Dylan and Taylor (Soul Mates 101 Series) (6 page)

“For the moment. It seems to vary hour to hour, but I guess you could say it’s better.”

“He was telling us before you came down how worried he was about you,” Chelsea says.

“He said that? I got us into that mess. He insisted on staying in a hotel, but I convinced him to keep driving, so he was really upset when we became stranded. You have no idea how bad it got, and he tried so hard to keep me warm. I was shocked at his behavior.”

“I told you they are all great guys, and any one of them would do anything to protect any one of us girls,” Hannah says.

Morgan chuckles. “I know it’s hard to believe sometimes, but even Matt would.”

“They’re manlier than the guys we went to private school with. If someone was shooting at those guys, they would’ve put us in front of them to take the bullet, but I see these guys are different. It’s weird to think we’re older and around men now, not boys,” I say.

Hannah pokes my arm. “When are you going to tell Dylan about your dad?”

She’s really determined I do this, and I dread it. “I don’t want him to know anytime soon. He’ll become self-conscious about playing his guitar and won’t do it while he’s here. Plus I don’t want him to treat me different.”

“Taylor, he’s not going to do that, and I don’t know how many times I have to tell you,” Hannah says.

She’s losing patience with me, and I’m catching on to how protective she is of Dylan. “Sorry, but it’s always been the trend with males. I don’t know why they have to act intimidated just because Vincent Page is my father.”

“I can’t believe none of us thought to tell Dylan. We didn’t even find out he played guitar until the night before ... well ... the night before Hannah got hurt, so that’s probably why it’s never crossed our minds until now,” Morgan says.

Hannah Banana’s eyes light up. “Brett said Dylan’s a phenomenal guitarist.”

It’s time to change the subject. “What are the plans for the week? I feel like Dylan and I are ruining them already.”

“We thought about going out one night to dance. Maybe we’ll go out to eat and do some shopping another day, but we’ll mostly stay here and relax. Oh, and we have to get into the hot tub for sure,” Hannah says with enthusiasm.

“I’m all for the hot tub, but I can’t step outside that door today.”

Hannah gets her mischievous grin. The one that informs me I’m going to be doing something out of my comfort zone.

“I know something we can do that’ll warm you right up,” she says.

Dylan

I walk into the game room where my friends are playing pool. It’s awesome in here, but I know I just walked into the interrogation room. Cody’s my best friend, so he’ll want to know everything going on with Taylor. Their game of pool ends, and I join in for the next one.

“You know I have to ask, buddy. What’s up with you and Taylor getting along?”

I knew Cody wouldn’t wait five damn seconds. Nervousness washes over me. The guys will see right through me if I hold out, especially Cody, but I don’t want them to give me grief about her, so I’m going with partial truth.

“I got to know her better, that’s all. It’s going to happen when you’re trapped in a car with someone for fourteen hours, and yes, I was in that vehicle with her for a total of fourteen hours.”

“Nope, I’m sensing something more,” Austin says.

Matt hits the cue ball. “Yeah, I wondered if you ‘broke her’ like you said you were going to do that day we met her.”

I might as well accept this is going to go on all week. I think back to the day at the hospital when we were all there for Hannah. I’ll always remember the first time I saw Taylor and felt the magnetic pull to her. I told my friends to give me time, and I’d break her. It’s been much harder than I thought, and I don’t know if I can make it happen, but man I hope so.

She’s so damn gorgeous. I start thinking about her lips and curling up with her in bed. I want to do it again, and I’ll find an excuse to. “She’s not the bitch I thought she was, but she’s definitely still on my nerves about every other minute. We couldn’t get along in the car for any length of time.”

“I’m glad one of us is seeing something different in her,” Austin says.

Soon after, the girls invade the game room. My eyes flash to Taylor.

“I’ve decided that we need a fun night of drinking. Dylan and Taylor need some relief from their made for TV movie adventure,” Hannah says playfully.

Taylor’s eyes widen and shoot to her. “Hannah, I told you I don’t think that’s a good idea. You know I shouldn’t drink.”

“Why shouldn’t you drink, Taylor?” Brett asks, smiling.

Yeah, why shouldn’t she drink? I gotta hear this. She looks embarrassed.

“Umm ... um—”

Morgan links her arms around Taylor’s waist from the side. “What Taylor wants to say is that she’s a freakin’ blast when she drinks.”

Taylor covers her face with her hands. I love when these women hug on each other. It gets me excited.

“You’re just the kind of drunk girl we like then, Taylor,” Cody says, winking at her.

I’d be pissed at him if I didn’t already know he has his eyes set on Jasmine.

“OK, so we’ll make our legendary burgers for you girls tonight, and then we drink,” Matt says.

Taylor

My girlfriends and I spend the afternoon bonding with girl talk and online shopping. It’s now supper time, so while the guys are cooking, I go to change out of my sweats. I put on a black, baby doll t-shirt that has the logo of one of my favorite rock bands on the front, skinny jeans and black flats. I braid a section of my hair in the front and let the rest of my hair flow down my back.

There’s a knock on my door, and it’s Hannah.

“Hi, I wanted to talk to you alone and make sure you’re doing OK since last night was hard on you. I hope you don’t mind us having a little party. I thought it would take your mind off of what you’ve been through.”

“It’s fine, but you know I have no inhibitions when I drink.”

“You’ll get to make some fun memories with the guys, and speaking of them, I’m intrigued and happy to see that you and Dylan are getting along better.”

“Didn’t we already cover this?”

“I know, but I thought you might have more to say about it when no one else is around.”

I do want to talk about him since he’s all I can think about, so I flop down on my bed. “I can’t even begin to tell you the measures he took to protect me. I was shocked and grateful. I’ll admit I like him, but I don’t know if we could ever get along for any length of time.

“We fought off and on the entire time we were alone together, but I was surprised to learn that we both love the same kind of music, and of course, him playing the guitar is odd, considering. I was in bed crying today since I was so cold, and he came in and lay with me to warm me up. He didn’t even try to mess around. What guy does that?”

“Dylan’s very loyal and sweet. He doesn’t want to get hurt any more than the rest of us. You’re the one, Taylor. He can’t resist wanting you no matter how hard he tries, so please don’t hurt him.”

“You’re getting way ahead of me, Hannah Banana.”

“It’s been three years since Sam broke your heart. It’s time to take a chance and let someone in. Let Dylan in.” She gives me a hug and leaves the room. Do Dylan and I have a chance? I need to find out.

I finish getting ready and go downstairs. The house smells yummy from the burgers the guys are fixing. I can see them in the kitchen, and they look adorable, laughing and cooking together. I want to be friends with them, and I never thought I’d feel that way when I met them.

My girlfriends are at the bar making mixed drinks, and I know I’m headed for trouble. Hannah makes me my favorite, Red Bull and Patrone. I have a feeling she’s playing matchmaker tonight, and I swear that girl should have her own counseling practice. She’s the mother hen of this group for sure.

***

“Dinner was awesome, guys,” I say as they all start getting up from the table.

“Thanks, but unfortunately for you chicks, the dishes need cleaned, and we cooked, so you can guess who gets to wash them,” Brett says, winking at me.

Dylan grins. “Taylor, I think you should take my place doing dishes all week to make up for last night.” He’s drool worthy with that grin alone.

I give him a playful smile. “I don’t know. I think you should be doing them for me since I put up with your shit for fourteen hours.”

“Hot damn, Taylor’s showing that feisty side. Fix her another drink,” Cody yells.

He sure hasn’t been around me when I drink to know I’m just getting warmed up. Dylan gazes at me with his striking green eyes. “What’s wrong, Dylan? Are you losing your touch? I thought you’d have a comeback by now.”

“Do you really want me to go there? You better think long and hard, sunshine, because I’ve got some good dirt on you that I’ll happily share if you’d like.”

My heart starts racing. I really didn’t think this through. He’s bluffing. He wouldn’t tell them about us being almost naked, our bodies completely touching each other … damn it felt good. I shake my head at him. I can’t take a chance.

“No, I’ll shut up.” Oh shit, he’s walking toward me. Now he’s inches from my face, and I just want his hands on my body and his lips on mine. Um, this alcohol is kicking in.

“I had a feeling you might want some things to stay our little secret,” he says near my ear in his sexy, country voice, his breath heavy on my skin. He leans back and gives me a lascivious look.

“I wanna hear all about this dirt,” Cody says.

Dylan turns around and walks away. “Not happenin’, buddy. Let’s go play some pool.”

I let out the breath I’ve been holding and stare as he walks away.

“Taylor, do you need to go change your undies?” Jasmine asks, giggling.

“Jasmine!”

She waves her hand. “Come on. We have to clean up.”

“I’m coming.”

“No, I think you already did that.” She giggles some more. I push her all the way to the kitchen. I have so much fun with my girlfriends, even if they like to embarrass me. We clean up the kitchen, and the consensus is that we’d rather cook than do dishes again after the mess the guys made.

Release Your Inhibitions

Taylor

We make more drinks before we join them in the game room. I’m feeling pretty good as we sit by the television and talk, waiting for the guys to finish up their game of pool.

“Dylan, I forgot to tell you something, man,” Cody says. “Do you remember that last chick you brought home from The Stables, the brunette?”

“Yeah, what about her?”

“We stopped at a gas station on the way down here, and I swear this girl looked just like her.”

“Well?”

“Well, what?”

Dylan chuckles. “Why didn’t you bring her with ya?”

“You’re always all talk, Cody,” Matt says.

I hear them, and it pisses me off. I hate picturing Dylan taking some drunk girl home and having sex with her when I’ve seen such a loving side to him.

“Oh, I’m all talk, huh?”

“Yes, Cody, most of the time,” Brett replies.

Cody sits his pool stick down and walks straight toward us. He gently picks up Jasmine’s hand and pulls her up from the couch. “I’ve been wanting to do this for over six months.” He looks into Jasmine’s eyes before he cups both sides of her face and starts kissing her.

After a few seconds, they’re in a heated kiss that’s so passionate it’s as if no one else is in the room. Jasmine’s arms circle his waist, and along with everyone else, I watch in shock. This kiss is steamy, and I want one just like it—from Dylan.

“There’s never a dull moment with this group,” Matt says before he hits a ball on the pool table.

As swiftly as Cody stands her up and kisses her, he lets go of her, smiles and goes back to playing pool. Jasmine sits back down on the couch and turns away from the guys. Hannah turns the flat screen up as a distraction.

“Jasmine, your dark skin has managed to turn red. Someone embarrassed you for a change. It’s a shock,” Morgan says.

Jasmine gets a goofy grin on her face. “He likes me.”

“We’ve been telling you for months,” Chelsea adds.

The sexual tension in this room is like a gas leak, waiting for a match to be thrown. Dylan walks toward us, and I’m scared to know what he’s planning on doing.

“Let’s play Quarters again, ladies.”

Morgan gives him a sly grin. “If I remember correctly, you said it was getting too hot for you the last time we played.”

“Well, let’s see if you girls can get me that worked up again.” He winks at me.

I’m swimming in the deep end tonight. I have no idea what they’re talking about, but it sounds fun to me. I’m so turned on from Dylan’s flirting and Cody and Jasmine’s kiss.

We go into the dining room and line up around the spacious table before Cody starts explaining the rules to me. “If you miss bouncing the quarter into the shot glass, you drink, and it goes to the next person. Make it, and you get to pick someone to drink. If you get three in a row, you pick someone to drink, and you get to make up a rule everyone has to follow.”

Cody goes first and makes it, so he tells Brett to drink. Several of them miss before Matt lands the next quarter in the glass. “Drink, babe.” He points at Morgan, and she happily tilts back her Solo cup.

I make my first shot, which is somehow impressive to everyone. “Oh no, Cody. We may have found your queen of Quarters,” Brett says.

“Drink, Hannah Banana.”

“Time out.” Brett hold his hands up, making the time out signal. “I want to hear right now why Hannah has that nickname.”

Hannah’s eyes grow huge, and she shakes her head swiftly, signaling a ‘no’.

“Oh come on, Hannah,” Morgan says. “I’m not embarrassed.”

“I think it’s only fair, Hannah Banana, since you decided I needed to drink tonight,” I add.

She starts giggling. “OK fine, but I guarantee all of you girls are going to regret this. They’ll never let this go.”

“In high school, Hannah got the idea one night when we were all at her house for a sleep over that we should practice a certain
skill
we may need in the future. She thought bananas were the best tool to practice on.” I can hardly finish my sentences from giggling so much. Everyone laughs, and Brett looks at Hannah.