I move back to the other side of the table and watch her as she works away. I know she may be leery, even think that I’m not serious about this, but I honestly do hope she can help me smooth things over with Chase and Jordan. And who knows, maybe at the same time she’ll change her mind about me too—just how I like it…two birds one stone.
Chapter 14
Velyn
When I first agreed to help Dylan with Chase and Jordan, I’ll admit I was doubtful that he’d follow through. But as we make our way through the quad approaching the table where Chase, Jordan and Ava are seated, I will say that even with his apparent hesitation, I’m impressed that he’s still at my side.
“We’re almost at the table, so remember your filter, Dylan. Think about what you’re going to say before you shoot it out of your mouth,” I advise.
“I know, you told me the same thing about a thousand times on the way over here. Filter—check. What I want to know is if this is where you all go to have your daily bash on Dylan meetings?”
“Daily? Don’t be silly—it’s only on Tuesdays and Thursdays that we do that. Mondays and Wednesdays are our ‘Plot how to make Dylan pay meetings,” I reply with a snicker.
He stops in his tracks, causing me to stop as well, and he asks, “You left out Friday. What happens on that day?”
I give him a smile with a slight brow wiggle. “Wouldn’t you like to know.” I motion him forward. “Now get going they won’t be out here forever.”
Dylan moves ahead of me. It’s a slow step by step at first, but then when Jordan looks up, it’s like Dylan’s facade comes right back into play. His shoulders go back and his chest puffs out—great!
“Velyn, when did you stray to the dark side?” Jordan questions.
I let out a sigh realizing I may have been forgetting it wasn’t only Dylan’s ego that I was contending with. But to my surprise, Dylan takes it all in stride.
“Even Velyn has an animal clawing inside that needs to be set free from time to time,” Dylan replies. I let out a groan and he looks down to me. “Sorry, it just slipped out.”
I shake my head then urge him forward, but before moving, Dylan looks to me as if I should be able to read his thoughts. It’s funny though, because I almost can.
“It’ll be fine. Like I said, be yourself. And Dylan, by self, I don’t mean the one that you put out so that you’re not vulnerable.”
“You know you’re asking for the world here, Velyn?”
I take a step closer, lowering my voice so only he can hear. “I know I am, but I also know you’re not a jerk; however, those people think you are. Dylan, if you want to make amends, you have to man-up and admit you were wrong. You need to apologize.”
We’re standing almost nose to nose, and I can see his eyes scanning mine. “Just so you know, I hate apologizing.”
“It was never a secret, Dylan. But if you want your brother and best friend back, I suggest you bite the bullet and suck it up, princess,” I let out much to his amusement.
“Princess? Well, who’s the nasty one with hurtful names now?” he scolds playfully.
I let out a laugh, once again motioning him forward. “Stop stalling, Dylan. I promise once it’s all done, you’ll feel better.”
“We’ll see.”
He moves closer to the table, standing just at the end. “Look, I’m not one to admit when I’m wrong...ever. But as Velyn pointed out to me, I was this time; with both of you.”
“Whoa, hell hath frozen over,” Jordan lets out.
Ava’s quick to give him a swift slap to the arm. “Not another word out of you.”
Jordan’s shoulders slump, and he looks to Dylan. “Sorry, man.”
Dylan looks back to me quickly, then after taking a deep breath, turns back to the table, grabbing a seat just across from everyone. I follow, sitting beside him.
“Okay, here it goes. I’m sorry for being an ass to you guys; you too, Ava. I should never have said those things or even treated you the way I did. It was wrong, and I’m sorry.” He looks to Jordan. “I didn’t see it, man, I honestly thought she was just another fling. I should’ve known when to shut my mouth; realized that she did mean something to you. It’s just that I didn’t like thinking I was losing my wingman.”
Jordan looks back to Ava for her approval. She gives him a slight nod, and with that, he turns back to Dylan. “I can accept that. Dyl, man, it was never about you losing your wingman, it was about me growing up. All the partying and the constant revolving door of women—it was just getting old. And you can’t say you disagree. I know for a fact you were done with it all well before me. You were getting tired of that life too.”
Dylan nods. “Yeah, I guess. Look, I just want things to go back to how they were. Well, with Ava at your side now too. That is if she’s willing to forgive me.”
“Dylan, the fact that you’re even willing to admit you were wrong is enough for me. I never wanted to come between you and Jordan. Trust me, as hard as these past few weeks have been for you, let me tell you they’ve been just as hard for Jordan. He’s been miserable without you. And let me add that my weekly book club will be ecstatic that you’re back in the picture.”
Jordan looks to Ava. “Are you saying they didn’t like me in the group? I thought I shared some great insight.”
Ava shrugs. “Sorry, babe, but they kind of felt you monopolized the meetings. That, and a lot of the time, it was like you weren’t even reading the same book we were.”
He gives her a look. “What do you mean? Were we all supposed to be reading the same book?”
I let out a chuckle. “It’s all good, Jordan...you do you.”
Ava jumps in. “Hey, I wasn’t going to complain I was just happy that he was reading.”
We all let out a laugh, with Dylan and Jordan offering each other that knowing nod; the one that says all is right again.
I look around the table and notice Chase seems a little off. Getting up, I move to his side. “Hey, why so quiet?” He shrugs. “Chase, what is it?”
He turns to me and in a whisper says, “Jordan seems to have been the only person he cared that he upset.”
Before I can say anything, Dylan’s right there with a hand on Chase’s shoulder. “Not a chance, bud. I was just saving the most important person for last.” Dylan takes his brother into a playful bear hug. “I hate that we weren’t talking. And although you may think I was only pulling the guardian card to make you miserable, which I will admit I was to an extent, don’t ever think that you’re not the number one person in my life. I love you. You’re my baby brother, and no matter what, I will always look out for you.”
Chase looks back up to his brother. “What about Velyn?”
Dylan turns his eyes up, catching just a glance of mine before I turn away. He stands from the table, stepping in front of me then offers out his hand. “This is an apology that’s going to take more than words. Do you have some free time, Velyn?”
This is certainly not something we had planned out in the car!
I didn’t have free time then, but Dylan made me promise that I would give him a moment or two when I was done work.
“Okay, are you sure you don’t need me to do anything else, Joan? I don’t mind...really.”
I’ve been playing in my head a scenario in which Dylan would need more than words to apologize—let me just say the imagination can be a dangerous thing.
“Vel, sweetheart, you need to stop stressing over this,” Joan says.
I give her a curt nod. “You’re right; it’s probably nothing. Dylan will probably just say a quick sorry for being an ass, offer me a handshake, and be on his way.”
Joan laughs. “Oh no, that boy has no intention of sending you off with a handshake.”
“What do you mean?”
She walks over, laying a hand on my shoulder and giving it a tight squeeze. “Velyn, my love, that boy’s…oh, what do the kids say? Oh, that’s it…that boy wants to tap that.”
What!
Joan looks to me. “Dear, when you look up thinks with penis in the dictionary, a picture of that boy is right beside it. The only difference is now I think he may have met his match in you, and sweetie, once he figures it all out, he isn’t going to be so quick just to let you go.”
“No. Joan, that can’t happen. It will never happen. Chase is my best friend, and I won’t jeopardize that by getting involved with Dylan.”
Her eyes shoot past me, and a slow grin creeps across her mouth as she nods to the door. “Love, it may be a little too late for that.”
I turn catching her line of sight and let out a gasp—well shit!
Dylan walks through the diner door, not overly dressed but definitely cleaned up. But the thing that really catches my eye is the dozen pink roses he’s carrying in his hand.
“Hey, sorry, I know I’m early. I can wait,” Dylan says as he approaches the counter.
Joan waves him off. “No worries, she’s done. Aren’t you, Velyn?”
Dylan looks to me with a smile and hands me the flowers. “These are for you. Sorry, I don’t know what your favorite flower is, but the lady at the shop said I couldn’t go wrong with pink roses.”
That damn lady at the flower shop!
I nod, offering a smile in return. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.” I turn to Joan. “Would you be able to put these in water for me?” She takes the roses and heads to the back. “I’ll just grab my coat from—"
“Here you go,” Joan bellows as she comes back through the doors; my jacket and purse in hand. “I wouldn’t want you getting lost back there,” she finishes with a smirk.
I shoot her a forced grin. “Thank you; you’re so very, very kind.”
Joan snickers, almost skipping back to the kitchen. I let out a held breath and turn to Dylan. “Lead the way.”
Once we are outside the diner and settled in his car, he looks to me. “Yeah, sorry about the flowers. Connie said that when you apologize to a woman, you should always bring flowers, but now I think that may have been a little too much.”
Although relieved that there are no longer any expectations, I can’t help but feel disappointed. I think in my head, I was maybe hoping they meant more.
I let out a chuckle. “Really, it’s not a problem. I sort of thought it was a Connie suggestion.” He smiles, and with a returned smile back, I then buckle myself in and look ahead. “So, where are we headed?”
“Greek row.”
I turn to him quickly. “What? No, Dylan, I don’t like parties, seriously.”
“I know. It’s not a party. There’s actually a little cafe down the street.”
“Then why did you say Greek row?”
He lets out a laugh. “Because I wanted to see your reaction; by the way, it was priceless.”
“I thought we talked about you being an ass?” I question, only mildly annoyed at his humor.
Dylan shrugs. “We only talked about being an ass to people and making them feel bad. You said nothing about me joking around.”
I give him a pinched look. “Did I honestly need to make that distinction?”
“Hey, the clearer, the better. That way it leaves no room for misunderstandings.”
“I’ll remember that for next time.”
We make our way to the other side of campus where all the fraternity houses are. The illustrious Greek row, or so they have many fooled into thinking. Either way, it’s a place I’ve managed to avoid and intend to keep avoiding for the duration of my time here in school. But as Dylan said, there’s a quaint little cafe just on the edge of the street.
When we enter, it’s not overly busy. The diner was packed all night tonight, so the moment of quiet is appreciated.
“Why don’t you grab that table over there while I go and order. What would you like?” Dylan asks.
I take a quick look at the drink list above the counter. “Ooo, I’ll have a flat white, please and thank you.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
Grabbing the table in the corner, I move to the other side, taking the seat with a view of the whole shop. With the dim incandescent lighting and soft jazz playing in the background, this setup makes for quite the little romantic rendezvous point. I glance around the room, not missing the fact that most of the tables are filled with couples. Yeah, now I’m starting to think that maybe we should’ve hit the truck stop off the highway.
Moments later, Dylan returns with our drinks. “Well, this makes for quite the cozy hangout.”
“Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.”
He offers a small smile resting our drinks on the table then takes the seat across from me. “So, do you work every night at the diner?”
“And day.”
His eyes widen in surprise. “You work every day and at night? When do you have time for a social life?”
“After.” I let out with a laugh. “I really only work six-hour days—three in the morning for prep and three at night for the dinner rush. Sometimes depending on what I have going on with school, I’ll pick up a lunch shift, but that’s more for the tips.”
His eyes scan my face. “Why do you work so much?”
I sit back in the chair, my hand resting on the table holding onto the mug in front of me. “How much has Chase told you about me?”
“Nothing, he just said that it wasn’t his place to tell me.”
I nod, letting out a chuckle. “Well, at least I know whom I can trust with any deep dark secrets I have.” I look up to Dylan, seeing that his eyes are still very focused on me. “There’s not much to tell. I grew up in a nice neighborhood and in a nice home with absolutely amazing parents, then my mother died two years ago, and everything changed.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks…I don’t know, I was devastated when my mother died, but we had time to prepare, so it’s almost like my grieving period started even before she was gone. I miss her every day, but I just try and remember the times when she was here with us, happy and healthy, and it seems to get me through. Each day that passes gets a little bit easier. But my Dad, that’s a different story.”
“He didn’t take it well?”
I shake my head. “That would be an understatement. My father completely fell apart when my mother died. At first, he wouldn’t get out of bed. Then it progressed to nights of drinking once I was asleep so I wouldn’t see, but then into days and nights of complete intoxication. It got to the point he was barely functioning at home, nevermind out in the real world, and that’s when he lost his job. After that, it was like a snowball effect of one disaster after another. When he lost his job, that then led to us losing our house. I managed to get together enough money for a little apartment, but that’s it. Everything else; rent, groceries, bills...that’s why I work so much.”
“And you still go to school.”
I nod in confirmation. “That’s also why I deferred for two years. I didn’t want to, but at the time it’s the only option I had.”
“And your dad...does he still drink?”
“Every day. I used to push him to get help in the beginning, but the therapist I was seeing taught me that he has to want to make that change. He needs to want to do it himself,” I explain.
Dylan lets out a breath, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t know what’s worse, having an absentee father who could really care less or a father who’s around but may as well not be?” He looks me over for a moment then asks, “Why do you do it? Why do you stick around?”
Leaning forward, I look into his eyes. “Would you not do the same for Chase?”
“Well, yeah, but that’s Chase. He’s my brother; I love him.”
“And it’s my father, and I love him.” I shrug. “I know
from the outside for someone who didn’t see what it was like before; it looks hopeless. But I know my dad and the man that he was. That man is still in there, and that man; the man that raised me to be who I am today…that man is worth hanging in for.”
I see the little glisten in his eyes. The part of him that Chase was talking about. The part no one gets to see. But just as quickly as I see it, it disappears as Dylan sits up, pulling forward his armor.
“Yeah, well, I guess you at least have some decent memories. All Chase and I have are two sorry excuses for mothers and a father that gave up all his parental obligations once I turned eighteen. Did you know he hasn’t been home in months? His excuse; he’s working—in his office—twenty minutes away.” I reach for his hand; I don’t know why, instinct maybe, but surprisingly he takes it and looks into my eyes. “I owe you an apology, Velyn. I shouldn't have treated you the way I did.”
“Then why did you?”
“Because you, and the possibility of what you could be, terrifies me.”
Well, what the shit!
Chapter 15
Dylan
“Because the possibility of you terrifies me—why in the hell did I say that? She probably thinks I’m some sappy ass loser.” I turn to my brother. “Well, help me here, does she think I’m a loser?”
“Sure. Loser. Yep.”
“Would you pay attention. Chase, I’m asking for your help,” I plead.
He tosses the game controller to the side and looks to me. “I have no idea what happened, Dylan, so exactly what would you like me to do after the fact? Did she leave after you said that?”
“What? No. We sat and talked for like two hours after.”
Chase picks the controller up and turns back to the game. “Then I’d say you’re fine. Loser status averted. All systems are a go.”
I throw myself back onto the couch. “See now, you say it, but you don’t sound convinced. I sense restraint in your tone, like you’re not telling me something.”
Loving Chase: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Novel Page 11
