His casual dismissal of our relationship surprised me. “What? Why would I do that? I like him.”
“Yeah, but he’s no good for you. Do you really think he’s going to change his player ways? Guys like him don’t change, regardless of what’s happened to them in their lives.”
I was shocked. “You don’t really believe that, do you?” His words were harsh, even if they were true.
“Yep. But you can prove it to yourself. When I get released from this hell hole, tell him to go away and then come to Charleston with me.”
“What would that prove?”
My cousin smiled evilly. “If he comes after you, you’ll know he loves you. If he doesn’t, then you’ll have your final answer and you can move on with your life.”
As much as I wanted to deny that Dallas wouldn’t let me go, Tyler’s point was valid. It was a test as old as time. I was probably insane for even considering it, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew I would try it out.
“Okay,” I agreed after a few minutes. “But you’re wrong. He won’t just walk away from me.”
I was sure of it.
* * * * *
Three weeks later, Tyler was released. He couldn’t tell us the details of his mission in Africa, as it was classified, and I thought I might kill him, but at least he got to go home for a few weeks before he had to go back to work. He was going to need someone to help take care of him and I volunteered.
Dallas hadn’t looked too happy about it, but he never said a word. Every night for the last twenty days, he took me to new heights, driving me up and letting my climax crash around us. He was gentle or demanding; he was whatever I needed him to be. Sexually, he fulfilled me in more ways than one. I’d never had a lover as attentive as he was.
I also couldn’t stop myself from falling deep in love with him. I didn’t tell him, but I had a feeling he knew it. Or maybe he felt the same. We kept our emotions locked away, neither of us sharing how we felt. On some level, it felt like we were hiding from one another, both too scared to make the first leap. I knew I was terrified to tell him I loved him, even if I couldn’t help it.
He did everything possible to make sure Tyler was comfortable and insisted all the medical bills be sent to him directly instead of the magazine. Because of his military status, which he wouldn’t talk about, Tyler’s bills were taken care of, but I found it endearing that Dallas would offer. He encouraged me to take the job Leanne offered me, too, telling me what a great opportunity it was and that I would be foolish not to take it.
Tyler’s advice was nearly the opposite. “Do you think you’d be able to work with him if he breaks your heart, Nic? What is things don’t work out? This is why you don’t date your coworkers.” I knew he was worried about me, but I assured him I could take care of myself.
For the time being, I had let Leanne know that I was on the fence and would make my final decision once Tyler was back on his feet. He was being sent home and I had strict instructions on what he was and wasn’t allowed to do. As the doctor listed off his can’t do’s, I smirked at Tyler, knowing he would be begging me to take the job with the magazine by the time he was able to get back to work himself.
Dallas came into the room while Tyler was in the bathroom getting dressed. He was excited that Tyler was being released.
“I’ve arranged for transportation to the airport and I’ve got your flights booked,” he explained.
I smiled at him. “That’s very nice, Dallas. You really didn’t have to.”
He took my hand. “It was my pleasure. I wanted to do something for you two. I know it’s sucked being stuck in here every day.”
I leaned closer to him. “Well, I got off every night,” I whispered. I blushed but I was glad I said it. Spending time with him was time well spent.
He choked. “You’re a naughty girl, Miss Griffin.” He pulled me into a hug. “We should probably talk about what happens now.”
“Hey, Nic, can you help me?” Tyler called from the bathroom.
A nurse came in to check on him and volunteered to help. I thanked her.
“I’m not sure there’s anything to talk about, Dallas,” I started, turning toward him once the nurse closed the bathroom door. “This has been fun, but we both knew it had to end sometime.”
He stepped back from me, his hand dropping mine. “You can’t be serious. All we’ve shared this summer and you’re just going to drop me like this?”
“There’s no reason to get upset. I mean, you’ve got your job to attend to and I have to go home and take care of Tyler. It’s not like there’s much hope for us, anyway.” It hurt my heart to say the words and I saw that hurt reflected in his eyes.
“If that’s what you think is best,” he replied, his lips tight. He wasn’t happy, but he didn’t want to argue.
His reaction wasn’t what I wanted. I needed him to fight for me, to prove to me he was the one. I was in love with him and he needed to show me he was worth my love. Instead, he kissed my cheek.
“Have a good life, Nic. Tell Tyler I’ll see him around,” he said and then he turned around and walked out of my life for good.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned to smile at Tyler as he came out of the bathroom.
“How do I look?” he asked, holding his arms out to show off the new clothes I picked out for him.
I blinked the tears away and gave him a bright grin. “You look great. Ready to go home?”
And just like that, Dallas was just a memory of the best days of my life.
Twenty-Seven
Dallas
Fury like I’d never known enveloped me when she told me to go. I respected her decision even as I hated her for it. I knew it would happen to me eventually; every woman I dated wished the fate on me. Nicole made me fall in love with her and then she stomped all over my love, leaving me high and dry. It was an odd sensation to be dumped, as I'd been the one dumping women as long as I could remember.
But to be dropped that way made me realize how much pain and despair I’d inflicted over the years. Hell, I always thought the women understood because I told them in the beginning that I wasn’t the staying type. But Nicole and I had the same agreement; we both knew what we had wasn’t forever. And still, over the past few weeks, I found myself falling deeper and deeper in love with her, with every single piece of her heart and soul.
She just ripped it all away from me. She didn’t care, though. At least, she didn’t seem to care much. Her eyes were void of emotion as she said the words and when I couldn’t stand looking at her any more, I left, walking out on her, on Ty, on everything I’d come to love over the last five weeks.
By the end of summer, I was no closer to getting over her than I was weeks ago. I wallowed in my own self-pity, missing her terribly. I threw myself into my work, hoping she would just show up one day, but no such luck.
I wasn’t going to be able to hold out for much longer. I knew my patience was wearing thin. I kept waiting for her to make the first move, for her to admit her love and come running back to me, but once again, I was wrong. She was strong, sure, but she was also stubborn. After so many weeks alone, dreaming of her by my side, I knew she wasn’t going to make a move – if I wanted her back, I was going to have to go get her.
I was in Africa when I made the decision. I’d been back and forth to the states a few times, visiting Ember and even helping her make up with Stone, who proved he loved her and cared about her. I was jealous of their reconciliation. I watched them together and knew they were in love and I wanted it. It killed me that Nicole didn’t even know I loved her.
Leanne was the first person I called to explain everything to. She admired my spirit and encouraged me to be honest with Nic. When I dialed Tyler’s number, I was a bit more apprehensive.
“What do you want, Dallas?” he asked, his voice beyond irritated.
I gulped. “I need to talk to you.”
“I’m busy right now, Dallas. Can’t it wait?”
Then I was irrit
ated. “No, it can’t fucking wait, Ty. I’m in love with your cousin and I want to come to Charleston to see her. You asked me what my intentions were with her once and I told you I wasn’t sure. Well I can tell you now I plan to fucking keep her for as long as she’ll have me.”
He sighed. “And if she doesn’t want you?”
I was silent for a moment. The thought had never occurred to me. I thought for sure she was just being stubborn. I never imagined for one second that she didn’t have similar feelings for me. Even if it wasn’t love for her, I thought it was close enough that she would eventually love me. Maybe. I wasn’t sure of too much lately.
“If she truly doesn’t want me,” I started, taking a deep breath. “Then I’ll walk away from her for good. But I want to see her in person. I’d appreciate a little help making sure she doesn’t find out I’m coming, though.”
Tyler was quiet for a minute before he replied. “I’ll be honest, Dallas. I’m not exactly keen on you dating my cousin, but I know how much pride it takes to admit you were wrong and then pursue a woman you love. I’m actually a little surprised you can even admit you love her. I’ve known you a long time and I’ve never heard you say the word seriously. It’s always been a joke to you, as far as I can tell. But now, you’re saying it and I believe you. There’s conviction behind the words. So I’ll help you. I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
I gulped, knowing he didn’t want to let me into his cousin’s life, but he was going to make an exception, because he believed me. I was lucky he did. He was the only way I would be able to get Nicole back.
I had a plan and I knew what to do. So long as Tyler played along, I would be in front of Nicole in less than twenty-four hours and hopefully she would forgive me soon after.
“So what do you have planned for Nicole? Tell me everything,” Ty demanded.
So I did.
* * * * *
The flight was long, but I was so amped up, it seemed to drag forever. I could barely sit still in my seat once the plane was over US land. When it landed in Charleston, I was more than ready to work my magic and win Nicole’s heart, once and for all.
Tyler met me at baggage claim. “Hey man.”
I pulled him in for a bro hug. “Hey, Ty. Thanks for helping me out.”
“I didn’t want to, but you kind of didn’t give me a choice. And because Nicole’s happiness is more important to me than yours, and I think you might make her happy, I’ll play along with this plan. Trust me, I don’t want to.” Tyler wasn’t impressed, but at least he was all healed up.
“Any traces of the virus?” I asked, changing the subject as I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder.
He glared at me. “None. But I have to undergo routine tests for a while just to be sure.”
“Do they know how you got it?”
“My own fault, I guess,” he said with a sigh. “Remember the carcass I found in the jungle our first day out? The doctors believe the animal was carrying and that I managed to get the virus from it.”
Gross. “Well, at least they have an idea. What about your military status? I’m dying to know why you've kept it from me all this time.” Truth be told, I was pissed, not curious. Tyler lied to me about a crucial part of our friendship.
“You know I can’t tell you,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “And at this point, even if I could tell you, I’m not so sure I would. You’ve got to prove yourself tonight, Dallas. Not just to Nicole, but to me, as well. She’s going to make whatever choice she wants to make, and I’m not going to interfere, but I won’t be supportive unless you prove your love for Nicole to me.”
“I thought you already believed me?”
He nodded. “I do. I believe you think you love Nicole, because you’ve never actually loved a woman in your life. But thinking you’re in love and actually loving a woman are two very different things.”
I raised a brow at him. “Oh, and suddenly you’re an expert? I’ve never seen you settled down with a woman in all the years I’ve know you.”
“We all have our secrets,” he muttered.
I decided to let his comment go, for the time being. My bag came across the luggage line and after I grabbed it, we were off. I was more than ready to make my move and prove to Nicole that not only did I love her, but I was also in it for the long haul.
Twenty-Eight
Nicole
I was lost. For the last few weeks, I busied myself with taking care of Tyler, helping him heal properly, but the last ten days, he didn’t need me. He was fully functional on his own, without any assistance from me.
And I was no closer to making a decision about what I wanted to do with my career than I was when we arrived in Charleston. I knew how big an opportunity it was to work for Leanne. But I also loved Charleston. The city was alive with nightlife and I found myself enjoying going out with Tyler.
Once he started to feel better, Ty demanded we hit the bars together. He said I needed to get over Dallas, but I wasn’t sure it was as easy as that. Somehow, Dallas had gotten under my skin and even though I knew he didn’t care about me any further, a piece of me still wished for it.
The bar scene was fun, but not really for me. I felt alone in a room full of people, but that wasn’t Dallas’s doing; I’d felt that way for a long time. I blamed my parent’s deaths for my distaste of social propriety. I was a tough woman, a woman people were afraid of, and I didn’t conform to what others expected of me.
Tyler disappeared during the day, claiming he had some military business to handle. I sat in the house all day waiting for him, and when he finally pulled in the drive, he suggested we go to a bar after dinner. I didn’t really want to. The excitement in his eyes, though, changed my mind. I would do anything for my cousin, including spending a night out when I had no desire to.
I reluctantly agreed. “Sounds good. What do you want for dinner?”
“There’s a cute little Mexican place I like that’s right downtown. Let’s go there,” he suggested.
“Wherever you want,” I told him with a smile.
At dinner, we were seated at a table in the back, nearly secluded from the rest of the restaurant. We placed our orders and I sipped my mucho margarita, enjoying myself. As dinner arrived, a man passed by our table who sort of reminded me of Dallas. He had dark hair and a strong jaw; he was tall and well-built and for a moment, I almost thought it was actually Dallas.
I stared at the man, who had his back turned toward me.
“Nicole?” Tyler asked me, as if he was waiting for an answer to some question I never heard.
“Huh?”
He laughed. “I asked you how your enchiladas were.”
“Oh. They’re okay,” I replied. “Do you see that guy?” I pointed to my Dallas look-alike.
“Who?” Tyler was obvious in his actions, turning nearly all the way around in his chair to see who I was pointing at.
“Ty! Don’t be so obvious!” I whispered to him.
He turned back to me. “I don’t see anyone.”
“No, really, the guy over there is –” I looked over and the man was gone. He was nowhere to be found. “He was just there.”
“Who? Anyone I know?” he asked.
I didn’t want to be the girl who saw him everywhere I looked, so I lied. “No one. But I thought he looked familiar, I guess. No big deal.”
Tyler nodded, eating his dinner without another word. I had a hard time focusing on my food, but I managed to eat half of what was on my plate.
“We are meeting some of my friends at the bar,” Tyler announced while we were waiting for the bill.
“What? I thought it was just you and I going to the bar?” I wasn’t in any mood to be social.
“Just a few local guys. Come on, Nicole, it’s time you met people your own age and stopped acting like you’ll never fall in love again,” he chastised me.
I sighed. Tyler didn’t know I fell in love with Dallas, but I imagined he could guess. And just because I wasn’t
social and didn’t hang out with people my own age didn’t mean I believed I’d never fall in love again. I knew it would happen… Eventually. I just wasn’t ready or willing to jump into something too fast. I wanted to take my time. Life had its own pace, though, making me feel things I wasn’t yet ready to feel.
“Alright, let’s go,” I agreed, not wanting to put up a fight.
I let him lead me out the door to a bar a few blocks away. Charleston was one of my favorite cities; I was happy Tyler settled there. Every time I had a break from college, I went to visit him at his place in Charleston and I fell more and more in love with the city. The smell of the ocean reminded me of my parents, of the house I grew up in, off the coast of Virginia. I missed that house some days, but selling it was the best choice after I graduated. I didn’t do it for the money; I did it because it hurt my heart to be alone in the space. I felt so empty for so long.
Some days, I still felt void, but the days I spent with Dallas weren’t as bad. He made me feel alive, as if I hadn’t lost every good part of myself. He called me strong when I was weak; he lifted me up when I fell, both literally and figuratively. And I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
The bar was packed. Tyler found his friends and we walked over. One of the guys, Kade, was exceptionally cute and bought me a drink. I accepted it, but I had no interest in him. Sure, he was virtually chiseled stone, but he wasn’t Dallas. As much as I wanted to move on from Dallas, he ruled my mind, my heart, and my soul.
Two drinks later, I felt much better than I had in a long time. I wasn’t even close to being drunk, but I felt good. Across the bar, a man about Dallas’s height with his back to me caught my attention. His hair was the exact same shade as Dallas’s and I left our little group to approach him. I was sick of seeing him everywhere and I had to know if it was really him or just some look alike driving me crazy.
I almost reached him before he walked away, going further into the building toward the bathrooms. I didn’t hesitate to follow.
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