The Dark of You - S01 E41

6 months ago

The Dark of You - S01 E41

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 41

Just kiss already

I straightened as I looked at myself in the mirror and brushed all the wrinkles out of the dress. The dark blue one that Rylan choose for me while we were in England. I'm glad that I thought about bringing something formal. Rylan's family wanted us to go to the bar the last evening together. Rylan told me that I didn't need to wear something fancy, but as I was in conversation with Maya and Lola, they were going to wear a dress, so I decided to join them.

When I had decided that I looked alright, I found my way upstairs. Rylan is leaning onto the kitchen door with her back to me. My eyes have this thing of always needing to find her first. Everyone else seems not to matter when she is there.

I frowned at Lola, who made a whistling sound as she sat on the couch in a short black dress. Rylan turned to look at her, but as her eyes landed on me, they softened. Just like the first time she saw me like this. She swallowed painfully and then her lips parted as she breathed deeply. The only way I can describe how she's watching me is as if I was a goddess.

I bite my lip as I crossed the living room to stand right in front of her and those blue eyes never left me. She blinked a couple of times as if she was battling something. I smiled as I looked all over her. She has switched out her cargo pants for jeans along with a dark shirt and thrown on a black leather jacket. I had to stop every bone in my body to not fall into the desire to start undressing her. Instead, I reached out to thug onto each edge of her leather jacket in place.

"Just kiss already," Lola let out an annoyed sigh. Rylan glared at her with fury and I had to lay my hand over my mouth to hide my smile.

"Lola," Shantelle's warning voice came from the kitchen behind Rylan.

"I'll go and check if everyone is ready," Lola excused herself and lept up the stairs. I sucked on my lower lip as I thought about Lola's comment. I wouldn't have minded a kiss from Rylan, but I know she wouldn't be comfortable with that around her family. Yet, I didn't let her off the hook that easily as I stood up on my toes to place a light kiss on her cheek.

***

Rylan stopped the car as we arrived at the bar. We both exit and as Rylan came to my side, I snatched my arm around hers. She gazed down at me, but there was nothing on her face that told me she was in discomfort. I followed her lead as we walked through the snow until we reached the front door. I let go of her arm as she opened the door. An unfamiliar heat raised at the back of my neck as Rylan laid her hand on my back to lead me inside.

When we entered, I nervously reached out for her hand to grab. I don't know where that nervousness came from, if it's the crowded bar or the fact that her entire family came after us.

As Rylan tugged me after her, I noticed a few pool tables in the corner and the bar is filled up to the rim with people shouting at the top of their lungs. The smell of beer lingers strongly in the air as if someone had accidentally spilled it all over the floor.

Everyone sat down around a huge table that was space enough for all of us. Unfortunately, Matt couldn't come along as someone had to watch over the kids. Yet, I believe it's mostly the reason for him staying home and not anyone else is because of his past addiction.

Even though we all had sat down, I didn't let go of Rylan's warm hand as it brought a sense of comfort for me. Finally, a waitress comes to the table and we all took our orders. Everyone ordered a burger and fries with a drink on the side. Yet, Rylan stuck to water. I don't know for sure if she doesn't drink alcohol or still considers herself to be my security guard. It's hard to find the difference sometimes.

Throughout the evening, it was filled with conversations and laughter about their childhood. However, I noticed that Lola and Shantelle were the ones who talked the most. In addition, Maya, Eddie and Chris would sometimes jump into the chat to add their versions. As the youngest, Lola was the troublemaker in the gang. She would fill sand into her sibling's shoes, so they got late for the bus to school.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Sometimes as they spoke, their dark past came into the frame. I was stunned more than once by their stories. Chirs lived with his father, who nearly provided him with food and would leave him for days. Luckily he had neighbors who took him in when his father was gone to take care of him. Maya lost both of her parents in a car accident when she was fifteen. Lola's mother abused her, but a teacher had found out and called the social workers. It felt like a rock had settled in my belly as they kept on feeding me with their past.

"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom," I said to Rylan who nodded and I stood up. Rylan watched me worriedly, but I made my way through the maze of people until I found the bathroom. For a moment, I only stared at my reflection in the mirror. All the emotions from the evening have taken a toll as a pair of tired eyes stare back at me.

I stepped out of the bathroom door as I was done. On the way back, a man stumbled upon me and the drink in his hand spilled all over his white shirt.

"Oh, shit," He grumbled unsteadily as he looked down at himself.

"I'm sorry," I apologized as he frowned, but it faded quickly as he gazed up at me. He appeared to be a few years older than me.

"No, it's fine," He grinned as he watched me up and down. I clenched my jaw in discomfort and I was about to pass him, but he went into my way.

"I haven't seen you here before," He stated and smiled at me cheekily.

"I'm not from here," I responded as I folded my arms over my chest.

"Clearly," He chuckled as he moved his hand through his short brown hair.

"You owe me a drink," He glanced down at his stained shirt and then raised a teasing eyebrow at me. Behind him, a few guys were trying to hide their amusements but failed completely.

"I don't think so," I narrowed my eyes.

"You were the one who walked into me," I stated firmly, yet it didn't wipe the smirk on his face. Instead, it only seemed to have elaborated it. A hand on the back of my shoulder made me swirl around quickly, but I was faced with a pair of blue eyes.

"Rylan," I breathed out unexpectedly.

"Are you okay?" She asked softly.

"I'm fine," I responded, yet Rylan looked over my head at the man behind me. I swear her eyes turned colder than they have ever been before.

"Is there something wrong ?" Rylan asked the man as I held onto her arm and hid somewhat behind her tall form.

"Nothing, we were just talking," He smiled teasingly at Rylan. The muscles in her arm tensed strongly.

"Okay, then. Ready to go back? " She gazed down at me as she asked.

"I wasn't done talking ," He said and Rylan's head elevated immediately back at the man.

"Rylan," I said and tucked onto her arm.

"Let's go," I pulled on her arm and she gave up the battle as she turned around with me. Instead of going back to the table to her family, I brought her up to the bar to let her settle down.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I still held onto her arm.

"I'm fine," Rylan smiled. She raised her hand up and let it linger in the air before she brushed my hair behind my ear.

Before I could say a word, the man from before had laid his hand on Rylan's shoulder. Her eyes extended widely as she took the hand off her shoulder and spun around. The man shouted in pain as she had twisted his arm to his back.

"Rylan!" I yelled and went over to her.

"Let him go," I commanded as I tried to pull her hands off him. Yet, the look of panic in her eyes is something I haven't seen before.

"Rylan, look at me," I demanded and it took her a few seconds before she had acknowledged me. She blinked and breathed rapidly but let him go quickly.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" The man shouted at her and I stepped in the middle of both of them.

"I was going to apologize!" He spat at her and then left without a struggle. Spinning around, I watched Rylan dumbfounded. However, she doesn't seem to be much present.

"Are you all alright?" Lola asked worriedly from behind. When I faced her, I noticed how pale Lola appeared.

"I think so," I took Rylan's hand into my own.

"What happened?" She asked and her eyes never left Rylan's empty face. I explained to Lola what had occurred, but it wasn't until I told her that he had surprised Rylan by laying his hand on her shoulder that made a reaction in her.

"He must have startled her," Lola said into my ear and I furrowed my eyes in confusion.

"You should take her home,"