Page 95 of Our Secrets and Lies

‘Anything for you, babe,’ he said, and cut her aline of coke.

Dylan watched. Taylor snorted and wiped her nose, laughing. ‘Dylan doesn’t approve of having fun. I’m glad you do, Joshie.’

Dylan was over like a shot. He grabbed Taylor by the waist.

‘Hey, get your hands off me.’ She squirmed in his arms.

‘Dude, let her go,’ Josh said.

‘Get out of my way.’ Dylan elbowed Josh sideways and lifted Taylor over his shoulder. He carried her upstairs.

‘Let me go, you pig.’

‘Not until we’ve talked.’

‘I’ve got nothing to say to you. You made your choice very clear. Football over me.’

Dylan placed Taylor on her bed and locked the bedroom door.

‘This is my house and my party and no one invited you. Open that door,’ she shouted.

‘Not until you listen to me.’

Taylor stood up and turned her back to him. ‘You dumped me. I don’t ever want to seeyou again. End of.’

Dylan went over and put his arms around her. She shrugged him off and wiped her eyes. ‘I’m sorry, babe, I freaked out. I was worried about the scholarship and all that, but I made a mistake, a huge mistake. I miss you.’

Taylor turned to face him. ‘You can’t just dump me then change your mind, click your fingers and expect me to fall into your arms. I’m Taylor Lyons. Guysbeg me to go out with them and you … you just come into the school and use me, then break up with me. You hurt me, Dylan. I thoughtthings were going really well and then out of the blue you blow me off.’

Dylan reached out to take her hand, but she pulled it away. ‘I didn’t use you, Taylor. I’m crazy about you. You’re the most beautiful, sexy, amazing girl I’ve ever met. I’m sorry about endingit like that. I made a big mistake.’

Taylor twirled a strand of hair around her finger. ‘Yeah, well, I am pretty amazing. Josh keeps telling me how fab I am and trying to stick his tongue down my throat.’

‘I’ll kill him. I want you back. I need you in my life.’

‘What about football and me distracting you?’

‘I’ll work it out.’

‘How do I know you’re not going to dump me again if you lose yournext match?’

Dylan went over and put his arms around her. ‘I will never, ever break up with you again. I’m nuts about you. Come here.’

She punched him playfully in the chest. ‘If you weren’t so bloody gorgeous and strong and sexy and …’

Dylan leant down and kissed her, deeply and passionately. He felt her melt into his arms. He held her tight, wanting never to let go.

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