Page 74 of Danger

I attempt a smile. “Thank you.”

Our food arrives and Danger digs into his scrambled eggs and toast. How does eating come so easily to men? Here I am a wreck. I’m a complete mess over what’s to come. Yet, Danger can eat like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

And maybe I shouldn't have a care in the world either. I wish I could get my feelings out of this mess.

I wish I didn’t have feelings. Sometimes they’re so explosive I can’t breathe. A suffocating madness inside of me breaking to be set free.

Is that what real love feels like?

Chapter31

Danger

Thoughts. Can you really have multilayered thoughts? I mean, sure I think about a few things at once. But, sometimes thoughts creep into my mind and I have to squash it out. Like the thought of Monterey and I forever. Now there’s a funny thought I can’t explore.

Even though every part of me wants to.

To say I can’t get enough of this woman is an understatement, but I need to. The season’s coming to an end, and I have things to do before it does.

I need to find my life.

Monterey’s phone rings, breaking me from my thoughts. “My dad, be right back.” She leaves the table and I watch her ass sway as she moves closer to the entrance.

I finish off the rest of my breakfast. “Everything ok?” I ask after a few minutes once she’s returned.

“Great news.” Sarcasm lights up her eyes and I can tell by the look on her face what she has to tell me is anything but great. “We have a big meeting with PR once we get back to LA,andan expose with theLA Sun.”

I blink. “PR? Did something happen?”

Monterey chews on her bottom lip. “No, I’m sure it’s nothing major. Ricky Moore with theLA Sunwants an expose as well.”

I grit my teeth. “That asshole shouldn’t get a thing.” I get up, reaching for my wallet to throw a few bills on the table to cover lunch. “Finish your breakfast. I’ll wait in the car.”

“Danger,” Monterey says, but I’m already walking away.

I head outside, letting the warmth of the sun hit my face. I pull out a cigarette and light it up. I’ve noticed since I’ve been hanging out with Monterey more and more I’ve smoked less and less.

I wish this guy would just leave me alone already.

“Danger.” Monterey walks up to me, looking like innocence and fresh sunshine. “Can you talk to me?”

I puff on my cigarette. I don’t want to talk. I’m tired of talking. I’m tired of feeling. It gets exhausting after a while. I don’t know how women do it. How they can constantly have these emotions bursting through them at all times of the day. “Nothing,” I say, even though after I say it I realize it’s not the right response to the question she asked.

“Danger.”

I ignore her.

“Danger, will you…” Her words are cut off by my total lack of being able to even look at her.

And it’s not her I’m mad at. I’m not even mad. Just lost.

“Dylan, will you look at me?”

I drop my cigarette and stamp it out with my foot. I cross my arms and face her. “I’m sorry. I’m just under a lot of pressure.”

She stares at me, studying and assessing. “I know you are. I’ll try to get my father to cancel the exposé with theLA Sun.”

“Wait.” I hold up a hand. “You’re sure Ricky requested it?”

---