You guys are SOOOOO amazing! I got reviews and a lot of follows for this story so as promised Chapter 2. This chapter goes in to more of the story a little. More feelings coming out, more hurt, more of what's happening. Also Brenda left Dylan 3 years ago. She was dating Ashton for 2 years so no, Brenda didn't leave Dylan for timeline was in there, but I know for a fact no one pays attention to time like the writer so sorry it wasn't more known. Anyway...Enjoy!

Chapter Two

Dylan

The windows were open; I was speeding through town like a madman, yet I felt like I was suffocating. I loosened the top two buttons on my shirt to relieve the pressure, but that didn't seem to help. At this rate, even if I crashed and wrapped myself around a tree, I didn't think I'd be able to feel it.

Seven fucking long years, and she waltzes back into town as if nothing had changed. Three fucking long years, and she walks back into my life just as I had stopped seeing her in everything I did.

When I made it back to the hotel, the first thing I did was grab the bottle of scotch and pour myself a drink, then another. After the third drink, my blood had stopped racing, my anger had faded, and I was back to my calm self.

A bitter laughed escaped me when I realized Brenda Walsh was still the one person who could make me lose control. The thought pissed me off, and I ended up flinging the empty glass across the room, watching it shatter right before my eyes. This wasn't real, it couldn't be, but the sweet smell of her perfume followed me home. It was the first thing I noticed, even in Steve's kitchen with the smell of the dinner Janet had cooked for us still in the air.

It was a nostalgic smell that reminded me of high school, London, and memories that I wished I had forgotten. Then she spoke, and every memory I had pushed back came back front and center. I needed to get far away from Brenda before I let go of whatever pride I had left and begged for answers.

My ringing cell phone woke me up the next morning. My neck was stiff from falling asleep on the sofa. The bottle of scotch was empty and a slight hangover was forming. Fuck me. I was losing my shit for a selfish bitch who didn't think twice when she up and left me.

"Hello," I answered on my way to wash my face, trying to at least feel a little normal. Right away, Brandon, spoke in my ear, "Did you know?"

"No." I answered simply knowing he was taking about Brenda.

"I was shocked. I never in a million years thought she'd come back here."

I breathed out, "Yeah I know." My answers were short, even I knew that. Brandon wasn't stupid and he was the only person that knew about London. I was so fucking mad at her, I was so fucking hurt by her, I lied to everyone when I came back here saying I had left her. Two years before she really had left me. I couldn't deal with the loss so I threw it back at her the only way I knew how.

"I'm happy she is and I have had our tough times the past year or so but seeing her…in the flesh…I missed her."

Me too, I wanted to say but I sat quiet. "Are you good?" He asked like he knew I wasn't.

"Yeah…I'm good. She staying with you?" I asked nonchalantly.

"No…Nat." What the fuck?

"Wow…that's…odd."

"Yeah…but with Joanie gone I guess that's good right?"

"It is." I sighed, "Brandon do you think she is back for good?"

"I don't know D…sounds like she is for the time being. That okay with you?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

Brandon chuckled, "Just asking."

"Look I got to go Bran…I'll call you later?"

"Sounds good."

We said our goodbyes and I finished getting ready for the day. Brenda Walsh back for good? This was not good.

The Peach Pit was empty when I stopped by for a cup of coffee. Someone had already filled the spot for the quote of the day. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me; I was sure little Emma did not write it herself.

I got myself. I'll catch myself. I'll pick up myself. Fuck relying on anyone. I got me.

"This is different, who wrote this?" I headed over to get my regular. I was sure she worked on it as soon as she saw my car pull up. That was just the kind of person Emma was. I didn't hold who her brother was against her. Stupid jock meat head.

"It was hectic this morning. I didn't catch them, but I like it. It's more assertive, aggressive even, but inspiring."

She was cleaning the countertop even though there weren't any stains on it. Any other time I would pry, but today I was already running late, and I had enough of my own problems; I didn't need more.

"I like it too, but I disagree with that statement. It's always nice to have people who care about you lend a hand."

Emma said nothing back. I didn't expect her too, but I liked the girl, liked how she helped Nat, and I hated that she was overwhelmed. The pit hadn't had this kind of heart and service since Brandon left.

I knew she wouldn't say anything, and if it weren't for being half owner in this business still, I wouldn't have any idea that the Peach Pit had struggled the last couple years. Here it was early 2000's and people just didn't want to eat greasy burgers, tuna melts, and fries.

Sure the teens still frequented but they weren't the ones spending money. The new espresso machine added customers and that was saving our ass. People came in daily just for that. Emma had to talk myself and Nat both into it but it had brought in a new crowd to the place. I didn't want the Pit to turn into a Starbucks but Emma had been right. Serving glammed up coffee had worked. I knew she was struggling with the load. She was trying to give Nat a break, let him relax a bit, but it was trying on her. But one of the things about Emma was…she never complained.

As I drove through town, I had to talk myself out of driving to Nat's house. It didn't matter. Nothing good would come of it. Right now I was acting like an addict that remembered how good his drug of choice made him feel. Brenda Walsh being back in Beverly Hills meant nothing. She proved I meant nothing when she picked up left in the middle of the night and left me a fucking note. After three years of loving each other, three years of sharing our lives together…our home. We had loved each other for eleven years. At least I had and she left me a Dear John letter. Fuck you Brenda…you selfish bitch.

Brenda

I used to love Sunday mornings, when I lived in London. Sundays were sacred. Sundays were the day I got to sleep in and woke up wrapped in Ashton. Then we would make love, and that was the start of my morning. Now, thinking back on it, I feel like Sundays were the day of the week that Ashton had reserved for me. While Sundays were my diet cheat day, for Ashton it was his I-won't-cheat-on-Brenda day. Fucker.

I walked down the street on my way to the pit and saw the cutest boutique. I went inside and started browsing around. That's when the unfortunate happened again.

"Brenda…yay." Shit…then it dawned on me. Of all of the cute boutiques in this city I had to run into hers. What the fuck ew I was quoting Casablanca…shoot me now.

"Donna." I play shrieked back, "Is this adorable boutique yours?" God even I knew I sounded fake and I knew it was her store. Now Wear This. Dumb fucking name by the way.

"It is…I'm so happy you came in, you left so quick at the market the other day we didn't get to catch up."

I opened my mouth to say some bullshit lie that would allow me to hijack from her again when she continued, "Look, Brenda, I know that you and I haven't been close recently, I take full blame on that. But that was the past, and we used to be the best of friends, and given the circumstances, I say we move past it, especially to make things—"

I stopped listening to what Donna was saying. I didn't even register she had just waved a big, white flag in front of my face. Nope, all I could see was Dylan McKay coming out of the dry cleaners across street, and it took my breath away. There was something so attractive about a man who looked good in a button down and pants. It was such a simple outfit but he emitted confidence, especially when he was comfortable wearing it. His pants and shirt fit him to perfection, no doubt tailored to his liking. He was so hot still. And it was so freaking wrong of me, but I knew I had never seen anything sexier than Dylan in my twenty-five years. Oh, dear Lord, help me.

"Shit." Donna whispered, and I snapped my attention back to her. One, it was rude of me to stop listening to her, and two, swearing wasn't something I heard Donna do over the years. I was about to make a proud mama joke, but I couldn't help looking back at Dylan one last time. Donna was right. Shit was the appropriate response in this scenario.

Kelly fucking Taylor had her arm wrapped through Dylan's. The way she held on to him was natural, like she'd done it a million times before today, and for all I knew, maybe she had. I hadn't seen them together since freshman year in college, they looked natural then but not as natural as now. No one batted an eye when Dylan and Kelly continued down the busy street. Beverly Hills royalty both of them.

I wanted to say they didn't look good together now days, but they did. Dylan was a catch and very handsome, but grown up Kelly was just as beautiful as I remembered. With her signature blonde hair and blue eyes. God why couldn't she have gotten fat?

It was wrong of me to think this way, but I hated her for a long time, and I loathed her now more than ever. I only stopped gawking at them when I saw Emma rush past them toward the Peach Pit. I wanted to continue watching them. It was like a car crash, I couldn't look away, but I forced myself to smile at Donna, and I knew I failed when I saw pity in her eyes. There was nothing that made me feel weaker than when someone saw my open wound.

"I'll talk to you later, Donna. I'm helping Emma at the Pit today." I was on autopilot. Trying desperately to keep an old wound closed, I even hugged Donna, as if that would stop me from falling apart in front of everyone.

People stared at me as I passed by, at least it felt like they were. I said a few hellos and smiled, waving left and right. By the time I made it to the diner, Emma was already in full gear in the back baking.

A petite teen girl, dressed in all black from head to toe, even her nail polish and hair well except for the peach pit shirt, was helping her. Her embroidery read Jessica.

I made myself busy cleaning tables and the countertop. I was about to write the quote of the day when Emma shouted a big no at me. Okay, god.

"Sorry, Brenda. It's just that I had a few complaints about your language the other day, so how about you put something a bit more family friendly?"

"Got it. No 'fuck' anywhere near the blackboard. How about 'bitch'?" I joked.

Emma laughed, "No bitch either."

"Fine." I playfully pouted but wrote a quote that came to mind after seeing stupid and stupider.

Don't fear thy enemy who attacks you...fear the fake friend that hugs you.

"Good right?" Emma stood in front of the chalkboard with her arms crossed shaking her head.

"What? It's good it doesn't say fuck or bitch."

Emma just stares that sweet look of disappointment. "Fine." I huff and change it. Still thinking about Dylan I write.

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.—Dr. Seuss.

The Sunday crowd was no freaking joke. The pit got packed, and I'm talking about a line all the way out the door, tables filled with teenagers and families, and kids running around making lots of noise. Since I was new, and in training, I felt like I wasn't much help. I hadn't worked at the pit since my Laverne days and that was a hell of a long time ago. Maybe Emma was testing me to see what I was made off? I was a fast learner, but not that fast. The safest option for me was on register duty and welcoming patrons, and handing out menus. While Emma and Jess did most of the waitressing and handling that shiny coffee machine.

"Well hello there," I said low enough for Emma and Jess to hear me. I didn't know the man walking in, but he was hot, around my age, and carried himself with confidence. Brown hair, nice beard, warm brown eyes that looked kind, well-built, good height.

Hunkalicious.

"Hello, welcome to the Peach Pit." Was I flirty? Yes, I was. I needed a little appreciation from the opposite sex. My most recent ex-boyfriend cheated on me with half a city, my other ex-boyfriend was dating my former best friend slash enemy…again.

I needed something to give me that glee that came from getting compliments from a handsome guy. I needed a distraction, so I leaned over the counter just a little, giving him my best smile—the smile I used to flirt. A smile that had gotten me out of many speeding tickets. A smile that had helped me get parts in plays.

The new hunky guy laughed at my flirtatious behavior. "Ah, a new face. I'll have my usual. Emma knows just how I like it."

Both Jess and I turned to Emma who stopped what she was doing and froze like a deer caught in headlights. I was a little disappointed just for a second, but then I beamed with glee at the thought of Emma and the hottie in front of me. They'd be so cute together.

"Well, Emma will make it just how you like it, won't you, Emma?" I used the same suggestive tone as him. Emma was beet red, but Jess was cracking up.

"I'll get to it," Emma mumbled, her head down, looking at the floor like it was fascinating. The guy studied me, making me feel uncomfortable. "How do you like LA?"

"I'm not new here. Grew up here in my teens. I moved back for now." I held out my hand. "Brenda Walsh."

When he shook my hand, I saw the badge on the side of his pants and the concealed weapon at his hip. "Wes Hendrix."

"Detective?"

He nodded, "Beverly Hills Police Department."

"Nice to meet you." I smiled.

"Here you go, Wes." Emma handed him a to go bag and a cup of coffee without looking at him. He said bye to Jess and me then. "I'll see you around, Emma."

I waited until he left before I turned around to jump with joy. "Oh my God, Emma, he is hot, and he likes you."

I was nudging a blushing Emma who kept denying that the pretty town cop had a thing for her. I didn't see how she couldn't see it when it was freaking obvious.

"He wants to date you. He wants to—"

"Fuck you." Jess wiggled her brows at Emma.

"That too, but for the record, I was going to say kiss you perve."

"He's nice, that's all," Emma tried to convince herself. Meanwhile, Jess gave me a funny look that told me that the cop probably tried flirting with her all the time, and she didn't notice. That didn't stop me from being so happy for Emma that I danced around her softly singing "Emma and Wes sitting in a tree."

I had forgotten I was wearing a crop top, and it had risen just a little, revealing a hint of skin, but it wasn't like I was at church or something.

"I heard you were back, but I just didn't believe it." I stopped mid-song and looked over at Kelly, who was standing in front of the counter looking me up and down.

"What can I get for you, Kel? You want a booth or the counter?" my voice was a little clipped. Just a little.

"A black coffee to go." she said, looking sourly at Jess.

"That's it," I said without thinking. "You come to the pit, and you order a black coffee? I'm not going to lie and say it's not creepy. I read in a study that people who drink black coffee tend to be psychopaths," I let my mouth run. I knew I messed up by Kelly's angry glare and Jess's soft laughter.

"Don't worry, Emma. I didn't expect this one to have any manners. You should work on your customer service skills if you want to keep this job. There aren't many options for failed actresses."

BITCH!

Emma was bringing Kelly her drink when I felt him. I knew it in the way the air seemed to go thin. I stopped breathing when Dylan, who had yet to notice me, walked up to Kelly and rested his hand on her lower back.

Familiar.

I shouldn't watch, but I couldn't make myself look away. Through the years, I told myself that it was okay if he moved on. I wanted the best for him, but seeing him now with her, I didn't realize how much it would hurt.

Seeing him touch her like that, I felt the loss of him touching me. I was cold even though I'd been without his touch for three years. Wondering if he moved on was one thing because I didn't put a face to the woman who would take his love. To the woman who would take my place, but seeing it—brutal.

It left a scar you couldn't see, but you felt it every time you breathed. Sharp pain. If I closed my eyes, I could still feel him. I could feel his arms caressing my sides until a slow ache took place. I could feel his breath on my skin causing shivers to break out. I remembered our last kiss, but I remembered how it felt when he kissed me period, how he would hover right above my lips, and it was heaven and hell because all I saw was him. All I smelled was him. When he finally put his lips on mine, I never wanted the kiss to end but needed the next one to begin. But Dylan had moved on, and I should be happy for him, but I couldn't. All that talk about him deserving the best faded because a part of me screamed that I was the best. Not her.

They sucked together.

Jess handed me a cup, taking me out of my trance. It confused me since I had given Kelly her psycho drink, but I read the name on the side and cursed myself. Dylan. Oh that makes more sense…the black coffee was for Dylan.

"Here you go," I mumbled, interrupting him and his girlfriend. God, the words left a sour taste in my mouth. Acidic.

Dylan looked up, his eyes widening for just a second, but he took the drink I was offering. Again, maybe I expected him to go off on me. Heck, at this point, I would welcome it. It had to be better than the coolness he was giving me.

"Honey, can you believe Brenda works here?"

I didn't know why Kelly was trying to make me feel embarrassed about working at the Peach Pit when it was honest work. I didn't work here; I was just helping out, but I didn't need to let the bitch know that.

"That's great. Emma really needed help. I'm glad you're helping her, Nat must be thrilled." Dylan said with a smile.

Seriously, he was going to smile at me? After what I did, he could stand there looking at me without flinching? What hurt the most was Dylan being nice. On a rare occasion, I pictured our reunion; it was never like this. I expected Dylan angry and demanding answers… I expected him to hate me. Hate evoked passion. Passion evoked amazing make up sex.

But his gentleness, all it did was serve as a reminder I wasn't worth remembering.

"Well, as fun as this reunion has been, we have to go. We have brunch plans, and we don't want to be late."

Kelly's eyes gleamed. Dylan was about to pay, but she insisted it was her treat. My world stopped for a second when she handed me the cash. It wasn't because she gave me a hundred-dollar bill and told me to keep the change.

Bitch.

On her left hand sat a princess-cut shaped engagement ring. I stood there watching Kelly and Dylan walk away while I stared at both of them. They weren't just dating; oh no, they were engaged. Then I remembered what Donna said at the supermarket.

Kelly is getting married.

She would get married to Dylan.

My Dylan.

Except he wasn't my Dylan anymore. He wasn't anything to me. I made sure of that when I left him. Decisions had a way of setting forth a chain of events you couldn't predict. This was all on me. I drove Dylan right back into Kelly's arms.

I watched them leave hand in hand, walking to Dylan's new Porsche, and as much as it pained me, they looked good together. Better than we ever did. We were kids when we started dating, not knowing what we wanted. In London, we were older but not by much but it was still amazing. The sight of them together after all this time. After him and I in London stung…stung deeply.

Now he was a man, and he would get married. I felt the warmth of a tear sliding down my cheek. Whipping it away, I noticed that a few people were staring at me. "I'm going to take a quick break." I smiled, trying to play off my hurt, but Emma saw past it, giving me a sad smile of her own. I didn't know if Emma knew of my history with Dylan, but by the look of sympathy she was giving me, she did.

"Take all the time you need."

I didn't need much encouragement to get out of everyone's view. I'd be damned if they saw me fall apart. I walked back with my head held high, so people wouldn't see I cracked the seams that I had carefully put back together when I left this town.

When I made it to the back room, behind the swinging doors, I sank down to the floor. My hands were shaking. I was cold but also numbed.

What did I expect to happen? I guess, as silly as it sounded, a part of me held on to hope that one day maybe things would work out, but that was stupid, wasn't it? I mean, I left. I had a life for myself, and when I met Ashton, I had a new future with a new guy. Then why did it hurt more to know Dylan was getting married than when I walked in on Ashton cheating on me? I didn't feel like crying when I walked in on Ashton. I was angry because I felt like the world's biggest fool, but seeing Dylan with Kelly opened my eyes. I saw him standing at the altar waiting for her, then at the hospital waiting for their first child.

I went cold.

This was all my fault, and I wanted to be happy for him, but at the same time, I couldn't help but ask myself if I ever meant anything to him at all? Did he love her more than he loved me? I knew the past was better left in the past, but this fucking hurt because he was mine, then he was hers…but then he was mine again but now he was hers again too.

Sticks and stones, right? Except sticks and stones didn't qualify for this type of pain. Sticks and stones didn't protect you from heartbreak, just bullies and name calling. Actually nothing protected you from this. This was agony.

EEEK yes most of you were correct. Dylan and Kelly are engaged. Don't worry you know me. BD BD BD BD. So this is shortly after the finale. So in this time frame Dylan and Kelly were back together. Yes Brenda left Dylan in the middle of the night, and left him a Dear John letter, hence the title Dear Dylan. You'll find out what that letter said, you'll find out why all in good time. You'll also see these two not getting along. There is a bunch of hurt on Dylan's side and a lot of sadness and confusion on Brenda's. Chapter 3 and 4 are written. I know you guys love that part! Hit review my friends!