Well, not anymore.
I may not like Mr. Dylan Dandridge, and personally feel that someone would be doing the world a great service by picking him off. But that’s not going to happen, and I won’t sit by and let him continue hurting the one person that actually cares what happens to him.
Chapter 9 Dylan
It’s after eight p.m., and Chase still isn’t home. He hasn’t even text or called to let me know that he’d be running late, not that I expect he would.
I move to the French doors overlooking the backyard. It’s dark, and there’s a mean storm brewing in the distance. He needs to get home before those clouds make their way over here. I pull out my cell to send him another text. I know he won’t reply, but at least he’ll see it.
Just as I’m about to hit send on my phone, the doorbell chimes. “Dumbass forgot his keys.”
I make my way through the foyer, opening the door. However, it’s not at all whom I was expecting.
“You and I need to have a chat.”
I look into the eyes of the mousey, yet very determined chick in front of me. “And what would we have to chat about?”
“Your much-needed attitude adjustment,” she retorts.
I let out a chuckle. “Is this your way of trying to open up a shared dialogue? If so, let me inform you that you suck at it.”
With her hands on her hips, Velyn locks her gaze with mine. “Let me assure you this isn’t going to be a shared dialogue. It’s going to go more in the way of me talking while you listen with your mouth shut for once.”
“And what if I just shut the door in your face and head back upstairs to enjoy the rest of my night?” I put out.
Her arms move across her chest in an assertive stance. “That’s absolutely within your right, but keep in mind this may be the one last chance you have to fix this mess you’ve caused with Jordan and Chase.”
“There’s no mess to be fixed; they just need to realize they’re overreacting,” I scowl. Where does she get off telling me there’s an issue with my brother and best friend?
“You’re a real piece of work, you know that,” she adds.
“And you, G.D., are getting to be a real pain in the ass. Did you ever think that maybe you’re the cause of all my problems?” I shoot back.
“Why, Dylan? Because I won’t bow down to you? Put myself forth in an offering to the great Dylan Dandridge, and let you take me to bed then discard me like all the others? Yeah, no thanks. I don’t care to be another notch added to that infamous bedpost of yours, nor do I care to lower myself to your level. My dignity is one thing I’ve managed to keep intact throughout my life, and I’d like it to remain that way.”
I let out a growl. “You know for someone who showed up at my door, you’re a real bitch. I didn’t ask you here, Velyn. You came of your own conscious volition.”
She stands there, her breath heavy in the night air. A moment passes with the two of us just staring each other down, and then she starts to turn away.
“What, leaving so soon? We haven’t even got to the part where I show you that you’re wrong, and you apologize for wasting my time,” I say.
She turns to look at me, her expression yielding. “I don’t get it.”
“What’s that?”
“Dylan, you have everything. You want for nothing. Is your life that boring, that easy to brush off as mundane, that you neglect the best parts of it? Don’t you see how the way you act is pushing the only people who even give a shit about you, away?”
Her words sting, but what the hell does she know? “What happens in my life isn’t any concern of yours.”
“It is when my best friend’s hurt and sad. Dylan, I have no idea what’s going on with you and Jordan, but with Chase, he won’t say it, but it’s bothering him. You’re his older brother. He looks up to you and all you seem to do is let him down...disappoint him.”
“You’re getting on my last nerve. I think it’s best you leave.” My words come out in a growl, so she knows this conversation’s done.
When she turns to leave, the silver light of the night fades turning black, and the skies open up, unleashing a violent mix of rain and hail.
I let out a sigh knowing very well I can’t let her go out there. Grabbing her by the back of her coat, I pull her in before she starts to head off. “You’re not going anywhere in this. You may think I’m an asshole, but this asshole’s not about to let you get hurt out there. Come inside.”
Her eyes go wide a little caught off guard by the sudden jolt, but she recovers. then Velyn studies my face like she’s trying to get a read on me. “Hmm, maybe Chase was right.”
“Right about what?” I ask.
“That there may be one redeemable quality deep down inside you.” She flashes me a quick smile then makes her way through the foyer and up the stairs. I stand there for a moment taking in her last words.
Pfft, whatever—I have more than one redeemable quality.
I shut the door and head up, finding Velyn in the living room. She’s looking out to the back through the French doors just as I’d been doing only minutes ago.
“It’s horrible out there,” she
