Chapter 8

Surprises

Brenda

As tears run down my cheeks I enter the house with the intention of going straight to my room. I need to be alone. I need to think. I did not intend to run into anyone but as soon as I turn to head down the hallway I run straight into Brandon hard. He steadies me, holding on to both arms. His eyes concerned as he sees me falling apart.

"Hey…what's wrong?" His eyebrows press together.

"Brandon! Please let me go, I just want to go to my room."

A noise of foot steps is obvious and makes him look toward the door, I follow his gaze, Dylan stands frozen in the spot. I try to move around Brandon. He grips my arms harder, his eyes looking into mine.

"What did he do?" He whispers harshly.

I shake my head, "Nothing. Please Brandon." He looks at me, his expression softening. He gives me a quick nod and lets me go, I run down the long corridor to my room. I turn to see him walking towards Dylan but I just continue on pushing through my room and closing the door. My eyes close when my back hits it. Fuck. This is bad, this is so bad.

My hand covers my mouth as a sob escapes. I walk to my bed, pulling out my phone as I plop down onto it. I have a text message.

Austin: Hey sweetie, sorry I missed your call. Interview went well. Call me when you have time. I'm meeting the mates for a drink. I'm so happy it's over with. I miss you.

I cry harder seeing the text. I'm disgusting. I throw my phone down on the bed and don't respond.

I can't believe I hit him. The things he said about me only marrying Austin because my father approved is ridiculous. He knows me better than that right? Truthfully, I'm not mad at Dylan. Yes Dylan was pushing me at that moment but I'm mad at myself. What am I doing? I'm still in love with Dylan, that much is clear and I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to so bad it almost hurt not to give in but that's not me. Not anymore. I'm not a teenager anymore. I don't know what to do. The only thing I do is lay down and cry until I have no tears, it feels like hours. My phone chimes. It makes me sit up quickly as I reach for it. Maybe this is a sign, maybe it's Austin. Only when I look at the phone, it isn't Austin's name I see it's Dylan's. I open the text and only two words appear.

Dylan: I'm sorry.

I don't respond. I know he is. I know Dylan, even with these years between us. I know he didn't mean to make me uncomfortable or to push me. The crazy thing is when I put myself in his shoes. I don't blame him. I would feel the same way. I would feel some urgency to get him to see what we have is still very present. I think about when I found out about Toni. I literally spent days in bed crying. I was devastated. I think about if I was here, in town how much harder that reality would be. Dylan isn't acting out of character for him. He's always been intense and here I am without my supposed fiancé. The chemistry is still present. The feelings are spilling out everywhere. The longing, the tension all of it imminent. We're teetering off a ledge that could crumble at any minute. Like it's only a matter of time before we give into it. My hands shake as I pick my phone up again. My finger hovering over Austin's name. I swallow hard and press his contact and type.

Me: We need to talk.

It's cryptic and I know it's night time in London, late even by this time Austin is probably pleasantly drunk hanging with his guy friends. Or he may even be sleeping already. I know he won't respond. I close my eyes and lay down. The sun and drinks catching up to the emotional exhaustion I feel. I fall asleep with one face in my dreams, and it's Dylan's.

Dylan

God I fucked up. It was too much too soon. I make my way to the house with the intention to make this right. I stop in my tracks when I see Brandon holding Brenda by the arms. He looks at me. I see the questions in my best friends eyes. They separate and I see Brenda run down the hallway towards the bedroom. Brandon looks angry as he moves towards me.

"What did you do?" His tone accusing.

"Leave it alone Brandon." I move to step around him but he grabs my arm hard. It makes me look down at it.

"I'm not going to leave it alone. Why are you upsetting her?"

I fling his hand off my arm, anger rushing through my veins. "It's not your business."

Brandon steps closer to me, "It is my fucking business, she's my sister."

I exhale and shake my head, I don't want to fight with him. Brandon is my best friend. He's always stayed out of Brenda and my affairs in the past. Even to the point some would say he probably should have had her back more. But I knew it wasn't for lack of concern with his sister, he loved us both and he tried to stay out of it. I look down taking a deep breath, trying to calm down.

"Brandon please, I have to talk to her. I fucked up."

Brandon shakes this head, "No…you're going to leave her alone." I try to move around him again but he steps in front of me. "Leave…her…alone."

"I can't do that!" I yell.

Steve walks up, concern in his expression as he gets between us. His hands go to both our chests as he pushes gently making space between us. "Hey…what's going on?"

Brandon and I are silent. Glaring at each other. Why does he choose now to be the overprotective brother? Steve sighs, "Please don't tell me this is over Kelly again."

Brandon growls and my head snaps to Steve, "No." I rasp, "What the fuck man?" Why would he even say that?

Steve shrugs, "I've only seen you too pissed like this if it had to do with a girl and I don't know, I saw Walsh getting cozy to Kel again…so I'm wrong?"

"Dead wrong." I say as Brandon sighs.

"He upset Brenda." Brandon says as he shakes his head.

"Ah." A slow smile spreads across Steve's face. "Bran…Kel is looking for you. She is drunk. Too many of my margaritas. Go tend to your girl." Steve says openly, his hand pushing Brandon towards the yard. Brandon looks at me, "Just." He sighs. He looks to Steve, "Don't let him back there."

"Yeah yeah." Steve dismisses him. Brandon looks at me one more time before going to the yard. I try to walk around Steve but he steps in front of me. "I know exactly what this is about."

"You do?" I'm surprised. Steve doesn't come across as the most observant person.

"You love Brenda." He says comfortably. "You are pissed off she is engaged and you called her out on it."

I stare dumbfounded at him. Steve laughs, "You think we're blind. You've been staring at her all damn day. That hot blonde has practically been on your nut sack since you walked in and nothing. Dude Dylan, Gia clearly wants you. Fuck if I wasn't married I'd be jealous, she is fucking hot. But as soon as Brenda was in that space, she was invisible."

I scratch the back of my neck feeling anything but comfort. "Dylan." He shakes his head. "What happened? You know you can tell me. Bran has to be like that, she's his sister and he hasn't always protected her."

"I know." I say softly. "I have to apologize please Steve let me past."

"Hold on…tell me what happened."

I swallow hard, "I…tried to kiss her. I made her cry. I told her she wasn't in love with that fucker cause she isn't."

Steve's eyes widen, "And you are…in love with Brenda that is?"

I throw my hands up, "Of course I am! You know I am."

Steve smiles, he wraps his arm around my shoulders, "Come on…give her some time to calm down. If you got into her head, she needs time to process it. Going in there now would just upset her more."

"I can't lose her Steve. She can't marry that asshole."

Steve laughs, "Is he an asshole? I thought we'd get a chance to meet him. He's probably smart not to show, meeting this group is anything but comfortable. I already told Brandon and David, I'd have to see if this bloke, is that what they say in England…anyway if he was good enough for our Bren."

"He's not and she is my Bren." I say jealousy sparking my veins for a minute.

Steve laughs, "I know…she always has been. Look I get it. I can't imagine Janet coming home after six years with some guys ring on her finger but you have to be smart about this. You can't come on to strong. She has to figure it out for herself. And if Brandon wasn't in sister protect mode, he would the tell you the same. He loves you like a brother but you can't make Brenda love you back. She's committed to someone else, you've been apart for a few years."

I groan, "Don't remind me."

"I'm not blind I see the way she looks at you too. I felt the sexual tension from across the damn pool. Brandon did too, David and especially Jimbo. It's not one sided. So let that give you some comfort."

I take a deep breath, "Come on…Maddie said you promised to teach her how to dive. If my little girl won't make you feel better nothing will."

A nod once knowing he has a point, I do love Maddie and she is probably the only thing that would put a smile on my face. I grab my phone and text a quick message to Bren just apologizing. Steve and I round the corner only to cross paths with Jim. FUCK

"Hey Big Jim! This house is amazing, thanks for having us."

Jim stares at only me. His eyes flicker to Steve, "Of course. It's my pleasure." He sets his hand on Steve's shoulder, "Do you mind giving Dylan and I a moment?"

Steve looks between us nervously, "Um yeah sure. Meet you by the pool buddy." He reluctantly moves towards the doors. He turns to look at me one last time, sympathy on his face as he walks out the door.

"I am aware of Lau's proposition." He begins with, keeping his tone controlled as usual. His stare is unwavering, typical Jim Walsh. "It's a very lucrative takeover."

No surprises, it's all about business with him.

"My team is working hard on closing this deal. I will make it happen without Lander Walsh financial."

"If you say so." His behavior is somewhat calm, which is very unlike him. However calm, is not mistaken as friendly. His uninviting gaze is far from forgiving. "But let me tell you this. Your arrogance will only get you so far."

"Well, as a matter of fact, Lau is considering it. He is aware my company has done great things, and our plans for this platform are far greater than those in the bidding war."

"I meant with Brenda." He is quick to shut me down. "I warned you to stay away from her."

"Right…" I drag, shaking my head in disgust. "Because you have a say anymore?"

The words are like dynamite to the man who believed he held the cards. The king of the castle, the ruler of his domain. I expect him to raise his voice, tell me he'll ruin me, but his ongoing calm demeanor is of concern. What game is he playing?

"My daughter will do the right thing?"

I want to laugh in his face. "And what exactly is the right thing Jim?" I say his name with ice in my veins. "You going to tell her what a fuck up I am? You going to make her marry that prick when he doesn't even deserve to be in the presence of her. I don't know what game your playing but I know you're scared shitless. You're scared because you don't have a hold on me, you don't have the ability to hold my money over me or jail time or a trip to fucking Paris. You know how your daughter feels about me and you can't stand it."

Jim visually takes a deep breath, I hit a nerve but he won't give me the satisfaction. "Brenda is in love with someone else. She has moved on and is wearing his engagement ring."

"He isn't even here!" I yell.

Jim smiles, he tilts his head, "Maybe not, but I know my daughter. She may feel things for you but all around her are reminders of your screw ups. Kelly…Valerie…Gia Fleetwood." I puff my chest. Mother Fucker. "When all is said and done, she'll never trust you. She'll survive the week and head back to London to her husband." He goes to move around me.

"She isn't married yet." I say hard, he stops, shakes his head and keeps walking.

There is nothing left to say to him anyway, I walk into the kitchen, it's empty but a lone bottle of scotch sits on he counter. I grab it, heading down to my own room. Fuck Jim.

Brenda

After my nap I feel a little calmer. I shower which feels like heaven and join everyone for an informal dinner by the pool. Notably Dylan is absent. A few people asked where he was but Steve eyed me knowingly answering he had some urgent work to attend too. I try my best to act normal, unaffected by his absence, especially because I get looks of concern or sympathy from Steve and Brandon. I wonder what they know.

Inside my heart I'm constantly thinking about Dylan. Is he upset after I slapped him? Did him and my brother have words? I begin to worry, wondering if I should text him a text to make sure he is okay. But the more I mull it over, I come to the realization maybe he needs the space right now, like I had earlier.

The dinner is loud, with more cocktails served. Steve loves being the center of attention, so of course he tells stories that makes everyone laugh. As the night wears on, my parents and the Fleetwood's say goodnight relatively early. There are plans to be at the marina around ten. Thomas Fleetwood has a yacht and he is planning to take all of us out on it tomorrow. My body is urging me to go to bed, despite Valerie begging me to stay and hang out with everyone. Today has been too much, so I apologize but welcome the quiet time inside my bedroom.

I change into a tank top and sleep shorts, climbing into bed and thumbing through social media a little which is odd for me. Valerie, Kelly and Donna all have stories of the day. Steve has some cute selfies with Janet and Maddie. I smile at the happy posts about this little reunion that everyone seems to be having a good time at. I think of Dylan and why he was absent from dinner tonight. The longer he is in my presence the more intense the feelings seem to be. He is all I think about now. Visions of happy times in London come up. Letting him go and the disaster that followed. My life and friendship with Austin come up too. We've been through a lot together. He was there for me in that dark time. If I were to leave him, I think about what that would do to to him and the friendship.

My rampant thoughts become too much to bear. I grab my sweater and throw it on, leaving my room to head toward the kitchen to find something to help me sleep.

The noise becomes louder as I walk past the dining room. I linger at the entrance to see Steve dressed in a pair of boxers, wife beater and a sombrero on. Across the table is Kelly and Brandon and towards the end is Valerie and David.

My eyes are drawn to Dylan, who is siting next to Steve.

"Here's the woman of the hour!" Steve shouts drunkenly, "Come sit with us."

I saunter toward the empty spot, which happens to be across from Dylan. He ignores me, throwing poker chips in the middle of the table. I take a seat beside Valerie and pour myself a glass of wine that seems to be what Kelly is drinking and decide to nurse it. I'm not in the mood for a hangover but don't want to spoil their fun either.

Surrounding the table are empty bottles of tequila and whiskey. The more I observe Dylan's behavior, not to mention the empty shot glass in front of him, the more it becomes evident he has drank a fair bit.

There's a lot of smack talk, mainly from Steve and Brandon. My brother looks like he's feeing no pain too. He did look at me concerned when I sat down but doesn't say anything. The drunken banter between them makes me laugh and that seems to put Brandon at ease. Dylan has not said a single word to me, playing aimlessly with the poker chips in front of him. I don't even get a glance.

"Who's up for strip poker?" Steve spouts with a wiggle of his brows.

Kelly shakes her head with disgust. "God, no."

Valerie laughs, "Well that's an idea. It's been awhile since I've seen any of you naked." She jokes and the table laughs, including me. Dylan doesn't even smirk.

"No offense, Steve and Val, but some of us like wearing clothes." I tell him with a smile.

"Really?" Dylan mocks, raising his eyes to meet mine finally. "It doesn't stop you from taking it off for what's his face?"

His eyes are glassy, and his stare is anything but welcoming. There is a supreme confidence and satisfaction within himself, thanks to the shot of tequila he pours and throws back effortlessly. He lets out a rasp, then wipes his mouth. His eyes never leaving mine.

None of this excuses his rude behavior. Drunk Dylan is such a god damn asshole.

But what is the point of exhausting my energy to argue with him. Chances are, he won't remember a single thing in the morning. This is more Dylan getting something off his chest. Unfortunately, he is choosing to do so in front of other people, who are dead quiet looking back and forth between us.

"What?" He prods with an arrogant smirk. "Nothing to say? Why don't you tell everyone at the table why you're marrying the jerk?"

"Maybe he has a big dick." Steve says to try to lighten the energy but it does the opposite when Dylan growls at him, almost fist punching him. They get into an argument which momentarily distracts Dylan.

"Hey, c'mon bud, calm down." David says reaching to pat Dylan on the shoulder.

"When did you start drinking again?" I look at Dylan. The table is so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"Tell me Bren." He leans his arms on the table, "Why do you care?"

"You're drunk. So no matter what answer I give you, it won't change how you're feeling right now."

"And what is that?" He begs to argue. "Tell me how I feel, future wife of Dr. Austin Evans?"

Kelly rolls her eyes, quickly stepping in. "Dylan…leave her alone."

Dylan looks towards her, "Shut up Kelly."

"Hey!" Brandon speaks up rising from his chair. Shit this isn't good.

Valerie stands up, "This is bullshit. If you wanted to marry her, you should have asked first. End of story."

Dylan slams his fist on the table, then rises from his chair. "I would have asked her first! If I wasn't threatened with losing everything. You try loving someone knowing that you will never be good enough. You try having Jim Walsh sabotage your future unless you walk away!"

"Hey Dylan." Steve stands placing his hand on Dylan's chest. "C'mon, you need to calm down. This isn't helping."

"I won't fucking calm down." He yells at him, then his eyes are on me. "You hurt me Brenda. You've hurt me more than you'll ever know saying yes to someone else and forgetting everything we fucking had."

Dylan grabs the bottle of tequila and smashes it against the wall, only to walk away, with Steve following behind him.

I swallow the lump inside my throat as I fall back into the chair and close my eyes. I'm beyond tears, tired of this. The pain in my chest refuses to subside, and the last thing I want to do is talk about this anymore.

"Bren," I look to my brother, "Are you okay?"

I shake my head no but say. "Yeah."

"Let's go somewhere and talk?" Valerie suggests with Kelly agreeing beside her.

"You know what, guys? Thanks for the offer, but I really want to be alone."

I head to my room Kelly following me. "Brenda?"

I turn to look at her, tears now fill my eyes. "You sure you're okay?" She sets her hand on my shoulder. Her eyes teary too.

"I'm not okay Kel but I will be."

She gives me a sad smile, "Dylan is mean when he drinks. It's not a common occurrence anymore." I sigh, she doesn't know Dylan better than me. "He loves you Bren. He always has." Now that surprises me coming from her. "I know things are weird with us. I know I'm not your go to but if you need anything. Please don't hesitate." Her head tilts, "Don't hate him." She begs.

I look at my old best friend. The one things were never the same with after she went off with Dylan. Her stare is sincere. "I could never hate Dylan."

Her smile widens and she nods. My hand covers hers that still lays on my shoulder. I squeeze her hand and go into my bedroom, closing the door behind me. It's one thing to know the pain you feel inside, but another to see the pain you've caused someone else. We had a past, a past which carried so much baggage. And despite how Dylan treated me tonight, I couldn't entirely blame him. He is the one who has to watch me live my life with someone else, or at least picture it. He is the one that has to accept that things are over for good. I knew what it was like to watch him when he went out with Kelly. When the roles were reversed, I was in just as much pain. It sucked the air out of my lungs. It broke me. I fall asleep hugging the pillow thinking this time…I'm breaking him.

I wake up early with the sun barely risen. The phone beside me says it's five a.m. I barely slept, in and out of dreams, all involving Dylan.

Coffee is my only savior right now. I'm forced to take a long walk to the other side of the house, where the kitchen is located. A yawn follows each footstep I take as I drag my weary self.

The sun begins to filer through the kitchen though not too bright. When I see Dylan sitting at the counter, I move toward the coffee machine, his head is bowed down, and his hair is a beautiful wild mess.

"Hey." I purse my lips, trying to keep this civil. Chances are his memory of last night is vague.

He lifts his head, clearing the rasp in his throat. "Morning."

"Pounding head?"

"You could say that."

I pour myself a coffee, then turn and lean against the counter while my hands wrap around he mug.

"You had a lot to drink last night." I remind him. "I don't think I've seen you that drunk in many many years."

Dylan remains quiet, only for me to notice a bandage around his hand. I move toward him and scrape my finger along it gently. He turns his hand over and intertwines his fingers with mine. I let him hold my hand.

"What happened to your hand?" I whisper.

He shrugs looking down at our intertwined hands. "I think I punched a wall."

I sigh heavily, pulling my hand slowly from his. "You were upset."

"With you?" He looks surprised as I nod. "What did I say?" Fear in his eyes.

"Nothing which didn't need to be said." I tell him, backing away and drinking my coffee.

"Look about yesterday afternoon…I'm sorry I pushed you…"

I stop him, "It's fine."

"It's not fine and whatever I said last night…" he shakes his head.

"Both times…you said the truth…things I needed to hear."

I know his behavior was not okay but I also have to take some responsibility because I am not innocent in all of this. There was a lot of stuff Dylan and I had never talked about when we spilt. Obviously things needed to be hashed out. My actions held consequences. When Austin proposed my head had been screaming at me. Red flags being waved in all directions when I said yes and the ramifications were staring me in the face. I just decided to ignore them because I was in denial.

"Anyway…we're good. I mean…I'm not mad at you." I place two Advil down on the table in front of him. "A wise man once said to take two of these before bed, but since that wise man wouldn't have listened last night, here you are."

With my mug still in my hand I take a few steps before he calls my name.

"Brenda." He turns his eyes sad. "Can I take you to breakfast?"

I smile and nod, "Sure, I'll be ready soon."

The cafe is only a dew minutes away and quiet for this time of the morning. We chose a table outside, welcoming the fresh air.

"Can we put yesterday behind us for now? Talk about something else?"

Dylan nods, looking relieved. Considering he is still hungover, he scrubbed up well after a shower, dressed in dark blue shorts and a white t-shirt. He left the beard unshaven, but nevertheless Dylan still looks incredibly handsome.

"I wanted to ask you how work is going?"

Dylan sighs, "In retrospect it's really good. I get to travel a lot. We've spread internationally so I got to spend a lot of time abroad, all over Europe. Last month I was in France."

I smile, "I love France. But you know that."

Dylan nods with a small smile, "I do. I actually thought about visiting a few times when I passed through."

"You should have."

Dylan shrugs, "I didn't know if you'd want to see me to be honest."

I sigh and shake my head with a smile, "I don't know if I would have wanted to see you if I'm being honest too. But you could have, you know I would have came around."

Dylan chuckles. I sigh, "I miss traveling. I haven't toured in awhile."

He raises his brows, "You don't tour anymore?"

"No…not as much as when you lived with me. I don't know, I haven't worked as much I guess. Austin doesn't like it, he can never come with because of his schedule and I just hadn't auctioned as much as I should have."

Dylan bows his head, running his finger alone he rim of his coffee cup.

"What?" I ask, curious to his silence.

"Nothing." He shakes his head.

'C'mon Dylan, It's not nothing. You've got something to say."

"You're not going to like it and I'd rather have a good breakfast with you."

I take a deep breath, "I know what your thinking. It shouldn't matter if Austin doesn't like touring, I should be doing it for me."

Dylan smiles, "You said it I didn't."

"I know…it's complicated."

Dylan nods not saying anything else but I know him. He doesn't approve and deep in my gut, I don't either. I let Austin's studies and his dreams come first before mine.

He looks at me, staring at me. "You remind me a lot of Cindy. The older you get."

I smile, relaxing my shoulders. "That's not a bad thing? I admire my mother. When I was younger sometimes I felt like she was the only person who understood me. I of course didn't give her the benefit of that doubt, stupid teenager stuff but I look up to her. Do you have someone like that? Someone you kind of idolize."

His gaze remains fixed, "I did, before."

"Oh, who?"

A small huff escapes him, only for my exhausted brains to register. I lower my eyes toward the plate in front of me only to raise them a moment later.

"I know deep down inside, he is proud of you." I say softly. "You've come along way but my dad is prideful. We had no choice but to eventually forgive each other, For you, it'll take longer. He really thinks you were driving drunk. I told him numerous times it was me driving."

"I don't want his forgiveness." Dylan says quick to argue. "Jim isn't a saint in all this either."

"No, he isn't. But he's my father and I do love him despite his flaws. I am sorry for the things he's done to you. Holding your money hostage is a dick thing to do." I admit.

Dylan shakes his head, "It's not the first time he's done it."

"What do you mean?"

"That summer, you went to Paris. He threatened me. He threatened to freeze all my assets, including my house and trust, because I was committing statutory rape when you were living with me. I wasn't 18 but I was an emancipated minor which meant by law I was an adult. He said if I talked you into going to Paris, he wouldn't do it. He thought it was the best thing for us but I only agreed because it was the best thing for you. Just like I only agreed this last time because it was the best thing for you too. I'd do anything for you Brenda."

I froze, tears filled my eyes. "Oh my god. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't tell you because I wanted you to experience Paris and I didn't want you to hate your dad. Now it just seems like some fucked up cycle he does to try to keep us apart."

"I'm sorry Dylan…I had no clue." Sadly I wasn't surprised. Which was so fucked up. I had a HUGE bone to pick with my father. I exhale loudly, "He's a bully." A tear runs down my face. "No wonder you hate him."

"That's the thing Bren…deep down I don't. I admired him. The dad he was, the man he was, the husband he is. It's a hard pill to swallow when the man you look up to hates your guts and thinks you aren't good enough."

I look at this grown man in front of me and ache to make it better. I don't know how though.

We eat our meals served, finish our coffee and don't talk about my father anymore. It's heavy stuff and there is still so much hurt on both sides. We walk back to the house. It's another beautiful day in Malibu, perfect blue skies, not a cloud seen.

"So you going on this yacht?"

"I guess." He smiles. "As long as Steve isn't driving it I think we'll all be okay." He jokes and that makes me laugh.

My phone begins to buzz inside my purse, but I choose to ignore it. A few minutes later, it does again. Anyone calling me this early has got to be a prank call.

We reach the house, but Dylan stops me before we enter.

"I'm really sorry about yesterday." He begins with keeping his hands in his pocket while staring at the floor. "I care about you so much, it's selfish of me to have acted that way. Steve gave me a harsh talking to and I really…just want you to be happy. I've always wanted that…tell me your happy and I'll leave it alone."

He stares into my eyes. His warm eyes are pillars into his soul and I get trapped in them. They are easy to get lost in. I swallow hard, not knowing what to say because the truth is, I'm not happy and nothing will change the fact that behind all of our baggage is a man who once owned my heart. All of it, every single piece of it and he had never given it back.

It is a heart so desperate to remember what it was like to be with him, to kiss his lips and radiate in his warmth. I find myself inching closer, his eyes lustful and full of want until the door opens abruptly and forces me to take a step back.

"Val?"

"I tried calling you?" She growls beneath her breath.

"Why? It's so early?"

She yanks me through the doorway and in front of the blue eyes which belong to the man I'm suppose to marry.

Austin Evans.

Oh man! It…just…got interesting….I really hope my story is making you feel bad on both sides. Except Jim, Fuck him. I really do blame him a lot for breaking these two up. I am a parent so I get it but he's just an ass and I don't know if I'll even be able to redeem him 100% in this story. But I hope that my writing is making you guys heart ache for both Dylan and Brenda. It's a tough situation. Now Austin is back and oh its a doozy. Both these guys are jealous and competitive thats all Im going to say. Steve, Brandon, David, Valerie and Kelly all know that Dylan is beside himself with this engagement. I just hope no one is pissed at Brenda or Dylan for that little out burst. It's all important stuff. I hope that I'm also showing the growth in these characters too. They're older. I hope its coming out right. Next up, takes place exactly where we left off. The gangs impression of Austin, the yacht and some stuff with that, then into the night with the "official" engagement party dinner where things get crazy! The green monster is a terrible thing to waste. Hold tight people, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.