The Affair

Chapter 12.4

Inside the house, the living room had become a lively place as the Texas Rangers open the game with an exciting 3 run lead in the first inning. With the inning ending, and the opposing team now coming up to bat, Dylan pulls his attention from the game and looks around the room for Fallon. Not seeing her in the room, he rises from the couch and walks into the kitchen. Through the back door's window, he sees Fallon sitting alone and with her head held down.

"Hey! There you are...", he says, stepping outside and closing the door behind him, "Why are you out here by yourself?".

Surprised, Fallon lifts her head up. "Oh, Dylan... I, uh... I just... wanted to be alone... for a bit.", she stammers, offering him a gentle smile.

"Is... everything okay? Maybe I should take you home?", he inquires, picking up on her slowed speech and tired eyes.

Fallon giggles. "No way! I'm fine, Dylann... I just n-need a minute...".

"Okay...", he says with pursed lips and a worried brow, "Can I sit with you?".

Fallon looks to Dylan with happy eyes and nods 'yes'. With her approval, Dylan takes a seat next to her and does his best to not disturb her peace. A long, silent minute passes; feeling uncomfortable in their silence, Dylan turns to Fallon.

"Fallon?", he mutters, his thoughts heavy with conflict.

"Hmm?", she answers.

"Why did you invite me out today?".

"Wha...?", she stammers, nervous about his intent in asking such a question, "W-Why are you asking me that?".

Dylan sighs. "Please, 'Fal... can you just answer my question.".

Hearing the frustration in his voice elicits a surge of panic within Fallon. She was already feeling like an outsider to the party, and now Dylan's subtle interrogation only served to intensify her vulnerability and make her feel as if she had done something wrong. She brings her can of seltzer to her mouth and drinks the remainder, thinking that would somehow nullify his question. Determined to deflect, she clumsily stumbles from her seat in an attempt to reach for another can of seltzer from the ice chest. Dylan, now realizing her intoxication, moves swiftly to help her regain her composure and guides her back to her seat.

"Fallon! Jeez... How much have you had to drink!?", he exclaims, dropping to his knees to examine a small scrape on her knee.

"I'm f-fine! Grab me anotherr, p-please... th-the orange one...", she requests, her speech slurred.

"No. I think you've had enough. In fact, come on... I'm taking you home.", he states with an authoritative tone. With his mind set on leaving, Dylan attempts to take Fallon's arm and lift her from the chair but is instantly met with protest.

"No! I don't want to leave now, r-right now...", she stammers, tugging her arm from his grasp.

Growing frustrated with Fallon's difficult behavior, Dylan exhales a deep breath as he runs his fingers through his hair. He had not been paying much attention to her drinking the whole night, instead just assuming that she was fine the whole time, and was now feeling responsible for her drunken state. Unsure of what to do for the moment, he takes his seat next to Fallon.

"I'm sorry, Dylan... please don't be mad at m-me...", Fallon mutters with a voice quivering.

"I'm not mad at you, 'Fal... It's just... something is obviously wrong, or at least off with us. And I just wish you'd talk to me... like, really talk to me.", he confesses, dreading the possibility that their relationship was coming to an abrupt end.

Fallon sniffles, allowing her tears to fall and thus leaving herself completely vulnerable. "You don't w-want me, Dylan. Believe me... you don't.", she sobs.