I thought of them possibly hooking up—of the chaos it would cause with all of us under one roof. I was going to have to talk with Dylan about my sister as soon as possible.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Drugs weren’t the only thing Miley was addicted to.
She was also addicted to love. But when love fucked her over, she did everything in her power to numb herself and forget about it. That’s why I had to talk to Dylan. But I didn’t talk to him right away. I waited three weeks after he’d settled in.
It wasn’t so bad with him around the house. Roland gave him the attic, which was a loft, practically built like a studio apartment. He stayed out of the way for the most part, only doing requested errands and work around the house, like painting rooms for us or moving new furniture around that I’d ordered for a particular room. He caddied for Roland on the course a couple times a week. He never complained, never griped, never made a face. He did all that was asked of him with a smile and a pep in his step, and I appreciated that.
So, to thank him, I set up brunch with Yadira in the sitting room that had the skylights and invited him by leaving a note taped to his door. He came on time, dressed in black jeans and a gray pullover hoodie.
“What’s all this?” he asked, smiling as he studied the spread on the table between us.
“It’s for you.” I put on a smile. “I thought I’d thank you for how hard you’ve worked and, most of all, for putting a smile on Roland’s face.”
“Well, that’s no problem.”
I shifted my weight in my nude stilettos, then pointed at the ivory recliner next to him. “Sit, please. Join me.”
He sat and looked at me for reassurance as he reached for a green china plate. I nodded and smiled, then reached for my own plate. I chose my good plates—the green ones were my favorite because green had recently become my new favorite color. Green represented new beginnings, peace, and harmony—all the things I wanted in life. After Dylan prepared his plate and placed it on the table between us, he slid to the edge of his seat and dug in.
“So how are you liking it here?” I asked.
“Oh, it’s nice as hell,” he said, chewing a slice of bacon. “It’s like being on permanent vacation. I really appreciate you letting me stay, by the way. I know you and Roland just built this place and all and probably wanted more time alone in it.”
“Don’t worry about that. He’s really happy you’re here.”
He stopped chewing and cocked his head only slightly. “Are you happy I’m here?”
“Doesn’t matter how I feel.”
“Of course it matters. Roland didn’t run any of this by you. He kind of just sprung it on you, but I was under the impression that you two had at least spoken about it before I’d arrived.”
I pressed my lips.
“Did he even tell you I was coming to visit?” he asked. “That he wanted me to caddy for him?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Hmm. Guess he wanted to surprise you. Roland is all about surprises.” Dylan flashed his perfect white teeth at me. That was probably what Miley was attracted to. His smile. He had a beautiful smile. Naturally straight, clearly took care of his teeth.
“You grew up in Colorado, right?”
“Denver,” he said, nodding.
“Roland tells me you two were like brothers. What was that like?”
“He is like a brother to me. I have two sisters and one older brother. My brother is the second youngest but there’s a big age gap between us, so we didn’t grow up as close to each other as I’d hoped. Nine-year difference.”
“Wow.”
“But me and Roland hung out every weekend. Used to spend the night at each other’s houses.” His brown eyes flickered up from his plate to me. “I came here because my mother died.”
“Oh—oh my God, Dylan. I’m so sorry.” I pressed a hand over my heart.
“It’s okay. And if you’re wondering what from, lung cancer. She was bad about cigarettes. Told her so many times to quit,” he said with a shrug and half a smile. “That was my mom though. Ready to gamble anything, even her own health.”
I didn’t know whether to smile with him or remain serious, so I didn’t react at all.
“Roland heard the news and that’s when we discussed me moving in with him and all that. I lived with her, but her house has a lot of debt that I can’t afford, so my oldest sister, Yvette, took it over. Basically kicked me out so she can try and clear the debt herself, renovate it, and then sell it.”
“Oh. Well, it makes sense that Roland took you in then. He didn’t tell me about your mother passing though.”