Chapter Thirty-Nine
Talen
I was standing in the middle of the ring. I could sense the crowd around me, but when I looked up, there was no one there. I frowned, searching for the crowd, hearing them chant my name even as their screams became less and less intelligible.
I looked around for my opponent, but again, there was no one around. I walked around the ring, readying myself for the fight I knew was coming. And then the spotlight fell and I saw them all. It wasn’t the crowd I was hearing. It was my family. They were all there, all my brothers surrounding the mother I had thought I had lost forever.
She was standing in the center, Brittany at her side. I smiled as my eyes fell on Brittany. She was wearing a white dress with flowers in her black hair. She looked just like Snow White, and it made me want to reach out and touch her, just to make sure she was real. They were all looking at me; they were chanting my name and cheering me on.
I took a step forward so that I could speak to them. I wanted to say thank you. I wanted to tell them that I appreciated their presence there. I had never wanted to say those words so badly before. But as I took a step forward, they seemed to recede further and further away from me.
I frowned, looking around, trying to understand what was happening. The ring seemed to be getting smaller and the spotlight falling on my family seemed to be fading.
“Wait,” I called, hoping for an answer. “What’s happening?”
I took another step forward and again the same thing happened. The ring got smaller and my family seemed to be pushed further from my grasp and my vision. I locked eyes with Brittany, realizing that the smile had faded from her face.
“Brittany,” I said.
She looked me right in the eye and shook her head sadly.
“What do you mean?” I asked, but I realized that no sound came out. I couldn’t speak or move. I tried to run, but the ring started to shrink dangerously.
“No,” I said, looking around in a panic.
When I looked up, I realized with a start that my family were fading away. The spotlight falling on them was dimming. Soon it would die altogether and I would lose them.
“No,” I said again, and again, no sound came out.
I locked my eyes on Brittany. The spotlight flickered for a moment and the rest of my family disappeared as if by magic. Only Brittany remained, looking angelic in her white dress. She gave me a smile, but it was a sad smile and I could sense the goodbye in it. The spotlight flickered and suddenly…she was gone.
I woke up with my heart beating fast and my hands clawing out, trying to grab onto Brittany as though I could stop her from vanishing. When I realized I was in bed, in the safety of my apartment, I relaxed a little.
“It was just a dream,” I whispered to myself. “Just a dream.”
It was still dark outside and when I checked the time, I realized it was not yet three in the morning. Sighing, I tried to go back to sleep, but somehow the dream had shaken me awake and I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep. I walked to the kitchen and made myself a cup of weak coffee. I sat at the table and sipped slowly.
I don’t know what made me do it. I had no intention of disturbing anyone, but then a sudden urge overtook me, and I picked up my phone and dialled her number.
“Hello?” she answered groggily.
“Hi, Mom,” I said softly. “I know it’s late… I probably shouldn’t have called.”
“Talen?” Mom’s voice was tired with sleep, but I heard her perk up immediately. “No, I’m glad you called. I’ve been worried about you.”
“Me?” I asked. “Why?”
“I don’t know… You’re the youngest,” she said simply. “And, I don’t see you very often.”
“That’s my fault.”
“It’s not your fault,” she said firmly. “It’s mine. I’m the one who should be making the effort. Especially because I’m the one who left.”
I hesitated for a moment. “You had a reason,” I said softly.
“That doesn’t change the fact that I wasn’t around for you,” she replied. “Did I ever tell you how sorry I was for that?”
“You’re telling me now,” I said softly.
I could hear the smile in her voice. “How are you, my boy?” she asked tenderly.
I felt a warm feeling spread across my chest and realized that this was the first time I was actually letting down my guard a little and letting her in. “There’s this girl in my life, Mom,” I confided in her. “And, I’m in love for the first time in my life.”
“Your first love,” she said, and her tone softened instantly. “That’s all my boys, then…”
I laughed. “Who would have thought? All the Burbank boys in happy relationships. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“You boys underestimate yourselves,” she said. “As strong as you all try to act, your deepest nature is your father’s. And, his greatest quality was his capacity to love. He loved me more deeply than I could have ever imagined. And, that is the same way you boys love your women.”
“I wish I had a second chance with Dad, too,” I told her.
“I know, darling,” Mom replied. “Sometimes… I wish I did, too.”
We were silent for a long time, before she finally spoke again. “I’d like to meet her one day.”
“You will,” I said confidently. “Soon, I hope.”
“Good,” she replied.
“Thanks for talking to me, Mom.”
“Call me anytime, okay?” she said. “I don’t care how late or early – anytime.”
“I will,” I smiled.
“Goodnight, son.”
“Goodnight, Mom.”
I hung up, finished my coffee and went to bed. Within minutes, I was sleeping soundly once again. And this time, I didn’t dream.
I woke up the next day feeling invigorated and ready for my meeting with Wendell. I dressed quickly and headed into the training facility. I went directly to Wendell’s office, instead of making a detour to the training ring where I knew Ryan would be busy training.
“You’re early,” Wendell said when I walked in.
“I know,” I said, sitting down in front of him.
“Just as well,” Wendell said, clapping his hands together. “We have a lot to discuss.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve booked you for another fight,” he said, obviously excited. “It’s five months from now, which should give you plenty of time to recover and train up in preparation. Your opponent’s name is-”
“Whoa…hold on Wendell,” I said quickly, holding up my hands to stop him.
“What?”
“I have something I need to tell you.”
He frowned. “Okay, what is it?”
“I met with my doctor a few days ago,” I informed him.
“Right?”
“The swelling in my brain hasn’t gone down, Wendell,” I said. “And, if I continued to fight, I’m risking permanent brain damage.”
Wendell narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re quitting, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “I am.”
“Huh,” he said, looking shocked at my decision.
“Did you not expect this?”
“Honestly, I thought you’d continue to fight no matter what the doctor’s say,” he admitted.
I smiled. “I would have done, if not for one very important reason.”
“Which is what?”
I hesitated a moment. “Let’s just say, I’ve found something that is more important to me than fighting. And, I’m not prepared to risk it for this career. I had my moment in the spotlight and it was better than I could have imagined. I proved to the world and to myself that I was capable of going the whole way. I’ll have to be content with that and quit while I’m ahead.”
Wendell listened to me in silence, but the dumbfounded expression never left his face. “I understand, I think. It’s just… Your career… It’s just starting to take off.”
“I know,” I said. “And trust me, I understand what I’m giving up. Which is why I know it’s the right choice.”
Wendell looked at me pointedly. “You’re sure?”
“Positive,” I nodded.
He sighed, looking wistfully at me. “I guess that’s that, then.”
I stood up and he did the same. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” I said. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Don’t mention it,” Wendell said, still sounding disappointed.
“I suppose this means my contract will be retracted?” I asked, unsure of what the next step would be.
He shook his head. “Actually, since you’ve stopped fighting based on medical reasons, the MMA is still obliged to pay you your contract in full. So you’ll still get your money.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You’re serious?”
“I never joke about money.”
I smiled and shook his hand again. “That is great news. Thanks a lot, Wendell.”
He sighed again and nodded. “Sure thing,” he said, without enthusiasm.
I left him in his office and headed to the training ring where I ran into Steven. I told him about my decision to resign from the MMA; unlike Wendell, Steven patted me on the back and told me I was making the right decision.
“Never forget your priorities, Talen,” Steven told me solemnly. “At the end of the day, the MMA is just another career – and a dangerous one at that. Life is made up of so much more than that.”
“Thanks for the support, Steven,” I said sincerely. “And the training.”
“It was a pleasure being your coach,” he replied.
I said goodbye to Steven and exchanged a few words with Ryan. He was shirtless and sweaty and a little disappointed that we weren’t going to be training partners anymore, but he understood my decision.
“I guess I’ll be assigned a new training partner now,” he said.
“I’m sure you’ll irritate the crap out of him, too.”
“Fuck you,” Ryan said, throwing me the finger.
Laughing, I backed away from him. “Don’t mention anything to Lacey or Brittany just yet, okay? I want to be the one to tell her.”
After saying goodbye to Ryan, I bought some groceries and headed to my place to prepare a romantic dinner for Brittany and myself. I spent the evening trying to perfect the dinner, but I kept making mistakes. In the end, I resorted to calling Peter, who talked me through the entire cooking process. By the time seven o’clock rolled around, I was exhausted but satisfied. I had a hot meal on the table, and Brittany was on the way.
I could tell she was anxious the moment I opened the door. She walked in looking a little distracted and when I glanced at her hands, I could tell she’d been biting her nails the whole day.
“You look a little frazzled,” I observed.
She smiled. “I was just wondering how your meeting went,” she said, cutting right to the chase.
I took her hand and led her to the table. “I made my decision, Brittany,” I said gently. “I handed in my resignation this morning. I’m not going to fight anymore.”
She stared at me for a second and then her whole body relaxed all at once. “Are you serious?”.
“I am.”
She took a deep breath and then she threw her arms around me. “Oh, Talen,” she said breathlessly. “You have no idea how happy this makes me.”
“You were hoping I would resign, weren’t you?” I asked.
“A little,” she nodded.
“Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want to influence you,” she replied. “I wanted this to be your decision.”
“Well, it is,” I assured her. “And, I know it’s the right one.”
“Good,” she said, sounding immensely relieved. “I just want you to be safe and happy.”
“I’m both those things now,” I said. “And, I have even more good news.”
“Oh?”
“Given that I was forced to resign because of medical reasons, I’m still entitled to my contract money,” I told her. “Which means we don’t ever have to worry about money again.”
Brittany put her arms around me and shook her head. “That is good news, Talen, and I’m happy for you,” she said soberly. “But it doesn’t really mean all that much to me. I’d gladly live in a box my whole life, just as long as I was living in it with you.”
I smiled. “That makes two of us.”
Six Months Later
Epilogue
Brittany
“What is this thing called again?” Talen asked.
I laughed. “It’s called a soft opening,” I replied. “It’s sort of a pre-curser to the grand opening. It’s only for family and close friends.”
“Right,” he nodded. “Okay, makes sense.”
I turned to him and raised an eyebrow. He was struggling with his tie and looking supremely uncomfortable. “You know, you don’t really need to wear a tie.”
“I know,” he said. “But this is a special occasion. The diner is making its debut.”
I smiled at his enthusiasm and walked over to help him with his tie. It was a midnight blue with tiny white pin dots on it. I fastened it securely around his neck and then stepped back to admire him. He really was a handsome man, and I felt a little bubble of pride burst inside me.
“There,” I said. “You look very handsome.”
Talen smiled and reached for my hand. He pulled me to him and kissed me softly on the lips. “And you look breathtaking – as always,” he said. “That dress is perfect on you.”
I had finally gone shopping with Lacey. The result was an entirely new wardrobe and a couple of dresses that were more expensive than my grocery bill for the week. One of my favorites was the one I was wearing now, which was a silk organza confection in a dreamy periwinkle purple hue. I had wound my hair up into an intricate up-do, leaving strands of hair loose on either side of my face. It was the first time that I’d actually felt like a real life Cinderella.
“I’m a little nervous,” I admitted.
“About the opening?”
“Of course not,” I smiled. “About meeting your family.”
“Why should you be nervous?” he asked. “You’ve spoken to all of them, and they already love you.”
“Those were phone conversations,” I said. “It’s different.”
“It’s not,” he assured me. “Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”
I took a deep breath. “We should get going. I don’t want to be late.”
Talen nodded, took my hand, and we headed out the door together. We arrived at the diner a little earlier than expected. Lacey and Danny were standing out front, admiring the diner’s brand new façade. I had to admit, it looked wonderful.
Fairy lights were everywhere, illuminating the diner’s new navy blue and white motif. I couldn’t see the inside very clearly, but I could tell that the interior would match the diner’s romantic new feel.
“Hi, guys,” I greeted, as we walked up to Lacey and Danny.
“There you are,” Lacey said, turning around and giving me a hug. “Can you believe it? It looks great doesn’t it?”
“Looks amazing,” I agreed wholeheartedly. “Where are the others?”
“April and Emily are inside with the rest of the staff,” Danny replied. “Ryan’s in there, too, tasting all the appetizers.”
“Which reminds me, we should get in there and make sure he leaves some for the rest of our company,” Lacey said.
I laughed as Danny and Lacey linked arms and walked into the diner to finish the last-minute touches. Talen slipped his arm around my waist, just as three cars drove up, honking loudly.
Talen raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Looks like my family’s here.”
I tensed a little but I kept the smile on my face. One by one, they got out of the cars, and I realized that I already felt like I knew all of them. Talen’s mother reached us first. She was younger than I had expected her to be, with long hair and kind eyes. She hugged me before she hugged Talen, holding me close to her for a moment.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you in the flesh, Brittany,” she said.
“And, you,” I nodded.
Then Talen introduced me to each of his brothers in turn. There was Peter and Madison, Alan and Jessica, Sam and Mia, who stood with rosy-cheeked Renni standing between them, holding both their hands. And then there was John, with his partner Kami who was carrying their cherub-faced six month old in her arms.
“She’s adorable,” I cooed, reaching out to stroke the baby’s cheek.
“Especially when she’s quiet,” Kami smiled. “Which doesn’t happen very often.”
“May I?” I asked, holding my hands out for the baby.
“Of course,” she nodded, transferring the child into my arms.
The baby looked at me curiously for a second, as though she were contemplating whether or not to make a fuss. Then she seemed to give a little sigh and settled into my arms quietly. I looked up, and Talen caught my eye. He gave me a secret little smile and turned back to his brothers.
“I love how you’ve done your hair, Brittany,” Madison said. She had done her hair up in braids. “It’s beautiful.”
“Coming from a hairstylist, that’s a big compliment,” I said.
“I won’t be a hairstylist for long,” Madison said. “I’m thinking of a career change, actually. I’m finishing up my degree soon.”
“You went back to school?” I asked.
“I did.”
“I’m going back, too,” I said.
“Call me anytime,” she told me. “I’d be happy to give you some advice.”
“I’d love that,” I nodded. “And, I will definitely take you up on that offer sometime.”
We spent a happy few minutes exchanging details and developments about our lives. I was happy to find that all Talen’s sisters-in-law were friendly, down to earth, and easy to talk to. I actually felt like I fit in, which was a new experience for me. I had always felt like the outsider, but this time was different. It felt like I was already part of their group.
I held baby Natalie in my arms, rocking her slowly from side to side. Her head had that beautiful downy baby smell and I felt my stomach do a little flip. I had never thought about children before, perhaps because I had always figured I’d never have the time or the money to be able to have one.
But now everything was different. My future was open. I could decide my own fate.
“She’s a beauty, Kami,” I said sincerely.
“Renni was obsessed with her when we visited them in California,” Mia said. “I have to admit, though, being around Natalie, makes me want to have another baby.”
Alice smiled fondly. “Have you told Sam that?”
“Not yet,” Mia said with a wink. “I don’t want to scare him just yet.”
“Where is Renni?” Alice asked, glancing around.
“She’s over there, with Sam,” Mia pointed out, shaking her head. “She’s such a daddy’s girl. She follows him around like a lamb at home.”
The girls fell into stories about their domestic bliss, and I was happy to realize that I could share a few moments from my own life, too.
Talen and I had moved in together a few months ago, after finding a nice comfortable two-bedroom apartment only a few blocks away from the diner. We had moved all the furniture that Talen had bought for me and added a few new pieces to our larger home. I was finally living the life I had seen other people live – and it was more amazing than I could have ever thought possible.
After a few minutes, Talen stepped in and broke up our little girl bonding session. “How about you ladies go inside and check out the diner?”
I handed little Natalie back to Kami and then the whole family traipsed into the diner, but Talen grabbed my hand and held me back. I leaned against him, feeling excited and content.
“Your family is amazing,” I said. “I love them already.”
“And, they love you,” Talen replied. “Seriously, you’ve won everyone over already.”
“You’re not just saying that?” I checked.
“I’m not,” Talen promised.
I smiled. “How are your brothers?”
“They’re all doing well,” he nodded. “It’s funny…”
“What is?” I asked.
“All my life I felt removed from all of them,” he said thoughtfully. “I suppose I thought of myself as the black sheep of the family. But it was only ever a self-imposed title. I’m the one that created the difference and distanced myself from all of them. I made myself the black sheep, when I didn’t need to. It was never about them, it was always me.”
I kissed his cheek gently. “And now that you recognize that, you can stop,” I pointed out.
He smiled. “I suppose I can,” he said. “It sounds simple now.”
“Why do you think that is?” I asked curiously.
Talen shrugged. “Maybe because I have you,” he said. “And once I’d opened myself up to one person, it becomes easier to do it with everyone else.”
I smiled. “That’s an interesting analysis,” I said.
“Does it make sense?”
“It does,” I nodded. “You know, I’ve been thinking of majoring in psychology lately… What do you think about that?”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Talen nodded. “You have my full support.”
I smiled. “Good.”
“So, shall we head inside then?”
“Yes, they’ll be waiting for us,” I nodded.
We walked up the steps to the diner, and Talen held the door open for me. The moment I walked in, I was stunned into silence. The diner looked spectacular. A motif of flowers and ivy hung from the ceiling, and it felt like we were still outdoors. Fairy lights were everywhere, coiled around the pattern of ivy that hung from above. And there were a hundred different covered candles cloistered around the diner, casting a faint but romantic glow over everything.
“This is…wow,” I breathed.
When I had finally finished admiring the interior, I glanced around at the small crowd that had gathered to celebrate our soft opening, and I realized that they were all staring at me with sentimental smiles on their faces.
“What is…”
I turned slowly and realized Talen was behind me, on bended knee. My breath caught, and I felt a rush of some strong emotion course through my body.
“Talen?”
He stayed where he was and pulled out a little blue box from his pocket. “I know this is unexpected, Brittany,” he said softly. “But it feels right, and I didn’t want to wait any longer. You are my first love, and I want you to be my last. Will you be my wife?”
He opened the box to reveal a breathtaking princess cut diamond sitting on a tiny, black silk pillow. And yet, as beautiful as the ring was, I couldn’t take my eyes off Talen’s face. Because I was looking straight at my future and I finally knew where my life was headed.
I took a step towards him and bent down to my knees, too, so that I was at eye level with him. “Of course, I’ll be your wife, Talen Burbank,” I said, with raw emotion tainting my tone and making me shiver. “There’s nothing else I’d rather be.”
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BLIND LOVE
By Naomi Niles and Erin Wes
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 Erin Wes
PART 1
Chapter One
Dylan
“Why are these houses so far apart?”
I sighed. If I was going to find the right car to steal, I knew I had to find the right house. So far, no one had left the keys in the car. Maybe rich people never did that. Poor people did because they didn’t expect anyone to take their crappy cars.
Needing a new computer and with my mother getting fired once again, I knew that I had to take desperate measures. With a new computer, I could do my programming homework at home instead of school. The computers at school were crappy, and I could never get enough time on them in class.
I spied a Mercedes. That could get a good price. My cousin boosted cars and he’d shown me where I could sell it to get cash. That would be one sweet computer.
My stomach rumbled. Right. I hadn’t had dinner and the low income lunch had been hours ago. The night was turning chilly, and I needed to get this done. I hadn’t brought a jacket because I had no idea where it was. Knowing my mother, she sold it.
I looked around. No one on the street. Being twilight, everyone was probably having dinner. Something I might have to skip tonight – unless I found some ketchup packets in the refrigerator.
I sighed. This life sucks and with that computer, I can make a better one. I didn’t feel bad for stealing the car because they had insurance. They could buy another one.
I thanked my luck that the car was in the driveway instead of the garage. A silver Mercedes E-class. I’d bet it had all the bells and whistles. It would be a sweet ride to the chop shop. The porch light on the McMansion turned on, so I froze standing behind a tree. There was a light on in a front window, but I couldn’t see anyone in the room. No one came out of the house.
I stalked up to the car, then pulled on the handle to the driver’s side door. It was unlocked, but the dome light came on and the car dinged. The key was inside.
Sweet. I hopped in and slumped down. If anyone looked out, they wouldn’t see me. There was no movement, from what I could tell. I had just let out a breath I’d been holding, when the passenger door opened.
My heart raced, but I froze instead of jumping out of the car. A hand clamped onto my arm, which should have energized me, but it didn’t.
I looked up into the stern face of the man who probably owned the car.
“Son, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
My lips moved, but I could form no words. I’d been caught doing petty stuff. My life as a criminal had not been smooth. Ever. Auto theft was big deal – this was real jail time.
“Uh.”
“That’s all you got?” he said.
He’d probably already called the cops, so I’d better run, but the man had a strong grip and I couldn’t pull free. “I’m sorry.”
The man chuckled. He was laughing at me? It wasn’t a maniacal laugh, but it sent chills through me, anyway. “Oh, son. I’m guessing you’ve never done this before.”
I shook my head. Maybe the cops would be lenient on me since it was my first large offense. Never mind that I’d shoplifted and stuff like that.
“No, sir.”
“Sir, huh. Now you get manners? You try to boost my car and you call me sir? How old are you?”
“Eighteen, sir.”
He nodded. “You go to the local high school?”
“Yes, sir.”
The man must be waiting for the cops to arrive. My stomach took that moment to rumble. A loud and long sound that was unmistakable. The man’s face softened. “You hungry?”
“Yes, sir.”
Well, what was I supposed to say? My stomach had just sang a song if its people, so I couldn’t deny it. “What’s your name?”
“Dylan.”
“You got a last name?”
“Cabot.”
I licked my lips. I had no idea how I was getting out of this situation. Fuck. Shit. This had been stupid of me. If my mother was even awake, she was going to be pissed. I bet she’d let me stay in jail all night.
“Dylan Cabot who is hungry and trying to steal my car. Well, Dylan Cabot, it’s your lucky day. I haven’t called the cops and I won’t call the cops if you do me a favor.”
Shit, I’d do anything at this point. “Sure.”
“Let me take you home. I’m sure someone is worried about you.”
I shook my head. “No. No one.”
“We’ll get takeout on the way so you have something to eat. If I let go, are you going to run? Remember, I know your name, now.”
I shook my head, the lure of food pretty strong. If I had enough food, I’d eat all the time. “No.”
He let go of my hand and my better judgement prevailed because I didn’t run.
“Now, let’s switch places, and I’ll take you home,” the man said.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Rob Dean,” he said, holding out his hand.
I shook it then we both climbed out of the car. I looked at him for a moment, unsure if he was joking. I had tried to steal his car and now he was buying me dinner and driving me home. What bizarre world had I stepped into.
“Buckle up,” Mr. Dean said when I climbed back into the car.
I really expected Ashton Kutcher to jump out and tell me that I’ve been punked.
“It’s okay, son. You care what fast food we stop at?”
“Uh, no sir,” I said.
I’d eat garbage at this point, which was probably what would have happened. I’d have gone dumpster diving behind the burger joint. Now, I was actually getting food from it.
But tomorrow I’d wake up hungry, so I might as well enjoy this meal now.
***
When we got closer to my house, I turned to Mr. Dean. “You can let me out here.”
“No, I’m taking you all of the way. I’m not going to tell your parents what you did.”
I clutched the bag of food he’d bought me while I searched for a way to get him to stop. He didn’t need to see the trailer I lived in. He didn’t need to see my mother in her bathrobe, assuming she was even awake. If she lost her job today, she would be drinking. Among other things.
I couldn’t have been more embarrassed. “No, really. I need to get out here. My driveway is rutted and it’ll do damage to your car.”
“No go, son. I take you all the way there or I take you to the police station.”
Shit. I frowned at him and didn’t say anything until we reached the driveway.
“See. It’s a mess. You don’t need to damage your car.”
Mr. Dean eyed the driveway then pulled off the road. “Then, we’ll walk the rest of the way.”
I looked at his nice pants and dress shoes. It had rained this morning. “You’re going to get muddy.”
“Everything is replaceable.”
Spoken like a man with a big paycheck. I climbed out of the car. At least, I could find a path that wouldn’t be so muddy.
The trailer I lived in was at the end of a long driveway. A rotted car sat to one side of the driveway. My mother said it had been hers, but it broke down and she couldn’t get it fixed. She’d been relying on rides from coworkers and several had let her down. That’s why she was fired. She hadn’t shown up for a few shifts this week.
I would have to apply for food stamps again, posing as her online, but I needed a computer for that. I had figured out how to get internet. A neighbor hadn’t secured their network and I could use it if I stayed at one end of the trailer.
“Is anyone home?”
“I only live here with my mother. She may already be asleep.”
“This early?”
“She works odd hours.”
Or in this case, doesn’t work. Mr. Dean nodded. “Okay, but I’d like to meet her.”
“I’ll see if I can wake her.”
I opened the front door. The smell hit me. She hadn’t cleaned. I hadn’t cleaned. In weeks. I tried to spend as little time here as possible, but I knew that sometimes my mother needed me to take care of her.
My mother was passed out on the couch when I turned on the light. Mr. Dean pulled out his phone. “Go check her. I’ll call an ambulance.”
He was barely inside the house and I could see he was wrinkling up his nose. I checked my mother. She was still breathing. “Mom.”
She didn’t stir. I blinked at her then shook her harder. “Mom.”
Mr. Dean put a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, Dylan. The ambulance is on the way.”
The police arrived first, but there was nothing they could do. She wasn’t responding, but she was breathing. Then, the paramedics worked on her.
“Let’s go outside, Dylan,” Mr. Dean said.
He stood with me while the cops asked me questions. He kept his hand on my shoulder and for that moment, someone had my back. No had ever had my back. Not in my entire life.
“You came here and just found her like this?” the officer asked me.
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Does she drink?”
“Yes.”
I couldn’t look him in the eye. I could tell he was viewing me with pity. I didn’t want anyone’s pity. I wanted a hand out of this place, but that was never going to happen. I was eighteen – too old to be put into the system.
I was on my own having been dealt a shit hand.
“Does she do drugs?”
“Yes, sir,” I said.
Always nice to have one’s life laid out for strangers. I wanted to eat my burger and go to bed. Forget that this all happened. Or figure out another way to get a computer. Anything but stand here while these two men dissected his life.
“Okay. I need to talk to the paramedics. Do you know what drugs she does?”
“No sir. I never paid attention.”
My mother had taught me call all adult males sir. It was probably the only thing good thing she taught me. When I glanced up at him, the officer nodded, but he didn’t look as if he believed me.
I wanted to shout that I had bigger plans for myself than a trailer in the woods. Maybe I’d go into the military or to trade school. I just had to figure out how to get out of high school alive.
The paramedics took my mother out of the house. She still hadn’t woken up yet. If she died, I was going to have to quit school to make money. Otherwise, I’d have no place to live. Shit. Shit. Shit.
I wanted to punch something. Mr. Dean squeezed my shoulder. “Dylan will come home with me.”
“He’s eighteen, he can do what he wants,” the officer said.
The both stared at me. I still had the sack of burgers in my hand. I really just wanted to eat them.
“How about you eat your dinner, then you can decide. Hard to think on an empty stomach,” Mr. Dean suggested.
I nodded, then followed him in. I didn’t look at the couch. I just sat in the kitchen. I could hear Mr. Dean moving around in the living room. He finally sat down with me as I finished my food. I did feel better.
“You are free to do what you want, Dylan, but I suggest you come home with me. I have a bedroom for you and we can figure out what’s next.”
I nodded. It was the best offer I’d gotten in awhile.
Chapter Two
Taylor
Mom had picked me up and told me that Dad had been out. I loved my mom, but I enjoyed the time in the car with my dad. He was much more laid back than my mother and I could talk to him about so much.
I could ask him about boys and he wouldn’t get upset or tell me that I couldn’t date certain boys. I was eighteen, and he respected that I needed a little more freedom. My mom was all about the appearances – what I looked like and who I hung out with.
It was so annoying. All I wanted to do was go to school, cheerlead, and hang out with my friends. Why do I have to be bothered about what I look like? People like me. I’m smart, sort of. I get so disgusted by her.
She makes me show her how I look before school every day. I know how to dress. She taught me, after all. I thought she should leave me alone. We don’t talk the whole ride home. When we got there, Dad’s car was in the driveway.
I hopped out to go see my daddy. I missed our talk on the ride home. I had a question for him that I didn’t think my mom could answer. Flying in the front door, I stopped dead at the strange guy sitting in my living room.
“What are you doing here?”
The boy stood. He looked a little familiar, but I was scared.
“I’m Dylan. Your father brought me home,” he said.
“Dylan? Where’s my father?” I raced down the hall to the kitchen before he could answer. “Daddy?”
“What, pumpkin?”
I stopped in the doorway to the kitchen. My dad was putting food on a plate.
“Who is that guy in the living room?”
“That’s Dylan Cabot.”
I had heard of him. He was a burnout and bad news. Why was he in my living room? My friends were coming over after dinner. “Why is he here?”
“He had no place to stay, and his mother is in the hospital,” he said.
It still didn’t make sense. “How did you meet him?”
“That not important, pussycat. He’s staying with us for a few days.”
I blinked. “Staying with us? Does Mom know?”
“Not yet.”
The front door closed and my mother strode into the kitchen. “What is that tattooed boy doing in our living room?”
“Relax, Mallory. He needed a place to stay, so I offered him one of our bedrooms. We have more than we need.”
“He looks like trouble.”
“Well, he is in trouble and I’d appreciate you being nice to him. The kid’s had it rough, and he needs our help.”
“Robert Dean, you are a softy. Do you have a plan?”
“Not yet. But I will.”
She frowned. My mother didn’t like people in the house. She only tolerated my friends because we went into the basement and she couldn’t hear us. My mother could be a bitch. I bet she was going to give Dad a hard time about Dylan after I went to bed.
“Dylan,” my dad yelled.
The boy appeared in the kitchen doorway looking at all of us as if we were going to challenge his right to be there. As long as he stayed out of my way, we’d be fine. I had no time for sullen teen boys when I had my eye on the quarterback of the football team.
“Here’s some food. Eat.”
“You already fed me,” he said.
His voice was deep, more like a man than he looked. He was skinny and a tattoo snaked up his arm into his shirt. I wasn’t sure I liked tattoos, and it made him look a little scary.
“Well, Dylan, I guess you’ll be our guest for a little while,” my mom said.
As much as she didn’t want him here, she still had manners. You know, all about appearances and such.
“Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it.”
He took a spot on a stool at our kitchen island, then dug into the food Dad had offered him.
“Dylan, this is my daughter, Taylor,” he said.
Dylan looked at me, then through me. “Hello. You’re in my math class.”
Okay. I hadn’t seen him, but I might not notice someone like him. He wasn’t in the crowd I hung out with.
***
I was hungry, but I didn’t really want to eat with Dylan. He ate like he hadn’t seen food in years. Did he never eat in public?
“I’m going to take my plate downstairs,” I said.
My mother nodded. My father frowned. “You might as well eat with Dylan and me. Are you eating, honey?”
My mother shook her head. “No, I have a meeting tonight.”
She eyed Dylan as if she didn’t want to leave him alone in the house, like a new dog that might not be housetrained. At least my mother could escape. My father gave me a look that told me I couldn’t argue with him. I did anyway.
“I have friends coming over to study.”
“You can eat a plate of food before they get here,” he said. “You could invite Dylan to meet your friends.”
Before I could disagree, Dylan said it. “I don’t think so, sir. I have my own homework.”
My father eyed us then shrugged. “Okay. Do you need a computer? I think we have an older laptop laying around here somewhere. Where is that, Taylor?”
“It’s in the den, Daddy.”
I put some stew on my plate. I had snacks in the basement. My father made sure there was food down there, much to the chagrin of my mother. He would rather me have friends over where he could keep an eye on us. He was sure I was going to get into some kind of trouble.
Whatevs. Not like there weren’t many other hours in a day that I could get up to trouble. They didn’t really know when cheerleading practice ended. Not that I really got up to anything.
I had a beer at a party once and I had wanted to throw up. I waited until I felt normal again before I drove home. No one was the wiser, but it scared me.
So, I didn’t drink.
Not worth it. I’d bet Dylan partied every night. What would my Dad think of that?
“Dylan, you said you and Taylor are in the same math class?”
“Yes, sir.”
He put down his fork. I could see another tattoo on his other arm. How many did he have? Did they hurt? I didn’t want to ask. Dylan and I didn’t travel in the same social circles. I doubted that we even knew the same people.
“How are you doing in it?”
“Well, sir. I’m good at math.”
He looked like he was good at math, but I thought, but kept quiet and chewed. I braced for what my father was going to say next.
“Could you help Taylor with it?”
Dylan looked at her as if he was afraid she would bite. “Uh, if she wants me to.”
“Not tonight, Daddy. I have friends coming,” I said.
I didn’t want Dylan around me. Really, I didn’t. What had Daddy been thinking bringing him home? Weren’t there shelters for people like him?
“Okay, sweetheart, but it sounds like Dylan could help you get your grade up.”
I didn’t frown, but I wanted to. “Sure, Daddy. We can get together this weekend.”
Dylan nodded, then went back to his food. I escaped not long after. I set up snacks in a few bowls along with some chocolate – just the study food we needed.
The basement had its own entrance so my mother didn’t have to be bothered by people. Helena Charney, my best friend, arrived first.
“Hey, girl.”
We hugged. She was different from most of our friends. She wasn’t that into fashion, just enough that my other friends didn’t bug me about her – because they would. I once wore last year’s style to school and I never heard the end of it. I almost called my mother to come get me.
When I told her, she took me shopping that afternoon.
I’ve never worn last year’s clothing again.
Helena had put a purple streak in her brunette hair, and I worried that no one else would like it. “Why did you do that?”
She shrugged. “Just felt like it.”
“You look like a goth.”
“Hardly. It’s one streak of purple, Taylor.”
I kept quiet, opening my books to study. I had a report due the next day and would type it when everyone left.
Next into the basement came the B girls. Bailey and Barbie were twins and everyone just called them the B girls because it was tough to tell them apart. I could. Bailey was nicer than Barbie. Her hair was also a little darker than Barbie’s.
“Cheers, bitches,” Bailey said. “I have a report and I need a lot of help.”
Helena rolled her eyes. Bailey needed help all of the time. I often wondered what she was going to do in college when we weren’t there. The B girls dropped onto the couch while Helena grabbed some chips.
When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I expected to see my dad. He’d come down if my mother wasn’t there so he could steal some junk food. Instead, it was Dylan.
The B girls gasped. Bailey mouthed, “Is that Dylan Cabot?”
I nodded. “Can I help you, Dylan?”
“Your dad sent me down for a bag of chips,” he said.
He glanced at all of the girls, but his face showed nothing.
“The chips are in the closet,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t linger since he was coming across a little creepy.
He grabbed a bag. “Thanks.”
He trudged back up the stairs. Barbie squealed. “What is he doing in your house? He’s like a burnout or a druggy or something.”
“My father brought him home. You know how he is with strays,” I said.
That was really the only explanation.
“I think he’s kind of hot,” Bailey said.
“Hot? He’s bad news. He was caught stealing from the dollar store. The dollar store. I mean, really,” Barbie said.
I had heard many stories about Dylan and wondered if I should share them with Daddy. He should know who he invited into our house. “I think it’s for a few days while his mother is in the hospital.”
“Still, he has the bad boy mystique. Do you really think he’s had sex with as many girls as I’ve heard?” Barbie said. She shivered a little, but I could tell she was thinking it might be a good idea.
“Who told you he had sex with a lot of girls?” I asked. I was curious, okay?
Barbie shrugged. “I heard some girls talking in the bathroom. He picks the uggos, from what I can tell. Guess they’re more desperate.”
“I think he could get any girl he wanted,” Bailey said.
Oh, crap. Bailey crushed on anything with a penis. The last thing I needed was her inventing reasons to be here because of Dylan. “He’ll be gone in a few days, so we really don’t need to talk about him.”
“Shall we talk about that quarterback?” Barbie said.
Again, Helena rolled her eyes. She opened her books and, I guess, let the conversation flow around her.
“He was watching you do that split, Taylor. I think he’s into you.”
I shrugged, pretending it was no big deal, but he was Hot. With a capital H. “Maybe.”
“I bet he asks you to the dance,” Barbie said.
“We’ll see. Then I have to decide if I want to go with him.”
Chapter Three
Dylan
I opened my eyes and couldn’t believe that I had slept the whole night. That was the first time in years. I wasn’t cold or hungry. I felt safe. The idea bothered me a little. My stay here might not be long, so I shouldn’t get used to it.
I doubted that Taylor would put up with me for too long. I listened at the top of the steps as her and her friends talked last night. Wow. Girls are whacked.
No, I hadn’t had sex with a lot of girls and some of the girls who claimed to have had sex with me, I didn’t even know. Glad that in rumors I was getting so much tail.
I showered in my own bathroom. It was different after always sharing one. When I walked down to the kitchen for breakfast, Taylor was looking at her phone. Her mother was making some bacon. I couldn’t remember the last time I had bacon, let alone the last time I’d had more than stale cereal to eat. A lot of times that was dinner, too.
“Good morning, Dylan,” Mrs. Dean said.
“Good morning.”
“There’s orange juice in the fridge. Please use a glass.”
I’m poor, not ignorant, I thought, but I pressed my lips together. I had the impression that my stay here was against her judgment. I glanced at Taylor, but she didn’t look up. I wasn’t the quarterback. I wasn’t even an athlete, though I thought I could be. I wasn’t in her realm at all.
Oh, well. She could be nice and at least grunt at me.
“Good morning, Taylor,” I said, not knowing why. I couldn’t resist.
She paused in tapping on her phone and looked at me. She rolled her eyes when she thought I wasn’t paying attention. “Morning.”
She went back to her phone.
“Mr. Dean left a phone for you. We had an older iPhone lying around,” Mrs. Dean said.
What else did this family just have lying around? She handed me the phone. “Thank you.”
She also handed him a piece of paper. “Here’s the phone number for the phone and all of our phones.”
“Even mine?” Taylor interrupted.
“Yes, even yours. In case of emergency.”
“Not sure how I can help since you’ve taken my car away,” Taylor said.
So Taylor wasn’t such a goody two shoes? That surprised me.
“You’ll get it back in a week, young lady,” Mrs. Dean said.
Taylor frowned.
“I hope bacon and eggs are okay. I’m not that much of a cook,” Mrs. Dean continued.
“They’re great, ma’am.”
She put a plate in front of me and I dug in. I could see Taylor watching me for a moment. She looked away when I made eye contact. So, she was curious about me. She had a bowl of cereal in front of her that she was snacking on.
“Use a spoon, Taylor and put down your phone and talk to the boy.”
“It’s fine, Mrs. Dean. If she doesn’t want to talk to me, I’m okay. I’m usually by myself for breakfast most days.”
I could see the pity in her eyes, so I looked away. I was trying to better myself, but it was hard. I knew that my time here might be short.
“I called the hospital this morning. They are keeping your mother another day,” Mrs. Dean said. “Mr. Dean will take you to the hospital this evening to visit if you want.”
“I’d like that.”
I wasn’t sure I did, but there was no reason to piss her off if I was just going back there in a few days. Better to keep the peace.
“It’s almost time for school.”
I looked around. “There’s no bus?”
“I don’t take the bus,” Taylor said. “I usually drive, but my car is on impound.”
“I should make you take the bus,” Mrs. Dean said.
“I have to be in early,” Taylor said.
“Then hurry.”
I shoveled the rest of the food in, grateful that I wouldn’t be hungry the whole day. I was waiting for them by the car when Taylor finally sauntered out. She was clearly in no hurry. She was adorable with her long, blonde hair and large blue eyes, but she knew it. She didn’t look at me as she climbed into the front seat.
I took the back of the Mercedes SUV. I didn’t care. My stomach was full and I thought might actually learn something today.
We the whole trip to school was in silence. I didn’t care. I had things to think about, like how to keep my nose clean. Trouble always seemed to find me and I ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Taylor stopped me when we climbed out of the car. “Don’t get any ideas about talking to me. We aren’t suddenly best friends because my father considers you a stray.”
“Fine.”
I didn’t really want to talk to her, anyway. She thought the quarterback was worth dating when I knew he was a d-bag first class.
She walked away as if I’d been put in my place. I wandered into homeroom. I didn’t have any friends. Not like I could invite them over to my house. At least my clothes were clean today. That didn’t always happen.
First period was math with Taylor. She didn’t look my way, but I started watching her more. She flirted with some guys and passed notes the whole time. Maybe if she paid attention, she might understand the subject better.
I had a pop quiz in history. That day I realized how often I passed Taylor in the hallway. I had noticed her as much as any guy noticed her, but now there was a connection. She would glance my way, but I didn’t acknowledge her. She had girls and guys hanging off of her everywhere she went.
Wow. That crowd was tough. One wrong word or outfit and you could be an outcast. Real life had to be better than high school.
This place sucked – only, a little less so if I wasn’t living with my mother.
***
Last night, Mr. Dean sat me down and said that I needed to find an activity to occupy my time for the rest of the school year. I used to play baseball before things went to shit at my house. Since that sport was holding tryouts after school, I went for it.
That didn’t have to be my activity, but if I made it, why not. There were other things I could try, but being physical appealed to me. I had a lot of stress and anger and I might as well take it out on a ball and bat.
I showed up in shorts and shirt. Others had uniforms, but I was new to this. Of course, everyone looked at me and my tattoos. My mother thought tats were cool, so she let me get them. Guess I should have covered those up, but frankly, I was proud of them. I’d get more, but I haven’t had the money.
No one talked to me until one other guy showed up. He was taller than I am, which was hard to do. He held out his hand.
“I’m Cole Hassett. I’m the Captain of the team.”
“I’m Dylan Cabot.”
“This your first year trying out?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, good luck.”
Cole walked away. Suddenly, I wasn’t invisible. Several other members of the team approached me and shook my hand. For once, I felt as if I could be part of something. Usually, I stood on the sidelines, never getting involved because I never knew if something would come up and I would have to bail.
I still didn’t know, but Mr. Dean had never talked to me about when I was moving out. He planned on taking me clothes shopping this weekend. As if I were staying.
The only thing permanent in my life had been change. My mother and I had moved around a lot until last year when we settled in the trailer. I think her brother owned it and didn’t make her pay too much rent.
I’d had a few jobs since I was sixteen, but nothing stuck because I always seemed to be bailing out my mother. She was always in a crisis.
A man with a whistle around his neck who I recognized as a science teacher walked out of the school. “Gather around. Here’s the drill today. We’ll do some fielding, then we’ll bat, and then I’ll make my decision.”
That didn’t seem like a lot.
I had a glove that Mr. Dean had found. He said if I made the team, he’d buy me a new one. Nothing came for free, so I was still waiting for what the catch was. Would he get bored of me as his project and kick me out?
I would have to prepare for that day. It could easily happen.
The coach, Mr. Rivera, had a clipboard in his hand. “Okay. I need Hassett at right field. Alphonse at center and Cabot in left. I’ll be hitting out to you to see what you can do.”
Cole smacked me on the back. “Good luck.”
I nodded and ran out to left field. I caught everything that came my way, amazed that I could remember how to do it. Then the coach hit to centerfield, and I glanced around.
The cheerleaders were practicing next to us. I noticed that Taylor was looking at me. Or at least, looking my way. Maybe she was checking out Cole. I didn’t want to presume.
Some of the other girls were also looking my way. No. They couldn’t be looking at me.
Maybe they were wondering about my tattoos. Everyone asked. It wasn’t like most people didn’t have them. I was old enough to get them on my own, but these I had from when I was younger.
I looked away, then back at Taylor. She looked away as if I’d discovered a secret of hers. They began another cheer. Did they cheer for baseball?
“Look alive, Cabot.”
I looked up in time to catch a fly ball, then throw it back to the coach. When I looked Taylor was smiling.
Maybe she was looking at me, after all.
The coach called us in for batting practice. It took me a few tries to find the bat I wanted. When I was up, I put a helmet on and stepped into the batter’s box. The first pitch whizzed by me. It made a loud smack in the catcher’s mitt.
The catcher laughed. “You’ll get used to those.”
He threw the ball back, and I was able to hit the next three pitches over the pitcher’s head and into center field. Couldn’t complain. I didn’t know if it was good enough, but I did my best.
Cole patted the seat next to him when I finished batting practice. “What made you try out for baseball?”
Was he telling me I sucked that badly? “I have to find an activity. This was the only sport trying out today.”
Cole laughed. “That’s fine. Hey, some of us are going to get burgers afterwards. You want to join us?”
I had money. Mrs. Dean had made sure I had some cash before leaving for school this morning. I could actually do that. “Uh, sure. Will we know if we made the team by then?”
“You’ll get an email tonight.”
I didn’t have anything other than the school email and it wasn’t set up on my phone. I could probably do that while we waited. Several more players batted before the tryout was over.
Cole didn’t leave my side. “We’re going to Joe’s Burgers. You need a ride?”
“I do. I don’t have a car.”
Should I tell someone that I was going out? My mother often didn’t care, but I had a feeling that Mrs. Dean would. “Let me talk to someone, and I’ll be right back.”
I walked over to where Taylor was giving instructions to her squad. I stood off to the side, waiting for her to finish. She turned to me finally. “What?”
“I’m going out for burgers with some guys. Should I tell you mother?”
“Send her a text. She’ll want to know.”
She turned back to her friends. I’d been dismissed.
Chapter Four
Taylor
“Did you see that Dylan kid? Trying out for baseball?”
I ignored what the other girls said. I couldn’t decide how I felt. It really took guts to try out for a sport your last year in high school. I’d been cheerleading since I was seven, so I couldn’t imagine trying something else at this point.
I was Captain – the height of my career. I might even cheer in college if I could figure out where I wanted to go.
“Hey, Taylor,” Cole said to me.
I refocused onto him. He’d been talking to Dylan most of the afternoon. I was probably paying more attention to the baseball tryouts than Cole was. “Hi, Cole.”
He was a good guy, but not dateable. He was firmly in my friend zone, and I was a little hurt that he was okay with it.
“I hear Dylan lives with you.”
“Yeah. I guess it’s temporary. How did he do?”
“I think okay, but my opinion doesn’t matter. Coach has to choose.”
Barbie stalked over. She had a crush on Cole. She had a crush on most boys. “Hi, Cole.”
At least today she didn’t hang on him. “Hi, Barbie.” He turned back to me. “I have to go; the guys are waiting. See you around.”
“Bye, Cole,” Barbie called.
Even I could hear the pout in her voice. She was disgusting. She had no taste. “We need to practice that cheer one more time.”
“Oh, Taylor. Haven’t we practiced enough?”
That whine cut through me. Barbie always wanted to stop early. “Well, we could do the cheer or we could do laps.”
“I hate running,” she said.
“Then do the cheer again. I need to see how we look for the competition,” I said.
Barbie stalked back to the group and told them. They all groaned. I glanced back as Dylan was walking with Cole toward his car. Guess they were bonding. I wasn’t sure how I liked that.
Cole was in my group of friends. This might give Dylan entry into my world. I didn’t know how I felt about that. He might not be a resident of my house for long. Should I give him a chance?
He did try out for baseball. Even if he didn’t make it, I thought he and Cole would be probably friends.
Cole got along with everyone. I don’t know how that happened. How did a person not settle on a group? Everyone had to be part of some group, except for those few kids on the fringe of everything.
They’d be the ones I’d read about years from now having shot people in a fast food joint.
I turned back to my squad. They were looking at me to start them cheering.
“A little distracted, Taylor?” Bailey said.
“No.”
“I think you’re hot for Dylan.”
“What?”
I knew that I wasn’t hot for Dylan. I just was curious about him. I wasn’t going to explain that to them.
“Dylan and Taylor sitting in a tree,” Bailey sang.
“What are you? Four? Let’s go girls. We need to get this cheer down if we expect to win the competition.”
I watched them go through it. My part didn’t interact, so I could watch for a few times. “Bailey, your cartwheel was crooked. Sally, you were one beat behind.”
Was this the first time these girls were doing this?
“We’re tired, Taylor,” Bailey said. “Can’t we quit for today.”
I looked around. “Is that what everyone wants?”
“It’s almost six. We’ve been doing this since three,” Barbie whined.
They did have a point. “Okay. We can call it a day, but I expect everyone to work twice as hard on Saturday.”
“The SATs are on Saturday.”
“Not all day,” I said.
These ladies were not the fierce competitors I wanted them to be. I glanced back at the parking lot as Cole drove out. Dylan was in the front seat of the car. Guess they were friends.
“I think you’re jealous that Dylan has made a friend,” Bailey said in my ear.
I spun around. “I don’t care what Dylan does.”
“I think you do. Come clean, Taylor. You like him.”
“I don’t even know him,” I told her.
I didn’t. We really hadn’t talked. Bailey left as I cleaned up our pom poms. I called my dad. He arrived fifteen minutes later to pick me up.
“So, Dylan went out with friends?” he said when I climbed in the car.
“Cole, a guy on the baseball team.”
“So, you were keeping track of him today?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, Daddy. He just came up to ask me if he should let you guys know.”
“I’m glad he’s making friends. Didn’t he have friends before?”
“I don’t know. I never noticed him until you brought him home. Why did you bring him home?”
“Because we have so much and he has so little.”
“Where did you find him?”
“That doesn’t matter, pumpkin. I just wish you would try to be nice to him. He’s had a rough life.”
“I was impressed that he tried out for baseball,” I said.
I didn’t want my father to know that I’d actually ignored the boy all day. I really didn’t know what to say to Dylan.
“That’s good. I did ask him to find an activity. I think doing those activities keeps you out of trouble. You have to budget your time better when you have things going on.”
“Is he taking the SATs on Saturday?”
“I don’t know, honey. I’ll have to ask him. He should. That would leave his options open.”
I nodded. He’d been preaching my whole life about keeping options open. I wanted to believe that if I chose something other than college, my dad would be okay with it, but I wasn’t sure. My mother wanted me to go to college to meet a man. How old-fashioned.
***
My homework awaited me after dinner. Dylan came home from burgers with his friends and disappeared into his room. He was at the other end of the second floor. My parents’ room was on the third floor.
I liked having that much privacy.
My father poked his head into my room. “You need anything from me, cupcake? I’m going to bed. I have to be out even earlier than usual tomorrow.”
“No, Daddy. I’m fine. I might get some ice cream later.”
“Don’t stay up too late.”
He kissed my cheek then left me. As I turned back to my computer, I heard a knocking on my door. I turned to find Dylan in my doorway.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” I said back.
We were still strangers, and I have to say it was awkward to have a guy across the hall, even if that hall was very long.
“I left my math book at school. Can I borrow yours?”
“Uh, okay. Did he give us homework in that class?”
“Yes. He did. Chapter twenty three.”
“Yikes. Good thing I brought it home,” I said.
He nodded, then smiled. “Do you want to do the homework first and I’ll come back later?”
I reached into my backpack. “No. I’ll do the homework later.”
“I’ll get this back to you in fifteen minutes.”
I looked at him with wide eyes. “It only takes you that long to do your math homework?”
“Yeah. To me, it’s easy.”
“Wow. I will have to get you to help me this weekend. I can’t seem to grasp it.”
“Were you recommended for this class?” he asked me.
“No, but my mother wanted me to take it for college.”
“Well, there’s your problem. You weren’t ready for it.”
“My stupid grades reflect it,” I said.
This was comfortable. I could talk about school with him. Then the silence fell, but I kind of didn’t want him to leave. “Uh. Did you get on the team?”
He frowned. “No, I didn’t make it.”
“I’m sorry, Dylan.”
He shrugged. “It’s okay. Your dad was right. I need to put myself out there and try things.”
That might mean he wouldn’t be friends with Cole. That would be okay. “You did that.”
“I’ll have to see what else I can get involved with.”
“How’s your mother?”
Another frown. “She’s out of the hospital, but in a rehab center. She’ll be there for a few days.”
“Was it drugs?”
His face fell. I should have asked that.
“Forget I asked. I’m sorry, Dylan.”
I really was. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. He was turning out to be a nice guy.
“It’s okay. It was almost an overdose.”
“I’m sorry, Dylan.”
“Not your fault.”
His face wasn’t so open anymore. I had tread on personal ground and I had to bring things back around. “Uh, are you taking the SATs on Saturday?”
“I’m signed up, but I don’t know if I’ll bother.”
I shifted in my chair to get more comfortable. “Why not?”
“Not like I can afford college.”
“You haven’t applied anywhere?”
“No. I couldn’t visit.”
“You could start at the local community college,” I said. Part of me wanted to go there for nursing, but I knew my mother didn’t want me to go into that field. It was a fight we had often.
“I can’t pay for it.”
“Financial aid.”
“But that has to be filled out by a parent, and that’s not going to happen.”
That was a bind. “There must be something you can do.”
“I can be emancipated.”
“But we’re eighteen. Aren’t we considered adults?”
“Not in terms of financial aid.”
“Then get emancipated. What does that mean?”
He leaned against the door frame. “It means that I can take care of myself. That I’m not under a parent’s authority.”
“Do it.”
“It costs money and I’m not working,” he said.
“Maybe my dad could help.”
He shook his head. “Your father has done enough for me. I can’t ask him to do more.”
“I could.”
“No, Taylor.”
It was only the second time he’d said my name, and I liked how it sounded in his mouth. That was odd, for sure. I wasn’t usually attracted to the bad boy and with his longer hair, scruff, and tattoos he was definitely a bad boy.
“Why not? He’d do it if I asked.”
“I know he would, and I’d owe him even more that I do now.”
“It’s okay to ask for help, Dylan.”
“Not for me,” he said.
I didn’t understand. I asked for help all of the time. Was it a guy thing? Maybe. My father helped me all of the time.
“Is it because you’ve never had anyone to help you?”
“Why are you trying to analyze me?” He pushed off the doorframe. “I’ll get this book back to you in fifteen minutes.”
He spun then walked out. I’d pissed him off. I ran to my door. “Dylan?”
He stopped in the hallway then turned to me. “What?”
“I’m sorry for whatever I said wrong.”
He pressed his lips together. “It’s fine, Taylor. You don’t have any idea.”
“No, I don’t. So, if I do it again, please tell me and know that I don’t mean it.”
He studied me, and I wasn’t sure what he was thinking. I told myself to never play poker with Dylan. Certainly not strip poker. Now, where had that idea come from? I’d never played strip anything with anyone.
“It’s okay, Taylor. You don’t know any better.”
“But I’m not a child, so tell me when I insult you. I don’t want to.”
He nodded. “Okay. Deal.”
I smiled, but he didn’t return it. Instead, he turned back around and left me alone in the hallway. What an odd person this Dylan was. Would I ever understand him?
Chapter Five
Dylan
Cole greeted me outside of school after Taylor’s mom dropped us off. I wasn’t sure if he’d even notice me since I didn’t make the team.
“Tough break, not making the team,” he said.
The email had landed in my inbox only minutes before I arrived home last night. It had been nice to be out with kids my age as if I didn’t have a care in the world. The reality of my mother in the hospital didn’t creep in until I woke in the middle of the night.
I had been disoriented, not sure where I was. The bed was too soft. The room too big. Then, I remembered. I wasn’t able to sleep any more with worry for her. I should be worried. She is my mother.
Taylor poured me some coffee when she saw my face that morning. Maybe she wasn’t such a bitch after all.
“I’ll be okay. Guess I have to try something else,” I said as we walked into the school.
“How’s everything else going?”
Part of me wanted to take a step back. Why was he asking? “Uh, okay, I guess.”
“How’s your mother?”
I had told him about my mother last night. I don’t know what I had been thinking, but I guess I needed to unburden myself. Now, I wish I hadn’t. “Uh, she’s okay. I’ll go visit her this weekend.”
“Is it better living with the Deans?”
“Yeah, it is. They’ve all been nice.”
We walked toward by locker. I opened it and pulled out what I needed for the next few classes.
“Even Taylor?” Cole said.
“Even Taylor. She isn’t so bad.”
Cole shook his head. “Not so sure I’d trust that.”
“Why not?”
I had nothing to lose by trusting Taylor. It wasn’t as if she could kill my reputation in school. Everyone already thought of me as a thug or bad boy. How could it get any worse? Taylor had nothing on me. I was pretty sure that Mr. Dean hadn’t told her what I’d been doing when he found me. Even if he had and she spread it around, no one would care.
Sadly, they wouldn’t be surprised by it – that’s how everyone thought of me.
“She’s not all she seems to be. I’ve seen her screw a few people over.”
“Well, I’m all for giving everyone a chance. Especially since I don’t ever get one,” I said.
Cole shrugged. “I think you’ll be sorry, man.”
“What has she done to you?”
He put a hand on his chest. “To me? Nothing. I keep her at a distance. I’m firmly in her friend zone.”
“If you’re her friend, why are you talking trash about her?”
Made me wonder what he would say about me behind my back.
“I’m not talking trash. I’m just warning you. Friend to friend. That’s it. Don’t kill the messenger.”
I bit my tongue. No need to make an enemy of Cole. Being friends with him could keep some people off of my back. “Okay, no problem.”
Cole flashed a winning smile that would open doors for him in life. I didn’t have a winning smile. Instead, I had an off-putting scowl which Cole hadn’t seemed to be bothered by.
It hadn’t bothered Taylor last night, either. I’d reserve judgement on her. She deserved a chance. Not that she needed one from me.
She was currently surrounded by what I thought of as her groupies. As Cole and I walked by, they all checked him out. I can’t imagine they were checking me out. When I looked at Taylor, though, her gaze was on me. She smiled.
That was the most recognition she’d ever given me in school. I smiled back, then moved on to my first class. I could have walked her there, but I doubted that she would like that. No reason to push my luck.
We had a pop quiz in math and I could tell that Taylor wasn’t doing well. She kept huffing and groaning. It might be fun to help her out later. She wasn’t bad to look at, at all. She wasn’t my type, but that’s okay. It was just homework help.
, the teacher collected our papers. When Taylor turned to put something in her purse, she glanced at me. Her brow was furrowed and her frown creased her face.
That bites. She’s pretty unhappy. I smiled at her, but she didn’t smile back. I didn’t take it personally.
The class went quickly and, to my surprise, Taylor was waiting for me in the hallway at the end.
“I really need your help this weekend,” she said.
She didn’t look around at all. She just stared at me.
“I can help you, but maybe you better let your mother know that you can’t do this class.”
“We’re in the second semester already. I can’t drop it now.”
I nodded. She was right. “That sucks. Okay. We’ll set aside some time this weekend.”
“Thank, Dylan.”
She flitted away. I watched her for a moment, and then I realized Cole was walking the other way. He glanced at Taylor as she went by, then at me. He shook his head.
“Nothing’s going on, Cole. She asked for math help.”
“That’s how it starts. Haven’t you seen any teen movies? That’s how it starts.”
“We live in the same house and I doubt that Mr. Dean would appreciate me doing his daughter right under his nose. He’d kick me out and I don’t want that to happen.”
“Keep that in mind, sport.”
I would. I owed Mr. Dean a lot. Fucking his daughter would be the last thing I should do. Besides, she wasn’t interested in me and wasn’t my type. No worries. We could probably be practically naked and I wouldn’t be interested in her.
Cole slapped me on the back. “I got class. Hey, I’m getting some friends together on Saturday. Come by my house about eight. We’ll hang out. Play some video games.”
“Sure. Sounds good.”
My weekend was wide open, after all. No dates. No parties, but really there never were.
***
I stopped in the men’s room before my last class. I’d waited all day. I was in there alone, thankfully. Using the urinal then washed my hands. That’s when I saw it.
I’d been thinking about what Cole had said about Taylor. She’d been on my mind all day, and I hoped I could help her.
Written on the wall were the words: “Taylor Dean is a slut.”
I didn’t think she was. Cole had said she was a cock tease. That usually meant that she was virgin. So how could she be a slut?
Someone came in and I took my time washing my hands. I’d be late for my next class, but that was fine.
“Hey,” the person said as they washed their hands.
“Hey.”
That guy left as the bell rang. Shit, I was going to be really late for class. I dug into my backpack for a marker. I couldn’t let that sit there. I’d never had a sister, but I wouldn’t want someone to say that about her if I did.
She wasn’t and even if she was, it wasn’t up to someone else to make that judgment. I knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of judgment. Most people thought things of me that weren’t true. I knew that I’d never overcome my reputation in this school, but no need to drag Taylor down.
I found the marker. Uncapping it, I began to cover it up.
The door swung open. I jumped and probably looked guilty.
“What are you doing?”
The newcomer looked from me to the marker and then to the wall. I had covered a good portion of it by then. “You should be in class and not in the bathroom.”
The man grabbed my arm and dragged me out of there.
“I was just-”
“Save it. We’re going to Principal Elliot’s office.”
I didn’t know this guy, but I had a feeling he knew who I was. Principal Elliot certainly knew who I was. Sadly, I’d get no leniency from him, even if it had been months since I’d been in to see him.
I was able to snag my backpack before I was pulled into the hallway.
“I don’t know what you kids are thinking when you do stuff like that.”
He hadn’t let go of my arm. He was going to bruise it, but I sucked it up. I wasn’t going to whine. I just followed him to my punishment. It wouldn’t be my first.
The teacher dropped me onto a chair in the outer office. “Wait here.” Then he turned to the secretary and asked, “Is he in?”
“Go ahead.”
She waved her hand without looking up. When she did look up, she frowned at me. “Haven’t seen you in awhile.”
I shrugged. I wanted to try and explain the situation to the principal, even if I knew he wouldn’t listen.
Staring at my feet, I just grunted in her direction. She went back to her work. The door to Principal Elliot’s office swung open. The teacher who had nabbed me left with a smirk on his face. Was he enjoying this? Was this how he got his rocks off?
“Come here, Mr. Cabot,” Principal Elliot said.
I sighed, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and trudged into his office. He closed the door behind me. “Sit down.”
I knew the drill. He was going to listen to my story, then lecture me as if I was guilty. He’d already decided I’d get detention. Yada, yada, yada. Been there, done that.
I sat on the chair across from him. He might have tried to call my mother, but she wouldn’t be answering.
He settled back behind his desk, a frown on his face. “We haven’t had the pleasure of seeing you in awhile. Have you kept your nose clean or just gotten better at not getting caught?”
I picked at a spot on my jeans. I really wasn’t a bad kid. I just made poor decisions. “Kept my nose clean.”
“I understand that your living situation has changed.”
I looked up at him. “How do you know?”
“Mr. Dean called me yesterday and told me that you were under his care at the moment. You’re eighteen, so I don’t have to call him, but I’ve been friends with him for years, so I’m going to let him know that you were in here. I want to give you detention. For a week. We’ll see what he says.”
I didn’t care if he gave me detention, I didn’t, but I really didn’t want him to call Mr. Dean.
“I was covering up something bad said about Taylor Dean,” I blurted out.
He stopped with his hand poised over the phone. “Oh?”
“Yes. It said she was a slut, and I think that’s awful, so I covered it up.”
He folded his hands on the desk, clearly thinking about what I said. “Whether that is true or not, it is still vandalism.”
“I know, sir.”
“You do. Mr. Carter said you resisted him.”
“What?” I looked the man square in the eye. “I didn’t. I didn’t even say anything.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I knew he caught me, and I just came here with him.” I rolled up my sleeve to where the marks his fingers made. “He did this.”
Principal Elliot eyed the bruises. He blinked a few times. “I’m going to call Mr. Dean. I’ll talk over your punishment with him. Then, one of us will tell you.”
He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a piece of paper. “Here’s a pass to get into your last class. Try to stay out of trouble on your way there.”
I snagged the paper and left. I wasn’t going to thank him because I didn’t think he’d done anything great for me. He was on as much of a power trip as Mr. Carter.