Page 104 of Our Secrets and Lies

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Taylor pulled back. ‘Hey, I feel as if you’re going to eat me.’

‘I would if I could. You smell and taste so good.’ He kissed her neck.

Taylor giggled. ‘So the novelty of being back together hasn’t worn off, then?’

‘Nope, and it never will. I can’t get enough of you.’

‘Good, I feel the same way. Now, come on, let’s get some more champagne.’

Taylor pulled him by the hand up to the bar ofthe nightclub. Dylan stopped her. ‘Babe, I don’t have any more money.’

She waved a credit card at him. ‘That’s what this is for.’

‘I feel weird letting you pay.’

‘It’s my dad’s card and he never notices what I use it for. Come on, let’s just have fun.’

Dylan shrugged and let her order another bottle. The nightclub was way cooler than any he’d been in before. The DJ was playing great tunes,and he was having a ball. Taylor, champagne, good music … Life was great.

He glanced at his watch. It was one a.m. He had a match at eleven tomorrow morning. If he got to sleep by two, he should be okay. There was no way he was telling Taylor he had to go home early. She was still pretty touchy whenever he mentioned football. He knew she was worried that if he played badly he’d break up withher again, but he wouldn’t – he couldn’t. He was crazy about her. Besides, he could do both. He just needed to get to bed by two.

He texted Kelly.Mum asleep?

Yeah. Don’t be 2 late, match 2morrow.

Chill.

Lucy pulled back the curtains and light flooded the room.

‘Dylan, come on, up you get. It’s nine o’clock.’

Dylan peeled his eyes open. Christ, his head hurt. He had a flashback to the nightcluband coming in at half past three. Damn, he felt awful.

Lucy peered at him. ‘Look at the state of you. What time did you get in last night? Jesus, Dylan, the smell. Were you drinking?’

His mum’s face was red. ‘Only one beer, Mum. It was just with the lads.’

Lucy sat on the side of his bed and took a deep breath. He could see she was trying to control herself.

‘Dylan, I know by your bloodshoteyes that you had a lot more than one beer.’

‘Okay, I admit I had a few and I know it was stupid, but I’ll be fine. I just need a shower.’

‘Were you with that girl again? The blonde one? Taylor? I thought you’d broken up.’

Dylan paused. Should he lie or tell the half-truth? He decided to keep close to the truth. ‘Yes, I’m kind of seeing her again.’

‘Is she a drinker?’ Lucy asked.

‘Not really.I’m fine, Mum, everything’s cool, relax.’

‘It’s not okay for you to drink, Dylan, and especially not before a game. She’s obviously a bad influence. I don’t like this. You need to get rid of her.’

‘Calm down, Mum.’ Dylan did not want to get into an argument about Taylor. He just wanted his mother to go so he could get himself together. He felt horrendous.

Lucy glared at him. ‘Why did you drinkbefore a big game, Dylan? Why would you risk it?’

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