“I’m sure she is, Chase. But people like that; their baggage haunts them for life. It inevitably destroys everything they’ve worked for and takes down the people around them. I can’t do it. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am. Also, I know you don’t want to hear this, but if I were you, I’d get away from the imminent shitshow while you can.”
Chase jumps from the booth. Red-faced, he leans down to me. “You know nothing. She’s a good person and I won’t turn my back on her. You, Dylan…you’re the shitshow. The sad part is you don’t see it, and that’s going to lead to a very lonely life, big brother.”
He storms off, leaving me sitting there with the nearby customers side-eyeing me.
“What’s going on? Why did Chase just storm off?”
I look to Velyn as she comes to my side. “Because apparently I’m an ass.”
“This is because of me again, isn’t it?”
With my eyes looking into hers, I can’t lie. “I don’t think it’s a good idea that you and my brother hangout. He didn’t go into detail, but he did say that you’re dealing with a lot right now. Velyn, I don’t want him in the middle of that.”
Tears are welled-up in her eyes. “I would never let him be.”
“He’s seventeen, Velyn. He’s impressionable, and I’m responsible for him. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened.”
“And you think I could? I would never let anything happen to him. Dylan, over the past almost three months, Chase has become like a little brother to me. He’s my best friend; he’s like family.”
I nod. “Then you understand it’s in his best interest that you keep your distance. At least until you get things under control with your life.”
With her tears falling, her voice lets out a tremble as she speaks. “You know just because it’s not all shiny cars and a big house doesn’t mean it’s horrible. It’s really not much different from yours. But then again, maybe it is. I at least got to experience at one time what it’s like to have parents that actually care about me and not just about padding their pockets.”
Low. Blow.
I stand from the booth coming up in front of her. “What happens in my life is none of your business.”
“Why not? You’ve seemed to weasel your way into mine.”
Before I can respond, the older man that owns the diner is there at Velyn’s side. “Young man, I think it’s time that you leave. Velyn, this is not the time nor the place for this. Go in back.” She locks her eyes with mine holding her stare a moment longer until the man clears his throat. “Now, Velyn.”
Knowing not to push any further, she turns on her heel and jets off.
“I suggest you do the same. No need to pay for the food,” he directs at me.
I look to the older man and pull out my wallet. “It’s all good I can pay.” I pull forty out from my wallet and drop it to the table. “I hope that covers it.”
Before I turn to leave, he adds, “And, son, I think it’s best you don’t return.”
“I think you might be right.” Leaving, I head to the side parking lot where I left my car. When I get there, Chase isn’t waiting like I was hoping, not that I’m surprised.
When I get home, thankfully, Chase is already there. I drop my coat and wallet on the side table and fall to the couch. As I close my eyes about to drift off, I’m pulled back out by a Spanish verbal tirade and what feels like the fluffy end of a duster repeatedly whacking the end of my legs right on the shin.
“What the hell, Connie, that hurts.”
She gives me a smug look. “Ay, de verdad, crees que eso duele?”
I let out a sigh. “What did I do now?”
“You are a bully.”
Sitting up, I run my hand down my face, just imagining what blown up story Chase told her. “What did he tell you happened?”
“Enough to know you are a bully.”
“I’m not a bully, Connie. I’m just looking out for his best interest. He’s my brother, and as his guardian, that’s my job.”
“Bulla-shita! It’s just your way of controlling things. Listen to me, mi hijo; that girl is not the problem, you are. You have to stop listening to your brain because it’s stupid. Listen to your heart, mi amor, what is that telling you?”
“It’s telling me that her type of life is trouble.”
Connie shakes her head in disappointment. “I thought you were smarter than that. Sadly, I was wrong, the same way you are about her. Mi amor, remember not everything is what it seems.”
I think that over as she turns and walks off—what the hell’s that supposed to mean?
I swear to God everyone’s living with their head in the clouds. I’m the only one that sees the reality of what could happen to someone as easy to influence as Chase. I know I’m right, and he’ll realize it eventually, then we can get Velyn Adler out of our lives. That being said, one thing’s for sure—it’s not going to be as easy to get his forgiveness this time.
Chapter 12 Velyn
I’ve been on the phone with Chase for hours. Thank god for landlines and the fact they don’t charge by the minute.
“Velyn, he’ll do it. He’ll stop us from being friends, I know it.”
“Chase, look at it this way at least he doesn’t hate me anymore, now he just thinks that I’m a person of questionable moral values and that I’d lead you astray—a step in the right direction, I think. It’s that much closer to just a
