by Olivia Evans
Dylan thought that would be the end of it, that they could finally put Presley’s parents out of their minds forever. Then the letter arrived. Her parents had signed off for Presley to have full control of her trust. He’d been so angry when he found out. It was like they were trying to buy her forgiveness, and Dylan had been certain Presley wouldn’t touch their money. But she’d surprised him. She said they owed her for what they’d done. That money was for college, for the next phase of her life, the life she’d been robbed of. In her mind, she would never have those years back, but she’d be damned if she wasn’t going to have the money. So she took it, and Dylan was still miffed about it.
“I know you want to take care of me,” Presley whispered. “And I love you for it. But it makes me feel inadequate, we’re so out of balance.”
“Presley, I don’t—”
“Please let me finish. You went to college, graduated, and now you’re on your way to becoming a successful psychiatrist. You have a house, a car, and more money than you’ll ever spend. I have the clothes on my back,” she choked, her face flushed.
“Baby.” Dylan looked stricken as Presley’s face crumpled. Not for a second had he ever considered she felt that way. Maybe it was because he never felt that way. Maybe that was the problem.
“I took that trust because I deserve it, because it makes me feel more like a partner and less like a patient. It’s independence. It’s retribution. It’s a weight that tips the scales between us. I know you might not see it that way, but I do. So please don’t think this has anything to do with forgiving them or a lack of faith in you. They will never be forgiven, and I will always have faith in you. I took it for me, to push away a little of the self-doubt that clings to me. I want to be as close to the old me as I can when the day comes for me to walk out of this place for good.”
Dylan slid out of his chair, wrapping his arms around Presley as he fell to his knees. “You’re perfect just the way you are, Elvis,” he whispered. “There is nothing inadequate about you, but if having that trust is what you need to make you feel that way too, then I’ll never mention it again. I love you.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, cupping his jaw and tilting his head until their lips touched. “I love you, too.” For several moments, they just held each other, content with the silence. Dylan was the first to loosen his grip, his brows dipping in confusion when he looked around the room.
“Where’s Dr. Edmonds?”
Presley laughed and wiped her face with her shirtsleeve. “I don’t know. I think we might have run him off.”
Dylan laughed as well and rose to his feet, pulling Presley with him. “Honestly, I forgot he was here.”
“Me too.” Presley grinned, slipping her hand in his. Together they walked down the empty hall and into the lounge.
“Ah, there they are,” Dr. Edmonds said with a smirk.
“Sorry about that,” Dylan mumbled, his cheeks reddening when he saw Katherine’s amused expression.
Clearing his throat, Dylan looked at Dr. Edmonds. “Do you remember that thing we talked about yesterday?” When Dr. Edmonds nodded, Dylan continued. “I think today might be better.”
“I think you’re right. Go on, I’ll let the front desk know. We’ll see you two this evening.”
“What’s going on?” Presley asked. She’d never left the hospital before, but it was time to change that.
“We’re going to tip the balance.”
Presley
Presley looked around, her eyes wide as they made their way toward the exit of Hilltop. Her heart began to race, and her palms were clammy. She hadn’t left that hospital in six years. As much as she wanted to be free of all the horrible memories and pain that it held, the outside world felt big and scary.
“Are you going to answer me?”
She felt Dylan’s hand come to rest on the small of her back as he stepped beside her, the feel of his body against hers comforting. “I have a surprise for you. We’re not going anywhere public. It’s just going to be me and you, okay?”
“Is it weird that I’m kind of terrified?” she joked, trying to relax her nerves.
“Totally weird. You’re such a freak.”
Presley’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open as she whipped her head around to look at Dylan. He was smiling at her, his cheeks pulled high and his eyes pinched at the corners. For a moment, he looked more like the boy she fell in love with and less like the handsome man he’d become. It made her stomach tighten just like it used to.
“You’re not supposed to tease patients.”
It was Dylan’s turn to show surprise. “Says who? Laughter is always the best medicine.”
Presley lifted her brow. “Is that a fact, Doctor?”
Dylan hummed and nodded as he stepped in front of her and opened his car door. She hadn’t even realized they were outside. “Hop in,” he murmured, his lips grazing her ear.
A shudder ran up her spine, and unfortunately, it wasn’t entirely a good one. As much as she’d missed him and he’d missed her, they were miles apart emotionally. She knew she wouldn’t be better overnight and it was foolish to think otherwise, but she knew that one day it would happen. She and Dylan had always been meant to be.
“You distracted me,” she accused as he climbed behind the wheel and she fastened her seat belt.
Dylan shrugged. “I saw you were freaking out. I just want to make things better for you, Presley. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Presley’s eyes stung with unshed tears, and she had to look away to compose herself. Even though the drugs were long gone from her system, she had little control over her emotional reactions to things. She wondered if it was the result of years of being denied any emotions at all.
“I know,” she whispered. She looked out of the window, for a moment overwhelmed by the movement around her. Cars whizzed by. Groups of people gathered in front of a restaurant, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the company of friends. Dwelling on all that she had been denied wasn’t going to be an easy task, but bitterness would get her nowhere. Plus, she had Dylan back, and if there was one thing she was certain of, it was that with him by her side, she could overcome anything. With that thought, she smiled.
“Where are we going?” she asked again, her eyes clear when she turned back to Dylan.
He chuckled under his breath and rested his hand on the top of her thigh. “You’ll see.”
“Ugh,” she moaned, turning on the radio to keep from asking him for a third time. A catchy song came on the radio, the beat causing Presley’s eyes to close briefly. “I’ve missed music. I know they have music at Hilltop, but I miss listening and relating to it. It’s only been background noise for so long…”
“Everything is going to be different now. I promise.”
“I know.”
The car slowed to a stop, and Presley looked around, her brows pinched in confusion as Dylan pulled into the driveway of a beautiful stucco and stone house. “Where are we?”
Dylan tightened his grip on her thigh and gave her a stunning smile. “Home. At least, when you’re ready, that is.”
Presley gasped, her eyes locked on the house in front of her. Large windows lined the front of the structure, framing a beautiful front porch with an oversized front door. “Dylan, is this your house?” she asked, breathless.
Dylan got out of the car and walked to her side, opening the door and pulling her out. “Sort of,” he answered, guiding her to the front door. Presley’s body trembled as he moved her in front of the door and leaned around her to unlock it. Reaching up, he covered her eyes with one hand while he pushed the door open with the other.
“Do you really have to cover my eyes?” Presley whined, not wanting to wait another minute to see what was on the other side of the door.
“Humor me,” Dylan whispered, guiding her inside. After a few more steps, he stopped and, with a soft kiss to her cheek, dropped his hand.
Presley’s eyes flew open, her excitement quickly
morphing to shock and fright. “Oh my God,” she exhaled, her gaze sweeping around the disorganized room. “Have you been robbed?”
“No,” Dylan laughed, tugging her hand and ignoring the way she dragged her feet.
Presley looked at the barren walls, the furniture wrapped in plastic and the boxes that covered almost every square inch of the space. “Did you become a hoarder?”
Dylan gave her an amused smile, his eyes sparkling. For a moment, she wondered if he was the crazy one.
“Why don’t you look a little closer?”
Presley pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing as she looked around once more. “What are you up to?”
“Humor me?” he asked again.
“There’s nothing funny about this,” she mumbled, stepping over boxes as she made her way around the living room. “What exactly am I looking…” Her eyes widened, and a shot of excitement ran up her spine. “Hey! I know this couch! It’s the one I told you I liked in that furniture magazine.”
Dylan’s smile widened. “It is.”
Presley’s head whipped to the side, her arm shooting out in front of her as she realized she knew every piece of furniture in the room. “That’s the lamp I picked out,” she exhaled, her lips parting and her eyes stinging with tears as she realized she’d chosen each item in the room, right down to the decorative bowls.
“Dylan,” she choked, pressing her hands to her face as tears spilled down her cheeks. “What have you done?”
“I tipped the scales. Although, I must confess when I did all this, I hadn’t realized how much you needed it. I just wanted us to make this a home together.”
The wave of emotions that crashed over Presley was nearly overwhelming. She pulled in several deep breaths, the magnitude of his gesture causing her body to tremble and the butterflies in her stomach to spread their wings wide. Stepping to his side, she slipped her hand inside his. “I can’t believe you did this,” she said, her eyes filled with adoration and love. “Will you show me?”
Dylan squeezed her hand and nodded before pulling her down the hall. She eyed the gallons of paint tucked in the corner of each room, smiling when she realized each was a color she’d shown interest in.
“This is the office,” he said, pushing open the door. “We can set up a desk for you on that side once you start taking classes.”
Presley’s heart leaped. “College. You’re talking about college.”
“Yeah. If that’s something you still want to do.”
“It is,” she whispered, her free hand gripping the front of Dylan’s shirt. The entire world felt like it was moving at lightning speed and in slow motion simultaneously.
“Come on.” Presley followed as he led her through the kitchen, laughing as he pointed out the new gadgets he’d bought.
“You do remember I have no idea how to cook.”
Dylan grinned. “I know. Neither do I. I’ve lived off takeout for six years. I figured we could learn together.”
Presley swallowed around the lump in her throat and nodded. “I’d really like that.”
With an answering smile, Dylan led her through the house, showing her each room and pointing out all the furniture she’d unknowingly picked out by pointing to pictures in magazines.
“This is my room,” he whispered. “Or, our room, eventually.” He chuckled and shook his head, his cheeks reddening just like they did all those years ago. “It’s fucking ridiculous how nervous I am. I feel like a damn virgin.”
Presley smiled, grateful she wasn’t the only one who felt that way. “It’s okay. I know exactly how you feel.”
Dylan’s shoulders relaxed as he continued the tour, pointing out the massive closet and the gigantic bathroom with the walk-in shower and partial glass ceiling. Guiding Presley to the rear of the house, Dylan smiled as he opened the back door. “There aren’t any worms,” he whispered, “but with all these flowers, I’m sure it won’t take long.”
Presley gasped as she looked around the backyard, the fenced-in space filled with the yellow daisies she loved so much. “I don’t deserve you,” she murmured, grabbing his hand and squeezing until he flinched. He was everything she wanted.
Dylan shook his head and smiled before pulling in a deep breath and tugging on her arm, pulling her back inside the house. Once they were back inside, Dylan turned to Presley and cleared his throat. He looked nervous suddenly, and it set Presley on edge. “This is the last room,” he murmured, opening the door in front of him. “There are two extra bedrooms, so for the time being, both can be guest rooms. But I figured since this one was closest to our room…” He shifted his weight, and Presley noticed a sheen of sweat had formed around his hairline. His nerves set her on edge. Pulling in a deep breath, he spoke in an exhaled rush of words. “Maybe one day we could use this room as a nursery. If it’s something you still want to do, that is.”
Presley nodded, her face bright red as tears sprang from her eyes. It was something she wanted more than anything in the world. One day. “It is.”
Tilting her chin, Dylan pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I can’t believe I actually get to spend the rest of my life with you. I never thought I’d feel this way again.”
Presley pulled in a broken breath and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her lips pulled into a wide smile as she pressed them to his neck. “I’m so happy you decided to romance the shit out of me.”
A burst of laughter exploded from Dylan’s chest as he lifted Presley and spun them in a circle. “I’m so happy you didn’t imagine I was your nonexistent brother when I kissed you.”
Presley nodded, her own laughter ringing in the air. “Me too.” Looking around the room, she exhaled. “What’s next?”
“Whatever you want.”
Licking her lips, Presley turned to Dylan, her face serious. “I’m not quite ready to leave the hospital yet.”
“That’s all right,” Dylan promised, pushing her hair behind her ear. “You can take as long as you need.”
She didn’t miss the longing in Dylan’s eyes. She wanted to assure him that her hesitancy had nothing to do with him and everything to do with her. She still felt like she was only part of a whole, and only time and therapy could help bridge that gap. Cupping his jaw, she pulled his face until their eyes met. “I love you. I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be loved by you. I know you understand, but I just need to say it out loud. I’ve been locked inside those walls for a long time. I was terrified to leave today. The last thing I’m ready for is grocery shopping and picking up dry cleaning—”
“Presley,” Dylan said, cutting off her rambling. “Whatever you need is fine.”
Presley rolled her eyes and let out a soft laugh as she looked around the room again, an idea forming. “Well, we can’t have you living in this mess. How about I come here a few hours each day, and we put this place back together? We can paint and set up the furniture. And then when I’m ready…”
Dylan pressed his lips to hers, a smile stretching across his face. “I like the sound of that.”
Over the next few weeks, between sessions with Dr. Edmonds, Presley and Dylan began to build a life outside of Hilltop. Some days, they spent their time disagreeing over paint colors, and others they cuddled on the couch, the rest of the house forgotten as they ate sushi and watched movies. It was everything she’d ever wanted. Today, today was a paint day.
“You missed a spot,” Dylan said with a smirk.
Presley narrowed her eyes and looked at the wall, not seeing any bare space. “If you keep messing with me, you’re going to regret it.”
“Is that so?” Dylan asked, his voice filled with mirth. The butterflies came to life.
“Don’t flirt with me, Dylan Walker. We have work to do.” Presley dipped her roller back in the paint, her heart thundering in her chest as she saw Dylan approaching out of the corner of her eye.
He pressed his chest to her back and leaned forward, staring at the wall with an intensity that made Presley want to laugh and shiver w
ith desire.
“I don’t know. Your wall looks a little sloppy.”
Presley narrowed her eyes and spun around, the paint roller lifted in the air. Pressing it to his forehead, she rolled it down his face and chest, doubling over in laughter when he stumbled back, astonished.
“Did you… Did you just roll my face with paint?” he gasped, the paint dripping from his nose making Presley laugh so hard she could barely breathe. She nodded, tears of laughter leaking from her eyes.
Dylan stepped forward, and before Presley had time to react, she had a stripe of gray paint running across her forehead. Stunned, she stood motionless for a beat before dropping her roller and taking off after Dylan, who was already running from the room. Laughter echoed off the walls as they chased each other around the house before collapsing on the floor in a breathless heap of red cheeks and wide smiles.
“I love you,” Dylan whispered, using his thumb to wipe her paint-covered hair from her forehead.
“I love you too,” she answered, pressing their lips together. With a sigh, she touched her hair. “You’ve ruined my hair.”
Dylan grinned and pulled Presley to her feet. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
In the bathroom, Presley stared at the mirror, her nose wrinkling as she looked at her hair. Her eyes drifted lower, to where it ended just above her shoulders. It had always been so long. It was still hard for her to see herself as she was now.
“What’s wrong?” Dylan asked, wrapping his arms around her waist, completely disregarding the paint covering his face. Presley lifted her hand and touched the end of her hair.
“It’s so short,” she sighed. “I don’t remember exactly when it happened, but the nurses had to cut it. It was too much for them to maintain, so they just…cut it off.”
