Dylan and Taylor (Soul Mates 101 Series) (20 page)

Mom:
Of course. This should be entertaining.

I put my phone away. “We definitely need to coordinate our schedules. You’re the busier one,” I say.

“There will always be time for you. We’ll figure it out.” He picks up my hand and kisses it.

“My mom really liked you. I was well aware of the charm you were laying on Tory and her.”

Dylan looks over and grins.

“That … right there.” I point. It makes me melt, and I can tell it does the same to other women.”

“I always knew my grin got your panties moist.”

“Dylan!”

“Hey, don’t yell at me. You can get mad at me all you want, but don’t yell at me.” He’s laughing now, and I love when we can be playful together.

“You really are getting back to your old self, but I love it. The first time you got me that excited was at Hannah and Brett’s house warming party. It was when you pulled me up against you. I would’ve done you right there if we’d been on those kind of terms.”

“I remember that moment. I felt it too, and I thought things were going to turn around for us, but then you became even more of a pain in my ass.”

I giggle. “I’m sorry. I can’t say I would go back and change anything since this last week has been perfect in my eyes. Well, most of it has been perfect. We could’ve done without the big fight at the bar. I can’t say I enjoyed being slapped or watching you get hurt.”

“We better never see Sam again. I swear I could rip his throat out.” Dylan lets go of my hand and grips the steering wheel tightly.

“OK, let’s just forget that part.” I get my phone back out.

Me:
Almost there.

Mom:
Your dad is ready, but you could very well regret this. You know how he is.

Me:
Yes, and that’s the side of Dad I need Dylan to see. Oh, and tell Dad he plays guitar.

Dylan picks up my suitcase out of the back and sets it on the ground. “Listen, I don’t want to be overly affectionate in front of your mom, so give me a kiss.”

“Dylan, you act like we’re sixteen.”

“Yeah, and I haven’t had a girlfriend since about that age, so you need to give me a break here, and kiss me already, chick.”

Dylan and I share a sultry kiss, and all I want to do is get in the back of the Escalade again.

“Come on before I go home with you.” As I turn the key in the doorknob, Dylan grabs my arm.

“Shit, Taylor, is your dad here or on the road? I can’t believe I didn’t think to ask before now.”

“He’s here.” I try to be nonchalant about it as we enter the house.

He grabs my arm and spins me around. “Are you crazy?” he asks in a desperate whisper.

Dylan

Holy. Shit. It’s too late. I look up and lock eyes with
the
Vincent Page. He’s staring at me as he stands right behind her. I think my blood is draining out of me, and I’m thinkin’ I might pass out. Taylor must see the look on my face because she smirks and turns around.

“Daddy!” She hugs him.

“Dad, this is my boyfriend, Dylan Dressner.”

I’m a dead man. Vincent Page sticks his hand out to shake mine. I give him a firm but sweaty handshake.

“Um ... it ... um ... it’s an honor to meet you, sir.”

His face is a little more worn than I expected, but otherwise, he looks like he does in his photos. He has shoulder length hair. Of course, Taylor’s is prettier and longer, but dark like his. If I remember correctly, he’s around forty-three years old.

He crosses his arms. “So, Brenda told me you’ve been shacked up with our daughter all week,” he says with a serious tone and expression.

Fuck. I’m. Screwed. “Uh ... sir. Um ... yes. I don’t lie. I’ve spent the week with her at our friend’s cabin.”

My parents taught me from an early age that no matter how bad a situation is, if I’m honest, then I’ll walk away with something—my integrity. And in this case, maybe a broken face. I hope Cody’s home already, so he can take me to the ER shortly.

Vincent stands in front of me and runs his hand down his goatee, staring me directly in the eyes. I stand frozen in fear. I love Taylor, and I’ll fight to keep her. I’m just praying that it’s not going to be in the physical sense.

Vincent grabs my shoulder and squeezes it as he bursts into laughter. “Man, I’m just fuckin’ with ya. Get in here and have a drink with me. I thought my girl was a lesbian.”

“Dad!”

I reluctantly follow him into the house and look over at Taylor, shaking my head no. She starts smirking and points for me to keep following Vincent. He takes me into a family room where there’s a bar. “What would you like to drink?”

“I’m driving, sir, so I’ll pass, but thank you.”

“You’ll stick around for a while, so what’ll it be?”

I watch him pour Jack Daniels in a glass. I seldom drink hard liquor, but if I’ve ever needed it, it’s now.

“That Jack will be fine.”

“So, how long have you known Taylor?”

“I met her in July at the hospital when our friend Hannah was hurt, but we’ve recently gotten to know each other better.”

“I’m glad her boyfriend killed that sick bastard. I would’ve done it myself if I’d had the opportunity.” He hands me my drink and sits across from me in a chair.

“I’ll be honest. I was surprised to hear Taylor wanted me to meet you today. She’s a private girl. You never know what’s going on in that pretty little head of hers.”

I had a suspicion she planned this. She’s in big trouble.

“Brenda said Taylor mentioned you play guitar.”

Skip tickling. I’m whipping her ass. “Um ... yes sir. I just play a Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster.”

“That’s nicer than what I started out with, and I’m Vincent. Don’t call me sir again.”

“Um ... I’ve upgraded a few times over the years.”

“Are you in a band?”

“I fill in for a guy occasionally at Mystic Playground, but otherwise it’s just a hobby. I’m a senior at Vanderbilt for electrical engineering.”

“I’m glad Taylor found someone with some brains. Now, let’s talk music.”

This has to be one big fucking dream.

Taylor

While Dylan gets to know his idol, I go into the kitchen to chat with my mom. “He’s perfect, Mom. I’ll have to tell you later what happened to us on the way to Gatlinburg.”

“Honey, I’ve never seen you like this.”

Tory comes walking in to see me. “Did you have a good trip? I’m pissed you didn’t let me go. It’s been boring around here.” Tory jumps up on the island and sits like it’s nothing. She’s so cute and petite. I think she’s a size one. I’m curvier, but Dylan seems to like it.

“She had a great trip,” Mom says, smiling.

Tory eyes me suspiciously. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing, Tory.” I really don’t want her teasing me.

“Mom’s going to tell me, so just say it.”

“She has a thing now for Dylan.”

“I thought you couldn’t stand him, but I see his charm got to you, too. Dang, I was hoping to go after him in a few months. He’s a hottie.”

Oh, hell no. “He’s mine, so you can get that out of your head right now.”

“Shit, you really like him.” Tory acts surprised like everyone else.

“I love him already. I know it’s soon, but I do.”

Tory raises a brow and shoots me a questioning look.

“What the hell happened while you were gone? It wasn’t that many days.”

“A lot. I’m sick in love.” I hold my stomach. It’s been turned upside down for almost a week now.

“This is too weird. You never act like this, and you never share shit,” Tory says.

Mom scowls at her. “Tory, watch your language. I’m happy for her. It’s about time she likes someone again.”

Tory rolls her eyes. I swear my sis is like a tiger pacing to get out of her cage. What she doesn’t realize is there will be lions waiting to eat her alive.

Tory kicks her legs against the island. “Does he have a brother by chance?”

“He does, and he’s barely older than you.”

“If he looks anything like Dylan, then I need to meet him.”

“I don’t know when that will ever happen, but you better not flirt with Dylan.” I give her a forewarn look. I can’t believe I’m jealous.

Dylan

After Vincent picks my brain about my favorite rock and metal bands, he walks me to the kitchen.

“You can have him back now, and don’t run him off, Taylor. This one is cooler than shit,” Vincent says before patting me on the back and leaving the room.

He thinks I’m cooler than shit.

Tory bats her eyelashes as she swings her legs forward and back, hitting the island she’s sitting on. “Hi, Dylan. It’s good to see you again.”

After the week I’ve had with Taylor, Tory seems so much younger. She’s cute instead of hot, and she definitely doesn’t have Taylor’s maturity.

“Hi, Tory and Brenda.” I want to give them my killer grin to pay Taylor back for what she just put me through, but I can’t bring myself to do that to her, and I can’t lie. It’s been the coolest day ever.

“Come on, Dylan. I’ll show you around the house.” Taylor intertwines our fingers, and I’m instantly comforted. I feel as if half of me is missing when our skin’s not touching. She begins showing me rooms as if nothing has happened. When we get to the third room, I grab her shoulders and look her in the eyes, dumbfounded.

“Are you seriously just going to act like nothing has happened?”

She giggles. I slide my hands down her arms, sort of massaging them as I go. I take hold of both her hands. “I’m not even sure what I’m going to do with you yet, but you’re in so much trouble.”

“Why are you whispering? My family loves you. I was going to talk about it when we got to my room.”

“Like hell. I’m not going into your bedroom.”

“Oh you are going in there, Dylan.”

“I’m seeing now that you wanting your way all the time is going to be a problem.” She just turns and pulls me by the hand, showing me more of the massive home. I’m already lost, and I can hardly pay attention. I’m still thinking about meeting Vincent.

Taylor opens a door. “This is my room.”

“I’m not going in there,” I say adamantly.

She lets out an exasperated breath and grabs my wrist before dragging me inside. “I’ll leave the damn door open.”

I’m astounded as I look around. Her room is cool as hell. It’s decorated in red, black and purple. There are guitars on the wall, funky furniture throughout, and a lot of photos of different bands hanging up.

There are some other pictures blown up of various things and places, and I wonder if Taylor took them. Her closet is bigger than my bedroom, and I don’t even have words for the size of her bathroom.

“Your room is cool. It’s the same color as most of your wardrobe, and it reminds me of Jimmy Hendrix. I’d be happy just living in your bathroom.”

“We could probably arrange you living in here,” Taylor says as she runs her hand along her bed. Now, she’s just being cruel.

“I was joking, so get that idea out of your head right now.” I stare at her for a minute in silence.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“I don’t know if anything’s wrong. This week has been a lot to take in, and I’m torn as to whether I should be mad at you. You set me up. I’m grateful to meet Vincent, but I don’t appreciate how you went about it, especially after our talk on the way here.”

“I’m sorry, but I could tell you would’ve avoided it for as long as possible, and it would’ve been more time that you worried.”

“That’s my issue to work out, not yours.”

She takes one of my hands, intertwining them again. “I didn’t want you stressed around me as that loomed in the background. I knew he was going to love you, so I wanted to ease your mind.”

“You should’ve told me ahead of time that he was here and told me your reasons for wanting me to meet him this soon. Instead, I was ambushed.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” She leans up and plants a kiss on my lips.

I glance nervously out her bedroom door. “You’re still getting a punishment when I figure out what it should be, but you’re too damn cute to stay mad at, and I know you had good intentions. I have to go. I have to get the rental car back. Will you walk me out?”

I lean against the door of the Escalade, and I’m beginning to panic over us being apart. This feels like a dream that I’m terrified I’ll wake up from. It took six months to convince Taylor to be with me, and I’m afraid she’ll change her mind once we’re physically apart. She presses herself against my chest. “Please hold me, and don’t let go.”

I hug her and close my eyes. My senses work overtime to absorb all of her in hopes that I’ll feel her in my arms when I let go. “I love you, Taylor. I’ll call you later.” When she pulls away, I see the tears.

“Sunshine, please don’t cry. You’re killing me today. I can’t handle all the emotions I’ve had to feel in one day. I’m a dude, remember? I need to see you smiling.”

She gives me a small one through her tears and kisses me on the cheek. “I love you, too.” She turns and walks away, taking a piece of me with her.

Is it Time Yet?

Taylor

During dinner with my family, I tell the story of what happened to Dylan and me on our way to the cabin. I want them to know how much he protected me. The only detail I leave out is the part about us removing our clothing.

“Dad, did you ask Dylan about his guitar playing?”

“Yes, but he didn’t have much to say about it.”

“I knew it. Dad, he’s a phenomenal guitarist. You have to hear him play. I’m going to make one of his friends tell me when he fills in again for this band, and we have to go watch him. He’s overly modest about his talent.”

“What am I going to do with him?”

“Can’t you find him a band or find him some side projects? He writes, too.”

“He’s that good, huh?”

“Yes, he is, and I’m not just saying that because of how I feel about him. I’ve never asked you to do this before, so please say you’ll hear him play.”

“OK, but only long enough to hear him play. You know what it’ll be like when someone figures out I’m there.”

I’m beyond excited as I run around the table and give my dad a big hug. “Thank you, thank you, Dad. You’ll hear just how good he is.”