Dylan (18+) [ON HOLD]

chapter six: C H A P A

Dylan

. . .

There's a strain on my heart, being away from Gabby. And whilst I'm worried the people around me will sense it, I make no direct attempt to hide the way I feel.

I give my all at the away games that drag me away from Gabby—and the second the plane has landed in Wyoming, I'm in a cab and on my way home.

Living in the same building is the perfect excuse to go and check on Gabby, not that I'd really think I needed one.

Though anyone who thought to question, not stopping to go to my own place would seem a little bit odd.

But, Gabby can't wait.

I knock on her door, three quick raps that garner a shout of, "Just a second!"

I expect Gabby, however it's Luisa who answers the door. She looks positively drained but perks up at my arrival.

"Yes! Get in here," she hisses. Luisa places a hand on my shoulder and drags me inside unceremoniously. 

I toss a quick wave at Ben who sits like a human beanbag in front of the TV, a book in hand, though it hardly looks like he's reading it. He gives me a worried half smile back.

I let Luisa drag me further into the apartment until we stop at the end of the hall—Gabby's bedroom.

"She," Luisa hisses, side eyeing the door to emphasize her statement. "Hasn't left that goddamned room since she left the hospital! She's ordering shit; food and mini fridges from Amazon and sending me to take out her shoe orders! And I know that what happened was traumatic, but she can at least come out and sit on the couch!"

I hold my hands up in Gabby's defense and Luisa slumps in defeat, leaning her head back on the door.

"She probably feels safer in there, Isa," I say, still eyeing the door. It's painted a fire-truck red and has a custom made black skull for a doorknob. Gabby's design of course.

Luisa looks up at me with pleading eyes. "Safety I understand, D. But she still needs to rest! She's up in the middle of the night still working and sketching and painting! She's taken more orders than ever and I'm pretty sure she solved an Einstein question for fun! She can't survive solely off of coffee and yogurt!"

I swallow the lump in my throat. "Shit," I murmur. "When's the last time you slept?"

"I haven't," she says, raking a hand through her long black hair. "Aside from work, I've been busy trying to get her out of her room." 

I frown down at the twenty-seven year old. She's always loved her sister like an extra parent, and probably feels the weight of her entire world crashing down. I'm fairly certain that if Gabby's not strong, then Luisa doesn't know how to be either.

"Alright, I'm tagging in. Go let Ben read you a bedtime story," I smirk.

Luisa gives me a sad smile and heads into the living room.

I crack my knuckles and stretch before knocking on Gabby's door, a force of habit for me.

"Busy!"

I clear my throat, hearing her hoarse voice. "It's Dylan!"

Silence greets me for a few minutes before she shouts back, "Still busy."

"I have a custom order!"

"I'll send you the link to my website!"

"Mighty Mouse!"

She sighs, the sound long and low through the door. I listen as she moves around, stomping what sounds like cardboard boxes before she yanks open the door. "I'm working!"