Chapter 86 86

Chapter 86 86
Dylan gets so distracted with talking to Henry  about school, between fielding various interruptions when Hyeri had questions. 

They pull up to a pretty big outdoor shopping mall that clearly Hyeri has experience with because she screams, “do I get to do the trampoline?!”

“only if you’re well behaved while Dylan does his shopping.” Henry glares at her over the center console.

“I mean it, Hyeri, behaves if so you can absolutely do the trampoline before we leave.”

He looks at Dylan with an eye roll “this mall has some bungee contraption that they hook kids up too and she loves going on it and doing back flips until shes green in the face.”

Dylan laughs, "I’m noticing a trend here…between the cartwheels and this…”

“she’s already an adrenaline junkie…I'm terrified for her to be big enough to ride rollercoasters.” Hyeri’s voice is loud from where she now stands between them as they walk.

“I’m only two more inches away!”

“lucky me” Henry scoffs.he points to the directory board that lists all of the stores, “take your pick kiddo, wherever you feel like shopping.” Dylan is overwhelmed already for now he just wants to get some basics…nothing too crazy.

He can find other things another time.

Dylan is still trying to make a decision when Henry takes a phone call ultimately deciding he has started with underwear and he can just window shop from there…but it is kind of insanely embarrassing to take them with him to a cälvin klein store.

Henry gives him a look, pointing to the phone with an eye roll, “he’s fine, son. we had breakfast and now we’re doing some shopping. he had the decency to be an active conversation participant instead of being glued to his phone so he missed your call.”

Whipping out his phone immediately he does see that Andre tried calling him four times just a few minutes ago. 

oops. 

Henry gives him the phone with an apologetic look, distracting Hyeri by taking her to a lemonade booth.

“I’m sorry—“ Dylan starts immediately but Andre cuts him off “why are you sorry? I just wanted to talk to you before I get back on the ice, I should be home a little after noon so you can eat lunch without me. but knowing you’re with dad and Hyeri you won’t have a choice”

“yeah…she’s already asked if we can get some yummy shake with cake in it” Andre gasps “oh shes such a brat! those are sooooo good!”

“do you want me to bring you one if we go?”

“no, it’s not the same if it isn’t fresh but thank you for offering baby”

Dylan watches where Henry and Hyeri stand in line and speaks quietly, "Is it totally weird to go to an underwear store with your dad and sister? I feel like it’s weird.” Andre laughs hysterically, “are you shopping for clothes?”

“yeah…i didn’t take nearly enough.”

“nah, honestly, if you guys went to the mall with the trampoline, her favorite shop is right across from the cälvin store. He'll just take her there.” Dylan exhales in relief before gasping, “how do you know i’d want to shop at cälvin?”

“many nights of admiring the way that fabric hugs your ass, that’s how.” Dylan chokes.

Henry and Hyeri have almost returned. “gotta go.” Andre makes a kissy noise into thenphone, “have fun, I love you.”

“love you too.”

A small cup of lemonade is placed in front of him as Henry smiles, “ready to get your shopping on?” Andre was right, before they even reach the entrance Hyeri sprints into the store that’s windows are lined with plushies and toys.

Dylan gestures across the walkway and Henry offers a thumbs up before chasing after her. It doesn’t take him long to find a few things. 

As someone who usually just shops online, he was pleasantly surprised to find a pretty good clothing selection too.

Truthfully, Dylan wasn’t planning on getting everything he needs in one store, but when an employee offers to take the things he’s already grabbed up to the register while he browses, he nods eagerly. At least this way he doesn’t have to drag Henry and Hyeri around this entire mall.

He knows he spent way too long when he can see Henry and Hyeri sitting on one of the benches outside of the store. but thankfully he’s finished and just needs to checkout.

Dylan’s skin heats up when the word DECLINED spreads across the little screen. that’s not possible.

Dylan is way too frugal for there to not be enough funds to cover this purchase. 

He should have enough built up to cover this purchase almost 200 times over. 

Feeling embarrassed he asks the cashier to hold the items while he steps away to call his bank.

She's really sweet and does so with no issue. but opening his bank app to find his account completely drained has

Dylan on the verge of passing out.

That’s not possible…it’s not—“hey..what’s going on?” Henry is crouched in front of him.

Grabbing the lemonade cup he nearly drops. “are you feeling sick?”

“no, i—i, I don’t know what happened , i—it was all there… i just checked …i know it was—“

Henry looks about as confused as Dylan feels, until he glances down at the phone in his hand and makes a frustrated noise. 

“Don't worry about that. Did you find something you liked?” Dylan shakes his head, the last thing he wants is for Andre’s family to do anything else for him–but one glance at the cashier who is watching them with concerned eyes gives away his lie. Henry tells Hyeri to stand next to Dylan and goes over to the register without hesitation.

Dylan can kind of hear him making friendly small talk with the cashier but he just keeps refreshing his account waiting to see it reload and properly display the money he’s worked at saving for the last four years.

the money that covers his room and board expenses on campus. He's really going to pass-out.

when Henry comes up behind him. warm hand on his shoulder, “we’ll make calls and figure this out once we get back to the house. just breathe for now. it’s alright. ”

Dylan feels sick, eyes watered as he tries to keep himself from throwing up at the thought of losing so many years of hard work, losing the funds to pay for his school... "I’m so sorry.”

“Don't apologize to me.” Henry guides them all out of the store, but he keeps a loose arm on Dylan’s shoulders

“You're ours now, family help each other figure things out. If you're ever needing something, we will make it happen. and it’s never an inconvenience and you don’t need to apologize. ever.” 

They find their way to the trampolines. But Hyeri isn’t bouncing with excitement anymore

Henry looks down at her, “go on, monkey. get your flips in. I'm starting to feel hungry.”

“but….Dylanie doesn’t feel good.”

"I’m okay.” Dylan says instantly, wiping at his face and smiling brightly "I really want to see you jump.”

“okay!” then she’s off and Dylan’s fists tighten around the handles of the bag he’s holding. 

Even if Henry insists he doesn’t need to apologize he can’t help the way this feels.

He’s freaking out and he needs Andre.

Another time he’ll worry about this dependency he’s formed with his boyfriend, another time when he isn’t spiraling into a panic, right now he just needs it.

His chest aches and his skin crawls with anxiety and stress and all of the worst case scenarios spreading rapidly in his mind.

Dylan survives through their day. Henry and Hyeri do a wonderful job of temporarily easing his mind and the kid was right about those shakes, he couldn't stomach much of it but what he did try was delicious. 

Even being back at the house still isn’t enough to quell his nerves. 

Henry said that when Denis gets home in a couple hours she’s better equipped to help with bank stuff. Which is fine.

it’s fine, Dylan just needs Andre so bad. He’s got his knees tucked up to his chest where he sits on the two seater. 

Henry and Hyeri are in the backyard doing something, while he just stares numbly at the tv.

He’s not paying any attention to what’s playing and as soon as that front door opens his heart all but stops. The tears are uncontrollable, still Dylan tries to be patient. letting Andre slip out of his shoes before bolting off of the couch.

“well damn baby, I was excited to see you too.” Andre laughs. hugging him tight and nuzzling his face into Dylan’s neck. but the heaving of his chest is too obvious because he’s yanking back instantly.

Those warm hands are cupping his face with worried eyes, “what’s wrong? did something happen today?”