22. Dylan
Chapter 22
Dylan
T he next week passes in a state of bliss. Jake and I can no longer pretend this is anything other than what it is and as autumn permeates the air, the leaves aren’t the only things falling.
Officially declaring himself my boyfriend — if you’ll have me, he’d said — to me and my family, I couldn’t be happier. Cora seems on board and supportive and I feel a lot better about not fooling around behind her back anymore. Even if Jake and I can’t go totally public just yet, it’s progress.
The more time he and I spend together, the more whole I feel. Like I’m fulfilling my promise to my mom and dad about trying to make a life for myself. I crave his touch when he isn’t near, I text him just because I can, and when he comes to pick me up for the Beautiful Deceit concert, my heart swells when he walks right in my house and greets my family like he’s known them all his life.
“Mr. Ryder, it’s great to see you again!” Jake’s excitement is palpable and genuine over seeing my dad who sticks his hand out to greet him. Cassie has liked Jake from the beginning, but my dad was hesitant, guarded. He’s much more relaxed around him now that he knows we have a plan to push our relationship forward.
“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Charlie?” My dad asks, smiling because secretly, he enjoys and appreciates the respect Jake shows him.
“Probably at least a thousand more,” Jake answers with a wide grin of his own. Cassie comes into the room shortly after that and practically flings herself into Jake’s arms. He catches her easily and kisses her cheek. “Hello, gorgeous.”
She laughs and hugs him tighter. “You’re my favorite boyfriend, you know that?”
I pull my sister away from Jake. “Just as long as you remember he’s mine ,” I tease. “Now, do you two mind if I have a turn to say hello?”
“By all means,” my dad says. “You two have fun. Dyl, text me when you arrive so I know you made it safely.”
“I will, Dad.” He disappears down the hallway while Cassie lingers. “Do you mind?” I repeat.
“I don’t mind at all. I’m just waiting for you two to kiss. That’s my favorite part,” she says, completely serious.
“Cassie, get outta h—”
Before I can finish, Jake grabs me by the back of the neck and pulls my face to his.
With his mouth a few millimeters from mine, he smiles and says, “The lady wants a show, she gets a show.”
Jake’s kisses melt my brain to mush. I’m left with no option but to hold on for the ride. He sandwiches my bottom lip between his teeth before pulling it into his mouth. After sucking on it for a second, he opens his mouth and sends his tongue in to tangle gently with mine. I swear he’s kissing me like he’s auditioning for a pornographic film.
I can’t help the groan that escapes as he teases me. His hand slides from the back of my neck to the side of my face and his free hand wraps around my waist while I cling to his shirt, holding him in place.
He tilts his head to the opposite side and deepens the kiss, his hand moving back to my hair and gripping me by the roots, signaling his need as he kisses me harder before breaking away, leaving me panting and staring after him.
“I think I just got pregnant.” I forgot Cassie was still here. When I look over at her, she’s standing with her mouth open and a dazed look in her eyes. “You guys should give a masterclass on how to kiss because my God.”
Jake laughs and runs his thumb under my bottom lip. “You ready to go?”
I nod, watching in awe as Jake picks up my bag and heads for the Range Rover. “See ya, Cass,” he calls over his shoulder.
“Bye, Jake.” Cassie turns her attention to me, smiling. “Can we keep him?”
“Working on it.”
I hug her goodbye and follow Jake to the SUV where he’s holding my door open.
“You’d better slow down or I’m going to get used to this treatment and you’ll ruin me for all other men,” I tease, trying to dispel the lump in my throat.
He catches my wrist, halting my progress toward the passenger seat, so we’re face to face.
“There had better not be any other men, Dylan.” Oh, I like Jake’s possessive side.
Seeing anger and jealousy flare in his eyes, I drop the playful attitude. “There aren’t, Jake. There’s only you.”
He nods and releases my wrist, allowing me to climb inside. When he joins me, he starts giving me a tour of the seat warmers and radio controls. I think he’s talking because he’s nervous.
“Hey, Jake?”
“Hmm?”
“I fix this shit fifteen hours a day. It’s probably me that should give you the dashboard rundown.” I smile when he starts to relax.
“You’re right. Sorry.”
“No need to be sorry. You seem nervous. Everything okay?”
He laughs and the movement causes wrinkles to appear in the corners of his eyes —a dead giveaway that the laugh is genuine. “Yeah, I’m just horny as fuck and now I have to drive three hours while I envision pulling that fucking shirt off you with my teeth.”
Knowing my outfit choice worked makes me a ridiculous level of happy. I’m in black jeans and a black t-shirt like usual, but over the t-shirt is a lightweight, black, white, and gray flannel with the sleeves rolled up.
“You never told me where we’re staying tonight,” I remind him, deciding to torture him just a little by ignoring his statement about being turned on. In this moment, I realize it’s truly a testament to how much I trust Jake, seeing as I let him drive and I have no idea where we’re going — other than the city name.
He grins as he merges onto the highway that will take us north.
“And I’m not going to tell you because I want you to feel the full effect.”
“What does that even mean?” I laugh.
“You’ll see.”
Time flies in the car with Jake. We talk constantly and between holding hands and me placing my hand on his thigh when traffic gets heavy, we touch each other incessantly. We sing along to Beautiful Deceit’s album playing low in the background. I was sure to pack my favorite shirt for tomorrow’s concert and I’m wearing my hat with their logo on it as we speak.
A little over two-and-a-half hours later, Jake takes an exit about thirty-five miles outside of the city and I’m confused as hell because I know for a fact the concert is downtown. I had assumed we’d be staying somewhere close to the venue.
We drive through the countryside for a while and Jake’s smile grows wider with each turn onto another road.
He finally makes a call and instead of allowing it to play through the speaker, he holds the phone to his ear so I can’t hear the other end of the conversation.
“Ten minutes.” Pause. “Nope, not a clue.” Pause. “Oh, yeah. You’re sure he doesn’t mind?” Pause. “He is.” Pause. “Thanks, Tim. You too.” He hangs up the phone.
“Tim? Like your brother?” I ask, getting excited. “You’re introducing me to your brother? Is he coming?” It feels mildly terrifying to meet Jake’s brother — like, what if he thinks I’m not good enough? But then I remember that Tim was basically ostracized by Steve Ellington too, so maybe we can bond over that.
Beside me, Jake laughs. “Yes, my brother. Yes, he’s coming…kind of.”
“Kind of? Nothing you’re saying makes sense.” My own excitement is ramping up as a reflection of his.
Ten minutes later we pull up to a gatehouse. Jake flashes his driver’s license at the guard and we’re waved through to the neighborhood beyond and that’s when it hits me.
“Oh! We’re staying with your brother, aren’t we? Cool.” I’m looking out the window at homes that look like they should house NFL players and other celebrities. “What did you say your brother does for a living?”
He gives me that damn smirk again. “I didn’t.”
Jake turns into the driveway of a monstrous, stone mansion. A four-car garage is on the left side of the wide driveway and an Aston Martin is parked out front. The main house has about fifteen different A-frame roof lines with windows everywhere… and is that a turret?
“Jake, I think I’m a little underdressed.”
“Trust me, you’re more perfect than you know,” he reassures me, putting the SUV in park.
Feeling self-conscious, I pull my hat off and smooth my hair down before replacing the hat on my head.
The front door opens and I see a man who resembles Jake, but looks far more like their father. He’s tall as shit, at least 6’4” and built more like me with muscle everywhere. His face softens as Jake gets out of the car and Tim throws his arms wide for his little brother.
“Jacob, it’s so good to see you.” The men embrace.
“You, too, Tim. It’s been too long, man. Look, I really, really appreciate this. I know with the new baby the timing isn’t ideal for guests.”
“Nah, it’ll be good for them. He wouldn’t have said yes if he had a problem with it.”
Jake nods and turns his attention toward me. He leads his brother to where I’m standing and as soon as he can reach me, Jake puts his hand on my back.
“Tim, this is…” he pauses and takes a deep breath. “This is Dylan. My boyfriend.”
Tim’s eyebrows shoot sky high as his eyes snap to Jake’s.
Jake laces the fingers of his right hand with those of my left and nods. “Yeah…we have a lot to catch up on.” Tim schools his features as he nods and holds his hand out to me. When his eyes finally find mine, it’s clear he’s not judging Jake or I for being gay, he’s just shocked to find out here and now.
“Dylan, I’ve heard a lot about you…not enough, apparently,” he cuts his eyes to Jake, “but still, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You too, sir.”
Tim barks in laughter. “For fuck’s sake, don’t call me sir. Tim is fine. We’re all friends here.” He instantly puts me at ease as he claps me on the shoulder. “The hat’s a nice touch. He’ll like that.”
Confusion paints my brow and I shrug a shoulder not knowing what he means. “It’s just my favorite hat.”
Tim winks at Jake and before I can read too much into it, the front door opens again. It only takes a split-second for me to register who the fuck is stepping outside.
My head whips to Jake.
“ What the fuck?! ” I shriek, dropping Jake’s hand to cover my mouth. Jake just laughs as Ryan Battle, Beautiful Deceit’s bassist approaches our group. Ryan may be the only guy on the planet that can make Tim look like a normal-sized human. Jake claps his hand into Ryan’s massive palm and they slap each other on the back like they’ve known each other forever.
Meanwhile, I’m starting to hyperventilate. I think I’m going to pass out from trying to play it cool, when in reality, my heart rate is about two-oh-eight and I feel a scream building in the back of my throat.
“Ryan, thank you so much for letting us stay here this weekend.” WHAT THE FUCK? “Congratulations again on the birth of your daughter. I trust everyone’s doing well?”
“Hey man, anytime. Yeah, Em’s putting Jane down for her nap now, but you’ll meet her at the bonfire tonight.”
Jake nods and turns to me. “Ryan, this is my boyfriend, Dylan Ryder.” He says it with full confidence this time. “Dylan’s a raging Beautiful Deceit fan and until this exact moment, he had no idea that my brother is your personal bodyguard. He thought we were just coming up for the show tomorrow night.”
“Man, I don’t know what I’d do without Tim. Fucker made a diaper run at one a.m. the other day,” Ryan casually says to Jake before turning to me. “Hey Dylan. I’m Ryan. Nice to meet you. I love the hat.”
I shake Ryan’s hand and struggle to find my words. My mouth hangs open like a drooling idiot for thirty solid seconds.
“I don’t even know what to say. Like, I want to say something really cool and shit, but honestly, like, what the fuck ?”
Everyone laughs and Tim looks at Jake. “I think he’s surprised.”
“I think I’m having a stroke and my brain is making all this up.” Everyone laughs again and thankfully, Jake begins to explain. But first, he wraps his arm around me and kisses my shoulder.
“You’re not having a stroke, baby. Tim lives on-site. We’re staying at his place just over the little hill there. Before every tour, the guys have a get together at Noah’s house and we’re going to that tonight. Tomorrow, we’re going to watch their show from the front row and hang out backstage during their intermission. And as long as it’s still alright,” he pauses and looks to Ryan for confirmation, “we’ll go out with them after the show, hence the reason I had you pack a suit.”
My eyes dart around the circle of men in front of me unable to believe what I’m seeing or hearing when the front door opens again and a woman I recognize as Ryan’s wife, Emma, comes down the steps. As soon as he can reach her, Ryan pulls her in front of him and rests his hands on her shoulders.
“Em, this is Dylan, Tim’s brother’s boyfriend.”
Emma reaches her hand forward, a warm smile on her face. “Dylan, it’s so nice to meet you. And Jake, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Likewise, Emma. Sorry it’s been so long. I can’t wait to meet little Jane tonight.”
Emma’s smile glows at the mention of her daughter.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I finally choke out, way late to the party.
“Well, we’ll let you guys go get settled. You’re welcome to ride with us tonight. Tim’s driving.”
Ryan and Emma head back inside and I fall against the passenger door of the Range Rover in total disbelief. I’m going to meet the whole band?
Jake appears in front of me a second later.
“Hey, you alright?”
“Yes? No? This is un-fucking-believable.”
He grins. “I’m glad you like it. Now come on, I want to do dirty things to you, take a shower, and catch up with Tim before we have to head to Noah’s.”
“Head to Noah’s,” I scoff, mostly to myself. “Like we’re best friends with Noah Kinkaid. Like we just show up at his house and hang out as if he’s not the lead singer of the best fucking band the world has ever heard.”
I’m still mumbling to myself in a state of shock when I hear Tim laugh up ahead. “I think you broke his brain.”
Jake chuckles. “Maybe I should’ve given him some warning.”
But this is so perfectly Jake. Dropping into my life without warning, kissing me before even telling me he’s gay, and now giving me the most incredible experience of my life…out of the blue.
I hoist my bag on my shoulder and pull myself together as I catch up to the brothers ahead of me. “No, this was perfect. Thank you. I’m in total awe. I can’t believe…any of this.”
Jake stops walking so he can kiss me. “Believe it. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“I can never repay you for this. I don’t have any secret connections to celebrities or friends with jets or—”
“Hey,” he interrupts. “I don’t need that stuff. I just need you.”
God help me…because I believe him.