Chapter 10

If all the world and love were young,

And truth in every shepherd's tongue,

These pretty pleasures might me move

To live with thee and be thy love.

Sir Walter Raleigh

"Cut Cut CUT…guys where's the heat? Where's the longing, sexual discovery? What's changed?" Aaron stopped rehearsal.

I looked at Ethan and then at Aaron. "I'm sorry Aaron, maybe an off day?" I replied hoping that would get him off my back. The truth was it wasn't just today, we had been rehearing this play for a couple weeks and ever since my fight and make up with Dylan rehearsals had been a disaster. I was scared to get heated, I was scared to let go. Dylan had been amazing through this. He accepted my role in this play and my past with Ethan. I knew it bothered him when I left everyday knowing I was going to rehearsal but he kept quiet. He didn't make me feel bad but the truth was he didn't have to make me feel bad, I did anyway. Now it was affecting the play. I needed to pull my head out of my ass and be professional. It wasn't just me, Ethan was holding back too. Whether it was the reality that I was with Dylan now, or whatever it was. It was two sided.

"You know…" Aaron came closer to the both of us. "I don't know what is going on with you guys. But this show opens in one week, fix it. Fix it now." he angrily walked away.

I took a deep breath and walked toward my stuff, picking up my purse and swinging it over my shoulder. Ethan was by my side in an instant, as he sighed. "Why don't we go to my house, rehearse a little?"

I looked at him, "I can't today." I made an excuse. "I have plans." I lied.

"With Dylan?" his tone cold.

"Ethan what do you want from me?" I looked at him annoyed.

"You know what I want? I want to get through this play…damn it. I know it's not just you…but Aaron is right, we have to fix it. This is our job Brenda." he exhaled and walked away. He was right. I just didn't know how to fix it.

I walked home from rehearsal with a million thoughts in my mind. Truthfully I knew the break up with Ethan and the getting back together with Dylan was the reason this was happening. How do you fix it when nothing was going to change? I unlocked the front door and moved through it. Dylan was sitting on the couch, with a notebook on his lap. We locked eyes and he gave me the cutest smirk only he knew how to do.

"Hey baby." he said as he closed his notebook tossing it on the coffee table.

I sighed, "Hey." I tossed my purse on the table and sat next him. I leaned in and gave him a soft kiss.

"How'd rehearsal go?" his tone flat and polite but I knew there was something else in it.

"Honestly? Terrible." I admitted.

He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into him as I cuddled into his warm embrace.

"What happened?" his hand lightly rubbing down my arm.

I pulled out from him and looked into his eyes. "Aaron, ended rehearsal early, he was pissed at Ethan and I over the last couple weeks. Said we lost the connection, the heat." He looked down biting his lip guiltily.

"I'm sorry." he whispered bringing his forehead to mine.

"It's not your fault." I said with my eyes closed. "Thing's are just different now. It's not just me, its him too."

Dylan leaned out taking his hand to my cheek. He caressed it lightly. I glanced down at the table at his notebook, leaning away from him, "What were you doing?" I ran my fingers across the leather bound journal I had gotten him.

He took a deep breath and sat up a little, "I was writing."

"Well…that's great…anything I can read?" I smiled and loved that he was writing again. I had gotten him this journal shortly after him coming here. I thought maybe it would be a nice way to get some feelings out. Something passionate for him to do while I was away at rehearsals. I felt bad Dylan didn't know many people without me here in London. I had lived here for a couple years and had a job. He seemed to be there for me but had yet to find his place here. I felt bad about that. Even though I knew Dylan wasn't Mr. Social but if was a healthy way to brood and sulk plus I found his writing pretty sexy and it seemed to make him happy in the past, even though I didn't have much to do with that side of his life when he first started our senior year. Dylan had a way with words, even in high school he would give me cards for different occasions, love letters. he was good at it whether he knew back then or not.

"I wrote a little something." he shrugged shyly, "Want me to read it to you?" He grabbed the notebook opening it to the page. "I wrote it for you."

"I would love that." I said softly with a smile.

He cleared his throat, "I remember clearly, the day that we met, The words that were spoken, the emotions left unsaid. I remember clearly the excitement that was felt, the way you made me smile, the way my heart would melt. I remember clearly the wonder, the anticipation, the way I was alive with joy and pure elation. I remember clearly all the ways you made me feel, As if it were yesterday. Cause after all this time, I feel that way still." He smiled and looked into my eyes.

My heart beating fast, I smiled back, "It's beautiful." I whispered.

"Thanks." he said shyly.

I leaned in taking his lips in mine, running my tongue softly against his. Sex would definitely keep my mind off this disaster play. I started to get into it more straddling his lap. He smiled and let out a chuckle as I moved my assault to his neck. "Ha baby…what are you doing to me?" he closed his eyes and laid his head back on the couch giving me the access I needed.

"Mmmmm trying to forget how I'm screwing up this play." I murmured against his adams apple, licking up to his ear. He moaned.

Both of his hands cupped my face stopping me, he looked into my eyes deeply. "Not that that doesn't sound amazing. Making love to me isn't going to help the play." I pouted.

I exhaled, "I know…I don't know how to fix it." I said sadly. "Maybe its a lost cause."

"Come on." he lifted me slightly taking me off his lap and got up. I looked up at him wondering why the heck he was turning me down when all I wanted to do was be naked, in bed with him for the rest of the day and night. He held out his hand.

I smirked taking his hand assuming he was taking me to the bedroom but instead he pulled me to the front door. I reached for my purse quickly, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see." he said without looking back, guiding me out of the apartment and to the elevator.

The sound of pins being hit rang out as I stepped through the door. "Bowling…you're taking me bowling?" I laughed confused on how this was going to help me.

"Yes I'm taking you bowling, you need some fun, something to keep your mind off your play. I went for a walk the other day when you were at rehearsal. After seeing the same theaters and bars over and over in West End, I decided to catch a cab and found this place."

I laughed, "I didn't even know this place existed." I admitted, with school and the theater life I hadn't ventured too far it seemed. It was called All Star Lanes, a retro american style place with music, food and bowling.

He raised his eyebrows, "After you." he smiled and I laughed leading the way to the desk to rent some shoes and to have a nice date.

Bowling was actually very fun. We played 2 games where Dylan kicked my ass. That cheater. I didn't have a chance but still even though I sucked it was still a blast. We flirted, we kissed, I had a glass of red wine that Dylan didn't seem to be bothered by. We were happy. I did need this even if it didn't fix anything really. He tried to ruin my concentration by trying to help me with my bowling technique. He came close behind me, one of his hands on my hip. His lips in my ear. He followed my arm back to help guide my ball and then tickled me and kissed my neck as my bowling bowl hit the gutter loudly.

"Such a cheater." I said dumbfounded. Shaking my head.

"What?" he said innocently, "I did nothing." freaking liar.

I laughed at his goofiness, "You thirsty?"

He smiled a wide happy smile at me and nodded. I rolled my eyes still thinking about his bowling cheats as I led him to the bar in the front of the alley. "Hey cheater…get us a table, I'll get you a soda."

"Okay." he agreed with a laugh and left to get somewhere to sit. Nope I wasn't going to let him live it down tonight.

I ordered Dylan a coke and myself another glass of wine. I was happy me having a drink wasn't bothering him, cause sadly I kind of needed it. With both glasses in my hand I looked around for him. I didn't see him anywhere. I saw an empty table in the front and I moved through the people to get it. I set the drinks down and took a seat still looking around for any sight of Dylan. My attention went to the front of the stage as a man came out with a microphone.

"Welcome to All Star Lanes Karaoke night. I'm Jason Haven owner here." the man introduced the start of karaoke with an american accent. Considering this was an american style place I figured he wanted to bring some of home to London. I clapped along with everyone else as he introduced the first singer. Some women came out and sang beautifully, some country song I hadn't heard before. Where the hell was Dylan? I took a sip of wine wondering if maybe he went to the restroom or something. After the pretty girl finished her heartbreaking song, Jason Haven came on stage again.

"Wasn't that great everyone…lets hear it for Miss Claire Hill." The house applauded. "Now to introduce you to our next singer. He comes from sunny California, lets welcome…Mr. Dylan McKay."

My eyes went wide as I saw Dylan walk on stage. Holy shit, what was he doing? I laughed as he looked at me grabbing the microphone. Now Dylan may be a lot of things…a singer is not one of them.

"Well hello everybody." he said in a deep voice, "Now I'm not much of a singer but I have a special song for my number one girl whose been having a tough couple weeks…Brenda…this is for you." He pointed at me and my cheeks must have been 4 shades of red.

The music started to play and I instantly recognized the song. I shook my head, in complete shock Dylan would do this, in front of people mind you. He started the verse but hell no he was no Bon Jovi.

"This romeo is bleeding…But you can't see his blood. It's nothing but some feelings…That this old dog kicked up. It's been raining since you left me. Now I'm drowning in the flood. You see I've always been a fighter but without you I give up." He smiled and I laughed covering my mouth. He sounded sexy yet so terrible and out of tune. People seemed to like the romantic intention because everyone clapped and hooted from around the bar.

"Now I can't sing a love song. Like the way it's meant to be. Well, I guess I'm not that good anymore…But baby, that's just me. And I will love you, baby…always…And I'll be there forever and a day always…I'll be there till the stars don't shine…Till the heavens burst and the words don't rhyme and I know when I die, you'll be on my mind…And I'll love you - Always."

I shook my head, I was so embarrassed but so happy. Here this in a shell man was up on stage in front of this small touristy bar singing to me. He jumped off the stage and the spotlight came lighting us both up as he stood in front of me. My head went into my hands at being the center of attention in this way. He continued singing so I looked up at him, I stared into his eyes, pushing my embarrassment aside while this verse he sang actually spoke to me.

"Now your pictures that you left behind, Are just memories of a different life. Some that made us laugh, some that made us cry. One that made you have to say goodbye." He looked at me so seriously, he was talking about our past. "What I'd give to run my fingers through your hair. To touch your lips, to hold you near, When you say your prayers try to understand, I've made mistakes, I'm just a man." His hand went to my face as he closed his eyes, bringing the microphone with him and touching my forehead to his, after a beat he leaned out. "When he holds you close, when he pulls you near. When he says the words you've been needing to hear. I'll wish I was him 'cause those words are mine. To say to you till the end of time."

Oh man, the play. He leaned out continuing to sing the chorus and as I stared into his deep dark eyes, I knew what he was doing. This Bon Jovi song was telling me exactly what I needed to hear. He hopped back up on the stage and sang the rest of the song to me. Telling me pretty much he would always love me. He would do anything for me, nothing would ruin this. That when he watches me and Ethan do this play, he'll wish he was in his place and to treat it that way. Like Dylan was on the stage with me. As he finished, everyone standing clapping and making so much noise. I stood up as he stood before me. I practically through myself into his arms. wrapping my legs around his waist thankful he caught me. My lips crashed with his so hard forgetting we were in the middle of a bar. I felt people pat him on the back the only way I was aware we were still in public. It didn't stop me though. I deepened the kiss as he slowly brought me to my feet. I have to be honest I'm not sure how we moved through that bar so quickly while kissing but I felt the cold London air hit my face and my back hit the brick wall outside the building. My arm wrapped tightly around his neck, he bent at the knees, pushing himself even closer against me. I exhaled in his mouth, my eyes closed as we took a breath.

"Do you feel that?" he murmured, "That pull from your gut." he whispered. "That love."

I nodded, eyes still closed cause I felt it. I felt it everywhere. "Yes." I whispered.

"It doesn't matter Bren what you do on that stage with him. He can't take this away." He looked at me as I slowly opened my eyes. "Let go…pretend its me. I'm not going anywhere. That's not real, don't be afraid." He brought my hand over his heart, laying his hand on top of mine, "This is real." I looked down at our hands, feeling his heart beat against my palm. I kissed him with all the passion I felt in that moment. He was right. There was nothing to be afraid of. The taxi ride home was interesting and sadly we gave the poor driver a show since we couldn't keep our hands off one another. Every moment after that song felt like I was floating in a dream. When we finally made it home and to our bed. He worshipped me, over and over. Sex was amazing with Dylan, it always had been but there was something soul moving about tonight. It was like an out of body experience. He memorized ever inch of my body lovingly as I did to him. When I came he came hard with me. Bodies tangled, breaths in sync. I had never felt more alive. Every nerve ending in my body tingled. Every touch over sensitive. Sweat beaded from our bodies, making us stick together in the most delightful way. I was his and he was mine…fully, entirely, completely, utterly ours.

He rolled off of me, out of breath, "Jesus…" he breathed out.

I giggled with my eyes closed not meaning to laugh but I couldn't take it, I rolled into him kissing his chest. "What the hell was that?" I murmured not able to open my eyes just yet.

"I'm not sure actually." He chuckled.

I opened my eyes moving my chin to his chest. Feeling him breath in and out still catching his breath. "I think you should sing more often." I laughed.

He joined in laughing out loud and kissed my head, "I don't think anyone wants to hear that, I think my singing days are over."

"Mmmm. too bad." I said seductively. I got up still feeling energized even though I was numb. "I'm gonna take a shower."

"Mm kay." he murmured.

I looked at him stopping in the doorway, he laid on his back arms spread to the side, eyes closed. Taking deep breaths, in and out.

"You can join me if you want." I said innocently.

His face moved to the side to look at me. He smiled a sexy grin, kicking off the covers quickly and chasing me into the bathroom I giggled. There was no reason not to give this out of body experience more time to feel it. I was still floating and so was he and by the looks of it that feeling wasn't going anywhere tonight.

Sooooo how did you like the newest chapter? Hit review there is more of this coming. Oh Dylan…he sure does know how to fix things. Love you guys and thanks for reading and sticking with me. Sorry about the lyrics, some times that annoys me, but this idea I had really couldn't get across without it. Anyway the song is Always by Bon Jovi. Thanks again.