SEAL's Baby (Navy SEAL Secret Baby Romance) (74 page)

“Can you help me?”

He was older, probably college aged, and I
looked younger than I was, so he got that look on his face that said he was
going to hit on me. Just my luck. “Sure, I can help you. You looking for a new
phone?”

“No.” I showed him the list, and I lied.
“I’m looking to buy something for my boyfriend. This is the list of what he
needs to build his computer.”

The smile only dimmed slightly. Cocky
bastard. He was going to hit on me, anyway. I sighed.

“Okay. Let’s go over to the computer
department and see what of these things we have.”

I followed him. He pointed to several of
the things on the list. I looked at the prices. Thankfully, I didn’t have a
budget. I didn’t spend that much money regularly so Daddy wouldn’t mind if I
did this month.

I looked at each one carefully. “So, what
will get him to his goal of building a computer, faster?”

He pointed out a few items. I chose them.
“Thanks for your help.”

“What a great girlfriend you are to him,”
the guy said as I went to pay for them.

“I am.”

I walked away, flattered that he was
interested, but not really into him. He was cute, but my heart belonged to
Dylan. Well, sort of. I’d been thinking about him a lot the last week, ever
since he saved me.

I knew he was bringing his mother home
today and my thoughts were with him. He was going to tell her that he was
staying with us. I was glad. I might not get to see him as much, otherwise.

Then I went to another store to buy
wrapping paper. I had no idea if we had any. I didn’t often wrap presents. I
didn’t often buy presents, either. For my mom, sometimes. At Christmas, my
parents had always done my shopping for me.

Maybe that should stop? Maybe it was time
for me to take some responsibility.

 
If
Dylan could do all he’d done in his life, then maybe I could step up. Then
maybe my mother would listen to what I had to say about my future.

I bought some manly-looking paper then
stopped for a coffee. Helena was working behind the counter.

“Hey, girl,” I said.

“What can I get you?”

“Just a coffee today. Nothing special,” I
said. “I bought Dylan a present. He wants to build his own computer, and I
bought him some part to help.”

“He still not talking to you?”

“No, and I hope this breaks the ice. I
hate that he’s mad. I screwed up, but it isn’t the end of the world.”

She handed me a coffee. She rarely charged
me. No one else was in the shop, so she could talk as she wiped down the
counter.

“You really must have hurt his feelings.”

“I never think of a guy as being that
sensitive.”

“Some are, but this was a big deal to him,
Taylor. You shit on it.”

I frowned, feeling bad about it all over
again. “I know. I know.”

“He may never forgive you.”

That would be awful. “I hope he does.”

“He also doesn’t know how much you are
trying. You’ve never worked this hard to apologize.”

“I know. I’m not going to get any credit
for it since he doesn’t know that I don’t normally do it.”

Helena laughed. “You know I love you, but
it is karma.”

“Yeah, I know, but I’m trying to be
better. Not as selfish. Dealing with Dylan has certainly opened my eyes.”

“He has been a good influence on you. I
heard your dad took out a restraining order for Greg.”

“Yeah, he did. Greg has to change schools.
He’s been expelled from ours, anyway.”

“That’s all scary stuff. I hope you’re
okay,” she said.

She’d been by my side a lot, and I was
grateful for such an amazing friend. “Why did you put up with me?”

Helena laughed again. “I don’t know. I
guess I hoped you’d change.”

“Well, then I guess the wait was worth it.
You’re a really good person, Helena. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You’re going to make me cry.”

I hugged her. She really was the best
friend anyone could have. “I better go. I want to have this wrapped before
Dylan returns.”

***

I wondered what was taking Dylan so long.
I was excited to give him his present. Maybe he decided to stay with his
mother? That would be disappointing.

I paced my room. The present was wrapped
and ready to go. I thought he’d like it, but was now second-guessing what I had
chosen.

I called Helena.

“Hi. I think I may have bought the wrong
thing.”

“Oh, stop, Taylor. He’ll love it. There is
no guarantee that he is going to forgive you. You’re some girl who he is living
with.”

“I’m hoping I’m at least his friend.”

“You haven’t been acting that way.”

“I know, but I’m trying to make up for
it.”

“Relax, Taylor. He’ll love it. Just don’t
get your hopes up that all will be forgotten. You really hurt him.”

“Did he tell you that?”

“He didn’t have do.”

I frowned. No one’s approval had ever been
so important before. People sought me out for approval, not the other way
around. This was a whole new concept for me.

“Wait, I heard the front door.”

“Don’t pounce on the poor guy,” Helena
said.

“I’ll try not to.”

I disconnected the call as I looked out my
bedroom door. I could hear Dylan and my Dad talking and wished they would hurry
up. I wanted to get past this. I wanted to make things better.

I crept down the steps to listen.

“She was crying when I left. I feel like a
heel,” Dylan said.

“Dylan, you have to take care of you.
She’s proven that she can’t do it. As men, we have to make the hard choices. No
one could fault you for choosing to live here. This is your best chance to get
ahead.”

“I still feel as if I’ve done something
wrong.”

“You haven’t. You can still visit. You
aren’t turning your back on her, just getting out of a toxic situation.”

“Why can’t I get her out of that
situation?”

“Because she’s the parent. She’s the
adult. She has to get herself out of it.”

I sat on the steps, my leg bouncing. As
much as it was an interesting conversation, I wanted them to finish. I wanted
to give Dylan his present.

“I don’t know, Mr. Dean. I’m feeling guilty.”

“She’s your mother. Of course, you would,
but sometimes we have to be selfish. We have to take care of ourselves in order
to take care of someone else.”

“Will the feeling go away? Will I
eventually be okay with my decision?”

“I think you’ll be okay with your decision
tomorrow. I mean it, Dylan. You made the right decision.”

“If I’d stayed with her, would you have
talked me out of it?”

“No, son. It was your decision. You have
ambition and that’s okay.”

“Thanks for your support, Mr. Dean.”

“You’re welcome. If there is anything I
can do, let me know.”

Dylan left the living room and mounted the
steps. I didn’t move. I wanted him to see me.

“Hi,” I said.

He grimaced. “Hello.”

He didn’t stop on his way up. Really?
“Dylan.”

“What, Taylor?”

He didn’t look at me. Man, he really could
stay mad for awhile. “Will you please talk to me?”

“Not now.”

He kept going. I put my hand on his leg
when he reached me. “Please?”

“Not now, Taylor.”

“I have something for you.”

“I don’t want anything from you.”

Okay. That hurt. “I bought you something.”

“Again, not necessary. Let me go, Taylor.”

I frowned. “Please, Dylan.”

He moved down the steps so that he was eye
level with me. “I’m not interested. Now let me pass.”

I put my hands in my lap. “I think you’ll
like it.”

“Stop. Just stop.”

“Is everything okay up there?” my father
said.

“Yes, Daddy.”

Dylan just frowned down at me. Why
wouldn’t he let me give him a present?

“It’s okay, Mr. Dean,” Dylan said.

He walked past me. I must have made a
face.

“Leave him alone, Taylor. He’s got some
things on his mind.”

“Fine.”

I didn’t move from the steps, but watched
as Dylan walked down the hall to his room and closed the door behind him. I was
upset now. I wanted to make things right and no one would let me.

“Did you buy him something?” Daddy said.

“Yes.”

“Give him some time. It’s been a tough
day.”

“Okay, Daddy. What’s for dinner?”

“No idea. I’m thinking take out.”

“Chinese?”

“Sure, honey. Let me figure out where your
mother is,” he said. “She might have something planned.”

“Okay.”

My mind wasn’t completely on dinner. I was
thinking about Dylan. How much time should I give him? I knew this shouldn’t be
about me and that I was being impatient.

“Did Dylan bring his mother home today?” I
asked my dad.

“He did, and he’s wrestling with the
decision he made to stay with us.”

I nodded. Okay. I was being selfish. “Wow.
I can’t imagine if I had to leave you guys.”

“Well, it isn’t the same situation.”

“Yeah, I know. I can’t imagine you guys
doing anything bad to me. Other than take my car away.”

My father laughed. “You know that isn’t
the same thing.”

“I know, Daddy. I know.” I glanced up the
steps to Dylan’s room, then back to my father. “Maybe we should let Dylan
choose dinner. He might have a comfort food he wants. That’ll make him feel
better.”

“That’s sweet, honey. I’ll ask him after I
talk to your mother.”

I nodded and went to my room. I looked at
the gift I had wrapped for Dylan. I wanted him to have it, but now I didn’t
need to see his face when he opened it. I just wanted him to know that I had
been thinking about him.

I wanted him to know that he wasn’t alone.
That I was here for him even if it didn’t seem like I was. I picked up the
package and headed into the hallway. I put the box down by his door. I knocked,
then walked away.

Chapter Nineteen

Dylan

“Come in,” I said, but no one entered my
room.

I had thought I heard Taylor outside, but
she didn’t enter. Instead, I heard someone walking away. Intrigued, I got up
from my pondering and opened the door.

On the floor was a box wrapped in paper
with hammers on it. I looked toward Taylor’s rom, but her door was closed. I
couldn’t hear anyone else around. I looked down at the package again. This was
what Taylor was trying to tell me about.

It had been a bad day, and I guess I had
been rude to Taylor. I sighed then picked up the package. I closed the door and
stared at the thing. I couldn’t remember the last time I got a present.

I had to admit that I was a little
excited, except that Taylor probably would have no idea what to get me. It
didn’t matter. She was trying to get me to forgive her. I missed her company.

I set the package on the desk and sat to
stare at it, just enjoying the moment. I’d made the right decision. This was
the best place for me to be and part of that was because of Taylor. I guess it
was time to forgive her.

Opening the package, I knew I had to talk
to her. Inside was something from my list for what I needed to build my own
computer. I stared at it. She must have come into my room and seen my list. I
couldn’t even be mad at her for invading my space.

This was beyond sweet and so Taylor. I
grinned. I couldn’t help it. This present had made the day so much better.

I left it on my desk and went to find her.
I tapped lightly on her door.

“Come in.”

She was sitting at her desk. She turned
and her mouth opened a little when I opened the door. Guess she hadn’t expected
to see me. “I got your present.”

She nodded.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

She eyed me warily. I stepped into her
room. “That was really cool that you gave that to me. How did you know?”

Her cheeks went a little red. “I went into
your room and saw the list on your desk.”

I nodded. “Really, thanks.”

“You’re welcome, Dylan. I’m really sorry
about what I did.”

I leaned on the wall. “It’s okay.”