45. Dylan
Chapter forty-five
Dylan
Emi is chatting animatedly between Morgan and Kai as they walk toward me.
I’m sitting on the edge of the stage, the lights throughout the hall all shining brightly since it’s a Tuesday evening and there’s no show tonight.
I chuckle watching as Emi turns around to face her parents, waving her hands around and pointing to the spot where she, Dee, and I were standing when we saw one of her favorite bands perform at the Bridge months ago.
Emi beams at me. “Hey, dude, just catching them up on how much this place rocks.”
It’s only been a few weeks since I saw Dee’s cousin and her family, but seeing them here is another reminder of how much I miss the life I shared with Dee. Her family included.
I know my family feels the same. My parents have called me every weekend since I moved, begging me and Dee to come by again for game night. I’ve made excuses every time, not willing to admit that things between us are strained.
“Good to see you again, Dylan,” Kai says, nodding at me before letting his gaze wander over the space.
“Likewise.” I ease myself off the stage, standing a bit uncomfortably. I realize I’m fidgeting, one hand fisted and the other rubbing at my knuckles as if I were trying to wear my own skin off. I drop my hands to my side. “I’m grateful you were willing to meet with me.”
Kai glances at Morgan, who hasn’t said a word. Her arms are crossed across her chest, and she’s sitting into her hip, one foot kicked out like she’s utterly disinterested in this conversation. The stance is remarkably familiar. Dee has been known to send me the same withering stare too.
“What do you want? I thought you and Dee weren’t speaking.”
Has Dee told her that?
“We text here and there.” It’s a pitiful admission bearing no real weight, but I don’t want her to think I’m not working on fixing this. Her eye roll tells me she’s unimpressed. “But I know that’s not enough, and I need your help.”
Morgan keeps her face impassive while Emi screeches, squeezing her hands together, bouncing with unbridled enthusiasm.
“Ooooo, can I help? I want to help. Mom said the only way she’d stick around to hear what you had to say was if you obviously realized you took a big poop on things and wanted to date Aunt Dee again. ”
Morgan’s cheeks redden, but she flicks her head to the side, tossing her hair over her shoulder, attempting to appear unbothered by her daughter outing her. Once again, Emi proves she is more like Dom than anyone I know in her unfailing ability to never keep a secret.
“Your mom is right to feel that way. I messed up,” I say to Emi. I lift my gaze to meet Morgan’s harsh stare, which begins to soften. “That’s why I need your help.”
“Anything, man,” Emi says, much to her dad’s amusement. Morgan still doesn’t give, but she hasn’t walked out, so I keep going.
“I’m hosting an event here next week. And I need as many star performers as I can get.” I drop to one knee. “Think you can come to a practice or two this week? If it’s okay with your mom and dad.”
Emi can barely contain her excitement as she looks up at her mom and dad. “Puuh-lease,” she begs. “This is my dream.”
“Since when?” Kai asks with a laugh.
“Since Dylan just invited me,” she says as if it were obvious.
Kai looks to Morgan, who still hasn’t relaxed her stance. Emi, picking up that her mom is the sticking point, turns her pleading eyes on her.
“What exactly does this accomplish?” Morgan asks.
“I want to show Dee that I’m ready to fight for what I want. And not shy away from it anymore. She’s been trying to push me to do that for a long time now, and I didn’t listen…in more than one way.”
“Luca Thomas Moretti. You better stop when I tell you to stop. Okay, at least slow down. Hey, okay. Hold my hand before you hurt yourself.” Dom runs across the stage, chasing a giggling Luca.
“Uh…who is that?” Kai asks.
“That’s my friend Dominic and his son. He wanted to help me with everything that I’m planning, so naturally Luca is here to derail those efforts…with style.”
Dom and Luca race across the stage again in the opposite direction before Dom finally catches up, swooping Luca into his arms. He sits behind the drum set, letting Luca have his way with the sticks, crashing them into everything within reach.
“Okay, I’m listening,” Morgan says, trying to hide her amusement.
Huh. That was helpful. I make a mental note to thank Dom later and explain everything to Dee’s family. With any luck, they can help me turn this around.