Believe In Love (4 page)

Chapter 7

Her story

Dylan

Earlier this evening, as I drove into Amber’s neighborhood, my heart lurched again for this girl.  She lives in a terrible part of town.  The schools aren’t great and the crime rate is really high.  I know that Amber doesn’t come from money but I didn’t realize how bad it might actually be.  My heart goes out to her and I honestly don’t know how to help her.  My parents were always there and we always lived in great neighborhoods and went to the best schools.  I am lucky to have the family I have.  I’ve taken it for granted and I’m ashamed of myself. 

I find Amber’s house.  It is the cleanest on the block.  It’s already dark out but the street lights illuminate it pretty well.  All the other houses have junk cars sitting in the driveways and front lawns filled with garbage.  Not Amber’s.  Clean yard and the only car sitting in the driveway must be hers.  It’s a very old car that’s in need of repairs but still clean.  I park my car behind hers, grab the flowers and head to the front door.

When she opens the door, my throat goes dry.  She’s so beautiful.  Her dark hair is back in a ponytail and she doesn’t have a speck of makeup on.  I have never seen anything so magnificent.  This girl is pure perfection.  She’s wearing black pants and a black shirt covered by a blue apron.  So sexy.  She invites me in and I enjoy an amazing meal in great company.  Evan and Mia are great kids but I didn’t meet anyone else.  It’s just the four of us and we have a wonderful time. 

At ten, the kids excuse themselves and head off to bed. Amber and I clean up the board game and go to the couch to talk some.  I ask a question that has been searing my brain for most of the night.

“I have a question but you don’t have to answer if you’re not comfortable.”

“Sure.  Ask me anything.”

“Is it just you three?  I know you told my dad, when he was grilling you, that you take care of your siblings.  Is there anyone else who helps you?”  She brings her cup of tea to her mouth, sips and then looks at me.  We are sitting at opposite ends of the couch but facing each other.

“Yes it is.”  I nod my understanding and she continues.  “Are you sure you want to hear the whole story?”

“I would like to hear it.”

“It was my last day of high school and a week shy of my eighteenth birthday.  I came home to find an empty house.  I found it strange because mom was always home since she didn’t have a car.  So I started searching the house.  I came up empty.  I walked back into the kitchen and found it disorderly.  There were dishes in the sink and ingredients for cookies all over the counter.  This was very unlike my mom.  As I turned around, I noticed the door to the garage was opened a crack.  I walked into the garage and found it orderly but my dad’s car is there.  Something pushes me to keep walking to the other side of the car.  I find my mom and dad both lying on the floor in a pool of blood.   I called the police. After hours of interrogation, the police concluded that my dad murdered my mom and then committed suicide.  My dad left a suicide note for me on his desk.  The police gave it to me.  I can recite it to you word for word.  It said, ‘
Amber, if you are reading this letter then your mother and I are dead.  Yes, I killed her and turned the gun on myself.  My reason-I couldn’t handle the debt anymore and your mother was no help.  Good luck.  Dad’  
Since I was almost eighteen, the state awarded me custody of Evan and Mia.  I’ve been the one to take care of them since.”  She shakes her head and looks down at her tea cup.  I unscrew the cap off my water bottle and take a drink.  My throat is dry from the horrible story and I have no idea what to say so I asked a question.

“How do you do it?  Was there life insurance to help you?”

“No life insurance and a very negative bank account.  It was two hundred dollars in the hole to be exact.  I tried to work when I turned sixteen to help with bills but mom insisted I concentrate on my studies.  It was the source of many arguments between my parents.  I had to find a decent job and quickly in order to keep the electric and water on and to put food on the table.  Every single penny I earned went to pay the mortgage, buy food and keep utilities on.  Once I was able to get that straightened out, I started making deals with the credit card companies.  They refused to forgive the debt and I ended up paying back sixty thousand dollars.  I just finished paying the last of those bills two weeks ago.”

“How were you able to do it all and raise two little kids?”

“Along with the mortgage, utilities, groceries and the credit card debt, I had to pay for after school care and find some way of getting a car.  For a long while, I took the bus everywhere with two kids in tow.  As I’m sure you’ve noticed, this isn’t the greatest neighborhood so that in itself was a challenge.  I would eat as minimal as possible or, sometimes not at all, to make sure Evan and Mia always had enough.  I always made sure that they had everything they needed.  I picked up all the overtime I could.”  She took a sip of her tea.  “One day, I came home from work and a guy down the street was selling the Toyota.  He was kind enough to take weekly payments and allowed me to drive it while I was paying for it.  He was a good man.”

“Wow.  I don’t know what to say.”

“Not much to say.  I was put in an impossible situation but Evan and Mia came first.”

“You didn’t have any family that could help?”

“My aunt and uncle, my mom’s sister and her husband, live in New Orleans.  They knew of the situation but never offered to help and I didn’t ask.  I assumed that they couldn’t help and left it at that.  This Christmas was the first time they reached out and paid for Evan and Mia to go spend the holiday with them.  They asked me to go to but I had to work and it was too much time to ask off.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Please don’t feel sorry for me.  I didn’t tell you for sympathy.  I told you so that you can understand the dynamic.  I didn’t say no to your date invitations because I didn’t want to go out with you.  I said no because I have obligations.”

“I get it now.  I really do and I appreciate that you told me.”  I take another drink of my water and she looks at me.  “How long has it been since it all happened?”

“Six years.”

I ran a hand through my hair and try to wrap my head around all that she has revealed to me.  “No support system whatsoever? No boyfriend?”

“I was dating someone when everything happened with my family.  A week later, he dumped me saying that it was too much for him to handle.  I haven’t been with anyone since.  I just didn’t have the time or the energy.  Plus, there aren’t many guys who would put up with what I was dealing with so I just shut myself from it all.”

“Stupid bastard.”  I murmur and shake my head.  She laughs.

“He was a kid and couldn’t deal.  There were many times I wanted to run away too.”

“I can’t even imagine.”

“Enough about my shitty life.  Tell me about how you grew up.”

“I have been blessed.  My dad is a corporate lawyer and my mom was a stay at home mom.  She has a degree in social work.  She stopped working when we were young but now volunteers her services.  I had an easy childhood.  My parents didn’t spoil us but we always had everything we needed.  When we were old enough to get jobs, we did and we paid our own bills.  They helped with the big stuff but never allowed us to mooch or expect it.”

“Sounds nice.  I really like your family.  I enjoyed spending Christmas with them.”

“They enjoyed having you.  Mom mentioned you a few times on Christmas day.  She was hoping that you were okay.”

She smiles slightly.  “She’s sweet.”

“Can I ask you another question?”  I ask warily.

“Of course.”

“When all of that happened with your parents, were you planning on college?”

“Yes.  You know my family’s financial situation so I planned on going to community college and paying for it myself.  It would have taken me longer but I didn’t care as long as I got a degree.”

“I’m sorry that all of your dreams went up in smoke.  It’s not fair.”  I really hate that her father did this to her.  I’m angry for her.

“Such is life.  There is nothing that can be done about it now.”  She shrugs and takes another sip of her tea.

“What would you have studied?”

“Architecture.”

“That’s awesome.  I just worked with my architect friend to design my home.  It’s a very interesting field.”

“I love it.  I would design homes in my spare time for fun.”  Her eyes lock with mine and I swear I see embarrassment. 
Why would she be embarrassed?
  It’s impressive that she has that natural gift.

“Impressive.”  I smile at her and she smiles back.  “If you want to work in the field, let me know.  I will contact my friend.  It would be an assistant position but you’ll be in the field.  My friend is looking for someone.”

“Why would you do that for me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?  I like you and I think you deserve it.  I also think that it’s about time that you get something that you want.”

“Thank you.”  She whispers and looks into her tea cup.

“My pleasure.  Let me know if you’re interested and I will set up an interview.”  I watch her but she’s yet to look back up at me. 

“I’ll think about it and get back to you.”

“Great.  Now, it’s time for me to get going.  You have to work tomorrow.”  I stand and she follows me.  I walk to the front door and open it.  I turn to her.  “Thank you so much for dinner.  It was fantastic.  I had a great time tonight and I would like to do it again soon.”

She gives me a small smile.  “Dinner is at the same time tomorrow.”  I laugh.  “I’m serious.  I had a great time too.  I’m sorry that my life is so hectic and that we can’t really go out on a normal date.  This is the best I can offer right now.”

“I’ll be here.”  I pick up her hand and kiss her knuckles.  She blushes and I nearly lose my mind.  That is probably the sexiest thing I have ever seen.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”  I nod and start toward my car.  When I am halfway, I stop and turn.  She’s still standing in the doorway watching me walk to my car.  I walk back toward her quickly.

“I’m sorry but I have to do this.”  I bring my hands up and cup her face.  I bring my face down and place my lips over hers.  She is the sweetest thing I have ever tasted.  I don’t deepen the kiss but my lips travel over hers.  I taste her lips and make sure that she knows how I feel through my kiss.

I pull away slowly and say breathlessly, “Good night.”

“Good night.”  She whispers, still with her eyes closed.

Chapter 8

Family Feelings

Amber

I open my eyes and watch as he gets into his beautiful car.  I see him wave and I wave back.  He backs out and drives away.  I go back in the house.  I lock the door, turn off all the lights and head to bed.  I stop at the bathroom and quickly brush my teeth.  A few minutes later, I’m lying in bed looking at the ceiling. 
Holy crap!  Not only is he so damn hot but that was the most passionate kiss I have ever received!  I still can’t believe I told him all of that.  He must think I’m pathetic but would he have kissed me like that?
  I can see myself falling in love with him and it scares me.  It scares me because of Evan and Mia.  They come with me. 
Who in the world would take this on?
  My life is nothing but debt, work and teenagers.  I don’t have any spare time for dating or having fun.  If he still wants to come around after all that, then he truly is an amazing man.  Every part of him, inside and out, is beautiful and sexy. 
I’m in so much trouble.  This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen!
My lips are still tingling from his kiss.  He will definitely invade my dreams tonight. 

****

The alarm goes off and I jump up.  I look over at the clock and see that it’s six thirty in the morning.  I groan and lay back down.  It was almost two thirty when I finally fell asleep.  I couldn’t get my brain to shut off. 

There is a knock at my door and Evan pops his head in.  “Hey…why is your alarm going off so early? Mia and I aren’t going to school.  Why don’t you sleep in for a couple of more hours?  There is no reason for you to be up so early.”

I smile at him and nod.  “Good idea.  Thanks.”

He smiles at me and closes the door behind him.  I reset the alarm and go back to sleep.

****

Two hours later, the alarm went off again.  It was easier to wake up this time around.  I quickly get myself ready for the day and head into the kitchen.  Mia and Evan are sitting at the table eating cereal.  Good mornings go around.  I start the coffee maker, make myself a bowl of cereal and join them.

“I really like Dylan.”  Mia says matter of factly.

“I’m glad.”  I say and smile at her.  She smiles back at me.  “I invited him to dinner again tonight.”

Evan nods in agreement.  “Cool.  He’s a good guy.”

I was already in a good mood but this just made my day.  Knowing that they like him sets my mind as ease.  I finish my breakfast and Mia does the breakfast dishes. 

“What time is Mrs. Jenkins picking you up?”  I ask Mia.  She is spending the day with a friend and classmate.  They have a school project to work on. 

“In ten minutes.  She’ll be dropping me back off at five.”

“Great.  Best behavior.”

“I know.”

“I’ll be back by the time Mrs. Jenkins drops her off.”  Evan says.  He picked up a shift today at the car wash.  “I get off at four.”

He walks over to me and kisses my cheek.  “I’m out of here.  Have a good day.  See you later.”

“Thanks.  You too.  Be careful please and don’t forget to text me.”  I make them text me when they get to and from places.  I always know when they reach and when they get home.

He nods and heads out the door.  Mia walks to her room to finish getting ready.  I make my travel mug of coffee and pull my lunch from the fridge.  I walk over to my grab my purse and cell phone when I notice my notification light flashing.  I check my phone and see that it’s a text message.

Dylan:  Good morning beautiful.  Have a great day.

Me:  Good morning.  You too.

I can’t help the smile on my face.  Today is going to be a good day and I can’t wait until I see him tonight.  A honk blares and I jump.  Mia runs out of her room, gives me a quick hug and runs out the door with my reminder to text.  I wave to Mrs. Jenkins and they are gone.  I grab my things and head off to work.

****

Today was a good day but it dragged.  I couldn’t wait to get home because I am dying to see Dylan.  His presence calms me and I feel like everything is going to be okay but I am still so scared that he will leave just as quickly as he came.  I decided that I am going to enjoy his presence and see where it goes but I will keep my guard up.  When he gets tired of my life’s dynamic, I’ll be ready for him to leave.  I have to be that way.  I need to think of Evan and Mia first.

I am halfway through making dinner when the doorbell rings.  Evan stands to answer the door.  I continue making the salad when Dylan saunters into the kitchen.  He’s carrying a white box and places it on the counter.  He walks to me and places a kiss to my cheek.  I immediately feel the heat in my cheeks.  Then I feel his breath at my ear.  “I think it’s so sexy when you blush.”  Now I’m struggling to breathe.  I keep my eyes down and try to take in air.  “I hope you didn’t make dessert because I brought some.”

My eyes make their way to his and I smile.  “I didn’t.  Thank you.”

“You are very welcome.  What smells so good?”

“Pork chops and rice.  I hope you like that.”

“Oh I do.  There is very little I don’t like.”  He says and winks at me.  I smile and he turns to sit at the table with Evan.  “Listen, I want to ask you guys something.”

“Sure thing.  Shoot.”  Evan says as Mia comes into the kitchen. 

“Hi Dylan.”  She says with a little wave.

“Hey Mia.  How are you?”

“I’m good.  Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.  Continue please.”

He turns to look at me.  “Every New Year’s Eve, my family goes to the park to ring in the New Year.  I would like the three of you to come.”  He watches my face and I’m perplexed.

“But it’s freezing out and will quite possibly snow.”

“We always rent a cabana and we have outdoor heaters.  We also have four fire pits going.  If you bundle up properly, you’ll be fine.  What do you say?”

All three of them are staring at me.  I wipe my hands and look at Dylan again.  “Why the park?  Your parents have an amazing backyard and warm house.”

He starts to laugh.  “True but the park has an incredible fireworks display at the stroke of midnight.  You can’t see it from my parents’ yard.  Plus, this has been a tradition in our family since Miranda and I were kids.  We don’t spend New Year’s Eve any other way.”

“That sounds like so much fun.”  Evan says and Mia nods in agreement.

“Would you like to go?”  I ask them both.

“Yes please!”  They say in unison.  Dylan and I laugh.

“Looks like we’re your guests.  Thanks for the invite.  Are you parents okay with that?”  Dylan stands and walks over to me.  He places a hand on my shoulder.

“I ran it past them before I asked you and they loved the idea.”

“Okay good.  Dinner is ready.”