Back in bed, I give Brooke a preview of our upcoming weekend together.
Chapter 30
Brooke
I’m pacing in front of my apartment waiting for Dylan to pick me up for our weekend. Once again, I can’t believe how plans just fell into place. When I told Alex that I had another conference, she just told me that I should get paid more for them ruining my weekends. No questions asked, thank God. Even at the office, I had no problem getting a couple of days off. Though they are kind of lenient since all our case loads are crazy full. I hate having to lie to everyone, but I need this time with Dylan. We both need just a couple of days to put aside the secrecy and just be us. We don’t have to be back until Tuesday morning, and she even allowed me half a day today. Pretty damn close to perfect.
Dylan also had it easy on his part getting away considering the client that he’s meeting is someone Jax wants on board. So he’s promised the kids all kinds of excitement this weekend, and they didn’t even bother to ask questions.
I stop pacing and grab my bag when I see Dylan pulling in. “I told you I would come up and carry your bag down for you."
I give him a quick kiss on the lips before we hurry off to his car, "I know, but I was too excited and came out early."
I stop and look at the SUV Dylan has rented for the trip. After putting my bag in the back, he opens the passenger door. Dylan gets into the driver’s seat, and we’re off. As soon as we clear the parking lot we look at each other and smile. About an hour out of town Dylan asks if I'm hungry. Since neither of us had had lunch, we decide to stop at a roadside diner for a quick bite. Both of us are anxious to get to our destination.
We sit down at a small table and both order cheeseburger and french fries with chocolate milkshakes. When our food arrives, I sip the thick milkshake, "Yum."
Dylan smiles and takes a bite out of his burger. "So Alex was cool with you being away all weekend?"
"Yeah, she's been busy with work lately. She’s barely home at all, so I’ve been wondering if she’s been with Jackson.”
He shakes his head, "I don't think so. Jax hasn't said anything about it."
Hopefully, he's right, even though I don’t say anything about it, I don't want Alex to get hurt. "I bet the kids were happy to spend some time with Jax, I know they adore him. Are you worried?"
"No, Jax will take good care of them, but that doesn't mean I won't check up on them."
I smile, loving how protective Dylan is of the kids. After we are both stuffed, Dylan settles the bill, and we’re back on the road. We make small talk and listen to music for the rest of the trip, then finally at around 5:30 we are in the Ozarks. I look out my window as we travel around the large lake’s winding roads until we pull up in front of a large house. I look out of the windshield and up at the rustic two-story log lake house with a huge wrap-around porch. "Oh wow, this is gorgeous."
After we stretch from the long drive, Dylan gets our bags and leads to the huge front doors. The place reminds me of an HGTV dream home. Whoever built this place obviously took the time to put quality work into it and spared no expense. I literally can’t decide where to land my eyes next to take it all in.
We enter straight into a huge room that’s divided into a gourmet kitchen, two seating areas. A 20-foot long table sits in the middle of space. Several doors lead from the room that I assume lead to bedrooms or bathrooms. I want to explore every last thing here. Logs and stone make up the walls. Looking up, I can see a large loft that hangs out over half the downstairs great room. It’s stunning, and I have no desire from this moment on to return to my tiny little apartment and leave this place. From every space on the sides and the back, all look out over the lake. It’s breathtaking in all sense of the word. "This is so great! I had no idea you were going to rent an entire cabin."
He puts the bags down by the door, "So I guess this is better than a hotel suite?"
I walk to the French doors in the kitchen overlooking the lake just as the sun is slipping down over it. "So much better. I mean don't get me wrong, the suite was wonderful, but this is like my dream. You do realize you’re going home without me. I’m staying here. This is what I’ve always dreamed of to wake up every day to a view like this in a house like this. Maybe after I retire. There wouldn’t be any need for social workers in a place like this because everyone would be happy living here.”
He walks up behind me and wraps his strong arms around my waist. Nibbling at my neck, he says, "That's a long way away, but I think it can be arranged."
I lean into him and absorb all the beautiful colors of the sun as it sets. "One just like this one?"
"Exactly like this one. I didn't rent this; I own it."
I turn to face him. Did he buy this house just for this weekend? I shake my head, no that's crazy. "You own it?" I ask disbelievingly.
He nods, "Yeah, my great-grandfather on my dad’s side built it. He was a carpenter.”
“A good one obviously.”
“He was good, but it didn’t start out like this. Come here.” He leads me to a row of pictures hanging between two floor-to-ceiling picture windows. “This is what it started out as.” The first is a drawing of a small one-room shack. “If you look you can see how he built on, and it ended up being this before my grandfather inherited and built it to this.” He points out picture after picture showing me how the small one-room shack transformed into larger and larger cabin structures. “My grandfather was a builder as well and good at his craft.” The last picture he points to is of the cabin in its two-story phase. “Finally, my dad inherited. He was less of a structural builder and more of a finisher, so everything on the inside is basically his doing. Looking around I can see changes since the last time I was here. Mostly the kitchen, which I’m sure is Sylvia’s influence. The furniture and décor are all Sylvia’s touch. Before her, it was only men who came here, and you could tell because it was kept pretty rustic.”
I look up at him a little confused. “Wasn’t your dad a mechanic?”
He nods, “He was. But he was a Monroe and very skilled at finish carpentry. He just happened to be really good with motors too.”
I look around the house in amazement, "Wow, so your great grandpa built this, passed it to your grandfather who passed it to your dad, and then finally you got it?”
“It’s always been passed to the first-born son.”
Dylan leads me over to the couch, and we cuddle up together. “Can I just say how happy I am that you’re older than Luke.”
“Absolutely,” he says with a laugh. “But I was surprised to find out that I’m the one who inherited it.”
I look over at him, "Why, you’re the oldest.”
"True, but after our estrangement, I assumed he would leave it to Luke. I was surprised when the lawyer told me I inherited all the houses and the cars. He and Sylvia had updated their will a year before they died."
Dylan's relationship with his father has become clearer since we began dating, but I know there is still more to tell. I don't push him, though. "Then, I’m sure he wanted you to have it.”
He nods, "I still plan on it being all of ours, though. As they all get older, I'll make them each a key."
"I get that. This place should be enjoyed as much as possible. Did you get to come here a lot when you were younger?”
He gets a nostalgic smile on his face, "Every damn summer. My dad wasn’t wealthy, but he was comfortable. My business absorbed his mechanic shop after the accident. It’s still in the same location with the same customers. I made his head mechanic shop manager, and he’s more than capable of running it. We spent a month each summer here as well as some Thanksgivings and Christmases. Sylvia loved it here as well. She loved putting her touch on everything, though. The lady had style.”
"You can certainly tell that. Just so you know, we’re going shopping because I’m cooking in that kitchen.”
He laughs, "Wait until you see the outside kitchen. It is awesome man space. And I plan on cooking out ther
e one night.” He stares around the room like he’s searching his memory bank. “Some of the best times I ever spent with my dad were here. This is where he was truly happy.”
“Do you remember your mom coming here at all?”
“Never. I remember coming just before she died. While we were packing up my dad’s old truck I asked her if she was coming with us, and she wrinkled up her face like I was crazy. So no, she never came here that I remember.”
This lake house is truly important to him, and he brought me here. "Thank you for sharing it with me."
He pulls me in and kisses me, "Thank you for coming with me." He stands up and pulls me with him. "Time for a tour.”
"Bedroom first?" I ask seductively.
He leers down at me, "You read my mind, baby." Then hoisting me over his shoulder he carries me carries me to the master suite.
After we finish "touring" the master bedroom we get dressed so he can finish showing me around the house. That’s of course following a more thorough investigation of the room we just christened. Holy hell. I fall in love with the private balcony that has the most beautiful view of the lake. The shower is big enough to hold five comfortably, and it has a bench seat along one whole wall. Each discovery makes me fall in love with this place even more. After finally dragging me from there, I’m surprised to find four more bedrooms and three more bathrooms. I’m in love with everything about this place.
Finally, he leads me back to the kitchen, “I’m starving, how about you?"
"I believe we’ve burned off sufficient calories to replenish, what do you have in mind?"
"I brought steaks in a cooler for tonight with some baking potatoes, so I’m grilling tonight. In the morning, we can go to breakfast and then shopping. Sound good?”
"Sounds like a plan. But I’m picking for tomorrow night because I’m using that kitchen.”
He grabs the steaks and passes me the potatoes so we can do preparation for grilling, and as always music plays our favorite playlist as we flirt around the kitchen driving each other crazy. Everything about Dylan and me, though we are a huge secret, is still so comfortable.
After dinner, we go back into the living room, and Dylan builds a fire. He calls and checks on the kids before getting comfortable with me on the couch. It’s been a perfect day, and after taking me to bed, he gives me an even better, if that’s even possible night.
I wake up in Dylan's arms without the fear of discovery. It’s slow and lazy, and I take my time looking at him while he sleeps. He looks so young and relaxed without a care in the world, which is the complete opposite of his life. He’s a 26-year-old young man who’s suffered such great loss. He’s also part owner of a business that is almost impossible to make the success that he and Jackson have made, and not just in one state. I’ve read the magazine articles on them, and they’re respected internationally, but neither one of them flaunt their success like most men their age would do. Just looking at him and being with him completely fills my senses. I’m in love with this man, and that comforts me as much as it scares me to death.
I guess he senses me staring and rolls over with a sleepy grin, “Good morning, babe. Sleep well?”
"Never better. So, what’s the plan for today?” I know his big meeting isn’t until tomorrow morning, and we have the whole day to play.
He pushes me to my back and leans in giving me a deep kiss before pulling back only slightly, “Hmm, you mean you want to leave this bed?"
I laugh as his hands begin to roam over my body, "Not really, but we probably should eat and shop for some food. And then maybe enjoy the scenery a little bit since I’ve never been here before.”
"You’re probably right. Let’s shower, head into town, and then hurry home. I’m taking you on a hike on this side of the lake.”
"That sounds fantastic."
After our lengthy shower together we finally make our way into to town for more of a brunch before stopping at a small grocery store so I can pick up food for dinner tonight. Once back at the house, we change for a hike. He promises to show me some places he knows I’ll love seeing. The views are breathtaking. Hand in hand he takes me along different trails.
When we make it back to the house, we still have a couple of hours before I need to start dinner, so I suggest going back to town so we can explore the shops I spotted earlier. Dylan buys souvenirs that we pick out together for the kids. We find a baseball cap for Luke and a t-shirt for Michael. The girls are going to get some beautiful bracelets we found. Finally, we head back so I can cook in that dream kitchen.
Later that night, lying in bed with Dylan with my head on his chest, I listen to his heartbeat and the crackling from the fireplace. The house doesn't have central heating or air, just fireplaces, and I adore the simplicity as well as the elegance of the place. So many thoughts whirl through my head even though I feel at peace.
Dylan moves his head to kiss the top of mine, "What are you thinking about?"
"How beautiful it is here. How I don't want to leave. How I hate the thought that we have to go back into hiding. I’m so ready for the next few months to be over, and we’re out from under everything that’s holding us back.”
Dylan chuckles, "Damn. I guess I asked." He lifts my chin, so I'm looking up at him, "It's all going to work out Brooke. We can do this. And as much as that fucking judge hates me I haven’t given him any reason to extend temporary custody. He’ll have to give me permanent guardianship or look like an ass."
"There is still a lot of time between now and then, what if something happens?"
"It won't."
I tighten my arms around his waist and snuggle in closer. I soak in his confidence. He calms me and keeps me grounded whenever I worry too much. I need his strength. "You never told me why the judge hates you so much."
I feel him shrug his shoulders. “You know already that I was a rebellious shit in high school, and sometimes it was bad enough that I ended up in court a couple of times."
I sit up, "He was the judge?"
He turns to his side and props his head up on his hand, "Yep, a couple of times. He hated me then, and he hates me now. I'll never forget him telling me at 15 years old that I would never amount to a damn thing, and I would be in prison by the time I was 19.”
I look at him horrified, "That's wrong. He should have tried positive encouragement."
He smiles, "I don't know, it was more fuel for the fire. It worked. He and my father’s constant criticism pushed me to be less of a fuck up.”
"That's still not right. Especially for a 15-year-old.”
"Babe, it's okay. It made me the man I am today."
I lay back down flat on my back next to him, "Well, I certainly like that man." I turn to him and touch his face gently, "You are a good man, Dylan."
He moves his hand to cover mine, "Thank you." He shakes his head, "I never needed or wanted approval, but hearing that from you means a lot to me."
I look into his beautiful eyes and kiss him softly, and after we part he pulls me closer to him and tucks me next to his side.
I probably shouldn't push it, but who knows when we will get another weekend like this one, "Dylan, will you tell me why you went for so long not seeing your family?”
He’s silent for so long I think he’s not going to answer. I want to kick my own ass because I’m greedy in wanting answers, and I hate that I might have ruined our weekend.
He clears his throat, "It was fucking stupid actually."
I squeeze his hand to encourage him to continue. I feel him shake his head next to me, "It’s just….it's hard to explain."
"We have all night."
"It wasn't just one thing. You know my dad’s and my relationship was strained after my mom killed herself, even with Sylvia in the picture. Then I got into a shitload of trouble in high school drinking and partying. I broke every one of his rules one by one just to piss him off, I guess. I was a constant disappointment to him, and he let me know it."
I listen but don't sa
y anything, and he continues his story. "My junior year I got really into this computer aided design class and did really well. My teacher even entered one of my projects in a building design contest, and I won. The contest was through The University of Oklahoma, and the prize was a trip to visit their Architecture Design School."
“That's impressive."
"Yeah, it was pretty cool. But I was 17 and wasn’t sure I wanted to go to college. My grades were really good, and my ACT score was surprisingly high, but some people aren't cut out for college. Honestly, it sounded fucking boring being trapped inside all day and not getting paid for it."
I smile at that because I can't picture Dylan at a desk, although he is intelligent. "That's true."
"When I told my dad and Sylvia about it, I figured my dad would blow me off, and Sylvia would take me. But it was my dad that seemed the most excited, and he took off a day of work to take me. He was more excited than I had ever seen him, and it was a fun trip. We toured the campus and met a couple of professors. It was crazy."
"Sounds like fun."
"It was, but I still wasn't sold on college. When we got back, he went to the school with Sylvia and met with my guidance counselor to find out about possible scholarships and how to get me into OU's Architectural Program. They planned everything without my input, and when they finally came to me with all these plans, they made I was a real asshole. My dad and I got into a huge fight, and I told him I would rather just start training as a mechanic right after school. I thought he would be proud that I would want to follow in his footsteps, but fuck was I wrong."
I touch his shoulder gently urging him to go on, and he obliges, "He told me that was the most stupid fucking thing he ever heard and that I was going to college. I was pissed that he thought he could plan my life for me, but then Sylvia talked to me. She told me my dad just wanted better for me than his life, and I finally gave in. But I never got past being pissed at him controlling my life. And I think I was even pissed at Sylvia for getting me to agree through guilt or some shit. So, I ended up with a couple of scholarships and went to OU after I graduated high school."
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