HEALING THE SCARS

CHAPTER 15

DYLAN

I can't believe what I did. I swear I'll never drink like that again. But apart from that, I don't know how to fix the woman I've just broken into a million pieces. I watch her as she sleeps peacefully. After I'm sure she's asleep, I leave for a walk. I need to clear my mind, and my conscience too. I call Joey and tell him to meet me at the villa. I need someone to talk to, someone to vent to and Joey knows me better than anyone. He knows every dark, twisted thing about my life. He'll understand me. And I also need to apologize to him about my behavior last night. This is messed up. I wait for Joey for about thirty minutes. When he calls to say he's in the parking lot, I go to check on Penelope before I leave. I don't want to leave her alone, but I know she needs rest and space to think clearly. I find Joey upset while waiting in his car.

"Hey," I say.

"Don't 'hey' me, you asshole," he replies. I know I crossed the line last night with him. But he's my best friend, and I have to make things right.

"Look, I'm sorry about last night, okay? I know I said some dumb shit to you and Penelope. You didn't deserve it. I know you were only trying to help Penelope out and make her feel comfortable," I continue. "And I would like to ask for your forgive—" Before I can finish my apology, he punches me so hard I almost lose balance.

"Well, asshole, that's for treating a lady—your own wife—like that," he smirks at me.

"I know, I deserve it."

"Man, why the fuck would you behave like that? I would never make a move on her. She's your wife. For you to accuse me of that? For you to blatantly disrespect her and mess around with Lindsey? I have to say, I was very disappointed in you last night," he adds.

Joey knows me very well. He can tell I'm sorry for being such a jerk last night. I mean, I even apologized. I never apologize for anything at all. So when I offer my apology, he accepts it. But by the look on his face, he knows I'm really worried about something and needs to find out what it is. I'm never worried. My whole life has been tough, and I've adapted to being cold. My real father beat my real mother when I was just a kid. The abuse was on and off and each time my father came home drunk, he'd turn my mom into a punching bag. I never dared to step up to my dad and defend my mom. Whenever I tried, my dad would beat the hell out of me.

My dad killed my mom and was arrested by the police. I was put in foster care, where Mr. and Mrs. Campbell found me and adopted me into their family. They couldn't have kids, so when they saw the opportunity to adopt such a young boy, they took it. Mr. Campbell Sr. fell sick and died, leaving me with Mrs. Campbell, my new mother. Mr. Campbell wanted grandchildren and more family to carry on his name and wealth, so he cleverly ensured that his will stipulated I had to marry his friend's daughter and stay with her for a year, or I'd get nothing from the inheritance. The man was clever, knowing I would knock up the poor girl, we'd have kids, fall in love, and not divorce. What a clever man but how wrong he was. I would never be a father, let alone love someone.

Life has been rough for me trying to cope with my new life. I've become accustomed to being cold-hearted and immune to pain and emotions. So, like I said, Joey knows something's wrong because I never show my emotions like I'm doing now.

"What's up? Talk to me," Joey says to me.

"Joey, I did something terrible to Penelope," I say, worry written all over my face.

"I can tell you didn't kill her...right? I mean, what's worse than killing her?" Joey says, trying to make me loosen up.

"Joey, I slept with her. And to make matters worse, she was a virgin. I was too drunk to even realize it was happening. And now, I don't know how I can ever take back what I've done. She says I made her feel empty," I blurt out.