The Perks of Hating You ( Perks Book 2)

by Stephanie Street

  “Funny.” I swatted her hand away from my face.

  Allie grinned. “So, what are you going to do if you aren’t going to get a boyfriend?”

  “Get a job.” Less drama and more money.

  “Really?” Allie smiled. “Where?”

  I shrugged. “I start tonight at that salon on the corner of Main and Bridgewater.”

  “Really? Why didn’t you tell me?” Allie seemed excited on my behalf. She was a good friend.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I forgot about it.” And I kind of had forgotten what with all the drama this weekend.”

  “That’s a perfect job for you.” Allie’s head bobbed her approval.

  It really was.

  Dylan

  I was leaving. The next day I’d be on my way to Fort Benning in Georgia. I felt nervous. Excited. Torn.

  I couldn’t stop thinking about Eden. I’d taken her to school this morning since she wouldn’t get her license until tomorrow morning. Her mom had picked her up after school and dropped her off at her new job at the salon. I wanted to go over and see her after she was done with work, but Mom and Derrick had insisted on taking everyone out to dinner. I think Mom was too emotional to cook, besides she’d made me all my favorite things last night. The twins still didn’t know how to react to my leaving. I’d taken the time once we got home to mess around with them on the trampoline in the backyard. I was going to miss them.

  But now, in my dark room just waiting for sunrise, I knew I couldn’t leave without seeing her one more time.

  Glancing at my phone in my hand, I opened to the message screen with the thread of texts from Eden. There had been a lot more of them over this last month. Probably more than in all the time I’d known her before I started driving her to school this year. It was weird how things changed.

  Sighing, I rubbed my eyes with the heel of my hand. I was tired. But not too tired.

  Me: Hey, you up?

  Eden: Kinda

  Me: What does that mean?

  Eden: It means I’m in bed but I’m still awake

  Oh, man. That was not an image I needed in my head. Especially since having seen her in bed. My bed.

  Eden: What time do you leave in the morning?

  Me: Early. 6

  Eden: Wow. What are you still doing up?

  Me: I can’t sleep

  Eden: How come

  Me: Cuz there’s this little cute girl I haven’t said goodbye to yet

  Eden: Haha.

  Eden: I thought you’d come over

  Uh. Raking my hands through my hair, I considered what I was about to do next. I wanted to see her. Badly. But it was late. And dark. And cold outside. If I went over there, I’d be tempted. Severely tempted.

  But I needed to see her.

  Me: How about now

  Eden: What? Now? Where?

  Me: Yes now. Outside. It’s not that cold. Meet me in five in your backyard.

  I didn’t want her walking any further than that in the dark alone. It took her a minute to respond.

  Eden: Yeah. Okay. See you in a sec.

  I hurried to put on a pair of jeans and pull a sweatshirt over my head all while ordering my heart to calm the hell down.

  Eden

  What am I doing? What am I doing?

  Sneaking out of my house to meet a guy? I thought I was done with that stupidity! But this was Dylan, not some guy. Not Marshall. Dylan could never be like Marshall. Besides, it wasn’t like Dylan was trying to get anything from me. He just wanted to say goodbye before he left in the morning. That was it. Just because I’d been feeling all out of sorts for the last few days knowing he would be leaving, didn’t mean he felt anything more than friendship for me. Did it?

  The house was quiet, my parents were both asleep. The Army sweatshirt Dylan loaned me lay across my desk chair. Grabbing it, I slipped it over my head and over his t-shirt, which I’d been sleeping in almost every night. It was too chilly for shorts outside, so I pulled on a pair of flannel pajama pants over Dylan’s shorts. Socks and flip-flops weren’t usually my thing, but I shoved my toes into them anyway and made my way down the stairs and out the back door.

  Dylan was already there, standing with his hands in his jeans pockets. When he saw me, his face split into an easy grin and my heart almost stopped. After carefully making sure the door was closed, I turned, moving quickly down the porch steps to the yard. Dylan opened his arms and without thinking about it too much- I ran into them.

  I was made to fit into his arms. Everything about him felt right. The cool of the night air disappeared as I pressed my face into his chest. Dylan folded my body close and just held me, his cheek rubbing back and forth against the top of my head, my hair catching in his whiskers. Inhaling deeply, I memorized his scent. Body wash. Sawdust. Outside.

  After what seemed like forever, he pulled away while still holding me close. Lifting my head off his chest, I met his gaze. A thrill of awareness shot through my body. Dylan’s eyes darted to my lips and I watched with fascination as he licked his own. My heart thundered with anticipation. Was Dylan Coulter going to kiss me?

  Dylan

  What was I doing? Holding her like this? But, damn it felt perfect. Eden fit in my arms like I was made to hold her. We were closer than we’d ever been. Physically, right this moment, but also the closest we’ve ever been as friends, if that’s what this was.

  When my eyes met hers, all I could think about was kissing her. But I couldn’t. Could I? My scrambled brain fought to remember all the reasons this was a bad idea.

  She was too young.

  She was Josh’s sister.

  I was leaving in less than eight hours. The last thing I wanted to do was toy with her emotions, especially after what happened between her and Marshall.

  My gaze settled on her lips. Would it be so bad? Just once?

  “Just do it,” she whispered.

  What?

  I shook my head to clear it. Eden reached up, her hands framing my face. I closed my eyes. Her fingertips grazed the stubble I’d have to shave off in the morning. And then her thumb traced the outline of my bottom lip. I kissed it. Eden’s quick intake of breath had me opening my eyes again, immediately finding hers. The mask fell completely from my face and I let a little of the emotion I felt reach my eyes. Eden gasped. Keeping my gaze fixed on hers, I turned just until my lips reached her palm. She trembled.

  “Please, Dylan,” she rasped.

  “Eden-” my voice was in no better shape than hers. I shook my head. This was crazy.

  Stupid.

  Amazing.

  With her hands on my cheeks, Eden turned my face back to hers.

  “Just-” she paused, glancing down. “Just here. Just now. Nothing more.”

  Shaking my head again, I wished I had the willpower to walk away. Eden couldn’t be this casual thing. A last-minute hookup before I shipped out. She meant more to me than that.

  “Just one kiss, Dylan.”

  She didn’t know what she was saying.

  How could I live with myself if I did this?

  How could I live if I didn’t?

  “Just us. Here in my backyard. Just a-”

  Eden

  He did it. Before I could finish the word, his lips were on mine. At first, I was too stunned to register what was happening, but this was no school yard peck on the lips. No. Dylan kissed me and by the time I caught up, he was still there. His warm lips moving against mine. And it was- everything.

  “I’m sorry.” His lips broke away from mine just long enough to say the words before he was kissing me again.

  Shaking my head, I kissed him back. Dylan’s arms tightened around my body. “Don’t be sorry,” I said against his lips.

  “Eden-” I didn’t let him finish. It did something to me when he called me Eden. His hands gripped my upper arms and he broke away from me, his eyes tortured.

  “Ed. Your family. I’m leaving. I didn’t mean to-”

  It took some effort to focu
s my own emotion laden eyes. Dylan’s face glowed in the moonlight. His expression made me want to hide.

  Regret.

  Shame.

  My cheeks burned with embarrassment. Glancing away so he couldn’t see the tears forming in my eyes, I pulled my arms from his grasp and took a step away, needing distance.

  “No, Ed. Don’t.” He reached for me, but I leaned away, walking further into the yard toward a swing near the back fence close to a water feature my mom made my dad install a couple of years ago. I loved sitting out here listening to the water, swinging, thinking about life. Or just taking a nap. I settled myself onto the swing and wrapped my arms across my stomach feeling every bit of three years younger than Dylan.

  I tried to convince myself it was just a matter of misplaced hero worship. Dylan had been there for me when I needed him, had continued to be there when I needed him. And he was a guy. What was he supposed to do when I all but begged him to kiss me?

  Dylan’s weight made the swing jump for a couple of seconds before settling again.

  Chapter 18

  Dylan

  What the hell was I thinking? And I couldn’t even blame it on hormones. At least, not entirely. I was going to wait. Go to basic. Do the Army thing. Then in a few years come home and look her up. Maybe. And hope she didn’t have a boyfriend. Kissing her now, when I couldn’t make any promises, no commitments, was a jerk move.

  Just now, just here in her backyard.

  That’s what she said. But what kind of guy did that? Guys like Marshall.

  Regret threatened to choke me where I sat. I loved this girl. She meant more to me than a few minutes making out in her parents’ backyard. She deserved better than that. Especially, so soon after that jerk Marshall.

  “You deserve better than that, Ed.” I pushed the words passed my clenched jaw. I was so angry at myself for giving in.

  Eden sat silently on the swing, her gaze locked on some point in the darkness. I reached for her hand, thankful she didn’t pull it away. Squeezing gently, I rubbed my thumb across her knuckles.

  “I knew that was going to happen before I even came out here tonight. I just couldn’t stop myself from walking out the door and making my way into your backyard because I knew you’d be here.” She deserved my honestly. Hell, I deserved it.

  “Then why did you apologize?” She tugged her hand, but I held on.

  Sighing, I considered how much I should reveal. She was young. “I’m leaving, Ed. You’re Josh’s sister- no. Wait.” I stopped her progress away from me with my hands on her hips. Jeez, she’d been up off the swing before I even knew what was happening.

  “I’m not a child, Dylan. I know I’m younger than you, but I’m not a child.” She was so hurt, her voice reminding me of when I picked her up on the street outside Jared’s house. I ached with the knowledge that I’d put the hurt there this time. I should have just gone to bed. I should have just apologized later for not saying goodbye. I was a selfish jerk.

  “I know, Eden. I know. Please stay. Please.” I held onto her until I felt the tension leave her body and then I picked her up, settling her on my lap on the swing. She didn’t need any further encouragement and nestled into my lap. As awkward as things could have become between us, I’d known this girl most of her life. While we’d never had a physical relationship, it wasn’t unusual for her to fall asleep on my shoulder on a long car ride for a family vacation or to lean against me while watching movies in her parents’ basement. Holding her was familiar.

  Comfortable.

  Thrilling.

  “I don’t want to hurt you, Eden,” I finally said after a long silence where she lay snuggled against me as I used my feet to keep the swing moving. “I’m leaving, and I can’t make any promises or ask for anything from you.” I sighed, swiping my hand over my eyes. I was exhausted on all levels.

  “I didn’t ask-”

  “I know,” I interrupted. “I know, but you deserve promises. You deserve for the guy you give your kisses to commit to you. You need someone who will be around for Homecoming and Prom and Friday night dates. I won’t be.” Suddenly, I wanted to be. I wanted it badly. I wanted her badly.

  Eden shook her head against my chest. “I know you’re leaving, Dill. I’m not asking for anything from you. I just, I just-” she broke off and took a deep breath before continuing. “I’m going to miss you. Hanging out with you- without Josh around. It’s been-”

  She stopped again.

  “Yeah. I know. It has been.” And I hadn’t been expecting it at all. Have I been attracted to Eden for a long time? Sure. But this? These freaking feelings? No. That was all new. Or at least I thought they were. I’ve wondered, though, if I haven’t just been deluding myself.

  Ugh. I shook my head hoping to clear it. It didn’t even matter. I. Was. Leaving.

  And Eden would finish high school. Jeez. I chuckled under my breath.

  Eden lifted her head. “What?”

  “Nothing,” I answered. I didn’t need to share every thought in my head with her.

  “Dylan?” She laid her head back down and a sense of rightness settled over me.

  “Yeah?” I threaded my fingers through her hair.

  “Thank you.” I waited for her to say more but she didn’t.

  “You don’t have to thank me for anything, Ed.” This girl.

  “I do. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there for me. I needed someone, and you were there. I needed you.” Her palm came up to rest over my heart.

  “I told you I would be.” I let my lips drop to the top of her head.

  We rocked in silence, the night wrapped around us. Finally, Eden lifted her head once more, her eyes searching for mine in the moonlight. The invitation in them was clear and I was tempted.

  “Just here,” she whispered. “Just now. The rest will work itself out.”

  That’s what I reassured myself as my lips claimed hers again- just here. Just now. I’d worry about the rest later.

  Chapter 19

  Dylan

  Two weeks later

  Eden,

  Man, it’s been long than I thought it would be! Sorry I didn’t write sooner. Basic blows big time. You never get a minute to yourself. Red phase has been the worst. (That’s what they call the first part of basic. Pretty much it is a giant suck fest that means you do lots of pushups and fold your laundry over and over again until you get it right while someone yells at you.) But now we are out of red phase and into white and it’s a little bit better (but not much). Anyway, I think I’ve lost ten pounds but some of these other guys have lost a LOT of weight. All that time at the gym paid off. Mostly I’m losing weight because they only give us five minutes to eat. I can eat so fast now.

  I miss home. I miss you. I wish I was in your basement watching a movie with you right now.

  How is Judy? And all the ladies at the salon? Did you get your hair cut off? I need a picture of you. I hope you will send one. How is school? Allie? Did you go to Homecoming? Who did you go with?

  I wish I could call. I got one and I had to let my mom know I got here okay. I gotta go. But I hope you get a chance to write back.

  Dylan

  P.S. I miss you. Did I already tell you that?

  It’s been five days since I sent a letter to Eden. I should have sent one sooner, but I wasn’t kidding when I told her basic was kicking my butt. It was all I could do to keep my eyes open during our few minutes of free time. I wasn’t used to being woken up for guard duty. It wasn’t actual guard duty, more like cleaning duty, but I still had to get up and I hadn’t had a full night’s sleep since I got here.

  Add to that my internal debate about my feelings for Eden and that kiss- okay, those kisses- before I left, and basically, I’d been stalling. I wanted to beat my own ass for being such a coward. I’d started letters to her a hundred different times and then stopped, ripping the page out of my notebook and tearing it into a thousand pieces. The truth was I just didn’t know what to say.
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br />   We didn’t make any promises. In fact, we went out of our way not to make any promises that night. I still couldn’t believe my own lack of control, holding her the way I had. Kissing her the way I did. I couldn’t convince myself to regret it, either. I’d spent countless hours thinking about Eden since I’ve been here. Not just about kissing her, although that consumed most of my thoughts, but everything.

  I’ve thought about Eden curled up in her favorite blanket on the sofa in her parent’s basement watching movies and munching on snacks. I’ve thought about sparring with her at the gym and how excited she was when she finally threw a good punch. I’ve thought about the glow in her eyes when she walked out of Judy’s salon with a job. I’ve thought about arguing with her about everything from video games to social injustices.

  I couldn’t get the fire in her eyes out of my head. I couldn’t stop remembering those outfits she wore the first few weeks of school. I never wanted to forget how she looked that morning I woke up in my bed with a dead arm because she was sleeping on it. I always wanted to remember how warm she felt. How soft. I smiled to myself often while running for PT, thinking of the little noises she made in her sleep.

  I willed myself to stop wondering what it would be like to wake up to her again.

  Because the chances of that happening were slim.

  “Mail!”

  The sound of twenty men rousing from their bunks was almost deafening. Each man stood beside their bunk praying for their name to be called. Mail was like rainbows and chocolate and Eden’s kisses all rolled into one around here. The one bright spot in an otherwise tension filled existence.

  My heart rate picked up as our drill sergeant began calling out names.

  “Adams.”

  “Drill Sergeant.”

  Adams accepted the envelope from Drill Sergeant Capers. Capers was a young guy, probably in his thirties. He was cool, but you did not want to cross him. He’d tossed our bunks more than any of the other Drill Sergeants. His expectations were high and his punishments severe. He has single-handedly made me a stronger man than I ever thought I could be and we still had fourteen weeks left.