Beautifully Broken

He shrugs. “I couldn’t get inside…the bouncer took one look at my fake ID and laughed at me. I’ve been standing here for hours because I had to make sure you were okay. Bree told me you were really nervous about going on stage.”

I instantly soften when I see his expression. Equal parts remorse, concern, and affection color his face. I can’t even find the will to be mad at Bree right now.

“Don’t I look okay?”

He takes a moment to assess me. “You look…good. Really good.”

I’m dressed in sweats but I haven’t washed my makeup off or tamed my hair yet.

“Yeah…well, I feel good. I mean, not great…but I’m okay. Really. I already have half of next month’s rent. That’s what matters.”

He walks me to my car and leans against the door. “Would it be all right if I followed you home? I was hoping we could hang out. It’s been a long time since we’ve been alone together.”

“Dylan, I’m tired. I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“C’mon, Kitty. I’m not trying to get laid. I really just want to talk to you for a while.”

He’s giving me sad puppy eyes again. He knows I can’t resist them. “Okay, but just for a little bit.”

Dylan follows me home and into my bedroom. It’s two in the morning but there are no signs of Cybil anywhere in the house. Hopefully it will stay that way. She’s on the lease until the end of the month, but she’s been staying with Marcus more often than not. Dyl takes a seat on the mattress and holds up the plastic bag he was carrying.

“I brought your favorite.”

I smile as I take the bag from him and peek inside. Oreos, gummy bears, trail mix, and a bottle of orange juice.

“Oh my God, you’re the best!”

I rip open all three bags and begin inhaling the contents as I take a seat.

“That is seriously the grossest combination of food I’ve ever seen.”

I take a swig of juice. “It is not! It’s perfect!”

He laughs. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“You don’t know what you’re missing.” He makes a face as I spit crumbs out of my mouth while talking.

I finish one more cookie before deciding that I need to get cleaned up. I smell like sweat and a mixture of scented lotion with various colognes.

“Hey, are you cool waiting for me to take a quick shower?”

“I’d be better if you’d ask me to wash your back.”

“Funny, Dylan.”

“Maybe I wasn’t trying to be funny.”

“Well, that’s a nice offer but I think I can manage. I’ll be out in less than ten minutes. Make yourself comfortable.”

As I scrub the offensive odors off my body, I think about what Bree said—that Dylan’s interested in being more than just a friend. I haven’t had a boyfriend

since my freshman year; I don’t even know what that would involve or if I’m capable of it. But I can’t deny that things would be much easier if I could summon those feelings for him. We’re the same age, in the same grade, and we get along great. Could I go there? Would it stop me from lusting after my teacher? Would Dylan even want to be with me like that? What about his mom? It would no doubt put a strain on their relationship.

There’s definitely chemistry between us. It’s not nearly as explosive as it is with Gavin, but really, nothing is. Every time Gavin and I have been together, it’s like two forces of nature combining. It’s incomparable. Like you, his voice echoes through my mind. I’ve already talked myself out of it as I dry off and throw on a clean pair of sweats. I’m not willing to risk our friendship or his reputation by being with him in that capacity. I walk back into my bedroom and freeze in the doorway. Dylan is lounging on my bed, completely naked and hard as a rock.

“Um…whatcha’ doing, Dyl?”

He gives me a sexy smile. “You said to make myself comfortable. I thought you meant, make myself comfortable.”