Echoes of You

by Margaret McHeyzer

  “Let’s have dinner, and enjoy our night.”

  “I need a rest from everything.” I really do. “A few days without them in my head, without the worry of Mack and Preston. I just need a vacation.”

  “Yeah, you do.”

  Dylan moves around the kitchen like a professional. He prepares our bowls of pasta and sauce, then brings them over to the table. I’m not really hungry, not now. But I’ll definitely eat. “Thank you,” I say.

  “Life as we know it won’t ever be the same, Molly. But I want you to know, whatever challenges you have are challenges we have, and we deal with them together.”

  I shake my head, tears threatening to spill. “You’re too good for me, Dylan.”

  “No, Molly. We’re perfect for each other.”

  Yeah, I’m totally in love with Dylan. But I’m going to have to talk to AJ, Neve, and Kate, and establish some rules and guidelines.

  “Dylan’s on his way over, is that okay?” I ask Mom as we cook in the kitchen together.

  “I know,” Mom replies with a smile.

  I look over to her, she’s got a huge cheeky smile. “What are you up to?”

  “Me? Nothing.” She shrugs, but I know she’s hiding something. Though the smile tells me, it’s got to be good.

  Dad’s in the den, doing something for Eveline.

  The doorbell rings, and Zhen walks out first to see who’s at the door. He’s wagging his tail when I get there, so I know it’s definitely Dylan. Opening the door, I find Dylan standing in front of me, looking rather sexy in jeans, and a tight, light green t-shirt. “Hello,” I say as I lean in for a kiss.

  He snakes his hand around my waist, pulls me in tight and dips me. His lips are soft, and gentle. “Hello, beautiful,” he says when he straightens us and pulls away from the kiss.

  My cheeks flush, as I forget about everything for a moment, and think dirty thoughts about Dylan and me together. My head is swimming from that kiss. I swallow back the lump sitting in my throat, and walk away from Dylan, gathering myself.

  “Mom and I are cooking,” I say as I quickly head into the kitchen.

  “Hey, boy.” I turn to see Dylan petting Zhen, and scratching him behind the ears. Zhen sees me leaving, and quickly catches up to me, with Dylan following a few steps behind. “Hi Paris.” Dylan walks over to Mom, and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “How are you, Dylan?”

  “Yeah, I’m good now.” He winks at Mom.

  Mom’s cheeky smile growing even larger. “What have you two done?” I know they’re up to something.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, darling,” Mom replies, but looks away, letting her hair fall over her face so I can’t see her expression.

  “Ah, Dylan. I didn’t hear you come in.” Dad looks around the kitchen, like he’s searching for something. “Where’s Molly’s bag?”

  “Thomas!” Mom scolds Dad.

  “What?”

  “For God’s sake. He hasn’t told her yet!” Mom reprimands Dad. “I swear to…ugh. You can’t keep a damn secret, can you?”

  “Oh, shit,” Dad mumbles in a low voice. “You didn’t tell her yet?” He asks Dylan. Dylan shakes his head, but smiles. “Okay. Um, let’s pretend I’m still in the den, and I’ve got Tourette syndrome, and I’m just saying whatever comes to mind.”

  “Why do I need my bag? Where are we going?” I ask Dylan. “Dad said we’re going somewhere, so where?”

  “Well, we’re going upstate for a few days. Just two nights, leaving after dinner. A friend of mine has a farm, and he has a guest house, so we’re going there.”

  “We are?”

  “We are.”

  “Mom, you’re okay with this?”

  “We’re both okay with this,” Dad says. “With everything going on, a few days away is exactly what the three of you need.”

  “Three?” I ask.

  “Zhen’s coming too,” Dylan says.

  My heart fills with more love for Dylan. He couldn’t be any more wonderful even if he tried. “Am I packed then?” I look to Mom for the answer.

  “Yeah, I’ve packed a bag for you. Come.” She gestures for me to follow, while Dad and Dylan stay in the kitchen. “Keep an eye on dinner,” she instructs over her shoulder.

  “Okay,” Dylan replies.

  That makes me giggle. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me?” We head upstairs.

  “Dylan asked me two days ago, and I told him I’d talk to your father about it. We like Dylan. He’s very much a family person. You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat the people who are important in your life. We like how he treats us, and we like how he treats Zhen. So when he asked, I didn’t have a problem with him taking you on a mini vacation. God only knows, you need it.”

  “You do realize we’ll probably have sex, right?”

  “You’re eighteen, Molly. And you’ve lived a thousand lifetimes in your eighteen years. Your father and I could only hope for someone as wonderful as Dylan to be the person you want to be with.” We both sit on Mom’s bed, and she hugs me close to her. “We like him, Molly. We like him a lot. And we trust him.”

  “I trust him too. I know he won’t do anything to jeopardize that. He’s told me he loves me.”

  “We know.” Mom smiles.

  “I love him too.”

  “Do you?”

  “I’ve never felt like this before. He’s come out of nowhere, and he’s completely won me over. He’s trying to be friends with my alters, and he’s taking it as slow as I need.”

  “Then go, and have fun. I’ve packed your bag, and I’ve put in a packet of condoms too.”

  “Mom!” I cringe.

  “Be safe. And if you need anything, you can always call. Or, if you want, ask Dylan to bring you home. Try and put everything that’s happening on hold, just for a few days and focus on what’s between the two of you. You deserve this.”

  I let out a deep breath, and nod. “Okay, we’ll go. Thanks, Mom.”

  Mom goes to her walk-in closet, and brings out an overnight bag. It’s packed to the brim. “I’ve got Zhen’s food packed down stairs.” I stand, walk over to her, and hug her. “Come on.”

  Mom takes the bag, and places it by the front door. Dad and Dylan are in the kitchen, talking. I try to sneak in so I can eavesdrop on what they’re saying, but both stop when I walk in. Mom quickly follows.

  I look around the kitchen to see what they’ve been doing, and notice they’ve made a salad. “Yum,” I say as I pick a piece of tomato and pop it into my mouth.

  “Dinner’s ready,” Mom announces, as she takes a chicken out of the oven and places it on the table.

  “Wow, this really is in the middle of nowhere.” It’s nearly dark when we reach our destination.

  “There’s no cell reception out here either. There’s a landline in the cottage, but other than that, it’s fairly isolated.”

  “I can’t wait to see what it’s like in the morning.” Getting out of the car, Zhen jumps out, and runs to pee. Dylan takes his bag, and my bag out of the trunk, and uses the headlights to illuminate our path up to the cottage. “It’s cute, from what I can see.” The night is still, with nothing more than a rather loud hum of frogs breaking the peace.

  “Wait until the morning. The sunrise is simply electric.”

  “So, who’s this friend of yours?” I ask as we walk up the three wide steps to the porch.

  “He’s a guy I went to school with. He was a dork in high school, and we kinda hit it off.”

  “You were a dork?”

  “Well, I wasn’t exactly popular.”

  “Huh?” I question. He looks around the porch, and lifts a small plant revealing a key. “So what kind of guy were you in high school?”

  “A nerd.”

  I burst into laughter. Dylan opens the door, and Zhen pushes ahead of us, sniffing everything in his path. “So you weren’t a dork, but you were a nerd. How does that work?”

  “I was into everything
computers. Loved them. I fell in love with the security aspect of computers, which led me to do what I do.”

  “And your friend?”

  “Yeah, he loved computers too, but the coding side of it. He created an app, made himself a ton of money from it, and moved out here.”

  “Cool. What’s his name?”

  “Tommie Higbee. Maybe you’ve heard of the app, it’s SafeT4Women.”

  “Really? Isn’t that the female-only ride sharing app, the one where a text goes out to a designated friend to let them know where you’re going and who’s taking you? He created that?”

  “Yeah. He actually created it in the last year of high school. It did so well that a company bought it, and he’s gone on to become an app developer. He just needs internet access and his home.”

  “And there’s no cell reception out here? Really?” I question as I tilt my head to the side.

  Dylan smiles. “Damn it, you caught me. There is reception. Actually, it’s really good. I just wanted you to not worry about anything.”

  “You could’ve said that. I’m happy to keep my phone off for the next few days.”

  “We both will. Here. We can put them in the drawer in the kitchen.” He turns his phone off and drops it into the last drawer of the kitchen. I place mine in there too. It quickly becomes awkward between us. Tension building at a fast rate. “Are you hungry?” he offers.

  “Nah, I’m good.” I wipe my sweaty hands down the side of my pants, hoping he doesn’t notice my nervousness. “I might take a shower if that’s okay?”

  “Yeah, sure. Look, I’m just going to say it. Don’t think I’ve brought you up here for anything to happen. We’ll take everything slow, Molly. There’s no reason to be nervous, I just want you to relax, and let me take care of you.” He walks toward me, and hugs me, placing a soft kiss to my forehead. Closing my eyes, I take a calming breath.

  “Thank you,” I say as I open my eyes. He leans down and places his finger under my chin, lifting my face so I can look at him. With sweet gentleness, he presses his lips against mine. Kissing me, first with tenderness, and care. But I escalate the kiss, wanting more of him. Needing more of him. I slide my hands under his shirt, feeling his taut stomach beneath his clothes. I scrape my nails across his skin, and he grumbles against my lips.

  “Dear lord,” he mutters as he picks me up. I wrap my legs around his hips, while he moves us to the sofa. He sits, and I’m straddled across his hips. He rakes his fingers through my hair, and pulls me closer to his body. I can feel his excitement. It’s turning me on, making me crazy for him. I slide his shirt up, over his head, and sit back looking at this beautiful man. “What are you thinking?” he asks as he leans forward to take my mouth with his again.

  “How much I want you right now.” Jesus, where did that confidence come from?

  “We don’t have to rush.”

  “I want to rush. I want this, with you.” I hover over his mouth, teasing him with a promise of what’s to come.

  Suddenly, I feel tired. Exhausted.

  “Is this where we have sex now? Can we color after?” I take my shirt off, dropping it to the ground.

  “Whoa. Wait, Neve?” Dylan asks.

  “Yeah. What do you want to do to me? Just sex? More?”

  He lifts me off him, and places me next to him on the sofa then stands, grabs his t-shirt and puts it on. “Neve. Um, what are you doing here?”

  “We’re going to have sex, right?” I twirl my hair around my fingers. “But can we color after, please?”

  “Shit,” Dylan mumbles under his breath. He runs his hands through his hair, clutching at the strands. Shaking his head, he remains quiet.

  “We don’t have to color if you don’t want,” I say in a small voice, trying to hide my disappointment.

  “Neve, you and I have to have a talk. Can I sit down beside you please?”

  I nod my head. He picks my top up, and hands it to me. “Thank you,” I say.

  “Neve, I like you.” He sits beside me, but I notice how he’s left room between us. “But I don’t like you the way I like Molly.”

  “Okay.”

  He looks around the room, and exhales a couple of times. I bite my lip, waiting for him to tell me what he wants to do to me. “Neve, I don’t want to have sex with you.”

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  “God, no! But you’re a child. And I don’t want to have sex with you, or any other child. I love Molly, and I want to be with her, not you.”

  “You don’t want me?” I feel my bottom lip quivering as I try my hardest to hold in the tears.

  “Not that way, Neve. Not like how I want Molly. I want to color with you, and play games with you, but I don’t ever want to have sex with you. I want you to be a kid, and sex is not for kids.”

  “But…”

  “No, sweetheart, you’re like Molly’s little sister. And little sisters should never be in the bedroom when adults are having sex. I’m sorry you were exposed to that, and I’m really sorry you had to go through that, but I am not him, and I don’t want you to do those things with me.”

  “But you still want to color with me?”

  “Of course. I want to go to the amusement park with you, and I want to watch movies with you, and do all kind of fun things. But this level of intimacy isn’t something I want you to ever have to experience again. Do you understand?”

  I look away from him and chew on my lip again. “You want to be my friend?”

  “Absolutely. But I can never have sex with you.”

  “Because I’m a kid? And kids should never have sex?”

  “Yes. And because I know you’re here now because you want to protect Molly. But could you maybe try to not protect her when we’re kissing and cuddling?”

  “But you want to have sex. I don’t understand.”

  “I do, but never with you. Because…”

  “I’m a kid,” I say. “Will you still like me even if we don’t have sex?”

  “I can’t help but like you, Neve. You’re a very special young lady, who only wants to take care of Molly. But I want to take care of her too, and I want this time to be with Molly. When we’re kissing, and cuddling, and when we’re ready to have sex, I don’t want you in the bed with us. It isn’t a place for kids.”

  “I think I understand. But, if you want me in there, will you tell M?”

  “I can promise you I’ll never want you in the bed with me. It’s not a place for you. I want you to feel safe knowing I’ll never ask you to do anything like that.”

  I look around the room, and smile. “Okay.”

  “Do you still want to color?”

  I shake my head. “You know what’s funny?”

  “What’s funny, Neve?”

  “I don’t want to have sex with you either.”

  Dylan chuckles. “First, you’re way too young to even think about having sex. And second, good. I’m glad.”

  “Can I have a hug, Dylan?” He doesn’t hesitate, he moves in and hugs me close to him. His hands are high up on my back, and his lower body is angled away from me. “Dylan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Can I go back to my room now? I’ve got pencils and a new coloring book Kate brought me.”

  “Yeah, I think that’s a great idea. And, Neve? Remember, you keep coloring when Molly and I are together in the bedroom.”

  “I promise, I’ll stay away.” I close my eyes, and force my way back to my room.

  It takes me a few seconds to realize I’m back. “Was it AJ again?” I ask.

  “Neve.”

  “Neve?” My gut tightens as I worry about why she had to come out. I replay what was happening in my head, and I feel sick to my stomach when I recall what we were doing. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

  “Don’t be. Neve and I spoke.”

  “About?” My throat narrows and I feel vomit quickly rising.

  “I told Neve that I don’t want her here when you and I are being intimate. She didn’t un
derstand at first, she thought she’d done something wrong to make me not like her. But I explained to her how sex isn’t for kids. And if or when you and I do have sex, then I want her to stay in her room and keep coloring.”

  “You said that to her?” I lower my gaze, embarrassed because of what’s happened. “Dylan…”

  “Don’t you dare tell me that you and I aren’t going to work. Don’t hide behind Neve, or AJ, or Kate. AJ, Neve, and I have come to an understanding. You’re a family, a family who has to learn where I fit in. I’m patient, and I’m willing to work with all members of the family for them to be comfortable with me.”

  “But…”

  “Look.” Dylan sighs. He sits closer and takes my hands in his. “There’s no manual for this. There’s no rule book. There’s no GPS. Nothing. What we have to do is work together. All five of us.”

  I pull my hand away, and rub at my temple. “You’re so gentle, and… and… willing to accept anything that’s going to come my way. It’s not too late.”

  He scoffs as he shrugs. “It might not be too late for you. But me, I’m a goner. You’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met. And I don’t care how long I have to wait. I will. An eternity? Pffft.” He flicks his hand at me. “I’ll wait five eternities.”

  “You know what’s scary?”

  “What?”

  “The depth of your love for me.”

  He scratches at his chin for a moment, thinking. “It shouldn’t be scary. It should be comforting. Because I’ll always be there to catch you. I’m your safety net, and you’re mine.” He chuckles again. “In time, all four of you will be my safety net, so I’m winning more in this relationship thing more than you.”

  I stare at him, my mouth open. “Did you just make a joke about my alters?”

  “I made a joke about all of you.” He winks, as he falls back against the sofa, dragging me on top of him. Straddling his legs, I lean down and kiss him.

  This kiss isn’t as fevered as the first.

  But that’s okay, for tonight.

  “Hey, wake up,” Dylan says as he peppers kisses down my cheek, to the top of my neck.