When Love Prevails (Book 2)

Chapter One

If someone would have told me that Dylan Parker was going to turn my life upside down in the worst way possible, I would have stayed away. I never would have kissed him, fucked him, or fallen in love with him. As a result of all that, I lost my first child and a few days ago I dropped out of high school for no other reason but Dylan Parker. If I could erase it all, I would. It’s too late now.

I sighed heavily and my boyfriend Brandon looked at me in concern. He and I have been back together for ten months now, and we live together. He and Dylan are currently suspended from school for fighting over me of course. Dylan had forced himself on me and when the school decided to suspend me too, that’s when I made the choice to drop out.

“Are you okay sweetheart?” Brandon asked.

“I guess. I still can’t believe I acted on impulse like that and dropped out.”

“It’ll be okay. You already have a job set up and you’re going to go to college in January, right?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’re going to be further ahead than the rest of us.”

“I guess. It shouldn’t be like this though. I only turned seventeen two weeks ago!”

Brandon got up from where he was sitting on the couch, walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me.
“Shh sweetheart it’ll be alright. I’m here.”

I nodded. I love Brandon. Really, I do, but even through all the bullshit I’m still in love with Dylan. I know I’m safe with Brandon and that’s why I stay. All I know from Dylan here recently is pain.

Dylan used to be your safety net until you two decided to get involved physically. Since then, all he does is hurt you and use you for sex. He told you he loved you, but his actions proved different.

He was serious for two months, but he made one mistake and you ran away to Brandon. Brandon is safe, Dylan is toxic.

I rested my head on Brandon’s chest and listened to his heartbeat. Yesterday his mom, Mrs. Holly took me up to her job at Progressive and we talked to the big boss named Vincent about getting me a job there. We went through the application and interview process and once I get my GED test results, I’m going to start working there. I’m scheduled to take the GED test on Friday. Today is only Tuesday. Brandon and Dylan go back to school next week.

I’m not ready to be an adult.

I got up from the couch and walked towards mine and Brandon’s bedroom. He jumped off the couch and scurried after me.

“You don’t have to watch me go pee.” I joked.

“You got up without saying anything, so I didn’t know that’s what you were doing.”

“It’s okay.”

Brandon turned around and went back in the living room. I went into our bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror.

I really just want to be alone.

I sighed and looked down at my stomach. I’ve lost most of the weight from Justin but still have a few more pounds to go.

Two months ago, Dylan and I had a son we named Justin Wayne Parker. The cord was wrapped around his neck, and he was stillborn. I sank into a depression after losing him and I’m still battling it. I lost Dylan and I lost Justin. I tell myself I love Brandon but my feelings for Dylan will always be stronger. I have to keep distance between Dylan and I which is difficult because we have the same friends and live next door to each other.

Hopefully with dropping out it’ll be easier. You are so stupid for dropping out Madison!

Tears started rolling down my face and instead of wiping them away, I let them flow. It feels good to cry. I try not to cry in front of Brandon because if he knew I was crying over Dylan, he would be pissed.

Brandon should be the one you’re in love with and crazy about, not Dylan. Dylan has hurt you so much and Brandon has never done you wrong.

I left the bathroom and climbed into bed. My eyes went to a picture of Brandon and I the first time we dated. In the photo we were six months into our relationship and laughing about something. His mom snapped a picture of us and got it printed and framed.

We were so young, naïve, and innocent back then.

Brandon and I first dated when I was in sixth grade and he was in seventh. We were together two and a half years then January of my eighth-grade year, he broke up with me saying our relationship is too serious. After two and a half years, what did you expect? Two years later he asked me back out and took me back even with me being pregnant with Justin.

Brandon walked into the bedroom and studied me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I shrugged. “Depression is kicking in.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“What’s the point? I will probably battle depression the rest of my life over Justin. He would be two months old now. Would I be changing him, feeding him, napping with him? You know if I was on maternity leave Dylan wouldn’t have forced himself on me, causing you two to fight at school, causing us three to be suspended and me to drop out?”

“You can probably go and re-enroll in school if you’re so upset about dropping out. Progressive will understand.”

“No!” I yelled and Brandon jumped. “I’m not going back to a school where they allowed me to get sexually assaulted and suspended me over it!”

Brandon froze, unsure of what to say next. He went to his side of the bed and sat down.

“You could always press charges against Dylan.”

“No.”

“So, you’re going to let him get away with everything? Sexual assault, attempted rape, actual rape?”

“Dylan never raped me.”

“So, the times you told him no and he went ahead and did it, that wasn’t rape?”

“No, it’s persistence. I said no at first, yes but then changed my mind.”

Brandon sighed loudly and I crossed my arms. We have basically come to an unspoken agreement to agree to disagree on everything involving Dylan.

It’s better off that way Madison. If he knew you still loved Dylan, he’d be pissed. He’s fought him twice to protect you and it would have all been for nothing. .

My text notification went off, breaking the tension in the room. The message was from Andrew complaining about how boring his English 2 class is. Andrew is another ex of mine, we dated for thirteen months my freshman year. Right now, he’s dating Danielle, a girl that lives in my neighborhood. I ended it with Andrew because I was in love and having sex with Dylan and lying to Andrew about loving him. When we broke up, he insisted on being friends and I’m glad we did.
That’s only because you led him on to think you were ending it because of problems at home, not because you were in love with another man and when you did tell him about the cheating you led him, Brandon and Allison on to believe Dylan forced you, not that you wanted it.

The truth will come out some day and bite you in the ass, Madison Elise.

I responded to Andrew’s message and set my phone down, trying to ignore the three unread messages from Dylan. I placed my hand on Brandon’s arm and he looked at me.

“Can we please not fight about Dylan?” I pleaded.

Brandon smiled. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

“I love you, Brandon.”

“I love you too Madison.”