Chapter 13
“What a wonderful web we weave”
Lilly
I can’t believe that just happened and I’m so in over my head at this point that if I had to get out I would need life support. I’m hooked and undeniably in love with Dylan, but I can’t say it out loud. The moment I realized it was when we were decorating his house for Halloween and he mentioned something about putting Christmas decorations up next. Just that second when he sounded like he was planning a future with me was when it hit me. However I fear that if I say it out loud that this will all come crashing down around me, and that someone will say two months together isn’t long enough to have those feelings. Or even worse yet is that he won’t feel the same way for me, and I can’t handle that just yet.
So for now I’ll hold back in silence and keep things as they are. When I hear the door shut and turn around to see Everly come back into the kitchen all red faced and pissed. “Where’s Dylan?” She asks. “He stole a meatball and went to turn the TV on. Why?” She sighs and sits on one of the four stools lining the island as I pull the chicken dip out of the oven and set it on the counter in front of her. “Because I just need to talk to you.” The sadness in her face says it all, and I’ve heard this all before too. “What did my jack ass brother say this time?” I swear I could punch him for what he puts her through. “He was pissed when I told him I’m moving down here for the new store that we’re opening up by the mall.” Fashion has always been Everly’s heart and soul. She has been drawling designs since she was little, and her father though not really present in his role as a dad, has still supported her financially. This means giving her every opportunity and dollar to make her dream a reality. Which has led her to put up a new fashion headquarters and custom center near here. Though she will be well known around the country and hopefully the world one day, but she chose to open it here so she can be close to one of her mentors. “What did he say?” I find myself getting more pissed by the second as she is on the brink of tears. “He keeps saying how I screwed up in the bar that one night.” “He has no fucking clue what happened that night and he needs to shut his damn mouth.” I say and her eyes go wide. “No, please don’t tell him!” She begs and I sigh in frustration. “Fine, but it doesn’t mean I can’t smack him upside the head!” I tell her before I walk around her and go straight outside to where he and Dylan are opening a case of beer and putting it in a cooler.
“What is wrong with you?” I ask and Dylan looks at me and to Shane just to make sure it’s not him that’s in trouble, while Shane rolls his eyes. “Nothing, tell your so called friend to take her business somewhere else.” I can’t hold back, so I punch him in the arm. He laughs as I shake my fist out from the pain I got by hitting his muscle. “Listen jack ass, you are misled by what you think happened that night. But I’ll hold true to my promise and not give you the details. When I really want to smack you in the face with the truth.” I pause and his face turns to question. “All I can say is just leave her alone. She doesn’t deserve this from you.” I finish and then go back inside as I see everyone else begin to show up, leaving my brother to sit on confusion for a while. So we’ll see if he can stop being such a dick.
Back in the kitchen I see that Everly is gone, and when I look around the corner I see that she must be in the bathroom because the door is closed. Coming in the front door is Dylan’s Aunt and she is carrying an arm load of food, so I go help her before she falls with it. “Let me help you.” I say as she hands over two big foil pans. “This smells fantastic! What is it?” I ask as she sets her purse down on the chair and follows me back. “One is mini hotdogs with beans and barbeque sauce, and the other is full of different cookies.” I set them down on the counter and open up the one with the cookies. One bite and I know that the rest of the pan is in jeopardy. “Oh my, this is the best thing ever!” I take my time eating the soft sugary cookie with the icing on top. She giggles. “Oh, that’s one of Dylan’s favorites.” I smile a devious smile at her. “Do I have to share?” My question makes her laugh. “Share what?” My new cookie nemesis enters the kitchen with his Uncle in tow. “Nothing.” I say quickly as I cover the pan and push it off to the side behind me hoping he’ll forget. “Aunt B. did you make cookies?” He asks her and she shrugs not wanting to ruin our playfulness. So I squint my eyes and look at him. “Honey, the icing on your lip gave it away.” He leans in and kisses me only to taste the icing. As he then pretends to hug me while reaching around for the pan and grabbing one for himself. We laugh as he puts the whole thing in his mouth. After he is done chewing he hooks an arm around me. “I don’t usually share my cookies, but for you I can make an exception.” He leans in for one last kiss as I realize we’ve attracted an audience.
His Aunt is smiling with his Uncle standing behind her. Shane steals a meatball and looks to Everly, but doesn’t say anything before going out to the living room. Jen and Maddox are walking through the door and Sill is leaning in the doorway with a few bags of chips. “Tony can’t make it but he said he will for sure next time. So can we please not tell him about next time?” Sill says as he sets the stuff down on the counter. Jen and I laugh about his comment about Tony. “He’s nice.” Jen sticks up for him. “Oh honey I know, it’s just he is so loud. Hell, I bet if we are quiet enough we can hear him all the way from the other side of town.” He finishes and we laugh because we know it’s true.
“Okay, foods done! Everyone can eat.” I announce as I line up all the food on the island, and put out all the plates and plastic wear.
The night goes by as the guys are consumed by the TV and us girls hang out in the kitchen after halftime because our team is ahead by 14. It’s nice to do things like this, and everyone agrees too. Next week Jen offered to have it so we each agreed on what we have to bring food wise. Aunt B. was a big hit with Jen and Everly too, and even though she decided to sit the next one out she still wants to send some food down for next week’s game at Jens’. Even with us coaxing her she said something about her having something to do after church with some of the ladies there. So she will be missed, but I’ll make it up to see her sometime during the week. She is supposed to show me how to make a pork chop recipe that I’ve wanted to try anyway.
Once everyone left and kitchen was cleaned, Dylan and I sat back on the couch and flipped through the channels only to find that there was nothing on to watch, and honestly, I’m tired. “I think I’m going to head home, I have so much stuff to do.” I sigh because I hate laundry. “Can it wait until tomorrow?” He pulls me in close against him. “I could fall asleep just like this, but I seriously have to do laundry.” With my head on his chest that’s rising and falling with every breath, without a doubt I could be asleep in no time. “Don’t you want to sleep in my nice big comfy bed?” He tries to sway me. “I really should get me one of those, because no joke it is the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in.” He chuckles. “Don’t spend your money, when you can just sleep in mine.” His voice is convincing.
I pull myself up to get moving or nothing is going to get done and I need clothes for tomorrow. “Sorry but I have to go. Bring in that food tomorrow for lunch and we can all eat left overs.” I lean in and kiss him but he’s too fast as he pulls me in. “So you’re leaving me?” He asks and I so badly want to say no. “I have to. I planned on doing it earlier but my new neighbor had some weird shit playing with the door open, and we couldn’t take it so we left.” And this is when I realize I have to start doing laundry throughout the week instead of just on just Sundays. He takes a deep breath. “I can come with you.” He offers. “Awe will you miss me?” I ask playfully and he grins. “Damn right I will. That’s why I’m coming with you. Well that and I want to see what this new neighbor of yours is all about.” Obviously he has his mind made up. So for lack of assuring him I’ll be alright, I just let it go and agree. In our time together we have spent some nights apart but truthfully it’s better together.
My apartment is dark when we pull up, and the streetlight that usually lights up the sidewalk to my door is out too. “Well this is creepy.” I mutter as I put it in park and Dylan jumps out the passenger seat. “Yeah it is, they need to get this shit fixed.” He replies as we walk to the main door. The flashlight on his phone gives me light to put in the key and turn it. “Is there normally a hallway light? I don’t remember it being this dark.” He asks as I push open the door and walk straight to the light switch. “I honestly don’t remember, but there should be. I think the street light was just that bright before that we never noticed because it always shined in.” “Still, maybe you should start leaving a light on so it’s not this dark. I don’t want you coming home in the dark like this.” I smile because I like how he wants to protect me and honestly I couldn’t agree more. “I’ll start leaving the lamp in the living room on. Hey, at least there is no music blaring down the hall now, that’s a plus.” I assure him as I walk to the back to gather a load for the washer. “I wonder who moved in.” He yells down to me. “Well, we’ll find out sooner or later.” I shrug as I say back.
When I come back out from sorting and putting a load in Dylan is asleep on the couch with the TV on. So big and sexy, but yet so sweet and caring. How could I not love him? So I do what I have to do and set my alarm to get up and change the washer. It only takes a whisper in his ear to come to bed and he is up and stumbling down the hall. Yeah my bed may be a little smaller than his but I don’t mind, I like having him next to me.