“So spill. What’s going on with you two?” Her eyes widened. “I mean, if you’re comfortable talking to me. I know we just met and all, but I hope you know we all love you and are rooting for you two. Me and Hope especially.”
“Clearly,” I muttered, slumping into my seat. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“When did it all change?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.
Something about her kind eyes made me think of my gran. That loving, accepting expression combined with her mellow brown eyes almost made me feel like I was talking to her again. A pang of homesickness hit me again, and I swallowed against it.
Everything just felt turned upside down.
Sighing deeply, I filled her in on all the details of the dinner with Hope and then the fallout of my little confession.
Maddie frowned. “That explains a lot, actually. He hasn’t returned any of my calls the past couple of days. But that’s not out of the norm. I mean, he’s gone AWOL before, but I also know the situation with the Kings hit him hard and now…” She sighed. “He went AWOL a few months back when everything went down with the Kings, but once the DA declined to charge him and the feds went after bigger fish, he came back to us. Maybe he just needs some time?”
I winced. “It’s been a week. How much time is it going to take? Why won’t he just talk to me? I don’t blame him anymore. I really want him to know that.”
“He takes on the guilt and tries to fix it himself. That’s what Dylan does. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was trying to help your dad out. Get him a lawyer or, I don’t know, try to talk to the DA on his behalf. Do you know what he’s been charged with?”
I shrugged. “I think intent to distribute or whatever, so drugs. Last I heard he was being held at county jail, so I don’t think he’s got federal charges—yet.”
“Yet,” Maddie repeated. “I don’t really know anything about that, so I’m not much help there. But maybe there’s something we can do to help snap Dylan out of his funk. What to do, what to do…”
I shrugged. “I mean, I know he’s sleeping here, but he’s gone before I get up and avoids me at work. He even sat at the other end of the table during our all hands meeting Monday. He wouldn’t even look at me.”
“Because he’s so occupied with self-flagellation, he doesn’t even see that he’s hurting you too. These Burns boys get so myopic it’s infuriating. Remind me to tell you all my drama a few months ago with Nathan. You want to talk about narrow-minded focus.” She huffed in indignation at the memory. “But back to Dylan. Let me think.”
I gave her a half smile. Somehow in the few minutes she’d been here, I was already starting to see her as a friend. It was nice to have someone to lean on who wasn’t Dylan.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had a girlfriend in my life. Junior year in high school? Before everything changed, definitely. But even back then, my friendships had never felt like this—all focused and giving. Honest.
It was nice.
“I got it!” She snapped her fingers. “He won’t be able to run from you at Aunt Wendy’s house this weekend when we get together for Fliss’ birthday party. We’ll get you all gussied up, and you’ll corner him and make him listen to you…if you know what I mean.”
My cheeks heated. I knew exactly what she meant. “At his aunt’s house? Isn’t that kinda…skanky?”
“You two wouldn’t be the first.” She pursed her lips, and I’d bet her cheeks could’ve competed with mine as to whose were redder. “Nathan and I might’ve—”
“Seriously!” I squealed. “Oh my god, Maddie! Ha! I love it!”
“Nathan can be very persuasive. That’s all I’ll say. And you can too. I recommend cornering him in a bathroom. They all have locks on them. Just make sure it’s the one down the hall and away from the living room. You don’t want all of us listening in on your moment.”
“You can say that again.” That wasn’t a mental picture I wanted. I’d spent enough time around the guys to be able to guess as to all the teasing we’d be inflicted with after that ordeal. I groaned. “I don’t know, Maddie. This isn’t me. I’m not a schemer. And if it were meant to be, don’t you think something would’ve happened by now?”
“Something did happen. He said ‘fuck it’ and kissed you. Clearly he has been fighting his feelings. You just need to let him know it’s okay to fall, that you’ll catch him.”
That was so sweet. I had to blink a few times against the emotion building inside me. “And maybe we can come up with a plan b in case this doesn’t work?” I tipped my head. “It’s gonna be hella awkward around here if he turns me down.”
“He won’t.” A determined expression crossed her face. “Especially not once we’re done making him regret avoiding you this past week. And I think I have just the outfit to do it.”
I laughed and rolled my eyes. Like a dress could really make that much of a difference. “Oh wait, Hope said something about setting me up with a glam squad before the party.”
“A glam squad? Really?” Maddie frowned then her eyes widened. “She wouldn’t…”
“What?”
Maddie shook her head as a huge grin spread across her face. “Oh, this is going to be a spectacular weekend. I’ll come over and help you get ready. And I’ll tell Dylan that you won’t be needing a ride. I want him to be surprised by you there in all your glory. And if it goes the way I’m thinking, you won’t even have to be the one to make the move.”
I raised my eyebrows with my skepticism.
