Red Side of the Moon

XVII

It seemed like hours had passed since power went out in the hotel. I paced back and forth the tiny space far too many times for my liking. Eventually, I saw a crack of light come from the doors, slowly but surely being pried open.

EMTs and firemen helped pull me out of the lift shaft—the EMTs in training checked on my heart rate and all the essentials. Apparently, my beats per minute were at an alarming level, so they kept me seated for a while.

"How long were you in there?" a medic asked.
"Hard to say. Power went out around nine," I replied.
"In all honesty, I'm surprised you didn't suffocate," he chuckled.
"Me too," I sighed.
"Hey, at least you're out now." He set his hand on my shoulder and I began blushing. I bit at my bottom lip as I looked away from him. "You alright?"
"Yeah, um, you're just, aha... you're just attractive," I stammered.
"Really?" He raised a brow. I nodded and started biting at my fingernails. "You're not too bad looking yourself," he smirked. My eyes widened as I held my breath. "And don't bite your nails. It's an unsanitary habit."
"I-I know," I mumbled. "I'm Dan."
"It's nice to meet you, Dan." He shook my hand and beamed. "I'm Dylan."
"Hi..."

We continued shaking hands for a while, exchanging smiles that somehow seemed to get wider and wider. Then, I heard a clambering idiot shove through everyone in the hallway.

"Dan? Dan!" Phil called.

I rolled my eyes and slowly pulled my hand away from Dylan's. I fixed my jacket and stood up the face my ex-fiancé. I flashed him a fake smile as I shoved my hands inside my jacket pockets.

"Hi, Phil..."
"Are you the one that saved my boyfriend?" he asked Dylan.
"I was one of them, yes," he grinned.
"Phil, sweetie," I said bitterly, "do you remember, a couple months ago, when we broke up? Yeah, in a different country, that's still in effect."
"Right, sorry. Where's Luna and why aren't you with her?"
"She's still in the room. I haven't been cleared to leave yet. BPM is still too high."
"Well, can I at least have to room key? She's been alone far too long."
"Yeah, whatever, here," I said as I handed him the key.
"Thanks." He kissed my cheek and gave me a hug. "Glad you're okay."

He ran up the stairs to go check on our sleeping toddler. I let out a huff and turned back to Dylan—he was smiling at me smugly with raised brows.

"So you have a boyfriend?"
"No," I grumbled. "We broke up a while ago."
"Who's Luna? I-If you don't mind me asking."
"My daughter. Our-Our daughter," I said as I gestured into thin air.
"How old is she?"
"She just turned four."
"I'm sure she has your beautiful eyes."
"Cheesy much?" I teased.
"So, I couldn't help but notice you're not exactly American."
"Clever boy."
"When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow."
"Wow... why so soon?"
"I have my reasons."
"Does the ex live here?"
"How'd you guess?" I scoffed.
"Thompson! We gotta go!"
"That's my cue," Dylan sighed.
"It was really nice talking to you."
"Yeah, you too..."

He walked out with everyone as I moped upstairs to my hotel room. I knocked on the door a few times and waited for Phil to answer. He opened it, handed me the key, stepped out of the room, and quietly closed the door behind him.

"What?" I spat.
"Don't be rude."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"I'm being serious. Are you okay?"
"No, I'm dead and I'm currently haunting you. What the fuck do you think?"
"Whatever," he scoffed, "I don't need to take this bullshit from you. I try to be nice and I get shit on."
"You try to be nice‽ You fucking leave us for America and you're being nice?"
"Night, Dan. Just glad your out of there safe."

He pushed his hair out of the way and made his way to the stairwell. I went back into the room and started packing up all of our belongings. Around three, I called it quits and just turned in for the night.

At eight o'clock on the dot, I heard someone knocking at our door. Assuming it was Phil, I took my sweet ass time making my way over. After swinging it open, I was greeted by a pleasant surprise.

"Dylan?" I whispered.
"Hi," he beamed.
"What are you doing here?"
"What time does your flight leave?"
"Oh, um... I want to say four or five. Why?"
"Would you mind if I took you guys out for breakfast?"
"Who? Luna and I?" He eagerly nodded. "Okay, just um... give us a few minutes to get ready."
"Okay, I'll be here waiting," he smiled.
"Alright."

***

"No way! Then what happened?" Dylan beamed.

He was going along with whatever story Luna was babbling about. As he spoke with her, I rested my head on my left hand and glared at the pretty medic. He eventually caught me staring at him and subtly rested his hand on top of mine.

I awkwardly pulled away and rested my hand on Luna's back. I pressed a kiss onto her curly little head and pushed her bangs out of her face. When she was done with her story, she looked up to me and smiled.

"Dad?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"Why do we have to go so soon?"
"Because dad and daddy have to get back to work."
"Oh... okay... Dad?"
"Yes, Luna?" I chuckled.
"Why are we having breakfast with Dylan again?" she mumbled.
"Because he saved dad's life. This is a thank you to him."
"I thought you saved peoples lives?"
"In a way I do, but Dylan saved mine."
"What do you do?" Dylan asked.
"I'm an ER nurse."
"Whoa..."

He hid his mouth from Luna and mouthed: that's really hot. I flashed him a wink before turning my attention back to my little one.

"Dad..."
"Yeah?"
"Are we gonna say bye to daddy before we leave?"
"No, honey, he has an early show. We won't be able to see him," I lied.
"Oh... okay..." she pouted.
"So, where do you guys live back in England?"
"We use to live in Manchester, but about two years ago we moved to London."
"That's so cool. Luna?"
"Hmm?"
"I have a daughter that's about your age."
"Really?" She perked up.
"Really?" I whispered.
"Yeah, her name is Piper, but I call her Pipes. I really think the two of you would hit it off."
"Can we have a play date, dad?" she whined as she tugged on my sleeve.
"I don't think so, honey bunny. We have to go home later today and I really don't think Dylan and Piper are going to follow us to London." I pushed her hair behind her ears, which she was never really fond of. "Right, Dylan? Back me up here."
"I don't know," he grinned, "we may have to swing by sometime."
"Dylan–"
"What?" he chuckled. "My parents live only a few towns away. If I'm there for them, what does it matter if I just swing by?"
"You make a good point, Thompson," I smirked.
"I try, Howell, I try."

***

Later that night, after Luna and I landed and we're all settle back at home, a flood of messages started coming through to my phone. I ignored them until after I put Luna to bed, then I took the time to read through everything.

Phil: took the day off work to see you guys before you leave. I'll be at my apartment all day.
Phil: it's getting kinda late. Are you guys coming?
Phil: I'll take that as a no... y'know consider your flights in a few hours
Phil: I knew you were petty, Daniel James Howell, but this is a whole new level of low, even for you
Phil: you left the hotel early, you ignore everything I send you. You won't even let me see my own damn daughter. Fuck you, Dan. Fuck. You. I was a fool for ever loving you or ever thinking you cared about me. I've done so much for you over the years. I ask for so little. All I want is to see my daughter, not even you! And you can't even give me that. Have a good fucking life, Howell.
Phil: have Luna Skype me when you get home
Phil: or not.
Phil: just tell her I love her. Do that little for me. Thanks. See you next time I'm in London.
Phil: or you're America. You can't keep my moon away from me forever, Daniel. You just fucking can't.