Page 24 of Free
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Dyson smiled as he watched Faith and the other kids down on the beach. Matt and Noam walked with them, letting them play in the surf as it rolled over the sand.
"Wishing you could be out there with them?" Xander asked.
"Wishing I could be anywhere but here." Dyson turned to face Xander. They'd spent nearly the whole night talking, remembering the good and bad times together, but both avoided the fact that in just a little while, they would be parting ways, and neither knew exactly when they'd see each other again.
"You excited to lead a team?" Xander asked.
"Yes and no. I'm nervous, but excited. Not too happy with the location, but it's still better than prison." Dyson sighed. "I wish you could come with me."
"I've thought about it. You know Bry would let me if I made a big issue of it, but I can't do that to Matt and Faith. Their lives are here. Faith is happy at school, and she's got Lisa, or should I say Lisa has her. I don't want to think about how Lisa would be without Faith around. There are just too many factors now that I'm married."
"I know that. I don't hold any grudges. We both knew the day would come when we went our separate ways. It's not like it's over. You guys can come to visit. I'll call and keep in touch once things settle down."
"You better. Faith needs you as much as I do." Xander smiled.
"Keep an eye on her. The cops will be watching to see if I contact her since she was the one who wrote me in jail. Don't let her get caught up in all that. Lay low for a while." Dyson glanced out at the beach, watching Faith carrying Lisa's baby. "She's growing up so fast."
"I know. Soon enough, she'll be off to college. Hell, I never dreamed my life would be this way. I was just some fucked up kid, trying to stay sane after all the shit I'd gone through. I know you get it." Xander stared at him. "You going to be okay alone?"
"Yeah, I will. I'll keep it together like I always have."
"By distracting yourself with sex, refusing to let anyone close to you, and acting like all is right in the world."
"It is if I'm getting laid," Dyson joked, but Xander saw right past it, he always did. Xander knew better than anyone what Dyson was running from, what demons haunted him. "Seriously, I'll be okay. It's not going to be easy, but I'll get through it. When things get tough, I'll call you. I promise."
"Call me even when they aren't tough." Xander smiled.
"Dyson, time to get ready. You still need to do your hair." Bryon stuck his head out the doorway.
"Yeah, fuck." Dyson glared at Bryon. "Seriously, can't I get a wig, or find some cool color like purple?"
"We're trying to not bring attention to you." Bryon rolled his eyes.
"What color?" Xander asked.
"Blonde, like surfer boy bleach blonde."
"It won't be that light with your hair. It'll be more a sandy blonde." Bryon sighed. "Either way, get your ass in the shower and get changed. Rob will be ready in about an hour."
Dyson glanced at Xander. He refused to cry. He wouldn't let this goodbye be emotional. He'd beat someone up or fuck someone hard as soon as he could, but he would not cry. "Guess I'll be back."
"Yeah, I'll go grab the kids so you can say goodbye to everyone." Xander reached out and grabbed Dyson's arm, holding it for a moment as they stared at each other.
Dyson shook his head. "I gotta go get ready." He rushed off the deck and into his room, slamming the door shut. He leaned against it, breathing heavily as he tried not to think about all he was going to be leaving behind. This was hard. So fucking hard that he almost didn't want to do it. He could refuse, risk hiding in California, and still be close to everyone.
Angry and frustrated he strode across the room, grabbing the stupid box of hair dye from his dresser. He tore it open as he sat down on the toilet and read the directions. It didn't seem too hard. It would be the waiting for nearly thirty minutes to wash the shit out that would suck.
"Dyson?" Faith's voice came through his bedroom door.
He tossed the stuff on the counter and went out to open the door. Even though he was not in the mood for conversation, he couldn't say no to Faith. He slowly opened the door. "Hey, what's up?"
"Let me in." She pushed past him. "Dad said you're dyeing your hair."
He rolled his eyes.
Faith laughed. "It's actually smart. I mean, you don't want people to recognize you and end up back in jail, do you?"
