Chapter Nineteen
CASEY
I’m so glad it’s Friday. This week has been good but exhausting. I still can’t believe Greg ended my probation early, and I got a raise. It’s so wonderful to have all the job things settled. I feel like I can relax now and be more myself at work instead of constantly second-guessing everything.
Casey entered her room to dress and instantly thought of Dylan when the six Wonder Woman balloons bopped as she shut her door. She took a sip of hazelnut coffee, appreciating the rich aroma, and watched them. Just what does he think he’s doing? It doesn’t take a lot of effort to order balloons. However, he was clever with his choice. But it doesn’t matter. I want someone more in touch with his feelings—a guy who doesn’t have to have every single thought and action be logical.
“Casey, come here, now,” Emily yelled.
“Why?” she yelled back.
“Because you’re not going to believe it if you don’t see it with your own eyes,” Emily said.
“Okay.” Casey found Emily in the living room, staring out the large windows.
“What are the neighbors up to now?” Casey asked.
“It’s not the neighbors. Look in the bushes.”
Casey leaned forward. “What is that?”
“It’s not a what. It’s a who?” Emily laughed.
“No way,” Casey breathed.
“Absolutely, yes way.” Emily smiled.
Casey sat her coffee on a side table and ran out the front door to the clump of bushes, where Dylan lay snoring. She toed his side. “Dylan, what on earth are you doing?”
Leaning to shake him, Casey briefly wished she had thrown on a jacket. The morning air was brisk. “Dylan.” Casey pushed harder on his shoulder. “Wake up. It’s morning.”
She saw his eyelids flutter, and his arms stretched out before he started to roll over onto his side as if he would go back to sleep. When his face rolled off his backpack and landed in the dirt, he jerked awake, blinking.
“What the heck?” Dylan quickly sat up and began rubbing his face, only to try to brush off the dirt. He looked up at Casey. “Oh, no.”
Casey nodded. “I don’t know what in the world you’re doing. But I’m freezing out here. Get up and try to wipe off some of that dirt. Then come in the house. I think I’ll need more coffee to deal with this.” Casey turned and stomped back to the house, not bothering to see if he followed her. She picked up her mug, downed the last of what was in it, and went to the kitchen for a refill. Casey held her coffee with both hands, welcoming the heat from her full cup.
Dylan came to the edge of the kitchen. “Do you mind if I use the restroom and wash up a bit before I try to explain?”
“Go ahead. I’m going to get dressed. Help yourself to the coffee, and I’ll meet you back in a few minutes.”
Dylan gave her a brief nod and left.
Casey took a deep breath and slowly released it. She shook her head and returned to her room, shutting the door firmly behind her. This time, Casey rolled her eyes when the balloons danced around.
I don’t know what game he’s playing, but I’m an intelligent adult who can handle anything that comes my way. Even if it’s over six feet of rumpled gorgeousness, I can do this. Casey nodded at her reflection as she put her earrings in. I’ve got this.
She took another fortifying breath and headed to the kitchen.
Dylan sat at the kitchen table, eyes shut, and inhaling a cup of coffee. Since he didn’t move when she entered, she took a second to note the dark circles and air of exhaustion he emitted. Maribeth must be right. He looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks.
“Dylan,” Casey said as she seated herself at the table.
“Casey,” Dylan opened his eyes and gave her a weak smile. “Imagine meeting you here. What are the chances?”
Casey forced herself to keep a neutral facial expression while waiting for him to continue. When he didn’t say anymore, she rolled her eyes, making sure he saw her. “Care to explain why you were sleeping in our bushes?”
Dylan shook his head and took another sip of caffeine. “Nope. Not really. But I will say your coffee is delicious. It totally hits the spot. Thank you.”
“Dylan.” Casey glared at him.
He stared into his mug. “Will you just accept that I fell asleep by accident?”
“I believe that. But why in my bushes?”
Dylan set his coffee down and put his elbows on the table and his face in his hands. “I was trying to protect you,” he said, mumbling the words into his palms.
Casey pulled his hands away. “You were trying to what?”
Dylan dropped his head and sighed. “I was trying to protect you.”
“Wait. Have you been driving by the house in the evenings?”
“Yes, I was, but then Colin told me Rachel saw me the other night, and I needed to be sneakier if I didn’t want you to know. So, I was in the bushes, being stealthy. You never saw me.”
Casey crossed her arms. “You weren’t so sly. And we definitely saw you. You were snoring like a freight train.”
“Only because I fell asleep,” he said, a mutinous look on his face.
“Yeah, whatever. You still haven’t explained why you’re playing James Bond.” Casey arched a brow.
“Did you get the Wonder Woman balloons?”
“Yes, but…”
Dylan laid his hand over hers. “I hope you like them. She made me think of you. Strong, intelligent, and courageous. You’re all those things, Case. I’m sorry if I ever gave you a reason to doubt that I think that.”
Casey shook her head and stared at her lap. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks and tried to tame the hope blooming in her chest. “Dylan, don’t.”
“I mean it, Case.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ve been stupid, and I’m sorry. I was wrong to break up with you. You’re my world. But I was having a hard time with the constant stress of worrying about you, and you were being so illogical.”
Casey pulled her hand away. “And there it is.”
“What?”
“How can you say I’m capable but still think you need to worry about me constantly? And you think I’m illogical?”
“Case…”
“No. Don’t you dare try to get around me like that.” She glared at him. “And you haven’t answered the question. Why were you sleeping in the bushes?”
“Because I can’t sleep at night for worrying about you. I know you don’t believe me. But I swear those men are up to something. I trust you. I don’t trust them. So, I’ve been making sure they aren’t hanging out here.” He shrugged and stared at his mug. “I had to do something. Casey, please give me another chance.”
Casey shook her head and stood. “I can’t deal with this right now. I need you to go now.”
“But Case…”
“No, ‘but Caseys’—just go, Dylan. I have to leave for work. A place where people trust me and believe in me.”
Dylan stood, put his mug in the sink, and walked out, never saying a word.
Casey watched him leave. Feeling the tears threatening, she slammed her cup into the dishwasher, grabbed her purse, and yelled to Emily that she was going to work.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Allison knocked on Casey’s doorframe. “How’s it going?”
Casey stared at the Wonder Woman pencil holder in her hands that had just been delivered. “Good. How about you?”
“I’m always good. You should know that by now. And it’s Friday, and the day is almost done,” Allison grinned at her. “More gifts from Mr. Tall, Dumb, and Handsome?”
“Yes. Just when I get him off my mind, he does something that makes me think of him. Like the balloons yesterday, but don’t even get me started on this morning. You won’t believe it,” Casey said, arranging the glass pencil holder on her desk and smiling grudgingly at it.
“Tell me, please. Sounds intriguing.”
“That’s one word for it. We found Dylan sleeping in the bushes in the front yard this morning,” Casey said, still shaking her head in disbelief.
“Wow. I never would’ve guessed that in a million years. Mister We-All-Need-To-Be-Logical was asleep in your bushes?”
“Yes. That’s him,” Casey said.
“Did he tell you why?” Allison asked.
“Yep. It’s the same old story. He thinks those nefarious men are out to get me, and he’s trying to protect me.” Casey shrugged.
Allison smiled and tilted her head at Casey. “You know, for someone who’s all into being reasonable and sensible, that’s a totally illogical thing to do, right?”
Casey tapped two fingers against her lips. “I didn’t think it through that far. I was just so shocked, but you’re right. It’s a completely crazy thing to do.” Casey grinned.
Allison nodded. “Do you realize what this means? He’s not doing this because he’s stupid and doesn’t believe in you. He’s doing it because he’s stupid in love with you and will do anything, no matter how insane, to make sure you’re safe.”
Casey beamed at her. “You’re right. This changes everything. I need to get home. I need to figure out what to do.” Casey turned off her computer and snatched her purse. “Thanks, Allison. You are the absolute best. Will you please close up my office?” Casey asked as she hurried down the hall.
Allison laughed. “No problem. Have a great weekend,” she yelled at Casey’s back.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Casey drove home on autopilot, her mind swirling with thoughts and ideas after her conversation with Allison.
Dylan, you and I are going to have quite a discussion. We’re going to settle this once and for all. You say I remind you of Wonder Woman. Well, hold onto your boots because you haven’t seen anything yet.
Casey whipped her car into the driveway and charged into the house. She quickly changed into jeans, an emerald-colored silk blouse, and black suede booties. Casey smiled at her reflection in the mirror, enjoying how the shirt made her green eyes pop. She pulled a short black suede jacket out of the closet and headed out.
Opening the front door, she heard a commotion in the street. Casey stared at the scene unfolding before her. Dylan’s truck was parked diagonally in front of the black SUV, blocking it from moving. The truck’s engine was still running, and the driver’s door was open. Dylan was pulling the SUV’s driver out of his seat, and the passenger ran over to where Dylan and the man now stood.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she heard Dylan yell.
“Let go of me,” the man responded, pushing away from Dylan.
Casey saw the second man reach into his suit jacket just as Dylan hit the driver in the stomach.
Casey punched 911 into her cell and explained what she was witnessing. The dispatcher promised help was on its way. Casey stuck her phone in her back pocket and headed towards what was now a full-fledged fight.
Dylan was holding his own against the two. Casey clutched onto the passenger’s arm as he pulled back to hit Dylan, giving Dylan a chance to focus on the driver. He gave the man a swift uppercut to the jaw, and she saw the man drop. The second one had turned toward Casey, who still gripped his arm, and began to speak. Dylan rushed him, knocking him to the street, where they continued wrestling.
Casey heard sirens coming closer. The two patrol cars parked behind the SUV, and Dylan and the man stopped tussling as the officers approached.
“What’s going on here?” the first cop to reach them asked.
“I’m the one who called 911,” Casey said. “I wasn’t sure what was happening. But they were fighting.”
“And your name, Miss?”
“Casey Murray. I live across the street. I came outside, and they were starting to hit each other.”
Casey saw the other police officers patting down the three of them and then handcuffing Dylan and the two men, placing their hands behind their backs.
“I called the police,” Casey said to Dylan. “I didn’t think you’d be arrested.”
Dylan nodded to her. “It’s okay. You did the smart thing. Maybe now, we’ll get some answers.”
“Miss Murray, do you know this man?”
“Yes, he’s my boyfriend.” Casey paused and gazed at Dylan. She swore she heard Dylan’s sigh of relief.
“Do you know either of these two?” the officer asked.
“No, I don’t, but they’ve been hanging around quite a bit. I’m not sure why.”
“Casey, are you all right?” Dylan looked her over with wide eyes.
“I’m fine. Are you hurt?” Casey put her palm to his cheek, where a bruise was already forming.
“You scared me to death, jumping into this mess,” he said.
“I’m okay. I promise.” Casey hugged him, and she felt shudders course through him.
“Miss, we need to take him to the station,” the officer said, holding onto Dylan’s arm.
“Sorry, officer,” Casey said. “Can I follow you to the station?”
“Yes. We can take your statement there.”
Casey got in her car and called Emily to explain what was happening as she drove.
“Do you want me to meet you at the station?” Emily asked.
“No. I think it’ll be fine. I’ll call again if something happens that I need help,” Casey said.
“Okay. I can’t wait to hear this story when you get home,” Emily said.
Casey hit the off button with Emily still laughing.
Dylan is always saying love makes people crazy. I guess he’s proven his point.
Casey smiled all the way to the station.