CHAPTER THREE
He's hiding something
I rolled my eyes at Dylan' words.
“I have time!" I snapped.
“I can't go into it all. A lot has changed for me.
“Come on, Dylan. You're just suddenly back from nowhere. You're seriously not going to tell me why?
“I....maybe another time.”
As much as my curiosity was telling me to push, Dylan obviously doesn't want to talk about this.“For me too. Raymond, I never thought he would do that to me.”
“He'll regret it .” Dylan's glare sends a shiver through me. He looked dangerous. I never thought of him this way before, but I do now.
“I don't know if he will. Things weren't great between us. He may just be glad it's over.”
Dylan opens his mouth to say something but closes it again. “Maybe you're right. It's his loss.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a while. The waiter brings our pancakes, which are especially delicious to my hungover body.
“I have some news.”Dylan hesitates, seemingly nervous. “ I've decided to move back here.”
“Really?”That's wonderful !” I don't know why he was nervous; I'm ecstatic. Getting my friend back is just what I needed amidst all the misery.“Do you have somewhere to stay yet?
“Yes...The people I was staying with before hooked me up with a local branch. I'm going there.
“A local branch for what?”
“It's sort of...a community.”
“What kind of community ?”
“Um. Maybe I will tell you about it sometime. So where are you staying ?”
I allowed the change of subjects though I'm more than a little curious.
My parents used to say curiosity was my curse since it got me into trouble often enough, but it's certainly been a good use as an investigative journalist.
Dylan was waiting for an answer, but I'm lost in thought.
It would be wrong to pursue him as a story, but that's not what I'm thinking. I don't want to publish whatever he is hiding. I just want to know what it was.
“I'm staying with Hannah for now .” My mind is already racing ahead.
Of course, I have to take some time off from work if I'm going to figure out Dylan's secret, but I'm sure Roland will give me that.
My conscience niggled at me, though.
Would I be betraying Dylan's trust? Or would I be helping him?
After all, I don't want to know what he's hiding for a nefarious reason. I just wanted to support him.
Surely, that's not wrong?
I find my eyes roving over his body without my permission.
Is it just me, or has he been working out?
No, I'm not imagining it, he definitely has been working out. Dylan had always been cute, but not he was somehow managed to achieve a perfect balance between cute and hot.
His hair is slightly longer too. It's always been this gorgeous, thick black-brown, and it looks more beautiful and alluring just brushing his shoulders. Dylan's eyes somehow seemed bluer than usual as I stared at him.
Looking at him reminds me of how long it has been since I had sex, let alone good sex. Raymond and I have hardly been in the mood recently with all the problems between us.
“You ok?”
I feel myself blushing .“Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking of Raymond...I don't know where things went wrong. It seems that everything I do is wrong. My working hours are too long, I'm not paid enough, I don't do enough around the house, I'm too fussy, too emotional, and unreasonable....”
I broke down when I saw Dylan' face. It scares me; he looks like he's ready to do something bloody, murder. He's actually shaking.
“Dylan?”
A cracking noise has me staring at the table. Dylan's hands are clenched on the edge, and he's broken a piece clean off.
“What the...?”
“I'm sorry. I have to go. I'll call you .”
“Wait, Dylan-”
It's too late. He's already gone, vanishing quicker than I would have believed possible. He's out of the door before I can even get up.
I'm left staring at his half-finished pancakes.
What on earth was that?
My journalistic instinct kicks in half a second later. I tossed some money down on the table and hurried out, picking up the pieces of the broken table on the way.
I scan the road both ways and I quickly make my way to a street-side stall selling fruit.
“Excuse me, I'm looking for my boyfriend. We just fought. Please, I have to make up with him -I said some really bad things.”
The man selling the fruit gave me a sympathetic smile .“The young man who just exited the IHOP in such a hurry? Yes, I saw him running down the street- very fast he was going, too. He went this way.”
Great. Now what?
If he had gotten into the taxi, or driven somewhere, I could work on developing a source at a taxi company or a car GPS agency, but if he's walking or running, I'll be stuck asking people on the street.
I did just that for almost an hour, but it quickly became apparent that it is a losing battle. Dylan was moving quickly, and he's gaining ground in me every moment I stand still questioning someone.
No, there is a better way to do this.
I started walking back to my car, my head full of the mystery of Dylan. It's easier to think about his strange strength and disappearance than about my headache over Raymond, or my guilty thought about how I wouldn't protest at all should Dylan decide to pin me up against the wall and kiss me.
When I arrived at Hannah's place there were police officers at the door.
My heart seems to freeze in my chest.
Has Raymond been here?
I'd never believed he could get violent with Hannah, possibly asking where I am, but then, I'd never believed he'd cheated on me either.
I rushed up to the door .“Hannah? Are you okay ?”
One of the police officers stops me. “Are you Kenzy Amber?”
“Yes..where's Hannah? Is she okay”
She's fine, we just spoke to her. Actually, it's you we are looking for .”
That brings me up short. What?”
“Where were you approximately one hour ago ?”
“Why”
“Answer the question, please ma'am .”
“I was at IHOP, then I spent some time working on the street. You can ask anyone there, I talked to several people. Why?”
“Your fiance-”
“Ex fiance.”
“Someone has ransacked his house and left a threatening message on his well. We believe it is written in blood .”
I can feel myself going white .“What?”
“ We'll check out your proof. In the meantime, is there anyone else, you know, who might want to hurt Raymond ?”
I clamp my mouth shut. My first thought is Hannah, but then I remembered how angry Dylan was when he left.
Could he possibly....?
I have to protect him, and Hannah. I won't let them go down for standing up for me.
“No, officer. I can't think of anyone .”
His eyes bore into mine. I don't know what the legal penalty for lying to the police is, but I'm sure it's good.
What if he doesn't believe me?
CHAPTER FOUROne more question“Thank you, ma'am. If you think of anything else, please call me.”“I will.” I take the card he's holding out.Please don't let it be Hannah or Dylan.The last thing I need is either of them being prosecuted for vandalism.Hannah was waiting inside, “What's going on?”She closed the door, pecking out of the window to make sure the officers are gone.“They said someone trashed Raymond's house. Not that he doesn't deserve it, but who will do that.“It wasn't you, then?”“No, I've been here all morning, nursing a killer hangover. Not that I wouldn't have done it, but guess someone else beat me to it.”“I think you know the people that did it, but I didn't say anything. I didn't want to implicate Hannah. Unfortunately, she knows me too well.“You know something. I can see it in your face. Spill it out.”“I don't know anything for sure ”“So you suspect, then, I'm all ears”I suppose she won't leave me alone until I tell her.“I think….it might be Dylan ”Han
CHAPTER FIVEBack off !!!The clicking of the laptop keys hurt my brain and my eyes. Let's not mention my ears, the sound is so irritating I wanna break the laptop but I still try to keep calm.God, why does it hurt so much?Because you drunk half of the bar, Kenzy, you idiot.I'm never drinking again.I try to focus on what I'm doing, rather than my pounding headache. The memories of Jake keep intruding. What the fuck was I even thinking? I was so close to having sex with a stranger. All in the name he looked like Dylan!And why was I even thinking about Dylan that way?He took it alright when I freaked just as he was about to get my pants down. I went back to the bar shortly afterward.It's not Jake, exactly, that's bothering me.It's the fact that I was only attracted to him because he looks like Dylan. I've gotten Dylan friendships back, and the least I could do is to ruin it with my inappropriate longings.I force myself to look back at my laptop screen. I'm looking into Daravit
CHAPTER SIX Tell me the truth My gaze are still fixed on Dylan, he looks away, I know he is trying to pretend as though what I said hadn't had any effect on him. There is a bit of silence between us and for some reasons, I'm afraid of what his answer was going to be like. Now, he knows am following him and I wouldn't give up anything soon. Dylan stiffens.“ Where did you hear that name ?” I almost laughed at his questions, “I'm an investigative journalist, Dylan. You know me, I can never leave a mystery unsolved.” I chuckled but he didn't seem to take it lightly. “So.... I guess you went digging. From our messages I guess.” He spoke precisely and I'm glad he has a current memory. “That's right!” I smirked. Dylan closed his eyes. He huffed and opens his mouth but shuts it almost immediately. His eyes are still shut and I wonder if he's praying for patience. Was he angry I was different into his personal life? The thought of that makes me want to whimper but I stood my ground an
CHAPTER SEVENDinner of one“Come on, Kenzy, we're going to be late!”“I will be out in a moment.”I give up on choosing between dresses, grabbing the nearest one, and pulling it on. I was going to do something with my hair, but I procrastinated too long and it's too late.Hannah is waiting impatiently. "I don't want to be late, we'll make a bad impression.”“You do realize that we're not engaged, right? You are just filling in for Raymond because I can't have them alone. A good impression isn't necessarily. Besides, my family knows you.” I explained over the room.“I know, but I still don't want to give them any more reason to berate you than they have already.”That's true enough. My family is going to be a nightmare.Hannah drives, and all too soon, we're pulling at my mom's driveway. Marcus's car is already here. There are cars parked all along the sides of the streets. My mom always favored big gatherings.She opened the door, her eyes going from me to Hannah. Her mouth pop open
CHAPTER EIGHTA Horrible MistakeShit! She must have heard me screaming Dylan name. I try to come up with a lie but it's not coming forward.“I'm fine. Nothing to worry about!”Apparently, Hannah thinks from my tone that there is something to worry about because she opens the door. I'm all too aware of how flushed and disheveled I must look.“Ever heard of privacy?”“Ever heard a roommate shouting their friend's name like he's saving her from a burning building? Because I just did .”Crap!No way am I willing to confess to Hannah what I just did.“I think you are hearing things. It's probably just that wind.”Hannah's eyes narrow in suspicion.I knew it. She doesn't believe me. Well, she tells Dylan?If she does, I can kiss the dream of remaining friends with him goodbye.“You don't have to lie to him, you know. So you have the hots for Dylan. Fine. It's not like I'm going to tell him”I'm torn between shame and relief. Of course, I don't need to lie to Hannah. I know that. “Promise m
CHAPTER NINEIt's Over!"What did you say?""Nothing." I don't turn around to face Raymond hoping that he'll be overpowered by need and ignore my slip. "Keep going."Come on."Dylan, as in your friend, Dylan? You've left me for that loser?"No! Dylan and I aren't together. It's you I need." I turn around and try to kiss Raymond, but he gets up off the couch.You're going to have to try harder than that if you want me, Kenzy.""Fuck you, then.Without another word, I get up, pull my clothes on and storm off. He's not making me beg again. Never again.I drive back to Hannah's at a reckless speed. I know I should slow down, but I'm so horny I feel like I'm going to explode.It takes all my willpower to keep my hands on the steering wheel and not let one of them slide down to my clit.That doesn't stop me from pressing my legs together.Fuck, I need to come.I rush inside, running to my room and slamming the door behind me.I throw myself onto my bed, yanking my pants down. I reach blindl
CHAPTER TENStalked on All SidesI bit my lips as she asked the heavy questions again."Would he be willing to help you with this?""I don't really feel comfortable asking himthat."Why not? You've known him as long as you've known me. You two are super close. I'm sure he'd do it for you.""Maybe, but you don't know my mom. She wouldn't be satisfied with dating. She won't really leave me alone until I'm married. I'm not going to ask Dylan to marry me."At least, not when it's not real. I couldn't ask that of him, especially given my very real feelings for him.Shut up, Kenzy. You're ignoring those feelings, remember? Dylan is your friend."I suppose that is a bit much to ask. What's going on with you and Luke anyway? You haven't said a word about him in days. Usually, you never shut up about him."I can feel my face going red. "We kind of had a fight."Let me guess. He's not happy that you're still investigating him?""Not at all. Do you think I'm doing the right thing? Should I back
CHAPTER ELEVENAm doing this again.I stare at Dylan with my mouth wide open, I had never seen him this angry before. Although I knew he always stood up for me, I wasn't expecting it to be as intense as he had just done.I set the phone aside and turn over to him with a bright smile."Are you okay?" He asked with curious eyes. I am at the venge of bursting into laughter, but I somehow managed to control myself.Of course I was perfectly fine, it's not like I was physically abused or insulted by Raymond. I still try keep my face in a frown. Pretending to be sad but deep down, I was screaming with excitement.I knew I was taking this too personal but seriously, I didn't care at the moment."I am fine." I said, sober."That rascal, I will grind his bone and feed them to the birds of the earth!" His eyes turn strangely dark and I am left amazed that he is able to do that.I shoved off the shock, placing my hand on his as I speak gently."Dylan, I admire the chivalry, but you can't just t