Page 125 of Revolve
I follow his friends out toward the parking lot. Ada is by his side, and he tells her he’ll take her home, but she refuses, saying she needs to stay with their mom. Dylan swallows and reluctantly pulls away from their hug to let her go back inside.
“I’ll drive his car,” says Aiden.
The drive back to the house is tossed with a heavy mixture ofsympathy and tension. As I reach over to Dylan in the passenger seat, he doesn’t acknowledge the touch. He simply shifts so my hand slips off his shoulder. Summer immediately places her palm over my hand, and even as I give her a reassuring smile, something shatters in my chest.
When we pull into the driveway, we exit quickly into the cold night air, but just as Kian pulls in behind us, there’s something harsh that settles in the air. When I reach out to take Dylan’s hand, he pulls away.
My heart sinks to the cement.
“You should go home, Sierra.”
An ache pries open my chest.I thought I was home.
“This isn’t what you wanted. You wanted things slow, right?” he says, jaw tight. “I swore I’d never be like him. I’m trying to be different, someone better for you. But thephysical, violent guy you saw tonight and that everyone’s seen on the ice? That’s who I am. That’s your boyfriend.”
“No, it isn’t,” I argue. “You’re nothing like that. You’re nothing like your dad. Whatever it is you think I should do, I’m saying no. I’m not leaving you.” He thought I was scared of him? Even now, with his hair all mussed and his reddened eyes, he looks devastatingly young. My heart gallops, and I realize I won’t be able to bear it if he doesn’t want me here.
“I shouldn’t have asked you to come,” he says regretfully.
“You didn’t. I came because I’ll go wherever you go. I know the real you, and I’m staying for him.” I want him to know I’m here for this version of him too. I’m here for every version.
“You want to stay?” he asks. “After you saw all that shit? My fucked-up family?”
“Last time I checked, you don’t tell me what to do, Donovan. Just let me take care of you like you take care of me for once.”
Something cracks in him at my words. His shoulders slump inward in a silent surrender. In the dark, his eyes hold none of the anger from earlier, just something achingly vulnerable.
“I never wanted you to see me like this,” he admits.
“Listen to me,” I say, holding his face in my hands. “You’re the sweetest man I know, and anyone who thinks otherwise can go fuck themselves. And trust me, if you didn’t put your dad in his place, I would have.”
Dylan gives a tired chuckle, caressing my face so gently, a shiver racks through me. “Can I kiss you now, or are we still taking things slow?”
I sigh. “Nothing has ever been slow with you, Donovan. You pretty much made sure that was going to be impossible. But this doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Even if you did get me that Dale Thunderman autograph.”
“I’ll grovel for as long as you want.” Dylan kisses me like he’s tasting the flavors of a rainbow. I’m pretty sure my feet leave the ground. And I realize it’s true when he’s carrying me into the house.
Inside, his friends are sitting in silence in the living room, coats thrown on the couches and ties undone. Summer is the first to hug Dylan, and then the guys surround him. I watch how he has more of a family right here than he did at that party.
He looks exhausted when he pulls back, and then with his hand outstretched toward me, I take it and follow him to his room. I help Dylan unbutton his shirt, and he helps me out of my dress.
“You’re the best thing in my life,” he whispers against my temple when we’re in bed. “And if you’re still second-guessing this, I want you to know that your dreams are as much for me as they are for you. I want to see you win, on every podium, proving that you’re everything you imagined. I am your biggest fan and your greatest supporter. You’re destined for greatness, and I want you to achieve it all with me by your side. It’s you or nothing for me. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
All the heaviness in my brain and body has forced me to push away love when it’s the only thing I’ve craved. It’s like the chaos in my head is where I wanted to stay, even when it gets too much to bear. But I guess I always thought it was easier to stay stuck than let someone see all the cracks.
But this time, I won’t let that happen. I don’t let that instinct take over. Because the way Dylan loves me makes me want to love myself for the first time.
FORTY-FIVE
DYLAN
LAST NIGHT FELTheavy and unbearable, but with Sierra there, it didn’t crush me. I never wanted her near any of that or to see that side of me. But she stood on my driveway, stubborn as fuck, refusing to leave. I know this girl inside out, yet she still has the power to break me open so easily.
Sierra wakes, and I’m met with my personal kryptonite. It’s seconds before she’s pressed into the mattress and saying my name, just the way I like it. She watches me as I kiss her stomach, and her scar. An idea pops into my head—something I’d been hoping, fucking praying, to try with her if I had her under me again.
“I want you to say yes to me,” I say.
Sierra tilts her head. “For what?”
