support.” Eric waggles his eyebrows with a mischievous smile.
The last time I saw him with that look was when we stole the Llano High School’s mascot costume during a regional championship game in our junior year.
“We’re not quite that desperate, Big Mac.”
“I’m just saying the options, that’s all.”
I hold back the exuberant laugh that wants to rise up from my core as best I can.
Jessie and Brooke have no such luck and let it all out.
And, for the first time since getting here, I’m sincerely happy to be back home with my friends—and with Brooke.
“Mr. Andrews, are you ready?”
I turn around to see Superintendent Colt Davies walking towards us.
He’s dressed adequately enough. His navy blue suit isn’t well-tailored, but it’s good enough to make him look presentable.
I almost wish his suit was horribly tailored; at least then, it would be a distraction from his disastrous comb-over.
“Yes, sir. Just point the way.”
We join up with the group of teachers, who will be speaking, and step through the front doors of the school together.
I’m the first to step up to the podium of microphones and face the sea of reporters and photographers. This is nothing new for me. Even before becoming New York’s top lawyer, I was always in the spotlight one way or another.
I can’t speak for Brooke and the others, but I have every confidence that they’ll come through for the cause.
They have to.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dylan Andrews. I’m the legal counsel for the Fredericksburg and Llano teachers. But, more than that, I’m a product and testament to this school and this community.”
My eyes scan the crowd before me, and I spot my father in the thick of it. It’s no secret that he’s the one responsible for this happening, and for him to show up at this conference is gutsy.
But then, that’s my Dad for you.
“As many of you know, it’s my father, Henry Andrews, who’s behind the State’s decision to merge this institution behind me with the one in Llano. I won’t lie to you; should this merger go through, I stand to gain a lot. The amount of money this could make my family is untold millions. But this school, and what it means to this community, is priceless.”
A roar of claps and cheers erupt from the crowd. I pause and let them cheer just that extra bit longer than needed.
Something I learned quickly at Harvard was that being a good lawyer is more than just knowing the law. You have to be one part knowledgeable and believable, but also one part theatrical.
Engaging the crowd before me is no more difficult than engaging a jury. Only difference here is that I’ve got more people who will swing in my favor by the time I’m done.
“My parents taught me as a young boy to stand up for what I believe is right and just. And keeping this school open is right and just. I know that this puts me at odds with my father, but who hasn’t butted heads with their parents before?”
I let out a small laugh, and it carries through the crowd—including the reporters and photographers.
Good. Pull them in, Dylan.
“On a personal level, this school means so much to me…more than I realized before now. The memories I’ve made here, the relationships, they will endure a lifetime. It’s here at this school that I found my true love.”
Unconsciously, my attention turns from the crowd to the row of teachers to my left and, specifically, to Brooke.
Our eyes meet as my words hang in the air. A soft blush adorns her cheeks, and I feel that warmth mirrored in my own.
I know what I’m supposed to say next. I’ve had this fucking speech prepared for a week. Yet here I am, completely unsure of what’s about to come out of my mouth.
Looking at Brooke, sitting there in all her glorious perfection, has me second-guessing myself.
Forcibly, I turn back to the crowd of engaged onlookers as they cling to the pause in my speech with bated breath. All except for my father, who looks amused and curious.
My gaze meets his, and I’m fairly certain he knows what’s running through my head right now.
Don’t fuck this up, Dylan. This is bigger than you and Brooke. Stick to the plan.
“It’s here at this school that I found my true love of law.”
I feel a heavy sigh in the back of my mind as I keep my game face on for the crowd before me.
“And, being Texan, football.”
Another laugh echoes through the crowd.
“But this school is more than just an institution of learning. It’s the heart and soul of this community. It’s not vineyards and wineries. It’s not the festivals. It’s this school. It’s that football field,” I point out towards the empty gridiron as my voice begins to rise.
“This school is where the future of our community makes memories and connections that will forever bind them to this town. If you take away this school, you’re not only taking away the jobs of so many hard working men and women, but you take away the very essence of our community.”
The crowd erupts into thunderous applause that completely drowns out my own inner voice.
Even my father—of all people—is clapping and nodding in approval. It gives me hope that he and I will be fine after this is all said and done.
“And let me just say…”
Slowly, the crowd begins to hush.
I wait until they’ve silenced before I continue.
“And let me just say, that closing this school doesn’t just change the course of Fredericksburg. It changes the course of Llano, as well. This merger will forever
alter the identity of Llano just as much as it will here. And they, too, deserve so much better than that.”
Another round of applause rises up from the crowd.
I smile, knowing that I’ve done my job and have done it expertly. Fuck, even some of the reporters are clapping in agreement.
“Now, I don’t expect you to just take my word for it. So, let me introduce to you one of the many teachers who will be affected by this merger: Miss Brooke Sinclair.”
I take a step back from the podium as Brooke stands from her seat. She looks nervous but determined.
I know that she’s got this. I have faith in her.
After all, it’s hard not to have faith in the one you love.
Chapter 14
Brooke
I’m elated. My nerves are shot, but I’m elated.
The press conference was a resounding success, and the way that Dylan worked the reporters afterward was mesmerizing. He had each and every reporter hanging off of his words and waiting with bated breath for more.
I can’t believe I’m even thinking this, but thank God for Dylan Andrews.
Jessie is gushing with excitement, and, for once, Eric is left speechless. If those aren’t good signs, then I don’t know what is.
Helen and I finish up the last of our conversation when I notice Matt coming towards me from the corner of my eyes.
I used to think that a man in a uniform was the hottest thing on the planet. And I’d be lying if I said there weren’t plenty of times where I had Matty show up at my door in his uniform just to peel him out of it—regardless of whether he was working that day or not. That, and take advantage of the handcuffs.
But now, I find myself partial to a man who wears a well-tailored suit like a second layer of skin. All thanks to Dylan.
I swallow hard and prepare for the inevitable shit show that’s about to take place.
“Hey, Brooke, can we talk?”
Matty does his best to sound calm and confident, but I can hear the nervousness in his voice.
“I suppose. What’s up?”
He runs his hand over the scruff of his chin and purses his lips together. Whatever he’s about to say has been rehearsed, and now, he’s trying to remember it all.
“Look, Brooke. I know what you think you’re doing is right. And I get how important this is to you, but you’re fighting a losing battle here.”
I feel as though I’ve been slapped in the face and kicked in the chest.
I’d like to think that I’m looking at Matt with disbelief, but I’m certain the look on my face is more akin to disgust than anything else.
“Henry Andrews is a business powerhouse. There’s no possible way that Dylan is going to beat his dad at his game. And, let’s face it, this whole initiative that Henry is doing is going to do wonders for the town. The amount of revenue it’s going to bring in is going to be unreal.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying this.”
“Brooke, with the kind of tourism that this facility can bring in, the town could grow into something more. Hell, we might even engulf Llano in our expansion.”
I’m absolutely appalled, hurt, and incredibly disappointed by Matthew’s words.
Here’s a man who offered his support in the beginning, only to turn around and jump ship.
Here’s a man who—on many occasions, I might add—has claimed he loves me, yet is now telling me to throw in the towel and give up on a cause that I believe so passionately about.
“How can you, our chief of police, be so absurd. You know what this school means to this town—to me.”
“I kno—”
“And what happens if, after this merger does take place, I find myself out of a job? Then what, Matty?”
“Oh come on, Brooke. We both know that you’ll have a job after the merger. They would be foolish not to take you on.”
He looks at me like I’m some petulant child throwing a tantrum, and it takes every part of me to not break his fucking nose.
“And what about everyone else who isn’t so lucky, Matt? What about Carly and her kids? What about Helen? Richard? What are they going to do if they don’t get hired, huh?”
I’m practically yelling at him now and no doubt causing a scene. But I don’t give a damn.
Matt shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “They aren’t your problem, Brooke. They’re adults. They can make it on their own. They don’t need you fighting for them. You’re not responsible for them.”
Matt reaches out to touch my arm, and I ball my fists. I’m ready to knock his teeth in if he touches me, but from out of nowhere, Dylan is at my side. He positions himself as a buffer between Matt and me, likely to stop me from hitting the man.
“You know, Dunn, if you’re not here to help or to throw in your support, you should probably just keep your mouth shut and leave.” Dylan’s glare is polarizing.
The anger that drips from his voice resonates with me. It’s like we’re back in high school, and it’s us vs. the world again.
“Look, Andrews, Brooke and I were talking. This is none of your business. So maybe it’s best you keep your mouth shut and move on.” Matt tries to stare Dylan down and intimidate him, but Dylan smirks in defiance.
The tension between them is palpable. And as much as I’d like to say it’s over the school and the future of our town, I know it’s because of me.
I haven’t told Dylan about my history with Matt, nor do I plan to, but given the situation unfolding, I’m certain Dylan knows something now.
“You know, Dunn, if you had even an ounce of integrity that a man in your position should have wearing that badge, you’d be standing with us. You’d be looking at Brooke and saying, I support you and your fight. Instead, you stand there on the verge of belittlement, and because why? It makes you feel big?”
“I’m telling you right now, Dylan. Walk the fuck away and stay out of mine and Brooke’s business.”
“No, Matt. You have no business here with Brooke. Or with anyone here, for that matter.”
Dylan steps up to Matt and looks down at him, and I join Jessie in biting my lip.
I used to think that the two were the same height, but those extra three inches in Dylan’s six-foot-three-frame is really noticeable as they stand face-to-face.
“You see, Matt, you’re incapable of seeing beyond your own limited vision and imagination. You’re incapable of understanding the motivations of someone as selfless, compassionate, and thoughtful as Brooke.”
My hands unfurl from the balled-up fists that they were, and I look up towards Dylan. His tone is so sincere, genuine, and full of affection that I’m completely taken aback.
I admit, it has me second guessing just how much of the old Dylan—my Dylan—is still here in the man before me.
“I see guys like you in the courtroom all the time. Men with an inflated sense of self-worth. Men who walk around with their dicks out like they own the place as they put on this vaudevillian show of undeserved and false bravado.”
I’m almost completely wrapped up in the show before me that I nearly miss the crowd growing around us.
Jessie comes up behind me and takes my hand in hers. When I turn to face her, I can see her biting down on the corner of her bottom lip.
She, like me, knows that this isn’t going to end well.
“But, you see...Matty, at the end of the day all you are is a big fish in a small pond. You’re nothing more than a tiny man with a tiny vision and a tiny dick.”
I see the rotation in Matt’s shoulder and watch his fingers curl into a fist.
Oh, fuck, here we go.
Chapter 15
Dylan
There’s a muted popping sound and a very mild stinging above my top lip.
There are also a few hushed cries from the crowd, but no major panic.
I didn’t think he was going to take kindly to a comment about his surely microscopic cock. I was prepared for it to come to blows. I felt that energy as soon as I stepped up to Brook
e’s side.
But his fist somewhat sloppily connects with my upper lip.
It just comes out of fucking nowhere. One thing I’ll admit about Matthew Dunn is that the guy can be surprisingly fast sometimes.
His problem is that it was too fast—something I bet Eric will be joking about later. If he had taken a split second to position himself properly and throw some more weight into it, it would’ve been a much better punch.
His other, much larger problem is that he just hit me in the fucking face.
That’s going to be quite the problem for him, indeed. The fact he did it in front of all these witnesses should be the least of his concerns.
Even if I were feeling super fucking altruistic, which I’m not, I see a look of crazed confusion in Dunn’s eyes. There’s no way it’s going to end there—he won’t stop unless I put a stop to it.
As Dunn starts gearing up for another swing, I hit him with the exact same right hook he got me with.
Except mine has much better form, better aim, and more force behind it.
As Dunn reels backwards, I keep a close eye on his left hand, which is still balled into a fist.
The only sounds in the room are soft footfalls as the crowd behind Dunn backs away from him.
Dunn’s trying to make it look like he’s about to fall backwards, but his acting is not that great. Just as I predicted, he tries to catch me off-guard by suddenly ‘regaining his balance’ and throwing his left fist at my throat.
He probably thinks I’ll reflexively lower my chin so he can get in a nasty strike. I easily block the punch with my right forearm and give him a hard shove with my left hand, hoping he’ll get the fucking message already.
I’ll fuck Matt up if need be—I don’t want to, but I will—if he keeps on like he is.
He lets out some weird Tarzan-like screech as he makes a wild swing at me. I don’t even need to block the punch. I take a single step backwards, and he misses, almost falling on his face.
I’m getting real tired of this shit, and I’m getting ready to deliver another blow—one to finish this shit show—when a uniformed officer rushes in like a blue tornado and grabs Dunn, restraining him with his arms to stop him from doing any more stupid shit.