Finding Me

Moving Day

We're moving stuff in today" I tell Laney. She's leaning against the reception desk, her chin in her hand.
"Oooh with that sexy boyfriend of yours" She smirks making me laugh.
"Yes he will be helping" I say, she winks. Laney is one of the department heads, in marketing, We met last week when I bumped into her in the break room. She's hilarious, and super sweet.
"You guys need any help?" she asks standing up straighter.
"You want to help move boxes?" I ask as I redirect an email to Jason one of the department heads.
"Ya why not" She smiles and picks at the pamphlets.
"Ya I mean if you really want to" I say, she nods.
"Laney" Someone calls she turns quickly towards the voice.
"Jason" She smiles tilting her head. Laney gets distracted very easily, she's great at her job but she usually pulls it together last minute. So she tends to wonder for longer than her breaks allow.
"Did you finish the pitch for the new commercial?" Jason asks hands on his hips. Jason I've learned is very controlling. He works in the marketing department with Laney, and they're at the same level. He tends to be bossy. Plus he has the biggest thing for her.
"I'm still working on it but I do have till Friday" She explains her voice hard, he looks at me suddenly his eyes sharp.
"I need twenty copies" He slides a paper towards me, I nod grabbing the paper and heading to the copier in the other room.
"Have you thought about my proposition" I hear Jason ask Laney, his voice quiet.
"Jason I've already discussed this with you" She responds. Proposition even him asking for a date sounds bossy.
"Reconsider" He says. I hear his footsteps, and I quickly shove the paper into the copier.
"I need them in twenty minutes bring them to my office" He instructs before leaving. Laney walks into the copier room a smile on her face.
"He's obsessed" She laughs, I shake my head but smile.
"He's crazy" I agree, she laughs loudly.
...
"It's so hot" She sighs as she opens her car door. She's going to drive me to my place, Dylan's meeting us there.
"I know" I state as she blasts the AC. Laney I've learned is very outspoken. She's outgoing and loves to just have fun. She's great to be around. I spot the moving truck as soon as we drive in. Then I spot Dylan bringing a box out. He's sweating and his muscles are bulging from the box in his arms.
"I brought some help" I step out of the car, he turns. He grins when he see's me, placing the box into the truck.
"I'm basically done" he smiles moving some hair from his face. I rush up pecking his lips.
"I told you to wait for me" I say, he leans down again puckering his lips I kiss them.
"I had nothing else to do" He shrugs pulling me in by the waist, making me flush.
"Plus he gets you all hot and heavy looking at him" Laney shrugs making me laugh
"She's not wrong" I say, he chuckles his eyes sparkling.
"I'll give you guys some time alone' She says walking into the house.
"You should have waited, aren't you exhausted?'" I ask
"I'm burning hot, but really I didn't mind" He says. He captures my lips In a searing kiss leaving me dizzy. We walk in to the house and find Laney in my room sitting on the floor.
"That was quick" She states, I shove her with my foot.
"This is weird" I say looking around my empty room. The only thing left is the bed. I plop down, the springs creak.
"It is" Dylan agrees leaning against the doorframe.
"By the way, Kalani and Jackson are meeting us there" I tell Dylan, he nods
"Kai's gonna come later tonight he's working" I add, he nods again. He moves grabbing one of the last boxes.
"Kai as in your ex?" Laney asks once Dylan leaves, I nod.
"Isn't that weird?" She asks moving to sit beside me.
"No, we're friends" I explain
"Doesn't he have feelings for you?"
"Yes, but he respects my relationship" I respond
"Okay" She smiles before grabbing the last box. I stare after her, was it weird for Dylan? I shut my door, and rush out. Dylan's leaning against the truck chugging a bottle of water.
"Ready?" I ask, he nods passing me the water, I take a sip. I ride with Dylan, Laney follows behind the truck. I watch Dylan as he maneuvers the huge truck backwards. Was it making him feel weird, I would feel weird if something like that happened with his ex. I shift in my seat, thoughts exploding in my head.
"Stop thinking so hard" He says, I look over at him confused
"What's wrong?" He adds
"How do you know somethings wrong?"
"I know the face you make when you're overthinking" He explains simply. Of course he does.
"Is it weird that Kai and I are friends?" I ask, he looks confused.
"I guess ex's don't usually stay friends but not totally weird" He replies
"No I mean for you?" I reexplain, he looks at him his eyebrows raised
"No I don't mind" He says, his voice tight
"I want you to be honest" I say
"It's not my decision to make. You're allowed to be friends with whoever you want" He says
"I know, but you're important to me and I care if it bothers you" I explain
"I don't like Kai, and sometimes it's weird but I trust you and I know you wouldn't do that to me" He states my heart melts.
"Stop" he laughs
"What?" I ask outraged he laughs again.
"Don't look at me like that, not while I'm driving at least" he blushes making me blush wildly at the thought.
"To be continued" I smirk, he nods.
...
I spit Jackson's truck before I spot Kalani and Jackson. I step out the heat radiation around me.
"Vi" I hear behind me I turn and spot Kalani.
"This place is so cute" she coos hugging me. Jackson's right behind her.
"Right, and look how close to the water it is" I cheer she laughs and nods. Dylan opens the back of the truck, and we start piling things inside. It's hot and exhausting lugging all these boxes. I can't imagine Having to do it by myself. It takes us three hours all together to get everything inside. We're all sweating pigs by the end of it. Everyone plops down on the hardwood completely exhausted. There's a knock at the door and I rush to answer it.
"Hey" Kai stands there beer in hand.
"Hey, You conveniently just missed all the work" I quip tilting my head, he chuckles his eyes roaming over me.
"Sorry work ran late" he shrugs, I nod and smile.
"Come in, everyone's in the living room area" I say pointing down the hall, he nods stepping in.
"Nice place" he looks around
"Thanks" I say, Dylan's eyes catch mine when I walk in. I check the time on my phone remembering I have to head back to my aunts for dinner.
"I actually have to go for an hour, I'll be back though" I say moving over to Dylan who stands water bottle in hand.
"Want me to drive you?" He asks leaning down to peck my lips.
"No, I'll just take your car" I smile, he nods leaning down again to kiss me this one lasts longer and makes me tingle all over.
"We have more booze in one of the boxes too" I say, Laney cheers loudly. I head to Aunt V's house for dinner.
...
"Come in its open" she calls I walk in, going straight to the Kitchen.
"Hey" she smiles kindly.
"Hey" I plop down on the stool my arms still wobbly from moving all the boxes.
"How was moving?" She asks a chuckle in her voice.
"Hectic and tiring" I explain making me laugh.
"We could have helped" she says
"No it's okay, Dylan did way more than me" I blush, she nods.
"It's weird that you have your own place" She quips as she cuts up cucumbers.
"It is, doesn't feel real" I say, she nods moving to place the salad on the table.
"Do you need help?" I ask about to get up, she shakes her head.
"All done, baby cakes" she smiles, making me laugh.
"Tom" She calls as we sit down, he rushes out glasses on the bridge of his nose.
"Time to eat" she says, he nods moving to kiss the top of my head before sitting down. We spend the dinner talking about the party I'm throwing Friday, a house warming party. It's nice, it feels super independent. Aunt V sends me me home with leftovers for Dylan.
...
I can hear the music from outside. I can also head Laney singing along. I walk in and find them all where I left them, except Dylan's missing.
"Vi" Laney smiles almost tripping.
"Hey" I smile, Kalani's in Jackson's lap, Kai across from them.
"Where's Dyl?" I ask, Kai looks at me, as he sips his beer.
"One of how rooms" Laney slurs, I nod heading down the hallway. I walk into his room. And he's sitting on the floor drinking a beer.
"Hey" I say stepping in, he looks at me and smiles.
"What's up?" I ask moving to sit beside him, he shrug and continues to look at the opposite wall.
"Aunt V made me bring leftovers for you" I hand him the Tupperware his smile widens.
"I'm starving" he says, I nod leaning my head on his shoulder.
"It's my dad" he blurts after a couple minutes of silence.
"What about him?" I ask, he leans back against the wall
"He wants me to start working with him" he explains
"You don't want to?" I ask, he sighs running a hand through his hair.
"I don't know what I want. I do know that I don't want to be like my dad" he says head in his hands.
"Hey, you're nothing like him" I say he sighs obviously anxious.
"Maybe just try it out, for yourself you might like it" I suggest, he nods but I can feel his anxiety. I take his face in my hands caressing his cheeks.
"You'll do great whatever you choose to do okay so just follow your instincts" I tell him, he nods leaning into me. His eyes are closed and his breathing is evening out. I continue to rub my thumb across his cheeks, he sighs gently. A simple release of air.
"Thank you" he says, leaning his forehead against mine.
"That's What I'm here for" I smile, he nods his eyes still closed. I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him into a tight hug. He pulls back slightly, his gaze on my lips. He closes the distance between us, his kiss passionate. I grip onto him, pulling myself onto his lap. His lips break away and move to my neck making me moan slightly.
"Guys!" Someone calls behind us, we spring apart. Laney stands there hands on her hips, a grin on her face.
"No sex, come dance" she whines, I stand up, Dylan follows.