I nibble on my lips as a whole host of emotions plays havoc with my heart and my head. Maybe they’re right. Perhaps I’m plucking at straws. Trying to find some excuse for his behavior, when there isn’t any excuse that makes this all right. I lift my chin. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“You know we are,” Slater replies softly. “And, you’re not going to like this either, but I seriously think you need to consider a temporary restraining order.”
My eyes pop wide. “I’m not in any danger from Dylan!”
Slater gently takes hold of my arm, rubbing his thumb along the slight discoloration forming on the underside of my arm. “No?” He arches a brow. “Then what’s this?”
I say nothing. It’s not like I can deny Dylan gave me that bruise when he tried to drag me from the house.
“I think Slate could be right,” Ryan says, his face darkening as he glances at my bruised skin. “I know you don’t want to, but if he touches you again Gabby, you’ll have no choice. If you won’t do it, I’ll go straight to Dad. That shit is not acceptable.” He blows air out of his mouth, shaking his head sadly. “I warned him in the car, but I don’t know if I got through to him.”
“Okay.” I hold up my palms. “I promise if anything happens I’ll seriously consider it. For now, can we please switch the subject because I’m sick of talking about it.”
I approach the apartment block the following evening, after classes have ended for the week, with a healthy dose of apprehension. Ryan and Slater would string me up if they knew I was here, but I can’t let this go until I’ve at least broached the subject with Dylan. It changes nothing about the demise of our relationship, but now that the idea has taken root in my head, I won’t rest easy until I’ve shared my concerns with him.
I know I don’t owe him anything, but we’ve been a huge part of each other’s lives, and it doesn’t feel right to ignore my gut.
My heart is in my mouth as I knock on Dylan’s door, waiting for him to answer. The door swings open, and Dylan stares at me as if I’m an apparition. His lips are swollen, and his hair is all messed up. It’s a look I know well, and bile floods my mouth. “Who is it, honey?” Bianca calls from inside the condo. A spike of pain shoots through my heart, but I hold my ground, determined to say what I need to say.
“No one!” Dylan shouts back, grinning maliciously at me. “I’ll be back in a sec.” He pulls the door closed behind him, forcing me back out into the hall. “What do you want?” he snaps.
“I, ah, I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes. Someplace private.”
He smirks. “You want to come inside?” He quirks a brow. “Be my guest.” He pushes the door open, stepping aside to let me enter.
Discussing this in front of Bianca was not what I had in mind, but I can’t bow out now without looking weak. I step into the kitchen, wetting my dry lips and willing my heart rate to calm the hell down.
“What’s that bitch doing here?” Bianca demands, storming into the kitchen and putting herself all up in my face.
“I’m not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to talk to Dylan.”
“You’re not his girlfriend anymore.” She grabs my elbow in the exact same place Dylan did last night. “And you’re not welcome here. Get out.”
She tries to drag me away, but I resist, holding onto the kitchen counter for dear life. “Dylan, please. Just let me say what I came to say, and I’ll go then.”
Dylan shrugs. “If Bee doesn’t want you here, then you have to leave.”
“What?” My face falls. “You’re letting her kick me out?” I lose my grip on the counter, and Bianca grabs both my arms, manhandling me toward the door. “Does the nine years we’ve known each other count for nothing?”
“You tell me!” he snarls, anger contorting his face unpleasantly. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Bianca flinching a little. “I tried to speak to you last night, and you had your brother physically haul me away. How is this any different?”
“What?” Bianca stops trying to force me out the door, glaring at Dylan. “You went over to her place?” I wince at her high-pitched tone.
“Shut the fuck up, Bee. It’s none of your business.” Her face turns puce with rage, but she bites her tongue and resumes her attempts to shove me outside.
“It’s different because I’m not drunk or hurling insults at your face!”
“I don’t care. You made your point last night, and I got the message loud and clear.”
“Dylan, I’m worried about you. I—”
He lunges at me, yanking me out of Bianca’s arms, and shakes me. Everything shuts down inside me at the murderous look in his eyes.
Ryan was right. Dylan is dangerous. Unpredictable and out of control.
I was stupid to come here.
Stupid to think I could reason with him.
Stupid to care.
“You don’t have the right to worry about me anymore.” He pushes me out the door and this time I willingly go. “You’re nothing but a cheap whore. Go home and fuck Evans because you’ll never get to fuck me again.” With one last shove, he throws me out into the corridor, slamming the door in my face.
I walk down the hallway and into the elevator on autopilot. I’m shook up, trembling all over, and I’m mad. So freaking mad. How dare he treat me like that! How dare he let that bitch treat me like that!
My hands are shaking as I remove my cell and punch the button. Dad picks up on the third ring. “Buttercup. Is everything okay?”
“No, Daddy, it isn’t. I need your help. I need to get a restraining order against Dylan.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“I need to get laid,” I tell Myndi the next morning when we gather in the kitchen for breakfast. Ryan, Austin, and Slater have already gone out on a run, so it’s just the two of us.
“And when did you decide this?” she asks while I pour myself a cup of coffee.
“Last night after I went to see Dylan to share my concerns and he and his girlfriend threw me out of the condo like I was scum of the Earth.”
She spits her coffee all over the table. “They did what?”
I nod, taking a big glug out of my drink “Yep. It’s official. Dylan Woods is a giant bag of dicks.”
“Ryan and Slater are going to freak when they hear you went there.”
“Only if they find out.” I waggle my brows, and she grins.
“These lips are sealed.” She makes a zipping motion with her fingers.
“Anyway, Ryan will be pleased. I filed for a restraining order because Dylan actually scared me last night.”
She frowns. “In what way?” I sit down and tell her the whole story. Leaning her elbows on the table, she frowns some more. “What if you are right, Gabby, and he is sick? Because it just seems like he’s getting crazier and crazier.”
I shrug, pouring the last remnants of my coffee down the sink. “Not my problem. I tried to talk to him, and he didn’t want to know.”
“And now you wanna get laid?”
“Yep. He actually did me a huge favor last night. I’m not upset anymore. I’m just mad. Mad that I wasted so much time on someone so unworthy. And I’m not wasting a second longer. I need to get back in the saddle to finally rid myself of all thoughts of Dylan Woods. I know it’s cliché, but it’s been said that the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else, and there’s got to be some truth to it. I’ve never had a one-night stand, and I intend to rectify that. Pronto.” I grin at her. “And I need you to be my wingwoman.”
“Name the time and place, and I’ll be there,” she readily agrees.
“Tonight, at the club.”
“Wow. You’re definitely not wasting any time.”
I jump up onto the counter, crossing my legs. “No time like the present, and there’s no one to stop me. I’m free as a bird.” I giggle for adde
d effect.
“Aren’t you working tonight?”
“I took the night off because I was going to head home for the full weekend, but I already called Mom and told her I changed my mind. I’ll just go home tomorrow like I usually do.”
Myndi gets up and walks over to me, hopping up onto the counter alongside me. “Cool, but I need to ask you something, and don’t bite my head off.” Her eyes drill into me. “What about Slate?” she softly inquires.
I send her a funny look. “What about him?”
She tilts her head, examining my face. “Do you really not see it?”
I squirm a little, averting my eyes as I feign nonchalance. “See what?”
“How much he’s in love with you.”
I try to laugh it off, shoulder checking her. “Don’t be silly. Of course, he isn’t, and I wish everyone would stop saying it.”
“Who else has noticed?”
I chew on the inside of my mouth before admitting it. “Emma at work appears to be under the same illusion you are.”
“It’s not an illusion. Babe, it’s as obvious as the nose on my face.”
“Not to me or Ryan it isn’t,” I semi-lie.
“Hmm.” She purses her lips, looking lost in thought. “I can’t figure out if Ryan is as unobservant as you or if he knows and he’s trying to pretend he doesn’t. How do you think he’d feel about it if you and Slate got together?”
“I honestly don’t know, and it’s not something I’ve given a lot of thought to.” Truth.
“But have you thought of him like that?”
I decide to come clean. “Actually, there’s something you don’t know.” I wince as I look her straight in the eye. “Don’t kill me, but Slate’s been on the verge of kissing me twice, the most recent being Thursday night, only Dylan showed up and thwarted his plans.”
She thumps me in the arm, but I grin and bear it. I deserve it. “I can’t believe you held out on me!”
“It wasn’t intentional,” I admit. “I’m trying to deny it ever happened, and speaking about it makes it too real.”
“Slate is a great guy, Gabby. He’s smart, funny, hot as sin, and he worships the ground you walk on. It would hardly be a hardship, and I think you two would be so good together.”
“That’s not what I mean.” I swivel around, crossing one leg over my knee. “I think I …” I squeeze my eyes shut and draw a brave breath. I can’t believe I’m going to admit this out loud. “I think I have feelings for him,” I whisper.
“Hey.” She touches my cheek, and I open my eyes. “It’s not a crime to acknowledge that.”
“It is when I’m a hot mess, Mind.”
“You’re not a hot mess. You’re just getting over something huge, and you’re still healing.”
“And that’s exactly why I shouldn’t start anything with Slate, if that’s even what he wants. Maybe he just wants to fuck me.”
Myndi thumps me on the arm again. “Now you’re being mean. Slate would never look at you as just a quick fuck, and you know it.”
I sigh. “I know that deep down which is why I can’t even consider him an option now. It’s too complicated and I can only handle so much heartache. I think I’ve already reached my quota for this year.”
She slings her arm around my shoulder. “What you need is to have some good, unadulterated fun. Everyone knows you have to kiss a few frogs before you meet Prince Charming. I’m living proof of that.”
“Oh God.” I face palm. “I’ve created a monster.” I roll my eyes. “A pair of monsters, because my brother is as lovesick as you!”
“Aw. I so love hearing that!” She goes all googly-eyed, and I can’t help smiling.
“I think you and Ryan have just claimed the ‘love’s young dream’ tag in my house, and I’m happy to pass the mantle over.” I squeeze her tight. “But as much as I love my brother, he’s not coming tonight.” I fix her with a stern expression. “Because he’ll ruin all my fun. You know how protective he is.”
“I do, and I agree. Hos before bros.” We knuckle touch, grinning. “And I take my duty as your wingwoman extremely seriously, which is why we need to start getting ready now.”
“Now?” I glance at the clock on the wall. “It’s not even eleven!”
“Girl, have I taught you nothing this past year?” She pulls me down off the counter with her. “If you’re doing this, you want to go all out.”
“I’ve no clue what I’ve set myself up for, do I?”
“None. But it’s going to be so fun.”
We return to the house five hours later, completely pampered and raring to go. “What the hell did you do to your hair?” Ryan asks, skipping down the stairs as soon as he hears the door opening and shutting.
Self-consciously, I run my fingers through my hair, checking my reflection in the mirror in case the newly added pink strands have turned illuminous green or something on the way home. “You don’t like it?”
He scrutinizes my hair on all sides. “No, I do. It looks really good on you. I’m just surprised is all.”
“It was time for a change, and it’s on trend.”
“You look hot,” he says, planting a kiss on top of my head. “You both do.” He turns and pecks Myndi on the lips. “I think you’ll need a chaperone tonight, and I volunteer as tribute.”
“Nice try, but no.” I wag my finger in his face. “You are not going to rain on my parade tonight.”
“Moi?” He feigns innocence. “As if.”
“Give it up, babe,” Myndi says, patting his ass. “Have a guys’ night with Slate.”
“Slate’s working.”
“Crap, I forgot that,” I murmur. “He better not ruin my fun either.”
“The more I hear about this girls’ night, the less I like the sound of it,” he grumbles.
I mess up his hair. “Oh, chill out. It’s not like I’m going to be doing anything you didn’t do when you were young, free, and single,” I tease as I start to walk up the stairs.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
“You are not wearing that out of the house!” Ryan bellows when I come down wearing my new, sexy outfit.
“What’s wrong with it?” I inquire, running my hands over the tight-fitting, strapless black and pink minidress.
“I’ve seen you wear more to the beach, Gabby!” he splutters, and I titter.
“Oh my God. You’re turning into Dean. I never thought I’d see the day.” In a lot of ways, my eldest brother was more like my dad growing up. There’s nine years between us, and he was like the clothing police when I was a teen, regularly freaking out when I was trying to sneak out wearing something I shouldn’t. I run my fingers through my soft curls as I look in the mirror, tossing my hair over my shoulder and grinning at my reflection. I look good, and I don’t mind admitting it. I’m going to own it tonight!
“Hang on, now,” Ryan says. “Let’s not go too crazy. Dean has the biggest rod shoved up his ass, and I’ve only recently acquired a teeny-tiny one.” He pinches his fingers together as he scans over my bare legs and six-inch stilettos. “At least you have inbuilt weapons if anyone steps out of line,” he jokes.
“That’s the spirit.” I smack a loud kiss off his cheek, lowering my voice as I tease him. “Just hang onto that thought when you get a look at your girl.”
Myndi appears at the top of the stairs, as if on cue.
“No way, babe.” Ryan goes to meet her halfway, profusely shaking his head. “There is no way I’m letting you go out by yourself looking that fucking hot.” His eyes are out on stalks as he runs one hand up her outer thigh.
I cough loudly. “Sibling alert! No groping while I’m around.”
Ryan plants a light kiss on Myndi’s lips. “I really want to kiss the shit out of you right now but not with all that sticky stuff on your mouth.�
��
“Rain check, babe.” Myndi brushes past him, winking mischievously. “And that’s a promise.” She swats him on the butt.
“Can you stop feeling my brother up for a second, and let me know if I look okay?”
“You’re straight fire, babe.” Myndi kisses my cheek. “You’ll be fighting them off in droves.”
“Not helping,” Ryan mumbles, grabbing his keys. “C’mon, let’s go before I change my mind and lock both of you up in the house.”
The club is jumping when we arrive, but it’s always crazy busy on Saturday nights, so it’s not unusual. I have to fight my way to the bar, shoving copious girls aside to get to Slater. He’s busy fixing drinks and concentrating, his head down. “Hey, Slate,” I holler, leaning over the counter to catch his attention.
He lifts his chin up, a smile spreading across his mouth until he locks eyes with me. His jaw slackens as his gaze rakes over me, taking in the hair, the low-cut dress, and the professional face of makeup I’m wearing.
The outside world fades into the background while I swoon under the intensity of his expression. He can’t take his eyes off me, and he’s ignoring the customers shouting for his attention. A crackle of electricity swirls around us, and there’s no way I can deny the attraction between us, not when it’s practically slapping me in the face. His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat, and his voice is coarse when he speaks. “Wow, Belle. You look stunning. You’re the hottest girl in here by a mile.”
Someone scoffs behind me, and I can’t help blushing. I pretty much melt at his words before I give myself a stern talking to. I’m here to flirt, kiss some boys, and maybe find someone to screw later. I’m determined to stick to my plan, and mooning over Slater isn’t on the agenda.
“Thank you. Does that compliment earn me a couple of fruity specials under the counter?” I cheekily ask, my brows nudging up.
His lips kick up. “For you. Of course!”
“Slater!” Shelby hisses, barging her way through the throngs at the bar. “Quit with the flirting and start filling orders. Some of my customers are complaining.”
When Forever Changes Page 16
