I guess I need to start preparing to move out and get my ducks in a row closer to CSU. Holly’s sniffling echoes from the kitchen and I shake my head as I hear my dad try to console her, but I can’t bring myself to care.
It’s been a few hours since our blow-up in the kitchen, and Holly and my dad left. Something about dinner to make her feel better since their kids are ungrateful. Whatever. She’s my dad’s problem.
With them gone, it’s the perfect opportunity for me to talk to Dylan. She hasn’t come down for anything since she got home this morning. So I make her a sandwich, place it on a tray, and take it upstairs—my own little peace offering. I knock on her door, but don’t hear anything. I knock again.
“Come on, Dylan, open up. Your mom and my dad left.”
Nothing.
“I have food. Please open, I just want to talk to you.”
I can hear movement on the other side, just before the door opens.
“I only answered because you have food and I'm hungry.” She narrows her gaze at me. Her ashy blonde hair is tousled, framing her face in loose waves. Her chocolate brown eyes, darkand intense, lock onto mine with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. Even when she's angry, I can't help but think how beautiful she is.
“I'll take what I can get. Can I talk to you?”
“Fine. But as soon as I’m done eating, you’re gone.” She holds the door open and I step into her room, and as I take a seat on the edge of her bed, she shuts it.
“Talk.” She crosses her arms as she glares at me and I take a moment to appreciate her form before I dive into talking about the kiss.
She’s wearing a white tank top that clings to her body, showing off her small but sexy cleavage. The soft fabric of her tank top contrasts with the smooth, sun-kissed skin of her shoulders and arms. Paired with it, she has on a pair of cotton shorts that hug her hips just right, accentuating her slender legs.
I shift, trying to find the right words. "I need to explain why I’ve been acting the way I have toward you."
Her eyes narrow slightly, but she doesn't interrupt. I take a deep breath and spill my thoughts.
"I thought you were just another stick bunny, chasing opportunities like your mother. I had to deal with girls like that all through school, and I hated it. They were always looking for the next big thing, never caring about the people they hurt along the way."
She opens her mouth to protest, but I hold up a hand to stop her. "Let me finish. I know that’s not fair to you, and I’m sorry. I was wrong."
“Fine. Apology accepted. You can go now.” She holds her hand out toward the door.
"We need to talk about the kiss.”
She shakes her head. "I'd rather not."
"We have to," I insist, running a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the moment. "We’re going to be step-siblings. It’s best if we clear the air."
She hesitates, then nods. "Fine."
"That kiss... it meant something to me. I’ve been watching you, Dylan. I’ve been wishing I could be with you, but your age stopped me. I knew I couldn’t do anything until you were eighteen. And now that you are, I can’t hide how I feel anymore."
Her eyes widen, and she looks like she wants to say something, but I press on.
"It was hard for me to rationalize why I was attracted to you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, especially not a guy. But when I saw you play lacrosse, not knowing who you were, I was drawn to the male version of you. When you took off your helmet, and I saw it was you, I couldn’t hold back my feelings any longer. I kissed you without even thinking about your response, or if it would be welcomed. And I’m sorry for that."
Dylan is silent, her eyes locked on mine, listening with rapt attention. I can see the wheels turning in her head as she processes everything. She opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off again.
"Please, let me finish. I know I’ve made a mess of things, but I want to make it right. I want to be with you, Dylan. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, and I can’t keep pretending like I don’t care."
She finally speaks, her voice soft and hesitant. "Matthew, I... I don’t know what to say."
I reach out, taking her hand in mine. "Just tell me how you feel. Do you feel anything for me? Or was I completely out of line?"
Chapter 7
Dylan
