Unsocial (56 page)

He gives me a quick peck on my lips then releases me. Reaching
inside his car, he pulls out a blanket and hands it to me to spread before
reaching back in and grabbing a pizza box, two solo cups, and two bottles of
beer. "I know we can't stay too long, but I wanted dinner with you, and
not have to wait on every other Tuesday night.”

Lying on the ground with our beer and pizza on a beautiful Kansas
spring evening, I can’t think of anywhere else I would rather be than here.
“This is perfect.”

He nods, "I always wanted to live in the country. It would be
nice to lay in bed and not hear an ambulance or your neighbors."

I lean my head on his shoulder, "I've never lived anywhere
other than the city. Hard to believe somewhere this beautiful is only a
15-minute drive outside of the city."

He smiles, "So how was your day?"

"It sucked until you came along and rescued it.”

"Well, I'm glad I could help. Anything you can talk
about?"

“Even if I could I wouldn’t want to.  This is our date, Dylan, and
I’m not going to let my work spoil our time together.” The only thing I can
tell him about is the meeting with the asshole judge, but I don't want to get
his hopes up. “I now know why social workers can get burned out.”

He looks concerned by that, "But you love it. And they’re all
fucking lucky to have you.”

I feel a sense of pride when he says that. "I'm not quitting.
It’s just that days like today make me understand the high burnout rate in this
profession.  It’s hard to help people who don’t want to help themselves or hate
you for wanting to help them.”

He takes a sip of his beer, "I can't even imagine."

“Enough about my day. How was yours?”

"Not much better. Too many fuckups out in the garage.  The
guys at my shop are normally great at their jobs, but shit, today I
contemplated sending them all home."

After we finish eating, he moves everything out of the way and
pulls me down next to him

"I think maybe I have a little country girl in me. First the
lake cabin and now this place. Or it could be the company.”

He laughs and gives me a quick kiss. Laying back on the blanket
wrapped up in each other we discuss some of our hopes and dreams. He seems
interested and supportive of everything I say which seems so different than my
relationships with Adam or Will. With them, hopes and dreams were all about
what they wanted. With Dylan, it’s more about what
we
want, together.

I feel a drop of water hit my nose, then feel another one drop on
my forehead. “Oh, shit.  What was that I said about being a country girl?”

We both jump up and start grabbing stuff to throw in the trunk of
Dylan’s car before climbing in the cramped back seat. By now it’s pouring, and
we’re both soaked from just the few minutes outside.

I grin up at him, “This is cozy.”

“And it’s about to get a lot more cozy.” He slouches as far as he
can in the seat letting me straddle him. His lips meet mine hot and wet. He
kisses me into oblivion started at my mouth and working kisses down my neck. I
slide my hands underneath his shirt to explore the hills and valleys that make
up the muscles of his abdomen and chest. He begins to peel away my clothes, and
with each piece, his mouth heats my skin. Every touch, every kiss, every
whisper drives away the lows of a bad work day leaving in their wake the highs
of ecstasy.

Slowly we come back to ourselves with gentler caresses and slower kisses,
savoring the tail end of our lovemaking. As our breath returns to normal, we
breathe each other in. I lean back just slightly and frame his face. “I love
you.” Just three simple words; my promise, my declaration.

I felt it for a while but had no intention of saying it so soon
because I don’t want to scare Dylan away. He looks like he is about to say
something, and I grab his hand, "Please don't say it back. I didn't say it
to make you say it. I said it because I truly love you, and I'm happy with you."

He places his forehead on mine and closes his eyes, and then exhales
before he whispers, "You know I care deeply about you."

"Yes, I do. And that's enough for me."

He grasps my face in his hands, and I think he might say it, but
he gives me a kiss, "I don't want to, but I think we should head
back."

I nod, "Yeah, we probably should.”

Since the rain has stopped, we climb out and finish fixing our
clothes.  He walks me to my car and kisses me slowly and sweetly, reverently. It
is different in many ways than any other kiss he’s given me before.  I wasn’t
expecting to return the words, but his actions say what he’s too afraid to
voice, he loves me too.

For now, I’ll love him harder.

Dylan

I love you. 
I lean my head back
against the headrest and picture Brooke’s face.
I love you. 
This is
only the millionth time those words have run through my mind since driving away
from Brooke 30 minutes ago.  They were both soothing as well as terrifying to
hear.
I love you.
  Should I have said it back?  No. She said not to say
it back. But why? Did I want to say it back?  Do I love Brooke? 
I love
you. 
Those are three words that I’ve never said to another person.  I
don’t remember saying them to my mother. I never said them to my father.  Hell,
I’ve never even told my brothers and sisters that I love them.  Do I even know
what love is?

I lift my head and stare at the wall of the garage in front of me
like the answer to all these questions are going to magically appear, and if
they did, then what? 
Fuuuck.
All I wanted to do is see Brooke after
having a shitty day at work because just being around her grounds me. Suddenly
what sucks isn’t so bad anymore.
Is that love?
No. That can’t be it. But
I’ve had this reoccurring picture of coming home to her, telling her about my
day, sharing good things and bad things. Those thoughts scare me a little, okay
they scare the shit out of me.

When she told me she loved me tonight, I froze. I know I care
about her. I know I don't want to be with anyone else, and I sure as hell don't
want her with anyone but me. But I don’t know if that means love either, even
though I’ve never had these jealous or possessive thoughts for anyone else in
my life.
Again, is that love?  What the fuck is love?  What does love feel
like?
 Am I seriously so fucked up that I don’t know an emotion that
billions of people feel for someone else every day?

I shake my head and enter the house. Okay, so I couldn’t say it. 
Luckily I have a kickass girlfriend who knows how difficult it is for me to say
the words and didn’t force it; she didn’t even expect it.  Hell, she told me
not to say it. There’s not a man alive who’s that fucking lucky.

From the kitchen, I see the glow of the television in the living
room.  Since it’s after 10 and a school night, I’m a little curious.  All the
kids have their own televisions, so I have to wonder who the hell it could be. 
When I approach the back of the sectional, I’m surprised to see two heads, and
when they hear me coming in, they jump away from each other.
Interesting.
I
flip the light, and wouldn’t you know it, Cassie and a boy.
Go fucking
figure.

She looks totally freaked out while I stand there with one eyebrow
raised waiting on what I hope is a damn good explanation. Because shouldn’t
this little shit be home at ten on a school night? "Dylan! I thought you
were going to be out late."

I glance at the clock on the wall and then back at her, "It's
after 10, Cass. It’s late.”

My attention goes to her little friend on the couch. I'm feeling a
little froggy anyway.  Needless to say, I’m ready to jump.  Until I get a look
at him, then,
Holy shit.
This kid has about as much game as my baby
brother, probably less, because Michael is a Monroe. He can't be too much older
than Cassie. He's a scrawny kid with glasses, and he looks like he’s about
ready to shit his pants. The exact opposite of that prick, Brent.  Still, this
isn’t good.  I look at Cass, "Who is this?"

Cassie grabs the kid’s hand and stands to pull him with her.
"This is Austin, my boyfriend."

Austin stands next to her frozen stiff, and I almost laugh
watching his Adam’s apple bob in his skinny neck.  This is way better than
catching them in her room nearly naked.  This kid is going to be way too scared
to be making any moves.  Cassie dating him isn’t going to be a bother at all.

I hold out my hand, "I'm Dylan, Cassie’s older brother."

He holds out a shaky hand and manages a weak, clammy handshake,
"N-n-nice, to meet you, sir."

I grin and look at Cass, "No boys in the house when I'm not
home unless you ask me first, understood?"

She nods, "Sorry, we just finished watching a
To Kill a
Mockingbird
for English.  I tried to call you, but you weren’t answering. 
We needed to get it done for tomorrow.” Must have been when Brooke and I were
laying on the blanket eating our dinner and…..  No time for that now.

I shrug because by the looks of this kid I believe this story, but
I do have a question for him, “Your parent’s let you stay out this late on a
school night?”

He nods nervously, "Yes sir, they know I’m here. I have to be
home by 11.” His voice is cracking wider than the San Andres Fault.

“Well, if you two are done with the movie, it’s probably time to
head home.  It’s about 10:30.”

“Yes, sir.  It was nice to meet you, sir.”
Shit, he really
needs to stop with the sir. He’s making me feel 46 instead of 26.
I just
nod and smile at the poor kid as Cassie walks him to the front door. She gives
him a kiss on the cheek while he stands there looking scared as hell. Then he
fumbles for the door knob and practically runs out. I want to laugh so badly.

Cassie walks happily back over to me, "Thanks for being so
cool. I thought you were going to flip out like last time.”

“Last time you were in your room and not a lot of clothes were
involved,” I remind her. She grimaces at the unfortunate memory. But I’m not
about to tell her that I’m not worried about this boy. No way, I like this kid
just fucking fine. He’s still a teenage boy and will be on my radar, just not
as much as her other punk boyfriend. “Just remember to check with me before
bringing him home. And for God’s sake don’t take him to your room. He seems
like a good kid.”

She lights up, "Oh he is! He's a freshman and just turned 16.
He’s in choir and English
with me. He was held
back in kindergarten because of some health reasons.”

Well,
shit. Now I feel bad for thinking that he’s scrawny and has no game.

 I grin, "You better get to bed."

She gives me a quick hug before heading to her room, then turns
back. “Dylan, can I invite him to dinner Tuesday night? I really want him to
meet Brooke."

I nod, "Sure, just make sure he gets here after the
meeting."

After she’s gone, I snag a beer and take their spot on the couch
to flip through channels.  Nothing registers except Brooke’s voice,
I love
you.

When the front door opens at 11:30 I look up to see Luke coming
in. "What the hell? I thought you were in your room."

He shakes his head and gives me a smartass answer, "I'm gonna
be in just a minute."

I rub my temple, this kid. "I thought we talked about this,
9:30 on school nights, Luke.  It’s 11:30. Curfew is 11:30 on weekends.”

"Well, tomorrow's Friday, so it's practically the
weekend."

Swear to God….

I try like hell to remain as calm as possible, "You have
what, less than a month left of school, and then this summer I’ll give you
midnight. Just obey the 9:30 curfew until then. Next school year we’ll talk
about a new one.”

He acts like he's thinking it over, "Deal."

Damn, another Brooke tactic worked, negotiation. “Alright, go to
bed.”

He heads downstairs, and I sit back pretty pleased with myself for
that one.  I’m getting this parenting thing down.

After another beer, I shut down the TV and head to bed after
checking on Gabby and Michael.  With the two older ones surprising me tonight
it wouldn’t hurt to double check.

I'm in a damn good mood Tuesday afternoon when I answer the door
for Brooke. I answer the door with a wicked grin planted firmly on my face, and
there she stands in a pair of cutoff jeans and a t-shirt with her own sexy
little grin.
Goddamn, my girlfriend is hot.
I’d like to drag her to the
garage and dirty up the hood of my Camaro, but everyone’s waiting.

I grin, "Hey, babe.” My voice is just loud enough for her
ears only.

“Hey, yourself.” Then she bites that bottom lip. She knows that
shit drives me crazy.

Just a few more months,
I remind
myself.
  We can do this.

I want to kiss her sweet lips right now, but I resist and change
the direction of my thoughts. “I met Cassie's new boyfriend."

She laughs. Shit, she already knows. "I know, Cassie said you
caught them watching TV in the dark and didn’t even freak out.”

“Wait until you meet him, and you'll see why."

She gives me a curious look, "Why?"

And I give her a secretive smile, "Just trust me."

She’s dying to ask me questions, but my baby sister comes flying into
the foyer to pull her to the living room.

All the usual suspects in all the usual places and all the usual
protocol. Boom, we’re done.  Pretty much everyone is feeling spring fever and
is ready for the end of school. Michael rants on about the summer reading program;
Gabby wants to swim, Cassie is ready for cheer camp, and Luke is wanting to
clock time as much as possible at the shop. He’s already started work on two of
Shriller’s bikes that he’ll be taking on his European tour.

She and Luke discuss what’s going on at the shop for a while. I’m
only half way listening because I’m burning away her clothes with my stare
right now. “You excited about prom?” She finally asks him.

He nods and grins. “Yeah, and I might need to talk to you about
some flower thing.”
Holy fucking shit!
It’s a good goddamn thing I’m sitting,
or my ass would be on the floor. She’s accomplished the fucking impossible and
won my shithead brother over.

Cassie says, "He's going with Morgan Pearson, the prettiest
girl in school."

Brooke shakes her head, smiling, "Is she the girl you were
with at the birthday party?"

He shakes his head, "Nope, a different one."

Michael chimes in, "Told ya she wouldn't last long.”

Luke looks at Michael, "Too many hot girls at school to save
all this awesomeness for just one, little man.  You’ll see.”

Brooke laughs again.
God, I love that laugh.
“Alright, we
need to get dinner going so go do your thing.” She dismisses the bunch, but
Cassie hangs back.

She knows Cassie is about to burst with the need to talk,
"Austin is coming over for dinner.  I can't wait for you to meet him.
You're going to love him!" She squeals.

"I’m sure I will, and now your brother and I need to get
cooking, and you need to get ready for him.”

“Oh and Jax is coming too, so don't forget to make enough
food."

Brooke looks a little worried when she says that, "Jax is
coming to dinner to meet your new boyfriend?"

Is she worried about being around Jax? She was just with him for
the day at the races, and everything was fine. I’m the one who was a fucking
wreck.

Cassie nods, "Well, Jackson’s like another big brother. I
want him to meet him. I want him to meet the whole family."

Luke pipes up from the stairs, “This is going to be fun."
Brooke and I shoot him a warning glare. He holds up his hands in surrender,
“Just saying, Jax is a scary mo-fo.”

In the kitchen, I grab Brooke and kiss her like I’ve wanted to
since she walked in.  It doesn’t last near as long as I would like, but at
least, I get to taste her.

Instead of starting to cook she places one hand on her hip,
"Jax is meeting Cassie's boyfriend tonight?"

I get a pan out to bake marinated chicken breast cooking. "Yeah,
she wanted him to meet him. Why are you worried?”

"Uh, because he’s intimidating, and I don’t want him to scare
off her boyfriend this soon. Just the five of us would scare somebody, but add
Jax and that’s a whole new level of ‘oh, shit.’ And if he’s anything like that
Brent kid, Jackson may not be very nice at all.”

I laugh at that. "What has Cassie told you about
Austin?"

"Everything, it's Cassie. She says he's smart, funny, sweet,
and cute. I also know what they ate for lunch at school."

I laugh again, "Trust me, it won't be a problem, and I'll
keep Jax at bay. It'll be a fun dinner."

She raises her eyebrow at me, "Okay, what is going on? You
seem way too okay with this boy.”

I’m about to give her an answer that won’t spoil the surprise when
Jax walks through the kitchen door. He claps his hands together, "Alright,
where is the little fucker and what's the plan? We going for subtle
intimidation or scare the living shit out of him?”

Brooke cocks her head to the side and points at Jax, "See,
you guys are going to scare the hell out of him."

Jax looks at her, "Hell yeah we are. It’s kind of our job for
anybody dating Cassie. Especially after that last cocksucker.”

I shake my head, "No, we aren’t going to scare him."

I put the chicken in the oven, and Brooke starts peeling potatoes.
I pull corn out to shuck and toss Jax a couple of ears. He looks at me like I'm
insane, "What am I, your bitch boy now? And why the fuck are we not
messing with this kid?"