The Walter Boys Assistant

Chapter 30: The Book of Endings

You couldn't sleep last night. Not with all of the racing thoughts preventing you from relaxing.

Dylan is a great guy. He has shown you nothing but kindness, affection, and an interest in getting to know you. Yet, ever since Cole planted that seed, you can't shake the feeling that this is all wrong. Neither of you shared common interests. How would you be able to create a long-term relationship if it is only built upon physical attraction and time spent together? Is that really what you want? Is that fair to Dylan?

Perhaps he was just the first guy to show you genuine romantic interest. When it started, you really didn't know where it would lead, but it was convenient and he was kind, and you needed a distraction from Alex. Would you rather have a boyfriend, or come to terms with the fact that you deserve to be with someone who shares your interests and ambitions in life.

Night becomes day, and you end up retreating to the morning air on the porch. A cool breeze rustles through, jostling your hair as the swing creeks with each motion. It is peaceful here in the country. There is only a tranquil stillness to keep you company while the rest of the house continues to sleep; and in this peace, you stumble upon a question that brings clarity to your dilemma.

Who would you desire to have sitting next to you at this moment?

The immediate response of your heart has you coming to a conclusion on what it is you need to do.

~~~~~

You take your bike from the barn and leave before anyone in the house stirs. Along the way, you pass through the same road you and Alex rode on last month. The same road you destroyed Kiley's bike on and ended up having to share Alex's.

As you pedal through, your eyes fall upon the pothole that had caused you so much physical pain. It has long since been filled in and driven over many times by a great deal of vehicles.

Taking into account your accident, you end up detouring on your original destination and stop by at the local WalMart.

~~~~~

Balancing two bikes on either side of you while leading them down a sidewalk proved to be more challenging than you had originally anticipated.

You had looked over the selection of bicycles at the store, eventually deciding upon a light red Schwinn. It has the best tires for any form of terrain encountered in the area, and even has a board mounted above the rear tire to strap a bag or basket down to. The price wasn't ideal, but that didn't matter. You've been saving your income more than spending it, and you still owed your dearest friend a replacement and wanted to splurge on her.

Kiley is one of the hardest working people you have ever met. She is a kind soul who only thinks of others, and never of herself. For once, you wanted to repay that endless generosity.

After dropping off the flamboyant gift on her porch, you send her a text before taking off.

"Take a look at your porch. Love you, Kiles."

With the guilt of never replacing her bike now lifted off your shoulders, you feel a sense of empowerment surging through you. Now is the best time to handle the other thing that has been weighing down on your conscience.

It only takes you another twenty minutes to traverse the roads through town before coming to a stop outside of Dylan's house. Your heart is pounding hard enough that you can feel it in your eardrums. It only worsens as you trek up to the front door. Gathering up the final ounce of courage, your fist pummels against the door several times before taking a step back.

You focus on your breathing.

In... Out... In...

Locks can be heard twisting and rattling inside before the door swings open. Dylan stands there, a pair of sweatpants hugging his thin waistline. He has no shirt on, and appears to be glistening with sweat. You tend to forget he does a workout as soon as he gets up in the morning.