AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay, I'll admit I'm attracted to him and have been all along.”
“So, you really were okay with him bailing on you right after sleeping with you?”
Of course Dylan's disappearing act hurt me a little bit and put me off balance, but that's only because I'm not used to saying goodbye right after sex. “I'm fine,” I say.
“And you don't think there's the slightest chance you're going to find it difficult to let him go when this – whatever it is you two are doing – ends?”
“He's leaving the country. There's no chance I'm going to get too attached.”
“He's leaving?”
“Yes. In October.”
“And you're okay with that?”
“I'm trying not to think about it,” I admit. “I'll miss him, of course, but...it won't be the end of my world.”
In all honesty, I've been trying to avoid thinking about Dylan leaving since he brought it up. It's something I really don't want to dwell on.
“Okay, maybe we were wrong. Maybe you aren't in love with him.”
There's a wealth of doubt in my friend's voice. I notice Kara used the plural. Obviously, Tori and Danni have come to the same conclusion as her. It irks me that they've obviously been thinking this for some time, yet never said anything to me about it until now. Not that I would have listened or agreed with them, but still...
“How long have you thought I'm in love with Dylan?” I ask.
“Since Austin's twenty-first.”
“Six years ago? What...?” I trail off as I remember one of the few times in the past few years Dylan stopped teasing me.
The moment only lasted a few minutes. Dylan was drinking and he insisted I dance with him, practically hauling me against him before he plunged us into the throng of dancing bodies at Austin's birthday party. I tried to resist, tried to push him away, but he held me against him too tightly, and when the music changed to something soft and slow, he looped my arms around his neck.
When I finally looked up at him, the breath left my lungs and the world slowed to a stop. We stared into each other's eyes as we rocked together to the music. For three entire minutes, I felt like I was in heaven, like I was the most important person in his world. It was a moment I thought I'd remember for the rest of my life.
Then he promptly let me go and started dancing with Kayla Birch before taking Kayla home with him.
When I saw him the following day, he'd returned to his usual, annoying, irritating self and I pretended that our dance never happened, and that I wasn't absolutely devastated that I musthave imagined the promises and desire I'd thought I'd seen in his eyes as we danced.
“I've never seen you look at another man the way you looked at Dylan when he danced with you that night, Claire.”
“I'd forgotten about that party,” I say quietly.
More like I'd pushed it out of my mind and erased it from my memory. I hadn't really given it a second thought until now. How strange that Kara found that particular moment in time significant. Obviously, she'd seen what I felt during the dance, but that wasn't love. It couldn't have been.
“Well, I remember it,” Kara says. “But I guess I must have been wrong in what I saw, huh?”
“You were.”
I startle as I realise Mum has appeared at the window and is watching me though the netted curtain.
“I have to go, Kar. I'll talk to you later.”
“That you will, my dear. I guess I should tell you to enjoy what you're doing with Dylan, then.”
“Thanks,” I say, hanging up before Kara can stir up any more forgotten memories.
I dodge the rain puddles in the driveway as I make my way to my mother's porch. Before I can knock, Mum opens the door and pulls me into a bear-hug.
“There's my baby girl.”
