Dylan (18+) [ON HOLD]

chapter sixteen: T A L K

Dylan

. . .

I wave goodbye to Leti, Gabby, and Gabriel before getting in my car.

I plan to go home. I'm going to sleep in the empty and desolate house I've now paid for.

I'm going to give Gabby her privacy and stop sleeping on her floor.

At least of course, that's what I tell myself as I head for the large void of a mansion that awaits me.

It's what I continue to tell myself as I stop for gas and grab a snack bar and Powerade.

As I sign an autograph for the teenaged store clerk and take a photo with him.

However, the lie becomes a lot less believable when I turn around and head back to Gabby's house.

I park in my usual place, grab my high-dollar ladder from my trunk and make my way to Gabby's window.

It'd taken a while to drive the distance and back from the gas station back to the house, and it's now dark out. Hopefully, it's been long enough for Gabby to fall asleep and for me to be well hidden in the shade.

When I reach the top of the ladder, as has become routine, I knock gently on Gabby's window. "Gabs, it's Dylan," I whisper. The only response I get is Chapa's soft yips of acknowledgement.

Biting my lip to stifle any unnecessary noise, I open the window and climb inside.

It's the same as always; cool, dark, and littered with art projects.

New tools and things have been added to the half crocheted scarf, giant knitted blanket, and half painted shoes that usually shroud the room.

Large tubs of polymer clay on the floor, new sleeve tattoos pinned to the walls, an open earring making kit at her desk.

Though when she had the time to do all of this, between sleeping all night and today's excursion is beyond me.

The sleeves I know or certain are knew, seeing as they weren't there the previous night.

If Gabby somehow managed to do it all in the time it took me to get gas, then Leti is spot on in her assumption that Gabby's overworking herself.

I step closer to the sketches and unwillingly let out an amazed scoff. The second the choked sound escapes me I freeze. Turning slowly, I face Gabby, who in her sleep looks relaxed, all of the fear she spoke of melted away.

She twitches slightly in her sleep, turning onto her side—the only inclination that she could know I'm here.

Inhaling deeply, I silently make my way back over to the tattoos.

With the amount of detail in these—the first a series polaroid photos of a tiger: as a cub, mid-hunt, and with its streak, the second a skull from which blood drips into a bust drawing of Nefertiti—I'm almost frightened.

Quite frankly, I'm damn near horrified at the sight of several days worth of work completed perfectly in the span of less than two hours.

Backing away from the drawings, I pet Chapa gently on the head and go to the closet to grab myself a blanket and pillow.

I grab Gabby's hand and easily drift off to sleep.

. . .

I have to piss.

Really fucking bad.

Really, really fucking bad, actually.

Yawning, I stretch my stiff muscles and let out a groan when my neck cracks.

"Shit," I mutter.

Eyes still closed, I leave my room and go to the bathroom, making quick work of relieving myself and washing my hands.

Another loud yawn escapes me and I shake my head at how tired I am.

Heading back to bed, my hand is on the doorknob when someone clears their throat.

I whirl around in the darkness, my eyes flying open and struggling to adjust to the significant lack of light.

When my vision finally focuses, I freeze.

I'm not at home. I'm at the de Santis house. And I've just left out of and am about to go into Gabby's bedroom. in the middle of the night. Like I belong here. When I don't.

A series of actions that have been witnessed by none other than Gabby's father.

"Hello... sir," I croak, unsure of what else to say.

Gabriel hums low in his throat and nods his head toward the stairs.

Yep. Just as terrifying as when I was little. Silently, I bow my head and make my way down the stairs.

As he motions for me to sit in the living room, I almost laugh with how much this reminds me of junior prom night.

There used to be a chair in the hall which was where I'd sat that night, unspeaking, just as I am now.

As I take my place on the couch, Gabriel sits down on his recliner.

I  can already see the conversation as it plays out in my head.

Why are you here? I thought I told you to stay away from my daughter. Go away. And stay away.

Not ideal.

I wait for him to speak, to get it over with.

Then, I wait some more.

Then some more.

And even more until I just can't take it and begin to speak for myself. "I'm sorry, I—"

"Did she let you in?"

I swallow and look down, an ashamed flush spreading from my face to my chest. "No, sir."

He hums again, a deliberate sound, meant to make me feel bad for doing wrong, a sound I heard a lot as a child. "How did you get in then?"

"The window, sir."

Another nod. "Why are you here? In her room?"

"Sir I... she hadn't been answering her phone and—"

"You'd been together all day what did you need to call her about that couldn't wait, boy?"

"Well actually, sir, I meant the... first... time..." I grimace as I let my sentence trail off into an unintended question.

I'm dead.

At this he actually perks up. "You've done this more than once?"  

"I—"

"Have you slept in her bed?"

"No!" I clear my throat, feeling my cheeks heat in the darkness. "No, sir," I repeat, quieter this time.

He nods. "You're adults now. Leticia would be upset about the lack of marriage but I've always known your plans. I can understand if you can't help it now... just not in my house... not if it hurts her... and come through the front door next time."

I nod in response, blindly agreeing before what he's said hits me. "Huh?"

Gadiel looks away from me, facing the black screen of the television that sits across from us. "Not saying it again. Can hardly believe I said it once."

"But... you—"

"Goodnight, mijo."

. . .

I apologize for the delay but lillonelyboy currently be's a bigsickbitch.

End of this chapter feels rushed? I can't tell or gauge it because I knew it was coming.

The noodles in chicken noodle soup are disgusting but the broth when it scalds off your taste buds is amazing.

Remember to stay safe and don't get flu shots when you have a cold.♥

😊✌🏽