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“I’m sorry.” I turn to Ian, grabbing my blouse and backing away. “I have to go.”
I throw my blouse on before hurrying out of the living room, across the porch and to the driveway, where Dylan is already waiting. The smile he had on earlier has completely vanished. We step into the car and pull out of the driveway. The drive back to Elena’s home is silent, until I pull into her driveway.
“Really, Kaylee?”
I turn off the ignition, dropping my gaze to the steering wheel.
“You and Ian, really?”
“Dylan, it’s–”
“What on earth are you guys even doing?” He cuts me off. “Is this a one-time thing? Or how long has this been happening?”
I stay silent. It’s bad enough that we were caught just after a steamy session. Dylan will totally lose his shit if he finds out we’ve been together since Ian got back.
“Look,” he sighs. “Ian is my best friend, alright? I know him more than anyone. I don’t know if this is just a rebound thing going on, but I’m telling you, Ian is not the guy you should be doing it with.” He pauses. “For God’s sake, you just started to heal from your divorce. Why are you trying to cause more pain for yourself?”
I unhook my seatbelt, turning to the side to face him squarely.
“Ian doesn’t want to settle down in one place. He doesn’t like the idea of a simple life. Once he’s done with his business in Gainesville, he’s going to pack up and leave. What are you going to do then?”
I stay silent. Dylan’s right but he’s not telling what I don’t already know – just what I don’t want to think about. A day will come and Ian will leave. What will I do then? I’m not a traveler. My life’s rooted here. And he definitely won’t stay for me. We have an expiry date, and it’s better not to get too attached before that happens.
“I’m just trying to protect you…Ian will leave, and I don’t want you to get hurt when he does.” He pauses to unhook his seatbelt.
“Let’s go in. Everyone’s probably waiting.”
Chapter Twenty: Ian
“Once again. I win.”
I turn my gaze to Dylan as he rises from the couch, pumping his fists into the air. I look at the you lost sign on the TV, written bold red letters.
“Shit.” I drop my gamepad on the couch, running my hands through my hair.
“That’s three in a row dude,” Dylan jeers. “Yeah. I’m just that good.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes. “We both know you’re not. I’ve just been distracted lately.”
“Oh yeah?” He plops back on the couch. “You wanna go again? I don’t mind bragging about beating you four times in a row.”
“Nah, I’m good.” I recline on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Dylan stares at me for a moment before dropping his gamepad.
“What’s the problem?”
The problem is Kaylee, not that I can tell you that.
Ever since Dylan saw us together a few nights ago, I haven’t heard from her at all. I called and texted, but she didn’t return any of it. I even went to her shop, but she wouldn’t talk to me. I don’t know what Dylan said to her during their ride to Elena’s, but for some reason, she has decided to cut all contact with me. It’s not like I can take it up with him though. She’s his little sister, and I understand his need to protect her. Hell, it’s a miracle that he accepted my apology and is still talking to me.
“Ian?”
I blink once, turning to face him. “What?”
“What’s the problem?”
“Oh, it’s, um.” I gulp, “the new startup. We’ve been having some trouble getting it off the ground. First, it was the funding, second it was finding the partnership, and then it was about government approval.” I rake my hands through my hair. “It’s really crazy man.”
“You shouldn’t worry yourself too much over it.” Dylan pats my shoulder. “You’ve founded a whole lot of successful startups, and I think that goes to show how smart you are. You’ll figure it out eventually.”
