Damaged: The Dillon Sisters by Layla Frost (young adult books to read TXT) 📗

It did hurt. It was just worth it.

I grabbed my stuff and Muppet before heading outside to Alexander’s car. My body was sore, and I was wiped, so I was grateful I wouldn’t have to deal with the bus. Not that I was gonna tell him that. “I think I’m going to have to change your name in my phone.”

“To what?” he asked as he closed the distance to help with my load.

“Stalker.”

“In my defense, I missed you.”

As far as defenses went that was a pretty damn good one.

“What do you have it as now?” he asked, not expecting me to reciprocate the sentiment.

“Tech Nerd.”

“When it comes to you, stalker would also be accurate,” he openly admitted with a chuckle. He scanned over my head—which, given our height difference, just meant he looked straight ahead—before kissing me.

I knew he didn’t care who saw us. His discreetness was for my benefit. It made me melt into him, which pretty much nullified that effort, but it was still appreciated.

If I hadn’t blown our stealth, Muppet’s barking surely had. It didn’t matter that he’d never seen Alexander before, he went wild, barking and fighting to lick before barking some more.

The barking I didn’t get.

The urge to lick Alexander, I definitely related to.

“Is this your sister’s dog or are you actually swiping office supplies?” Alexander took the leash before the amped up pup tugged my arm out of its socket.

“This is Muppet. And he’s not just Aria’s, he’s my new nephew. I’m bribing him with treats so I can be his favorite.”

Wrapping his arm around me, Alexander grabbed my ass and hauled me closer. So close, I could feel his hard muscles and his hard something else. A wicked smile curved his mouth. I’d never known a smile could be so depraved, yet there we were. “You’re my favorite. And you don’t even have to bribe me with treats.”

“Really? Because I was thinking earlier that I was in the mood for you to eat my treat while I enjoy yours.”

Alexander’s hold on my ass tightened, his fingertips digging in. “I take back what I said. Bribe me. Multiple times. All the fucking time.”

“Too late.”

“You, my pretty flower, are a tease.” He released me and opened the passenger door.

Muppet jumped right in and faced forward. If he had thumbs, he probably would’ve buckled up.

“This is gonna be awkward since I like to hold hands while I drive,” Alexander said.

Once we were all in the car—with Muppet panting on my lap with his head out the window and my hand securely in Alexander’s—I asked, “Could you afford a private island?”

“Yes,” he said simply.

“Would you name it Briar Isle?”

His lips tipped. “If you wanted.”

“I don’t. I’m not big on sun and sand chafes. But I was just curious if you could. Anywho, what’s the plan for tonight?” At the look in his eyes, I added, “Before that.”

“Figured we’d go to my place and I’d fix you dinner, but I’m guessing your sister has to pick her dog up later?”

“You’d guess correctly.”

“And I’m guessing you don’t want her to pick him up from my house.”

“That is also correct.” Before he could take offense, I rushed on. “I do want you to meet her. Eventually. It’s—”

“All good, flower.” He squeezed my hand. “It’s all good. We’ll go to your place. Do you have anything I can cook?”

“Cereal, bread, and frozen fish sticks.”

He grimaced as he began driving. “I’ll drop you off and go shop.”

“I don’t have pots or pans.”

“None?”

“I have a cookie sheet and a microwave.”

“Got it. We’ll go to your place and order delivery.”

That was it. Simple as that.

Even though he was okay, I still wanted to explain. “I’m private, but it’s more than that. Aria’s spent the last six years worrying over me. I’d say like a mother, but as you know, ours wasn’t very, well… motherly. Now she’s got something going with a new guy, a new practice, and a new dog. I want her to focus on that new.”

“You’re a good sister.”

I mulled that over in my head for a minute. “You always do that.”

“Do what?”

“Say the right thing.”

“And that’s why I’m your favorite.” Releasing my hand, he encircled my thigh and squeezed hard. “But don’t worry, flower. I’ll still bribe you with a treat.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Filter

Briar

For cheese sticks, milkshakes, and warped support

“LET’S TALK ABOUT the people in our lives.”

That sounded about as much fun as juggling chainsaws in a ragweed field during allergy season.

Derrick leaned forward in his chair. “Everyone knows having a support system is key. Humans are social beings who crave interaction. But it’s important that those people we surround ourselves with aid our mental health not hinder it. Tell us someone who lifts you up…” He scanned the small group. “Meghan.”

“Uh, Ethan.” Her cheeks heated, tinging with pink. “He gets me.”

“Good. That’s important.” He gave her one of his signature sad smiles. “Frankie?”

“My girl and my mom. They don’t make me feel like shit for feeling like shit.”

“Feeling your emotions is vital. Jenna, what about you?”

“I’ve had to cut a lot of toxic people from my life. Like, a lot. I think my bestie Chelsea is, like, my anchor.”

“An anchor would weigh you down and drown you,” Jared pointed out.

“Oh. Right.” If Meghan’s cheeks had heated, then Jenna’s were a full-on fire. “Well, she helps me. She always listens and goes out of her way to do nice things for me.”

“What about you, Jared?” Derrick asked. “Who keeps you afloat?”

He tilted his head and thought for a moment before answering. “My boy Mac.”

“Don’t you mean your buoy Mac,” I joked without thinking.

I really should’ve thought.

Everyone but Jenna chuckled, so at least my corny humor was appreciated. But it also meant I’d inadvertently turned everyone’s focus my way.

“Who’s your person?” Derrick asked me.

Alexander.

I didn’t have to be a shrink to know that his name being the first to pop into my head said a lot.

“She’s lucky,” Jenna said. “It’s Dr. Dillon.”

“Let her answer for herself,” Derrick chided.

She wasn’t