CHAPTER FOUR
One more question
“Thank you, ma'am. If you think of anything else, please call me.”
“I will.” I take the card he's holding out.
Please don't let it be Hannah or Dylan.
The last thing I need is either of them being prosecuted for vandalism.
Hannah was waiting inside, “What's going on?”
She closed the door, pecking out of the window to make sure the officers are gone.
“They said someone trashed Raymond's house. Not that he doesn't deserve it, but who will do that.
“It wasn't you, then?”
“No, I've been here all morning, nursing a killer hangover. Not that I wouldn't have done it, but guess someone else beat me to it.”
“I think you know the people that did it, but I didn't say anything. I didn't want to implicate Hannah. Unfortunately, she knows me too well.
“You know something. I can see it in your face. Spill it out.”
“I don't know anything for sure ”
“So you suspect, then, I'm all ears”
I suppose she won't leave me alone until I tell her.
“I think….it might be Dylan ”
Hannah stared at me. “Dylan? Why on earth would Dylan do that?”We haven't spoken to him in months.”
“I, Uh, kind of drunk text him last night. We met for pancakes this morning. He says he's moving back here.”
Hannah squeals as she claps her hand together. “Oh, brilKenzynt? Is he okay? What happened to him that made him leave?”
“He seems fine. Different, I guess, but still good. He won't say why he left. Trust me, I'm working on it .”
Some of Hannah's excitement fades away as she gets back to the issue at hand. “But why will Dylan go after Raymond's house? “It doesn't seem like him.”
“As I said, he's changed. Don't worry I'm going to figure out .”
“You got him, girl.”
The police were gone, and Hannah doesn't seem inclined to do anything other than lying on the sofa with an ice pack, which was apparently what she was doing before I came back.
I got to my room, not wanting to make her headache worse. I search through my old messages, looking for the last message Dylan sent me.
There it is.
He said he will be working for a company called Daravit Enterprises.
It doesn't take long to g****e the name of the company Dylan said he was working for.
The phone rings several times before someone picks it up.
“Hello?”
Is this Deravite Enterprises?”
“No, this is Lisa. I think you have the wrong number .”
“Oh, sorry.” I hang up and check the number. It's definitely the right number. A little more searching for their websites aren't promising - any of the links on the list doesn't go anywhere.
It's like the company doesn't even exist.
I'm impatient to get to my laptop. I can do more research from there than from my phone.
I never investigated before, when Dylan first disappeared, thinking that he simply didn't want to be friends with us anymore. Now I know that there's something more to this.
I glared at the pieces of the table from IHOP. No one can break off a table like that. No one has the kind of strength -except
Dylan does. I'm going to find out how.
I glanced at the desks, but remembered that my laptop is still at Raymond's house. I left it there when I stormed out. Grinding my teeth, I went into the main room and grabbed my keys.
“What did your research turn up?” Hannah asks from the couch.
“Only more questions. I'll figure it out, though. I'm going to get some of my stuff from Raymond's.”
“Are you sure? I can go with you if you'd like.”
“No, that's alright. I can deal with him.”
Raymond will probably be furious over the damage. The last thing I want is him thinking it's Hannah.
It's too risky to send her, and certainly too risky to send Dylan if what I suspected is right, having Dylan and Raymond in the same room will be a very bad idea.
The drive goes too quickly, and soon in Raymond's driveway. Well, there's no point just sitting here. Best to get it over and be done with it. I get out, striding inside.
Raymond was there, sitting at the table. The house looks terrible rather like a hurricane came through it.
He leapt up when he saw me. “Kenzy! I so glad you are back -”
“I'm not here to stay. I'm just picking up some stuff.”
“Wait, you have to listen to me .”
I keep walking, going to my study, and grabbing my laptop bag. I started parking my laptop and charger as Raymond continue his entirety.
“It didn't mean anything. It's just sex. You know I love you. Things were just so bad between us. You don't want me, you made that clear. What else was that supposed to do?”
“Oh, so it's my fault?” I looked around, resisting the urge to throw the laptop charger at him.
“No, that is not what I meant. But you can't pretend you are blameless in this, Kenzy, it takes to fight. The problems we have are both ours, not just mine.”
“You're right, Raymond. It does take two to fight. It also takes two to have sex, and that sex was between you and Sarah. Go back to her, if you want someone to whine to.”
“You stupid bitch! You'll regret this, you'll see. You'll never find anyone to love you as I do.”
“Fuck off Raymond! If you ever call me again, I'm getting a restraining order!”
I stormed out, half surprised there wasn't steam coming from my nostrils.
How dare he imply that his betrayal was my fault? I should let
Hannah and Dylan tear him into pieces.
Instead of going back to Hannah's house, I called her from the car.“ Meet me at Barnaby's .”
“You want to go to a bar?” I would have thought the hangover would take longer than that to wear off.”
“Are you going to meet me or what?”
“You and Raymond fought?” She guesses.
“Yeah.”
“I'm on my way.”
By the time Hannah arrives, I'm already through my third glass. I try to shove Raymond's words out of my mind by thinking about Dylan. It isn't difficult to imagine him here with me, sans his shirt.
There aren't many people here on Sunday morning, but there's one guy who catches my eye.
He's well built, with lean muscles and dark hair just touching his shoulder. It took me a moment to realize he looks like Dylan. Damn no wonder I'm attracted to him.
“So you want to tell me about it ?”
“We fought.”
“Yeah, I figured as much. What did he do ?”
“Raymond always had a nasty side. I guess I'm not going to see it.”
“He didn't hurt you, did he?”
“Not physically. I take another sip of my drink. “I can't believe I ever trusted him .”
The hurt burns within me, and the alcohol is doing a slow job in making me forget it.
“I'm sorry, is there anything I can do ?”
I shake my head, still eyeing the man on the order side of the bar. He catches my eyes, and I don't think I'm imagining the invitation I see there.
“This is your fourth one. Maybe we should go home...”
“Nope.” I put the rest of my drink in one.
“You can head out if you want. Don't wait for me”
I walk over to the guy at the bar, swaying my hips sexily.
This is what I need to get over Raymond and get my mind off Dylan.
“Hey, handsome.”
“Hey.” He eyed me up and down, and evidently found satisfaction because he pulled out a chair next to him. “Why don't you sit down?”
“I know somewhere better.” I reach for his hand. “Coming ?”
“Sure. I'm Jake .”
“Kenzy.”
We don't exchange any more greetings as I lead him to the bathroom.
Jake wasted no time in pressing me up against the wall and kissing me. I responded by letting him run his hands down my side, coming to clutch my ass.
He started touching my breasts, and I didn't stop him. We're still kissing and I'm gasping for breath.
As Jake started to unbutton his pants, one thought made it through the jumbled mess in my mind.
This isn't right.
I don't love Jake - I don't even know him.
This isn't me.
I know some people like to have casual sex, but that's never been my style. I shouldn't let him do this. I can still stop him.
Jake started pulling my pants down, and still, I haven't stopped him. The alcohol is clouding my brain.
What are you doing, Kenzy?
CHAPTER FIVEBack off !!!The clicking of the laptop keys hurt my brain and my eyes. Let's not mention my ears, the sound is so irritating I wanna break the laptop but I still try to keep calm.God, why does it hurt so much?Because you drunk half of the bar, Kenzy, you idiot.I'm never drinking again.I try to focus on what I'm doing, rather than my pounding headache. The memories of Jake keep intruding. What the fuck was I even thinking? I was so close to having sex with a stranger. All in the name he looked like Dylan!And why was I even thinking about Dylan that way?He took it alright when I freaked just as he was about to get my pants down. I went back to the bar shortly afterward.It's not Jake, exactly, that's bothering me.It's the fact that I was only attracted to him because he looks like Dylan. I've gotten Dylan friendships back, and the least I could do is to ruin it with my inappropriate longings.I force myself to look back at my laptop screen. I'm looking into Daravit
CHAPTER SIX Tell me the truth My gaze are still fixed on Dylan, he looks away, I know he is trying to pretend as though what I said hadn't had any effect on him. There is a bit of silence between us and for some reasons, I'm afraid of what his answer was going to be like. Now, he knows am following him and I wouldn't give up anything soon. Dylan stiffens.“ Where did you hear that name ?” I almost laughed at his questions, “I'm an investigative journalist, Dylan. You know me, I can never leave a mystery unsolved.” I chuckled but he didn't seem to take it lightly. “So.... I guess you went digging. From our messages I guess.” He spoke precisely and I'm glad he has a current memory. “That's right!” I smirked. Dylan closed his eyes. He huffed and opens his mouth but shuts it almost immediately. His eyes are still shut and I wonder if he's praying for patience. Was he angry I was different into his personal life? The thought of that makes me want to whimper but I stood my ground an
CHAPTER SEVENDinner of one“Come on, Kenzy, we're going to be late!”“I will be out in a moment.”I give up on choosing between dresses, grabbing the nearest one, and pulling it on. I was going to do something with my hair, but I procrastinated too long and it's too late.Hannah is waiting impatiently. "I don't want to be late, we'll make a bad impression.”“You do realize that we're not engaged, right? You are just filling in for Raymond because I can't have them alone. A good impression isn't necessarily. Besides, my family knows you.” I explained over the room.“I know, but I still don't want to give them any more reason to berate you than they have already.”That's true enough. My family is going to be a nightmare.Hannah drives, and all too soon, we're pulling at my mom's driveway. Marcus's car is already here. There are cars parked all along the sides of the streets. My mom always favored big gatherings.She opened the door, her eyes going from me to Hannah. Her mouth pop open
CHAPTER EIGHTA Horrible MistakeShit! She must have heard me screaming Dylan name. I try to come up with a lie but it's not coming forward.“I'm fine. Nothing to worry about!”Apparently, Hannah thinks from my tone that there is something to worry about because she opens the door. I'm all too aware of how flushed and disheveled I must look.“Ever heard of privacy?”“Ever heard a roommate shouting their friend's name like he's saving her from a burning building? Because I just did .”Crap!No way am I willing to confess to Hannah what I just did.“I think you are hearing things. It's probably just that wind.”Hannah's eyes narrow in suspicion.I knew it. She doesn't believe me. Well, she tells Dylan?If she does, I can kiss the dream of remaining friends with him goodbye.“You don't have to lie to him, you know. So you have the hots for Dylan. Fine. It's not like I'm going to tell him”I'm torn between shame and relief. Of course, I don't need to lie to Hannah. I know that. “Promise m
CHAPTER NINEIt's Over!"What did you say?""Nothing." I don't turn around to face Raymond hoping that he'll be overpowered by need and ignore my slip. "Keep going."Come on."Dylan, as in your friend, Dylan? You've left me for that loser?"No! Dylan and I aren't together. It's you I need." I turn around and try to kiss Raymond, but he gets up off the couch.You're going to have to try harder than that if you want me, Kenzy.""Fuck you, then.Without another word, I get up, pull my clothes on and storm off. He's not making me beg again. Never again.I drive back to Hannah's at a reckless speed. I know I should slow down, but I'm so horny I feel like I'm going to explode.It takes all my willpower to keep my hands on the steering wheel and not let one of them slide down to my clit.That doesn't stop me from pressing my legs together.Fuck, I need to come.I rush inside, running to my room and slamming the door behind me.I throw myself onto my bed, yanking my pants down. I reach blindl
CHAPTER TENStalked on All SidesI bit my lips as she asked the heavy questions again."Would he be willing to help you with this?""I don't really feel comfortable asking himthat."Why not? You've known him as long as you've known me. You two are super close. I'm sure he'd do it for you.""Maybe, but you don't know my mom. She wouldn't be satisfied with dating. She won't really leave me alone until I'm married. I'm not going to ask Dylan to marry me."At least, not when it's not real. I couldn't ask that of him, especially given my very real feelings for him.Shut up, Kenzy. You're ignoring those feelings, remember? Dylan is your friend."I suppose that is a bit much to ask. What's going on with you and Luke anyway? You haven't said a word about him in days. Usually, you never shut up about him."I can feel my face going red. "We kind of had a fight."Let me guess. He's not happy that you're still investigating him?""Not at all. Do you think I'm doing the right thing? Should I back
CHAPTER ELEVENAm doing this again.I stare at Dylan with my mouth wide open, I had never seen him this angry before. Although I knew he always stood up for me, I wasn't expecting it to be as intense as he had just done.I set the phone aside and turn over to him with a bright smile."Are you okay?" He asked with curious eyes. I am at the venge of bursting into laughter, but I somehow managed to control myself.Of course I was perfectly fine, it's not like I was physically abused or insulted by Raymond. I still try keep my face in a frown. Pretending to be sad but deep down, I was screaming with excitement.I knew I was taking this too personal but seriously, I didn't care at the moment."I am fine." I said, sober."That rascal, I will grind his bone and feed them to the birds of the earth!" His eyes turn strangely dark and I am left amazed that he is able to do that.I shoved off the shock, placing my hand on his as I speak gently."Dylan, I admire the chivalry, but you can't just t
CHAPTER TWELVEI'd Do AnythingI check my watch. Ten minutes until I meet Dylan.Weeks have passed since I barely escaped getting caught masturbating in the restaurant bathroom. I had to do a bit of quick talking, but I've gotten out of tighter spots before when following a story.Hannah is lying on the couch, reading. It's a Saturday, which means Dylan and I will get to spend the whole afternoon together.As I head for the door, my phone rings. It's an unknown number. I grimace."Chuck it over." Hannah catches the phone. We've developed a system for this."Hello? Hi, Raymond. No, Kenzy isn't here right now. Goodbye."Hannah hangs upon him in the middle of a sentence.Thanks." I take my phone back. "Who's holding the current record?""Raymond, but only by two. Your mom is coming in a close second." I roll my eyes.Those two refuse to leave me alone."I need to go. I'm meeting Dylan.""Enjoy." Hannah winks at me. She knows all about my fantasies about Dylan, but she never brings them u