Chapter 31 Sweet Nothing
Sweet Nothing
Dylan
Dylan pulled back, his breath ragged as he forced himself to stop.
Fuck. His chest tight, every muscle in his body screaming for more, but he knew he had to stop this before it got out of hand.
They’re at a public beach, for god’s sake.
The reality hit him hard— there’s no privacy here, no way to let go like they could in the quiet of her place.
He gripped Ali’s thighs gently as he eased her down, the need to hold her close still gnawed at him. The water cooled his heated skin, but it ids little to calm the desire still coursing through him. He looked down at her and wished the world would stop spinning for just a moment longer.
“Let’s get out of the water,” he murmured, his voice thick with tension, guiding her toward the shore.
They walked slowly, Dylan’s feet sinking into the wet sand with each step, his pulse still quick, the moment they just shared lingering in the air.
Acutely aware of her body against his, the way she fit perfectly in his arms, but he forced himself to focus on the waves, the sand, anything to ground him.
Not now, he thought trying to calm the storm inside him.
But then a young voice broke through his thoughts. “Excuse me, sir?”
Dylan’s eyes snapped to the boy standing a few feet away, a small, scruffy kid— maybe twelve years old— holding a football and a sharpie. The boy looking at him with wide, eager eyes, the kind of look that comes from someone who’s just met someone they admire.
Dylan’s heart sank, and his body stiffened involuntarily.
This is exactly why he needed to pull back.
He’s not alone. And as much as he’s been fighting the urge to lose himself in Ali, he knows he can’t be a dick to a fan, especially not to a kid who’s probably dreaming of being in his shoes one day.
He forces a smile, but it’s harder than usual.
His gaze shifts to Ali, who’s standing quietly by his side, her expression unreadable, before turning back to the boy.
Dylan takes a deep breath, trying to ease the frustration that pulses through him.
“Yeah, of course, kid,” he says, trying to keep his tone light. “What’s your name?”
The boy grins, visibly relieved. “Kason,” he says. Dylan takes it with a steady hand, quickly signing the football with his signature. The kid’s eyes nearly sparkle as he thanks him.
“Thanks so much!” Kason exclaims, hugging the ball to his chest like it’s the greatest thing in the world.
Dylan stands up, brushing the sand from his knees, offering Kason a quick pat on the shoulder. “No problem, Kason! Have fun kid.”
As the boy runs off, clutching the signed ball, Dylan takes another deep breath, looking down at Ali.
She’s still standing there, her quiet presence a calming anchor, watching him with a mix of amusement and something deeper.
He meets her eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips, though his mind is still elsewhere.
He squeezes her hand lightly, trying to regain his composure. “Well, that was… something.”
Ali’s lips quirk in a soft smile. “Yeah,” she says, a teasing lilt in her voice. “Guess you’re not as incognito as you thought, huh?”
Dylan chuckles softly, shaking his head. “Guess not,” he mutters. But deep down, he knows he’s not here for the fans, not today. He’s here for her.
Dylan watches Ali, his chest tight with an unfamiliar anxiety.
It’s not about the kid— it’s about her. He’s worried about how she’ll feel.
He promised to do things her way, to keep things low-key, but he couldn’t ignore the kid.
He couldn’t turn him away. It was just a quick interaction, but the guilt eats at him.
He doesn’t want to upset her, especially not when she’s made it clear that she values their privacy.
His eyes search her face, looking for any sign of disappointment, but she just stands there, calm and steady, her hand still gripping his.
He can feel the tension in his shoulders, the worry gnawing at him.
He never wants to do anything that would make her feel uncomfortable, or push her too far into the spotlight when she’s been so careful to keep things private.
“I didn’t mean to… I just…” Dylan trails off, unsure how to even explain the rush of emotions that led to him signing that ball. “I promised I’d do it your way. But I didn’t want to be a jerk to him. He’s just a kid, Ali.”
Ali looks at him for a long moment, her eyes soft but steady. There’s no judgment there, only understanding. She squeezes his hand, her touch light but full of reassurance.
“Dylan,” she says, her voice gentle, “You did the right thing. You’re not a bad person for being kind to a fan, especially a kid who looks up to you. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Her words settle into him, softening the weight that had been pressing on his chest. Dylan feels the tension leave his body as she gives him a small, comforting smile, squeezing his hand gently.
“I know you promised to do it my way,” she continues, her voice steady and calm. “But I don’t want you to feel like you have to hide who you are. I’m not upset.”
Dylan exhales, the relief washing over him, but a part of him still feels uncertain. “You sure?” he asks, his voice almost hesitant, needing to hear it from her again.
Ali nods, her hand still holding his. “I’m sure. You’re just being you, Dylan. And that’s the person I want everyone to see. I’m with you, okay?”
Dylan finally smiles, the tightness in his chest easing. His eyes search hers, feeling the weight of her reassurance, of her trust in him. “Thanks,” he says quietly, his voice thick with gratitude. “I just want to do right by you.”
“You are,” she whispers, her voice soft and full of affection. “Always.”
As they walk back to the group, hand in hand, Dylan feels a quiet, sudden realization hit him.
I still love her.
The thought is jarring, and it hits him so fast, he almost falters. His heart tightens, but he knows better than to say it out loud. He can’t freak her out. Not yet. Not when everything between them is still fragile, still new.
Instead, he squeezes her hand, offering a small smile. He won’t say it, but he’ll show her. He’s determined to show her just how much she means to him.
Ali smiles up at him, the trust in her eyes making his chest tighten. They walk back to the tent, the warmth of the sun still on their skin, both of them quiet but comfortable. And for the first time in a long while, Dylan feels like things might just be exactly where they’re supposed to be.