***Chapter Forty-Five***
Prior to having to worry about anything with my father, Dillon and I were back in our dorm room. Normally, I’d think nothing of her asking me questions, but this time she was catching on. Drew may have gone a smidge too far with his affection toward me earlier today. Thank goodness no one saw me kiss him, because that would have sent her off the edge. It was hard lying to Dillon, but I was going to try my best to not seem suspicious.
The tapping of her foot filled our tiny room as she looked at me with this weird look on her face. “So, Anna, what was that shit today?” She asked me.
Shrugging, I tried to act like I didn’t know what she was talking about. “What do you mean? Be a lot more specific, Dill.”
“Don’t you even pretend to be dumb now.” She caught me already. “You and Drew were awfully close today.”
Now I got nervous. “What can I say? We grew closer over the weeks.” Trying to keep playing this off was hard.
Dillon didn’t look like she was buying any of it. The look on her face was like she wanted to kill me for lying to her. What was I supposed to do, though? I shouldn’t have even told Cameron what was going on. We were such a small group. Any word getting back to Julie and I’m done for. Not to mention Drew wouldn’t like it if I’m babbling our secret to any and everyone. Even if it’s just his sister. It was meant to be kept a secret, and I was trying to live up to it. Dillon made that task harder than it should have been.
“That was more than a bit of closeness,” Dillon points out. “I haven’t seen Drew that relaxed in…well ever.”
That made me feel good about myself for a moment. Could I be his relaxant, too? “You’re definitely reading too much into this.” I keep up my charade.
Her lips purse. “Am I? Or is my best friend a dirty, lying dog?” She questions with amusement in her tone.
I laugh, rolling my eyes at her. “You are, completely.” I say, “we’re just friends.”
She scoffs, leaning back against the wall. “The way he was flirting seemed like more than just friends.” And that’s when it clicked for her.
The look on her face was something one couldn’t miss. When she realized what she had said, it all came together. I almost forgotten that I asked her and Cameron for advice about being friends with benefits with someone. Now that she’s seen our interaction that we’d normally keep private, she pieced it together. It’s better that she came up with the conclusion on her own so that I didn’t bear any responsibility for her finding out. It still didn’t make it ok that she knew, but it’s only two people, right? Two people I knew for a fact wouldn’t tell Julie anything.
Her eyes were wide as she sprinted over to my bed with this look on her face. “You sneaky bitch!” She yelled out of excitement. “When were you going to tell me?”
I shrug with a nervous expression. “Um…never but not because I didn’t want to.” I say, hoping she wouldn’t be too mad at me.
“Obviously, Juliana doesn’t know a thing.” She conquered. “I can’t believe my brother is who you were talking about.” She was still trying to process everything.
Nodding, I explained to her how it happened and why. Luckily, she was understanding and didn’t scold me the way I thought she would. Instead, she seemed happy about the whole thing, but also in complete shock. It’s not every day that I lived on the wild side of things. Dillon knew this and was thrilled that I’m coming out of my shell. However, there were obvious consequences for my actions that neither Drew nor I could figure out to avoid.
I look at Dillon pleading with her to keep this a secret. “Please don’t tell her, Dill. I honestly thought it would be over after our argument, but he brought it up again.” I admit.
She scoffed with a roll of her eyes. “Drew and Juliana break up all the time,” she says. “I’d be glad that my brother now has a reason to break up with her for good.”
That piqued my interest. “What do you mean for good? I doubt he’d break up with her for me.” The idea was ludicrous.
“Why? If he’s willing to do all this for you, I’m sure he’s willing to go that extra mile.”
I understood what she meant, but I didn’t see it happening. They’ve been dating for so long that I just couldn’t see it. They have a history that Drew and I don’t. The only thing remotely close to a history is him saving me that day. However, it was always very one-sided until now. He couldn’t possibly let go of everything he’s been through with Juliana over the years. I knew she would not take too well if Drew ending their relationship. Especially if it’s for me. She already warned me to stay away. I don’t even want to find out what she’ll do when she hears about our little secret.
There was also a part of me that wanted to think that maybe Drew would leave her for me. I didn’t want to sound so harsh because, at least from an outsider’s view, I know what it’s like to get left for someone else. The same situation my dad was in, I now was facing. I’m also my dad in this situation and although I can’t relate to the decision part of the ordeal, I could relate to being the other woman. It’s not a fun feeling and you never know what could happen. But if Dillon’s right, maybe their next break up would be for good. Then I’ll have no worries.
Still, I wasn’t confident that it would ever happen. There were too many layers that I didn’t even know about to solidify any of it being true. I’m practically along for the ride until something changes.
A sigh escaped my lips just thinking about it. “There’s still too much that I don’t know about him or his relationship with her,” I say. “Until I know, I doubt that’ll ever be the case.”
Dillon heard my point, slightly agreeing. “Maybe, but just because you don’t know things doesn’t me the other outcome can’t happen.”
I laughed. “Since when do you care about me dating your brother?” I ask her.
“Truthfully, I don’t.” Always so honest. “But I saw the way you two look at each other, and that’s what I want to see on both your faces all the time. Even if Drew and I don’t have a relationship. I want him happy.”
Of course, she would want her brother to be happy. I’m positive that’s what all siblings want for each other. Unless they really hate the others gut. That wasn’t present in Dillon and Drew’s relationship. They both looked like they cared about each other and wanted what was best. In Drew’s case, Dre was best for Dillon. While Dillon seemed to think that I was best for Drew. If there would be any consolation to any of our sneaking, it’ll be getting these two a better relationship. It’s going to happen if it’s the last thing I do.
Smiling, I shifted the conversation to her. “Do you ever plan to work out your differences with him?” I needed to see where her head was at.
She went silent for a moment before giving me an honest answer. “Maybe not, but things could change.” She didn’t seem too optimistic about it, but she also didn’t deny it happening.
“Well, I’m sure he’ll love it if you guys could talk.” I said. “I mean…most of your problems come from your parents, right?”
She nods. “Yeah, all the favoritism and shit.” Her eyes roll.
“Exactly, which is why you guys should come together and end this crap with them. They’ll never learn if you guys aren’t united.” I was the last person who should give this lecture.
That didn’t stop Dillon from taking in my words. “I don’t know, but you may be right.” She looks at me. “I’d love to have a relationship with him at some point, but it doesn’t seem like that’ll be now.”
It was going to happen even if I had to force them into a room together. Obviously, I would have lots of help from Dre and Cameron. Even Juliana, if she cared at all. Before this Halloween outing, Dillon and Drew were going to come together like they’ve always been close. I’m not sure how their closeness would affect her relationship with Dre, but Drew had to trust him. Them fixing their sibling problems shouldn’t change that.
Dillon and I continued discussing our romantic interest as the night carried on. Hearing about how she and Dre are doing made me excited to see where they go in the future. I wish my relationship with Drew was like that, but I didn’t have that luxury. Instead, I’m taking what I could get out of the whole debacle. Even if it meant that one day it’ll end. It sure was better than dealing with my daddy issues.