Page 94 of Our Secrets and Lies

‘I’ll be with you in a minute.’

Dylan walked towards Taylor. She ignored him. He knew she’d seen him. She laughed even louder as he approached them.

‘Hey, Dylan, great game,’ Josh said.

‘Thanks.’ Dylan turned his back. ‘Hi, Taylor.’

She looked over his shoulder. ‘I have to go, Josh, but I’ll see you tonight. It’s going to be awesome.’ She flicked her hair and strutted off. Josh and Dylan watched her as she walked away in her tight black jeans.

‘I heard you guys broke up. Man, what did you do? She totally iced you out there.’

‘Nothing.She’s not available so hands off.’ Dylan glared at him.

Josh put his hands up. ‘Hey, no need to rip my head off. She told me she was single and that she was having a partytonight. She’s hot and, if she’s available, I’m going for it, man.’

Dylan grabbed Josh by the front of his jersey. ‘Stay the hell away from her.’

Josh pulled away. ‘I’ll do what the hell I want. Now back off, Murphy.’

Dylantried to calm his breathing. He heard a beep. It was his mum in the car, calling him over. He unclenched his fists, walked across to her and climbed in beside her.

‘What was that all about? You look furious. You should be smiling from ear to ear after that game. Did something happen with that girl? Are you fighting with Josh over her? For God’s sake, Dylan, don’t let a girl come between you andyour teammates. Forget about girls for now. You need to stay focused.’

Dylan didn’t trust himself to speak. He was trying to work out what the hell to do. He’d played out of his skin today because he’d been in bed early and focused on football, but the thought of Taylor with anyone else made him want to throw up.

As they drove home his mum talked about the game and how brilliant he was, butDylan was thinking, Taylor, Taylor, Taylor.

Dylan put on some of the designer aftershave Taylor had given him and the blue shirt she said was gorgeous on him. If she was having a party, he was bloody well going to it. No one was getting their hands on her. He couldn’t stay away. He had to be with her.

‘Where are you going?’ Kelly asked.

She watched him pulling on an old sweatshirt over hisgood shirt.

‘Out with a few of the lads on the team to celebrate the win.’

‘We both know that’s a lie. Don’t go to her party.’

Dylan looked at her. ‘What party?’

‘Come on, Dylan, it’s all over Facebook. Taylor’s free house party. Don’t go. Look how well you played today without her distracting you. Mum is on a high. Do you know what she said to me? “He’s nailed it. He’s shown them all howmuch he deserves to be in that school.” I found her dancing around the kitchen to the radio earlier. Mum, dancing!’

Dylan ran his hands through his hair. ‘I tried, but I can’t, Kelly. I can’t do it. I want to be with her and it’s driving me nuts.’

‘Come on. It hasn’t even been a week,’ Kelly reminded him.

‘I know, and I’m miserable. Life’s too short. I have to get her back. I’ll make sure Ifocus on football and school too. I’ll work it out. I might be late tonight, though, so cover for me, okay?’

‘I really wish you’d leave it, Dylan. She’s not good for you.’

‘She’s what I want.’ Dylan walked out of the door.

He cycled over to Taylor’s house and could hear the music from halfway down the road. Cars were parked all over the driveway and he could see people streaming through thefront door holding bottles of beer, wine, vodka and gin under their arms.

He waved at a few but didn’t want to get caught up in chat. He was on a mission. The front door was open and the music was blaring out from huge speakers. Dylan went into the kitchen looking for Taylor, but there was no sign of her.

He went through to the living room, but she wasn’t there either. He went across the halland into the room with the big snooker table. There she was, cheering as Josh hoovered up a line of cocaine. She was wearing a tight sparkly silver dress and her hair was all wavy, like she’d just been surfing.

She looked up and saw him. Her eyes widened in surprise.Then she turned away and put her arms around Josh. ‘I’ll have some, please.’

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