Page 62 of Family Forever
Dylan’s eyes popped open and he glanced at his watch. It was just after 1:00 a.m. Not wanting to pry himself from her hold, he debated staying longer, even the whole night, but his logical brain took over and reminded him that he needed to be home before the boys woke. Yes, Cole was there, but what kind of message would he be sending his younger brothers if he stayed out all night.
His depressed groan woke her.
She lifted herself onto her elbow and fixed her big-eyed gaze on him. “What’s the matter?”
He sighed. “As much as I want to stay here with you, I can’t. I have to get home for the boys.”
She looked at him blankly.
Yep, here we go.She would leave him just as the few other women he’d dated in the past. They couldn’t understand the importance of his brothers to him, and the level of his responsibility to them. But truth be told, he couldn’t seem to figure out how to split his time between his brothers and his love life.
Marissa placed the palm of her hand to his cheek, and then she leaned toward him and kissed him softly. “I understand. You’re a good brother. That’s part of what makes me love you so much. I’m so proud of you, and feel so blessed that you allow me to be a part of it.”
He blinked back the tears forming in his eyes. She probably had no idea how much those words, and her sincerity, meant to him. He worked to form words that wouldn’t shake, it took a minute. “Why don’t you come home with me for the weekend? I’ll bring you back here Sunday night … or Monday morning,” he added, wanting to keep her in his presence for as long as possible.
A frown fell over her lovely face. “I can’t. I have a club meeting in the morning. I’m heading up the fundraiser so I have to be there, and then I have a study group scheduled in the afternoon.”
“Maybe I could pick you up after your study group?” Did he really sound that desperate?
A full smile took over her. “I’d like that.”
Marissa laid back down and quickly fell asleep. Dylan hung around a bit longer just staring at her angelic face, and inhaling her tantalizing scent that always reminded him of a fresh spring morning. Why had he waited so long to make his move? The incalculable depth of love resonating in him was more than he bargained for. He couldn’t seem to pry himself from her bed, but he had no choice.
He carefully slid out from under the covers and she didn’t even stir, not even while he dressed. Before he left, he crouched down next to her bed and ran his fingers lightly over her soft, silky strands of hair that looked like a sheet of gold lying over her pillow.
Dylan slipped out of her room, locking the door behind him. He headed down the long narrow corridor to the parking lot. He had just stepped through the exterior glass doors when he noticed a male couple walking hand-in-hand toward him. They were laughing about something, then they stopped and kissed. As he neared them his heart plummeted into his stomach. The men parted and Terry caught Dylan’s stare. Guilt flashed in Terry’s gaze. It was followed by a look of terror. Terry dropped his partner’s hand and quickly stepped away from him.
Guilt? Why did Terry look guilty? One of two things was happening here, Terry and Marissa broke up because he was gay, or they were never an item in the first place and she lied to him. Though he wanted to deny it, in his heart, Dylan immediately knew which it was. But why lie to him? Was it to make him jealous? That didn't make sense.
“It’s not what it looks like,” Terry insisted, as he stepped closer to him.
Judging from the disappointed look on the other man’s face, Dylan knew that was a lie.
“Really, then what is it?” Dylan asked.
Terry sucked in an audible breath and blew it out. "Marissa didn't mean to—"
"Mean to what?" Terry coming to Marissa's defense only reinforced Dylan's thought that they had never been a couple. "Just tell me why?"
Terry's gaze landed on the ground and he stood silent.
Though part of him wanted an answer, Dylan decided he had already heard enough and had nothing more to say. He continued toward his truck and headed home. The thought of Marissa’s deceit and betrayal was overwhelming.What in the hell? Why?
He wasn’t five miles down the road when his cell phone rang. Marissa’s face popped up on the screen.I guess Terry told her what happened.He ignored her call. The phone rang again and he sent it to voicemail. He couldn’t talk to her now, he was too confused and angry. Was their whole relationship just some sort of sham? It couldn’t have been, not the way she fully gave herself to him hours earlier.It just couldn’t be.
