Chasing Lyrics (Music & Lyrics #1) (11 page)

Chapter
21

‘
So much
more than my heart you stole’

Lyrics –

      Thirty years old! In
Germany celebrating my birthday with the man I have loved since I was thirteen
years old, I could have never imagined this! I get out of bed and walk out to
the living room area. There is a vase filled with gorgeous flowers and a big
birthday balloon. I notice a note sticking out from beneath the vase so I pick
it up and read it. As I lift it, Tanner’s credit card slides out.

     “Happy birthday, babe! I
will be back by six o’clock. There is a mall about three miles from here, take
my card and go get an outfit for tonight, and whatever else you want. Please
pick me out something too. I’m so sick of this Gap shit! I love you!”

      As I’m letting the shower
warm up, I get a text.

      “Happy birthday, Dylan. We
miss you and love you. Give Tanner a hug and tell him to call me soon. Mom.”

      This is the first
birthday that I will not be celebrating with her and the Dads. She always
brings a smile to my face. I can’t even imagine what my life would be like
without her in it. I text her back. “Thank you, Mom! We are having a ton of fun.
Tanner is taking me out tonight to celebrate. I will call you soon. Tell my
Dads hi and I love them!”

     I don’t know if it’s
because it’s my birthday, turning thirty, or what, but I can’t help reminiscing
on my life with the Staff family. When Brent would come home from college, they
would always have a family barbeque. One year, I had to work on the Saturday
they were planning to have the barbeque. Mom would not have it without me
there, even though I told her it was okay. She refused. She said, “Dylan, this
is a family barbeque; it isn’t complete without you!” Because of her, I grew up
with a mom that loved me so much. Because of her, I was part of a family. Of
course, I would give anything to have my actual mom in my life, but I am
certain that she sent the Staff family to me. Even Brent’s kids, Chase and
Maddie, call me Auntie Dylan. An incredible feeling of gratitude overcomes me
and I feel whole. The boy I have been in love with for seventeen years is now
the man that loves me back…and not just as his best friend! All the fantasies
of being his girl have come true. Wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Daring
to think what it would be like to have sex with him. All the prayers that one
day he would want me the same way I always wanted him. True! They all came true!
My heart has been his forever. There’s so much more to our story than just
right now. There’s nobody in the world that knows me better than Tanner does. How
many people are with somebody that share memories from thirteen years old? I
mean, he has stolen so much more than just my heart. If we broke up, he would
take my whole life with him. The thought alone brings a knot to my stomach and
lump in my throat. Life without Tanner is literally unimaginable to me.

      I shake the thoughts out
of my head and get ready to find the mall he described. Shopping and I have
never been friends. He said pick out a formal outfit. I wonder what he has
planned. As I grab his card, I smell the flowers again. They are fresh and
vibrant! In all the years I have known him, he has never given flowers to a
girl.

     The concierge gives me
directions to the mall and I believe he says even a dummy could understand. I
just smile and chalk it up to language differences. I head out on this mission
I have been given. It is gorgeous outside, a perfect day for a long walk. I
can’t help but notice people looking at me as I strut past them. I realize that
I have a lot of pep in my step today so people may be wondering what drugs I am
using! I spot the mall and it is massive. I open the door to step in and there
are little kids running wild in the play area. Loads of people are buzzing
around, on their phones, speaking loudly, or just meandering aimlessly
throughout this hypnotic shopping mecca!

      Walking around, not being
able to read any of the store names, I decide to go inside this fancy dress
shop. By the looks of the patrons, I know this is an expensive store. Here I am
in Capri pants, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt, while the others are in pencil
skirts, heels, and fancy blouses. I guess that explains the lack of attention
the saleslady is giving to me. Just as well, I would rather look at the items
without trying to decipher what she is saying to me.

      After about fifteen
minutes of looking around, the lady finally approaches me. She looks like a
bitch and removes all doubt when she opens her mouth. “You just looking?”

      Although I want to throat
punch her, I respond, “No ma’am. I have a ton of money I have to spend. I just
don’t see anything that catches my attention in here.” The look on her face is priceless.
I turn and walk out. That felt like a “Pretty Woman” moment but it sure felt
good! Two stores down is another dress shop. This one seems a bit more diverse
and a lot less uptight. Right when I step in, the lady comes up to me and asks
what it is I am looking for. I tell her and she begins to show me dress after
dress. Because I have no idea what Tanner has planned, I decide to go with a
black dress. The saleslady brings out this stunning dress and tells me to go
and try it on. She brings a pair of heels for me to try it on with it. This
dress is gorgeous. Tanner is absolutely going to love it. It is a silky
material that molds against my body, strapless, and stops about mid-thigh. I
tell her, “This is perfect. I also need a necklace and earrings.”

      Her eyes light up and she
tells me in her deep German accent, “I be back. You will like what I have.” She
is gone for about five minutes and she returns with three more pairs of heels,
and a showcase filled with jewelry. She shows me the heels, which are all my
size without my ever telling her. There is a red pair, a black pair, and a hot
pink pair of heels from which to choose.

     I ask her, “Which would
you pick?” She smiles and grabs the pink ones. I say, “Me too!” She picks out
the jewelry that she thinks will look best with this outfit. I smile and say,
“Perfect! Thank you.” She asks me what the occasion is and I tell her.

      She comes around and
gives me a hug. “Happy birthday, pretty friend.”

      I kind of laugh and say,
“Thank you.”

      She says, “Oh, okay. Here
is perfume. It is no charge, present from me to you!” The smell is strong but
the gift was so sweet. I tell her thank you. She rings up the items and the
total comes out to $850 U.S. dollars. I almost shit my pants right there. Tanner
told me to get whatever I wanted, and I know he means it. I smile and
reluctantly hand her his card. As I pass by the store with the bitch in it, I can’t
resist sticking my head in, showing her the bags, and saying, “Big mistake! Huge!”
The loud laughter coming out of me is uncontrollable. I had no idea if she had
even seen Pretty Woman, but holy hell it was hysterical to me!

     Now I need to find Tanner
an outfit. This man could wear a t-shirt and boxers and look fabulous. Tonight,
I am dressing him up exactly how I want. After all, it is my birthday! I look
around and am lost. I head back to the store where I bought my dress and ask
the lady where the nicest men’s suit store is. She calls a girl from the back
of the store and I believe tells her to watch the store. She takes my arm and
walks me into this men’s boutique store. She has a conversation in German with
the gentleman, and then tells me that he will get exactly what I am looking for.
I tell her thank you and she leaves.

      The man shakes my hand
and says, “I am Monroe. I am happy to help you.”

      I smile and say, “Nice to
meet you Monroe. I’m Dylan.”

     He says, “Dylan? That’s
not a boy’s name?”

     I laugh and say, “Yes,
normally.”

     He says, “It is a
beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”

      Very charming man. Monroe
asks me Tanner’s height, his weight, shoe size, hair color, eye color, and skin
color. Without missing a beat, I know all the answers. He brings me out a
bottle of sparkling water and tells me to sit down and relax. I watch him as he
goes from one side of the store to the other, back and forth. He comes back to
me with about six suits on a rolling rack. One by one, he shows them to me. They
are all nice so I begin eliminating by color. Tanner will not wear bright
colors, well not by choice. The Gap has him in pastels, which is hysterical to
me.

     Monroe says, “Want me to
pick?”

     My mind does a happy dance!
I say, “Yes, sir! Please, you pick.” He picks a black suit, gray button-up
shirt, black dress shoes, socks, and a black necktie with subtle specks of hot
pink in it.

      The smile on my face must
reveal a lot about my thoughts because Monroe looks at me and says, “I assume
this is going to be your birthday present.”

      My cheeks heat up and I
say, “I most certainly hope so.”

      He raises an eyebrow and
says, “This is why I have always wanted to visit America. You ladies are so
beautiful.” He rings me up and the cost is $1275.00 U.S dollars. A feeling of
relief comes over me knowing that his outfit costs more than mine did. I am drooling
imagining how handsome Tanner will look tonight.

     I flag down a taxi and
head back to the hotel. No way am I going to walk back with all these bags. As
I enter the lobby of the hotel, flashing lights blind me. I am literally
blinded and I can’t see what in the hell is going on. I raise the bags in front
of my face and speed walk to the elevators. The manager of the hotel demands
that the photographers leave me alone. He has them ushered out of the lobby
immediately. What in the world was that all about? I brush it off and head up
to the room. It’s four o’clock and Tanner said he would be here by six. First
thing I do is hang our outfits up so they don’t wrinkle. Lord knows, I am not
the ironing type. I check my phone and I have messages from Dad, Brent, and
Tyler.

     I open up Tyler’s message
and it says, “Happy birthday, beautiful. Miss seeing your pretty smile around
here. Let me take you out when you get home.” Shit! Glad Tanner wasn’t here
right now. I am sure he would be pissed. Not that he should be, I mean, Tyler is
a friend, and doesn’t stand a chance with me. At least not as long as I have
Tanner! I text them all back to say thank you.

Chapter
22

‘Unrecognizable
from who I used to be’

Tanner –

     “Jennifer, please wrap it
up! It’s Dylan’s birthday and I made reservations for eight o’clock. Please
take the fucking picture!” Even though I am well aware that she will use her
power to get what she wants, I can’t help myself.

      Jennifer looks at me and
says, “I am not going to rush my shoot so that you can charm your little farm
girl.”

     Chip rolls his eyes and
says, “Jennifer, we are done here in five minutes. If you are not happy, that
is too damn bad!” My mouth falls open. I have never heard Chip raise his tone
or say anything harsh.

      She glares at him and
says, “You don’t have to be nice to him, he isn’t gay. He will never fuck you.”

      Chip says, “And that’s a
wrap. Get your shit and get in the car or you can find a ride back.” I am
trying hard not to smile but it keeps appearing on my face. I really want to
high five him but I know I shouldn’t. Jennifer grabs a stack of clothes and
pouts, stomping her spaghetti legs all the way to the car. She throws her shit
everywhere and gets in. I hop in the front seat and Chip gets in the driver’s
seat. There is a creepy silence as we begin to drive.

      As we are pulling into
the hotel parking lot, Jennifer says, “Tanner, you shouldn’t cross me. Haven’t
you heard? I don’t play well with others.” I look back at her and wink. Jennifer
says, “Chip, I’m sorry for saying that to you. You know I love you.”

      Chip smiles and says, “I
got some bad news about my Mom last night. Sorry I was a little jumpy.”

      Jennifer says, “It’s okay
but don’t ever let it happen again.” When we park the car, she gets out and
leaves all her stuff behind. She comes to my window and says, “By the way
Tanner, don’t get used to this relationship thing with Dylan. It isn’t going to
last much longer.”

     I belt out, “Not everybody
is a skanky whore like you. We are fine. You don’t need to worry about it.”
     She looks at me with a devilish sparkle in her eyes and says, “Worry? Oh
honey, I am not the one that should be worried. Sometimes things happen that
are out of your control.”

      Chip says, “Jennifer,
just go up to your room and cool down.”

      She smirks and says, “You
guys can get my shit out of the car. The Gap doesn’t pay me to do labor.” Both
Chip and I bite our tongues so she will leave.

     We are clearing out the
car and I ask Chip, “What’s going on with your Mom?”

      He looks sad and says,
“She was told that her cancer has spread and her time is almost up.”

      I set down the stuff in
my arms and pull him in for a hug. “I’m sorry man. If there is anything I can
do, please tell me. If you need to go home, I fully understand.”

      He wipes his eyes and
says, “Thank you. We knew this was coming. I said my good-bye’s before I left. It’s
not easy though. Then to deal with Miss Whiney Pain in the Ass…man, I wanted to
choke her out!” We both laugh and begin heading for the lobby. Chip goes inside
first to make sure the paparazzi are not there. I am quickly getting sick of
them. Chip pops his head out and motions for me to come in. He tells me that
the concierge already kicked them out today. We head for the elevator and I see
Jennifer at the bar flirting with some poor sucker.

      I say to Chip, “Great,
she is getting wasted already.”

      Chip looks at his watch
and says, “Well, at least it is past four o’clock today.” The elevator opens
and we get inside. Trying to be cheerful, Chip asks, “So where are you taking
her?”

     I say, “The Main Tower
Restaurant. It is on the fifty-third floor and supposedly has an amazing view
of Frankfurt. The reviews say it is amazing.”

      Chip says, “To be in love
is the best gift of all.” The elevator opens and Chip gets out.

      I say, “Hey, man, if you
need anything just call me.”

      He smiles and says, “I’m
okay, thanks though. I’ll see you tomorrow at eight a.m. in the lobby. Hopefully,
Jenzilla will be in a nicer mood!” I smile and shrug my shoulders. As the
elevator door opens, I begin to get excited knowing who is waiting for me. When
I open the door, I hear her in the bathroom area. She is singing a George
Strait song. I sneak in and peak around the wall.

      “Holy fuck!” My mouth is
bone dry but I manage to mumble, “You look amazing.”

      She looks at me and says,
“Thank you, I should, it cost you a fortune.”

      I shrug and say, “Good,
it’s worth every penny!” My first instinct is to have some part of my body
touch hers, preferably my cock. Her shoulders are naked and begging for my
tongue to be on them, but I know if I do that, we will most definitely miss our
reservations. I say, “I’m going to get showered and changed. Did you happen to
grab me an outfit?”

     Lyrics looks me up and
down and says, “Yes, sir. You are my present tonight! I hope you like it. I
hung it up in the closet.”

      I softly kiss her cheek
and say, “Thanks, babe. You’re the best.”

      She asks, “You don’t want
to see it?”

     I smile and say, “Please,
you know me better than I know myself. Lyrics, we both know it will look
fabulous.”
     Lyrics rolls her eyes and says, “Of course, Mr. Model man.” I look at her
and wink.

      I get dressed quickly and
we head down to the car. Waiting outside is our limo. When the driver opens the
door, there are rose petals all over the floor and seat, just as I requested. Lyrics
gasps and looks at me. I smile and lead her into the car. She is playing with
the petals as a kid would. The restaurant is not far from the hotel. We pull up
to The Main Tower Restaurant and head up fifty-three floors in the glass
elevator. The view is breathtaking and the sky is perfect. Finally, we arrive
at the restaurant and, per my request, they seat us at a table that overlooks the
city. I ask the waiter to bring a bottle of the best locally bottled wine. He
shuffles off and brings one back within a minute. Both Lyrics and I are shocked
at his speed. He pours us each a glass. I raise my glass to hers and say, “To
your birthday, both of us in our thirties, and our future! I love you.”

     Lyrics says, “Cheers! Let’s
send a picture to mom. I’ll ask the waiter when he comes back.”

     I smile and say, “She’ll love
that.” When the waiter comes back, I order two appetizers. Lachs/Limone/Rum
(Salmon, lemon, and rum) and Tabouleh. Lyrics jumps in and asks him to take a
picture of us. He smiles and nods his head yes.

      Before we even sit back
down, she’s texting mom. When she pushes send, she looks at me and says,
“There, now it feels real!”

     My eyebrow raises and I
ask her, “Now?”

      She looks at me and says,
“It’s kind of like until I tell her or show her something, it doesn’t feel like
it actually happened.”

      She gets a text. “My
beautiful kids. That looks amazingly beautiful. You two are just gorgeous. I’ll
go show the Dad’s. Love you, birthday girl. And you too, son.”

      Lyrics smile is huge and
she says, “Wow, this wine is strong! I think I’ll have another glass.” The appetizers
arrive. We both dive in as if we are wild animals. We eat dinner and polish off
the bottle. Everything is perfect! When the waiter returns with my card, I
stand up and take Lyrics hand. She says, “Where are we going?”

      I smile and say, “That
would ruin the surprise.” She stands up and we head out. When we enter the
elevator, the walls are glass from top to bottom. Staring at our reflection in
the glass it is obvious that we are so different from just a few months ago, but
still just the same kids that grew up together. My whole world has changed
since we got together. It’s as if the man I used to be is totally gone and has
been replaced with a man that wants to plan his future, like with kids and all.
I am unrecognizable to myself, but for the first time in a very long time, I
love what I see.