“Sounds to me you coped better than I did. You tagged one building. I imploded my entire family with my actions. And apparently a few others while I was at it.” He shook his head and pushed up from the couch like he had a million pounds on his shoulders. “Because that’s what I do—I fuck up everything I touch.”
“Dylan, it’s not—”
He waved a hand. “But it is. You just don’t realize it yet. I need some time to absorb this all. I… Don’t go anywhere, okay? Please? I’m not mad at you, I swear. This is all on me.”
I could only blink and then after a beat, I nodded my agreement.
And then I watched as Dylan slowly left the living room.
I felt like I’d changed everything between us just as we were starting to find our way to each other.
I should’ve told him sooner.
And I definitely shouldn’t have tried to answer that stupid phone call.
* * *
I wish it wasn’t true, but that moment changed things between Dylan and me. He’d pulled away. Suddenly he wasn’t around when I was getting ready for work. And Ryan was at the door offering me a ride to work.
I went from having Dylan with me most of my waking hours to not seeing him at all.
I knew he was still in the condo—dirty dishes showed up in the sink; I heard the front door closing at the most insane hours—but I hadn’t seen him in days.
And apparently, I wasn’t alone.
Late that Thursday night, someone knocked at the door. I almost didn’t answer it. I mean, it wasn’t my house so it probably wasn’t for me, right?
“Indy?” a feminine voice called. “Dylan?” Thenknock, knock, knock.
So probably not a stranger since they knew my name.
I was still wary as I opened the door, my cell phone clutched in my left hand.
But it was only Maddie standing at the other side.
She gave me a little smile. “Hey. Do you have a minute?”
“Sure.” I shrugged and stepped back so she could enter. “Do you want something to drink or—” I gestured vaguely. I didn’t know what to offer. Or what she was doing here really since I hadn’t seen her since book club a few weeks back.
“No, I’m good. Thanks.” She walked over to the end chair and sat.
So not a short convo then. I followed after a beat and sat on the sofa opposite her.
“I’m sorry that I made things awkward at book club. Sabrina had a little talk with me once I sobered up. Things at work had gotten a little tense with my supervisor, and I vented to the girls before you got there. Not that that’s an excuse. You’re new to our group and probably going to be sticking around, so I don’t want you to think that’s who I am. I don’t exclude people. I swear. I’m so sorry.”
“I, uh, thanks. I mean, you were fine. I hardly even noticed. And I’m not so sure about that sticking around thing.”
She cocked her head as her brow wrinkled with her frown. “What’s going on? I thought you and Dylan were a thing. That’s what Hope texted me anyhow. Said you two were really cute.”
I groaned and dropped my head. “Seriously? Why? How? How did she even know—”
Maddie’s eyes widened. “Know what?”
“You don’t know? Wait, what did she tell you?”
“Just that the two of you seemed chummy, and it was only a matter of time.” A little smirk curved her lips. “But it sounds like she doesn’t have the latest gossip. What’s going on? Are you two…”
“I wish,” I muttered before I even thought the words. Then I slapped a hand over my mouth like I could take the words back.
