Page 47 of One Last Time?
“Taylor, I can’t apologize enough for what happened. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just…”
“Saw me as an opportunity to help your business?” I filled in. “I understand perfectly. That woman you were with is your girlfriend, and she knew about me. She looked like she knew about me, so that meant you came up with some plan to be with me.”
He didn’t answer. Thinking it in my head was bad, but looking at him and getting a confirmation was a truth that was hard to accept. It reminded me of what had happened and all the past fake boyfriends.
“I’m sorry, Taylor. I am. I came by today hoping you could forgive me enough to still put the investment you wanted to make in my company.”
Oh my God in heaven.
My eyes could have popped out of my head.
I stared at him point blank trying to process what he’d just said. He came here to ask for money. More money, like I hadn’t given enough.
I stared not quite knowing what to say. What was a good enough answer to give in this situation?Fuck the hell offdidn’t feel sufficient.
The door opened behind us, and Dylan came out holding a tray with the packs of meat he was going to use for the barbeque.
His eyes narrowed when he saw Brody.
“Hello,” he said, looking from Brody to me. I couldn’t hide how upset I was, and he noticed. “Didn’t know we were having guests, Taylor. Who’s this guy?” He set down the tray on the table and walked closer to Brody.
Both men were the same height, but Dylan was built with muscle.
“This is Brody,” I told him.
“And what is Brody doing here?” Dylan asked Brody, who was dumb enough to square off against him.
“He came to see if I could forgive him enough to still invest in his business.” I had to say it. Repeat the words that were uttered seconds ago, and yes, they sounded as insane saying them as hearing them.
Brody looked at me, then back to Dylan when he balled his fists.
“I wonder why Brody would think that was a good idea?” Dylan spat, stepping into his personal space.
“Who the hell are you?” Brody shot back when he saw the way Dylan looked at him.
“I’m Dylan, Taylor’s boyfriend, and you made a big mistake coming here today.”
Brody laughed and looked at me. “Is this the kind of idiot you picked up after me? Damn.”
That was his next mistake, and then he made another by pointing at Dylan.
Dylan threw a punch in his face so quick neither of us saw it coming. His fist balled and flew out in a split second, and the next second saw Brody on the ground grabbing his nose.
Seeing that Dylan was stronger and more able to handle himself, I thought Brody would have scampered away like the rat he was, but I had to give him credit for getting up and trying to come for Dylan.
I gasped in shock, moving out of the way when Dylan grabbed him around his neck, using the momentum and speed Brody came for him to hoist him into the air like he weighed nothing more than a rag doll.
It took Brody by surprise, and he gasped and writhed against Dylan’s grasp, grabbing at his hands.
“Fucking asshole. I told you, you made a mistake coming here today. Should have gone to the fucking bank,” Dylan barked. “People like you make me sick, getting with women and taking advantage. You won’t do it with my girl.”
Dylan threw him down, and Brody backed away seeing he was no match.
“Fuck the hell off and don’t come back!” Dylan growled like a ferocious animal ready to rip Brody apart.
I watched the whole scene play out before me. Brody getting up and rushing away down the path like he was trying to preserve what was left of his pride, and Dylan still glowering at him.
I watched, and it hit. It hit me like that eye opener Abby had talked about.
