Off the Rails

Chapter Seventeen

Dakota
I came down from my room when I heard a knock on the front door. I knew who it was, and just the thought excited me. I was pretty giddy for a girl who had just had such a shitty day. I passed my father in the living room, and my mother in the kitchen, before opening the door.

A smile automatically light up my face when I saw Drake, holding a bouquet of gorgeous pink flowers.

He wore blue jeans and a maroon short sleeve t-shirt that emphasized his muscular chest. He still hadn't shaved in a while, because he still had dark scruff on his cheeks. I found it incredibly hot.

"Hey, Brooks," he said, softly, giving me a !boyish smile. He looked slightly nervous and flustered, and the adorable sight warmed my heart.

"Hey, Summers," I replied.

"Who's there?" I heard my mom call out from the kitchen.

"It's just Drake." I called back. Then, I quietly said to Drake, "It's a nice night. Mind if we hang out of the front porch?"

"Not at all," he said, taking a few steps back so I could walk out the door.

We found ourselves on the swing on the porch, hips inches apart. I sat with my legs crossed, while Drake gently pushed the swing back and forth with one of his feet.

"These are for you, by the way," he said, nervously, after a moment, with a low chuckle. He handed me the flowers.

"Thank you," I smiled. "They're beautiful. Didn't know you had an eye for flower shopping, Drake," I teased, gently elbowing him.

He laughed softly. "Well, I still have some tricks up my sleeve."

I set the flowers on the other side of me, focusing my attention on him.

"So..." I started.

"So..." he repeated.

The evening sunlight reflected off his damn perfect blue eyes, and I felt my heart ache. I stared at him, his messy brown hair, beautiful eyes, breathtaking smile, amazing heart, incredible loyalty... How did it take me so long to realize that it was him I wanted to be with?

I guess a part of me had always known, but I was too scared— scared of something too real.

"Are you doing okay? With your dad and everything?" Drake asked, breaking my silent moment of reflection.

"I... I think so." I said, shakily. "He's gonna stay here for a bit, try to be a dad. And we're gonna see how that goes. I'm just sick of being angry all the time."

"That seems like a good plan," he reached out and placed a comforting hand on my knee. "I don't think he deserves your forgiveness, but I think you deserve to move on, to let all that pain go. This could be good for that."

I nodded, giving him a grateful smile. He just kept that hand on my knee, keeping my grounded, close to him.

"So, how'd things with Liam go?" He asked after a couple of silent, peaceful moments.

"Um... well he took it as well as I could expect, I guess."

"It's a shitty situation."

"Yeah," I said, meeting his eyes. "Have you thought about anything?"

"Yeah, I have," he answered.

Butterflies and nerves filled my stomach. "Well, whenever you're ready, we can talk about it." I said.

I met his comforting eyes, and was reminded that no matter what, I was safe with him. It was going to be alright.

"I'm ready right now. Hell, Brooks, I've been ready for six months." He took both of my hands in his, eyes still locked with mine, and I felt his warmth spread through me.