Less Than One | BxB

4.

He misses my voice?

I, very stupidly, have a big smile on my face as I walk upstairs. 

Me: Really?

Dallas: Love, I know you miss me too

I blush and look away, trying to not scream in happiness.

Me: How so?

Dallas: Babe. You liked all my pictures for 40 minutes straight

I groan. Fuck no.

Me: I didn't

Dallas: So you don't miss me?

I blush.

Me: That's not what I said

Incoming call from Dallas...

I take a deep breath and decide to take it. I have to step up for myself at some point...

"H-hi," I breath out, hoping he doesn't laugh at me. "Hey, love. How are you?" He has a soft tone in his voice and it sounds different than yesterday. 

"I'm good," I say, my voice hoarse. I frown and try to cough silently, but it doesn't go away. I cough one time, a little louder, but the lump stays.

I can't stop it now. I start coughing and get tears in my eyes. "Sure you're good?" Dallas sounds. I nod, still coughing. 

"Dylan?" 

Fuck. I forgot he couldn't see me. "I'm fine," I cough and swallow, the lump finally gone. "Alright. Listen, I need to tell you something." 

I close my eyes. This was all a joke, wasn't? Ha ha. 

"Look, I—" The line's cut off and my phone goes dark. I panic and put it on again, but it doesn't budge. 

No. No no no.

I run to my charger, but it doesn't come back to life. I cry out. This i the worst time ever for a phone to die.

I run downstairs and see Mom working at the dinner table. She frowns and looks up. "Dylan? I thought you were talking to Dallas?"

I sigh and sit down next to her, feeling horrible. She scoops me closer and kisses my head. "My phone died while on the phone with him," I whisper.

"Oh honey, it's okay. You can talk tomorrow." I sigh and lower my eyes. Can I? He said he had something to confess... what was it?

I hope this isn't some joke. I really do. I've been waiting so long for this without any hope it actually would happen, and now it is I doubt about every single thing.

"What are you doing?" I need distraction. She smiles. "Just some work, honey. It's nothing important. Do you want to do something else?"

I nod. Looking outside the window, I see it's already dark. My mind wanders over things we could do.

"The drive-in is still open..." I hesitate. I don't want to keep her from her work.

But she immediately stands up. "What are we waiting for, then? Grab your coat!" I smile and jump up. "Don't forgot your laptop!" I call behind me while running to the door.

She lets out a confused laugh. "My laptop? Why do I need my laptop?" I roll my eyes and give her her coat. "Closing your laptop, Mom."

She laughs now for real and does just that. "Come on, honey. Let's do some us time." I nod and together we walk to our car. "Why don't you drive? I payed enough for your car," she grins. I blush. 

I get in my car and she follows. "You designed this nicely," she winks and nods at the picture of me and Scar on the dashboard. I smile. "Just happy memories."

She melts. "Sometimes I can't wrap my head around the fact that you grew out to such a nice human being, especially with your Dad being such a bad influence."

I shrug. "It's just who I am." "And I'm glad for that."

Although we're on our way to distract me, I can't forget about Dallas and his confession. I need to know what it is. I really do, or I'll go crazy tomorrow.

"Are you okay, honey? I'm sure Dallas doesn't blame you," Mom says and takes my hand. I sigh. "I don't know. He was about to say something important and I— I just don't know."

She gives me an encouraging smile. "It'll be okay. I'm positive it was just drooling over how cute you look."

I blush and look away, shaking my head. "Not sure." "I am, though. Come on, first one at the shop is free from charges!"

And she's gone. I narrow my eyes and slam my door closed, running after her. I have no fit, but how is a 50 years old woman faster than me?

I need to work on my condition.

I finally catch her when she's panting at the door of the shop. I grumble. She laughs, "Oh honey! You and your poor credit card are getting it now."

I sigh. "It was not fair! You had like—like five seconds to prepare!" She shrugs and laughs at me face, then walks in the shop. She sways her hips, very pointedly saying she won.

I walk after her and cringe every time she picks another bag of candy. Finally, she settles on four bags and a bucket popcorn. "Is that to share?"

She smiles at me. "Sure. But I get the bigger part." I sigh, relieved I don't have to pay even more. We walk away to go pay and I freeze when I see who's behind the cash register.

Jason. Dallas' friend.

I wince and turn around, but Mom shakes her head. "No way, Dylan! You have to pay for my candy!" She's laughing, doesn't know who the boy is.

So I go over to the cash register with small steps and gulp when I arrive. "That'll be 34.96 dollars please." He turns to face me.

"Card please," I mutter. His face slowly changes in a smirk. I cringe on the inside. Shit, he recognized me.

"Dylan! What a pleasure to see you," he evilly grins. I slightly nod, just wanting to go back to the safe haze with me and Mom. Where I was happy and had less problems than here.

"On a date with your Mom, loser?" he grins. I look down and give a one-shouldered shrug. Mom comes up behind me, but she didn't hear what Jason said. good.

"Have fun, ma'am," Jason kindly smiles at her. Mom scoffs. "Wish I could say the same. Treat my son kind next time, or you'll regret it."

So she did hear it. "Mom," I hiss through gritted teeth, but she ignores me and takes our candy, then leaves. I wince. "Sorry," I mumble to Jason, then run after her.

"What was that?" I ask her. She hands me a bag of candy. "What was what? Me defending my son?"

I nod. She rolls her eyes. "I came up for you. Scarlett does that for you, doesn't she?"

I hesitate. "She did but... I forbade her to do that. It's embarrassing." 

She sighs. "Dylan." I give her a small, forced smile. "Sorry."

"No need to apologize, honey. But you can't forbid me to defend you."

I sigh, but know I could never convince her.