CEDAR CREEK SERIES

DYLAN

Walking into the bar was overwhelming. I wanted to meet everyone somewhere public and play it off like it wasn’t a big deal that I was home. As soon as I walked in I felt eyes on me. I smiled and said hi to familiar faces. I saw my brother at a table with his friends but I wasn’t ready for an interrogation so I walked up to the bar to get a drink first. It was loud here with a local country band blasting and people dancing. It was way more relaxed than the L.A. club scene. 

“Well well well look what the cat drug in,” I knew the voice as soon as I heard it, Jax was yelling at me from across the bar. Jax was Tommy’s opposite in every way. I had been crushing since, well forever, but weren’t we all? He had always been hot, but seeing him for the first time in four years almost overwhelmed me. I was 5 ’10’ ‘ and he was a solid 6 inches taller than me, he had broad shoulders and thick muscular arms. His brown hair was kept short, piercing blue eyes that stared into your soul and a full sleeve of tattoos. That was knew the last time I saw him he had a handful of tattoos. He epitomised sexy and he fucking knew it. The sexiest part was his one full dimple that gave away what he was thinking instantly. 

“Get your ass on this side of the bar and give me a hug!” I yelled at him. He hopped over the bar, and gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to melt. Instantly butterflies were in the pit of my stomach. I could do love scenes with actors but Jax Evans kisses my cheek and I swoon. Damn I was pathetic. When he wrapped his arms around me he enveloped me with the smell of sexy cologne and beer but he felt warm and I felt safe. 

“What the hell can I get you kiddo?” The way he called me kiddo made me want to stomp my feet like a toddler. He might be 4 years older than me but damn it I was an adult now and all he saw was a stupid kid.

“Well kiddo I’d like the strongest long island you can legally make me.” I said hopping up on an unoccupied bar stool. Even toned down I made sure I was the hottest one in the bar. 

“Damn maybe you ain’t a kiddo no more darlin.” he said winking at me. “You planning on breaking my baby brother’s heart tonight looking like that?” 

“Your sweet baby brother isn’t so innocent, and I plan on breaking everyone’s hearts tonight kiddo. Even yours.” I said his hand was on my hip, his thumb drawing circles on the little bit of skin that was showing. I swallowed hard at his touch. There was a line forming but his eyes were locked in mine as if he was reading my mind. 

“Kiddo? Damn Jax, I’ve heard you called a lot of things but kiddo sure ain’t one of em.” the other bartender walked over and snapped us out of our own little moment. 

“Red, you met the new kid yet?” Jax said laughing with his friend and going back behind the bar and starting on my drink. My skin was on fire where he had just been touching me. I wanted him to touch all of me. 

“I don’t think so. I’m Dylan.” I shook his hand, he was cute but too clean cut for my taste. Tall but skinny and pure sweetness was just radiating off of him. Jax was twirling my hair on his finger and it was driving me crazy!

“Spence.” He smiled and looked me up and down. “This is Dylan? Yup. I get it. You’re definitely hotter in person than in your movies.”  He laughed before walking away..

“Thanks?” I called after him. “Do I wanna know?” I asked Jax.

“Probably not.” He said laughing at Spencer. He kept leaning across to talk to me despite the line that was still forming next to me.

“So what’s new rock star you taking over this dump or what?” I sipped my drink intending to down it as quickly as possible. 

“Actually, at the end of the summer I am buying The Cedar. So please be nice when you’re talking about my dump.” He tried to seem casual, but his smile gave away how excited he was. 

“Congrats! Jax, that’s awesome.” I squeezed his hand but he kept hold of my hand placing it between his huge hands. I was genuinely excited for him; Jax would totally kill running a bar. 

“Thanks, it’s not really public knowledge yet.” He looked down slightly embarrassed but I could tell he was proud. 

“I can keep a secret, well other peoples not really my own apparently.” He smirked and his dimple came out. I wanted to just grab him and take him into the back room right now. Partly to hide from everyone else but partly so that I would get to experience Jax Evans even once. I thought I would on my 18th birthday, but all he had done was kiss me. That kiss took my breath away and I could still feel it on my lips all these years later. 

“You look really good, I-“ he started to say something when I felt a nudge on my arm. 

“Come on, everyone’s waiting for you!” Cam interrupted grabbing half a dozen beers.

“I’ll catch you later Jax. And you’ve always looked good.” I winked before following Cam. 

“Damn baby who you tryin to impress tonight?” Blake said as I slid in next to him in the booth he hugged me. 

“Calm down officer, she isn’t here to get interrogated.” Cam said.

“Officer?” I raised my eyebrow at him taking a sip of my drink.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Maddie asked me, “Blakey here is a cop now.”

“Ah, that explains these sexy arms.” I said squeezing his muscles. 

“No Cam I’m dead serious, how could your parents make something as ugly as you and as hot as your sister at the same fucking time?” Blake asked and Cam threw a bottle cap at him laughing. 

“Is it an adjustment bein back? I bet LA was just amazing.” Maddie said across from the booth cuddled up with Cam. Everyone thought they’d end up together but they have only ever been friends. Even after Zoie left Maddie was just his best friend. 

“It’s weird but it’s a nice change of pace. I’m Dylan.” I reached out to shake her friend’s hand.

“Caroline. I’m sorry I’m staring but I am SUCH a huge fan! I binge Flawless all the time, Maddie didn’t even want to tell me she knew you for the longest time for fear of fangirling.”

“Oh please, I love fans. Remind me to get you an autographed poster when I go back to LA next week.” I said genuinely. 

“Really?” she beamed. Maddie gave her a look telling her to cool it but it was part of the job.

“Of course, the easiest ask of the day.” I squeezed her hand. 

“What about you and the baseball stud? It’s all anyone could talk about for a while.” Blake asked.

“Carter and Dyl are ‘just friends’ they say,” Cam teased. He knew it was true but thought it was dumb that we pretended. He thought I needed a part of my life that wasn’t fake but it was the best protection I could’ve asked for. 

“Oh ya? Can I be just your friend too?” Blake winked at me chugging his beer. 

“We dated for publicity, but we’re really good friends. Carter is just as normal as all of you, I swear.” I didn’t need to lie here, I was home, I could be honest, and it would never make the papers. 

“Where’d that sexy little accent go?” Jesse, Tommy’s band mate asked, sliding next to me in the booth.

“Give her a few days. It always comes back.” Tommy said, joining us with another round of beers. It was the first time I’d seen him since he and Carter came to blows in January. Tommy was a good guy deep down but just extremely immature with a slight drinking problem. 

“Right. It always comes back.” I mumbled grabbing one of the beers. I knew I would see Tommy eventually but I was hoping I’d have a few days break. The rounded booth was full and I was dead in the middle sandwiched between Blake and Jesse. There was no escaping. 

We all sat and talked, well mostly they did. I wasn’t really a part of the conversation, that’s kind of how it went when I was home. They were my friends too but not really, I was just Cam’s sister. Sometimes they’d dance but I stayed put not wanting any more attention it felt like I was being watched even though I was probably paranoid. 

“Last round! Get your drunk asses out of here!” Jax yelled from across the bar.

“Anyone want anything else?” Blake asked. I looked over at Jax knowing exactly what I wanted. 

“Not me! C, walk us home?” Maddie asked Cam he nodded, grabbing her coat.

“You good Dyl, you need to crash?” He asked and I shook my head. Sleeping in Tommy’s apartment would be the last thing I did no matter how drunk I was. 

 Maddie turned to me before leaving the table, “Dylan wanna hang out tomorrow?”

“Sure, just text me.” I smiled, I didn’t have many girlfriends, so it would be nice to hang out with the girls for a change. I watched everyone leave in the same direction together. They were all living in these shitty little beach apartments called Beachview. They were cheap and within walking distance of the beach and all the bars in town. 

I looked over and saw Jax and Spencer wiping down the bar. It had cleared out in here but they didn’t kick me out yet. Maybe I will get my back room wish after all. It looked like Jax was about to say something when my phone started rining and Carters face slashed on the caller ID. I waved goodbye to Jax as I answered Carters Facetime.

“Hey princess, you ready for me to save you yet? Carter yelled, I could tell he was in some sort of club but he was grinning ear to ear his shaggy blonde hair covering his eyes.

“I had a great first day thank you very much.” I said sliding into my front seat.

“Oh yeah? You’re not bored to death?” he said knowingly.

“I just feel weird but it’ll get better. I met up with all my old friends and they’re way nicer than you.”

“What about lover boy? Surprised you didn’t just drive yourself right to his bed.”

“I want him. I don’t think he wants me back because he could’ve had me anytime.”

“Oh whatever!” he yelled, rolling his eyes. “Even I know how hot you are. Go get laid!” 

“On that note, good night C.” I rolled my eyes laughing at him.

“Night princess.” He hung on me and I realized how lonely I really felt sitting in the empty parking lot. Jax hadn’t come out but I was not brave enough yet to go back in there. I thought about the little touches on my hip and him holding my hand, I knew he didn’t do that with girls so maybe he really did just see me as the little kid he used to know.