Chapter 27 Right Where You Left Me
Right Where You Left Me
Dylan
The phone call ended, and Dylan lay in the darkness, his heart still racing from the sounds of Ali’s breath, her voice soft and hushed as she let him guide her through bringing herself to an orgasm.
She’d admitted it, in the quietest whisper, just as the tension faded between them: she hasn’t been with anyone else .
No one but him.
The words settle deep inside him, heavy with meaning.
A claim. A connection. It sends a wave of possessiveness rushing through him, but it’s not just that.
It’s something deeper. Something more essential.
He’s not the only one still holding on, and the thought of leaving it all unresolved gnaws at him.
Dylan stares up at the ceiling, the weight of the night pressing on his chest. He doesn’t know how long he lies there, staring into the blackness, but the minutes bleed into hours. By 3 AM, the thought is clear: I’m going to Honeyshore. Right now.
There’s no doubt anymore. No second-guessing.
Training Camp’s still weeks away, and he can’t waste another day.
His mind races with the desire to get to her, to surprise her, to remind her just how much she means to him.
She’s always had his heart, but now, more than ever, it feels like he’s been holding back— stuck between fear and wanting something real.
Dylan swings his legs over the edge of the bed, his feet hitting the cool floor.
He stands in the dim light of his room, the world outside still dark, still quiet, while the adrenaline buzzes through his veins.
Without even thinking, he grabs his phone and starts booking the flight.
Savannah. Early morning flight. He’ll get there in a few hours, rent a car, and drive to Honeyshore.
He’s doing this. No hesitation. No playing it safe.
By 4:30 AM, he’s out the door, the hot air hitting his face as he slides into the Uber.
His heart pounds, but it’s not fear— it’s anticipation.
The world’s still asleep, the streets empty as they head toward MCO.
He doesn’t know what to expect once he gets to Honeyshore.
He doesn’t even know how Ali will react.
But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that he’s with her.
The ride feels too quick, but by the time he pulls up to the airport, Dylan’s nerves are still buzzing, just underneath the surface.
He grabs his bag from the trunk, steps into the terminal, and heads straight to his gate.
He can’t believe he’s doing this. But then again, he can’t believe he left her yesterday.
By now, the sun has fully risen, casting a warm light across the highway as Dylan drives through the rolling fields of Georgia. It’s almost 8:00 AM. He’s getting closer. His stomach churns with anticipation as he rolls into the outskirts of Honeyshore.
He picks up his phone, fingers trembling slightly as he scrolls through his contacts. Ashley Palmer, Ali’s cousin and best friend, pops up on the screen. She’s an attorney, tough as nails, and someone Dylan knows won’t sugarcoat anything. If anyone can help him pull off this surprise, it’s Ashley.
He hits dial and watches the road ahead as the phone rings.
The line picks up after a couple of rings.
"“Dylan McKenzie, if you’re calling me before 9 AM, somebody better be dead or proposing.” Ashley's voice is warm but professional— she’s already at work, probably in the middle of something important.
“Ash,” he says quickly, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the nervousness in his tone. “Listen, I need your help.”
There’s a slight pause, and Dylan can almost hear the raised eyebrow through the phone.
“Help? With what? What’s going on?” Ashley’s voice has that sharp edge of a lawyer who’s already prepared for something complicated.
Dylan inhales deeply, steadying himself. “I’m on my way back to Honeyshore.”
Ashley’s initial skepticism is clear in her response. “You just left yesterday Dylan. What’s up?”
Dylan laughs a little, his hands tightening on the wheel. “I know, I know. But I couldn’t stand it, Ash. I’ve got to do this. She still has my whole heart. But I’m... I’m nervous. I don’t want to freak her out.”
Ashley’s silence stretches between them for a moment, and then, to his surprise, she sighs, a soft exhale of a breath that shows she’s giving it some thought.
“I’ve seen how much she’s been smiling the last few days, Dylan,” she admits quietly.
“I know some of what’s been going on between you two, and…
she’s been happier. I’ll help you, but you’ve got to be careful.
If you show up at her office like a dramatic rom-com scene, she’ll lose it. She won’t handle it well. Trust me.”
Dylan’s stomach does a flip at her words. He’s not trying to be dramatic, but he is trying to be bold. “Right, okay no office… so, what do you think?”
Ashley doesn’t hesitate. “Let’s ease into it.
You check into your hotel in Honeyshore, and then I’ll meet you at Kroger.
We’ll get everything you need to make her dinner.
It’ll be casual, and she won’t feel like you’re throwing her a curveball.
I’ll make sure we pick out all her favorite stuff, too. ”
Dylan nods to himself, even though Ashley can’t see him. It makes sense. He can already picture Ali’s face lighting up at the thought of him cooking for her. “That sounds perfect,” he says, the relief in his voice obvious.
Ashley’s voice softens, a hint of warmth behind her words. “One thing, though. She’s still allergic to papayas. Don’t forget that.”
“Got it,” Dylan says with a chuckle. “No papayas. Thanks, Ash. I really appreciate this,” Dylan says, feeling more at ease as they talk through the details. “I want it to be perfect.”
“No problem,” Ashley replies, her voice now steady and confident. “I’ll stay away from the house tonight. I’ll crash at Brant’s place, give you two some space. I'll give you the code to our door, so you can beat her home. Just make sure you’re not... overwhelming her, okay?”
“I won’t,” Dylan promises, his heart swelling with gratitude. “Thanks again, Ash. I owe you one.”
“No, you owe me like ten,” she teases, but there’s affection in her voice. “But I’ll let you have it for free since I’m 100% Team Dali. Always have been.”
Dylan smiles to himself as he ends the call. His heart races as he gets closer to Honeyshore. This surprise, this dinner— it’s his chance to show Ali everything he’s felt all these years. No more waiting. He’s finally going to make his move.