Page 20 of Next Door Midlife Alpha
“Dylan,” she finally said as they drew closer to where they’d entered the beach, “is something wrong?”
He didn’t answer for a second, and then he slowly braked. He brought the Jeep to a halt and put it in park, sitting there for a minute and looking out over the water before he finally turned to her. Those dark eyes that she’d admired so much didn’t have that same friendly warmth in them any longer. Something else lingered behind them, something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. “I don’t think we can see each other right now.”
All the hope and excitement she’d worked so hard to allow herself to feel suddenly popped inside her chest like a balloon. It sank into her stomach, turning to lead along the way. The small muscles in her face twitched and jerked as waves of emotions moved through her, and she tried to figure out what to say. “Oh,” was the only syllable she managed.
“It’s nothing against you. You’re an amazing woman,” Dylan continued, his voice low and husky. He looked away from her, out at the beach and the ocean he knew so well. “I just have some things I need to work out in my life before I bring anyone else into it.”
Her body felt too heavy for her to hold up even in a seated position. This was more than the disappointment of a client not liking her marketing plan. It was more than the struggle of picking up her entire life and moving to a different place. Somehow, even though it didn’t make the least bit of sense, it was also even worse than when she’d discovered Todd’s indiscretions. Stacey tapped on that hard inner bit that she’d always kept at her core, the one that had gotten her through hundreds of board meetings and difficult clients. It’d been vital when she couldn’t show her emotions without giving up some of her power.
She coated her sadness in that candy shell of logic, one that was hard, even if it was a bit thin. “I understand. I’ve been a bit uncertain of how to handle this when Vivian and Elijah are part of the picture,” she admitted.
“Yeah.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. It was supposed to be a comforting gesture, she wassure, but it only made her long for that connection with him even more. “Lila is out of high school, but she still needs me while she gets settled into her adult life.”
Was there something more? Stacey thought he looked like he wanted to say something else, but then again, she often got that feeling from him. It was like there was always an extra sentence or phrase he bit off, stopping himself before he went too far. Not that Stacey could blame him for holding back. What could he really owe her after such a short time of knowing each other? “You’re a good father to her.”
He heaved a sigh. “I try. Sometimes, life gets more complicated than you think it will. Sort of like the sharks we get around here. You can’t see them out there under the surface, and it makes you feel like you might be safe. But then you see that fin rise from the water, head in your direction, and realize maybe you weren’t so safe after all.”
The metaphor was a little too good and punched Stacey in the stomach. She’d ignored any signs of such things since she’d come to Truro, but maybe this conversation with Dylan could be her warning.
By the time they returned home, the kids were already in bed. Lila smiled and ducked out the doorback toward her own house. There was no sign of Carol, who’d probably gone out and found some sort of nightlife that suited her fancy. It was just as well. Stacey needed a bit of quiet.
She crept upstairs to her room, stripped off the bit of makeup she’d worn, and changed into sleep shorts and a t-shirt. Stacey hadn’t been sure about this relationship. She’d teetered on the edge of her doubts for so long that her brain was sore from thinking it all over, but she’d decided to dive on in. Instead of hitting water, she felt like she’d splattered on the rocks. Dylan had his reasons, and they were pretty much the same ones she had, but it still hurt to get rejected the first time she actually tried to date.
Padding down the hall, she peeked into Elijah’s room. He was tucked into bed, softly snoring as he clung to his favorite teddy bear. He was still so young, but already, Stacey could see how much he was changing. The chubby face of his toddler years was melting into one of a ‘big kid.’ It both broke her heart and made it soar with joy.
Next door, she slipped in to check on Vivian. Her tutu was draped across the back of her chair, and Stacey smiled as she imagined Vivian getting it out so she could show it proudly to Lila. They’d have tofind some dance lessons nearby to sign her up for. Just like her brother, Vivian was changing. Before Stacey knew it, she’d be a teenager. Sure, she still had plenty of childhood left, but Stacey wanted to hold onto every moment of it as much as she could.
She went back to her room, snuggled down between the sheets, and picked up the book on her nightstand. There was no denying the ache in her heart, but she’d deal with it. After all, she had something to do that was much more important than going on dates.
11
“Damn, that was good.”Will pushed his chair back from the table and stretched. “You still know how to cook, Mom.”
“It’s not something a person really forgets,” she remarked as she stabbed a roasted Brussels sprout with her fork. “If you remember, I tried to teach you when you were younger. I didn’t want any of my boys growing up unable to take care of themselves.”
“Ross is clearly the only one who listened,” Jace commented. “I know I’m biased, but I’ve never had anything I didn’t like at Captain’s Quarters.”
“I think you have to give Hart the credit for that,” Ross said, smiling at his mate. “He’s the one who really has a passion for the culinary arts.”
“Stop it,” Hart grumbled, his cheeks turning slightly pink. “I like good food, that’s all.”
Dex reached across the table to grab another grilled bratwurst. “What about Dylan? He’s a pretty good cook, too.”
“I had to be if poor Lila was going to survive the summers on more than hot dogs and mac and cheese,” Dylan joked, thinking of those early years as a single dad when he’d floundered to figure out what to feed his daughter. Plenty of dishes had come out burned or flavorless at first, something he could laugh at now but had devastated him in the moment. “I’m still no gourmet.”
“Doesn’t matter to me,” Lila said, licking a bit of mustard off her finger. “I still look forward to your burgers and jambalaya.”
“I guess I should’ve come back sooner. Eating your catch gets kind of old, as does relying on whatever comes out of a can.” Will scratched his belly and craned his head toward the kitchen. “Is there anything for dessert?”
Barbara nodded. “There’s a pineapple upside-down cake.”
“None for me, thanks. I’m stuffed.” Dylan took his plate to the sink and rinsed it. His belly was full, but it was his mind that was heavy. He’d been in ittoo much, thinking too hard, and needed a release. As everyone else scrambled for cake, he slipped out the side door.
The beach was always serene, but it didn’t suit him tonight. It was too open and too close to Stacey. He turned in the other direction and dissolved into the shadows beneath the pitch pine trees. He moved along the familiar path in his human form for a minute, grateful that the Brighams had managed to hold onto a good chunk of land over the years. They needed space to be themselves, and that was just what he needed right now.
He drew in a deep breath of earthy air and let himself go as he let it out. His human form melted away slowly as his bear overtook it. His bones ground against each other as they changed, moving to new positions to accommodate this form. His claws sank into the damp earth and pine needles, and he relished this sturdier balance and position. Dylan’s senses in his bear form were far superior to any human’s, with a new focus to his vision and more perception in his hearing.
There was also a voice inside his head.
