Chapter Eleven

Caress

My hand trembles slightly as I raise it to knock on Joel’s cabin door. Dylan’s steady presence beside me is both comforting and nerve-wracking. We exchange a quick glance, and he gives me an encouraging nod.

“You’ve got this,” he murmurs, squeezing my hand.

Before I can respond, the door swings open, revealing Joel. His expression darkens as he takes us in, his gaze lingering on our joined hands.

“Well, if it isn’t the happy couple,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Come to rub it in my face?”

I wince at his tone. “Joel, please. We just want to talk.”

He steps back, allowing us to enter. The tension in the room is palpable as we settle on the small loveseat, Joel taking the chair opposite us.

“So, talk,” he says, crossing his arms.

Dylan clears his throat. “Look, man, I know this isn’t how you wanted to find out. But I need you to understand that what Caress and I have is real.”

Joel scoffs. “Real? You’ve known each other for years, and suddenly you’re in love? Forgive me if I’m a little skeptical.”

“It’s not sudden,” I interject, my voice stronger than I feel. “These feelings have been building for a long time. We just… finally stopped fighting them.”

Joel’s eyes narrow. “And what about all those women you’ve dated, Dylan? The ones you never commit to?”

Dylan tenses beside me, but his voice remains calm. “I’m not gonna fight you on this, man. I’m not. I’d hoped you would know me well enough to know I’d never disrespect or play with Caress’s heart like that.”

He runs a hand through his hair, sighing. “Look, I don’t know how you’re going to find it within yourself to accept this, but you better figure it out, and you better do it fast because I love your sister, and I’m not stepping away from her, not even at the cost of our friendship.”

My heart swells at his words, and I squeeze his hand tightly.

Joel stands abruptly, pacing the small cabin. “What the hell, Cari? Dylan? Of all people?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “Yes, Dylan. Joel, I know this is a shock, but-”

“A shock?” he interrupts, turning to face us. “Caress, you don’t understand. I’ve known Dylan all my life. That’s exactly why I know he is all wrong for you.”

I sigh. “Babe, do you mind giving Joel and me a moment?”

Dylan leans over and kisses me lightly. “I’m gonna go out and grab us something for breakfast, so you two can talk. Give me a call if you need me.”

With that, he turns to leave without so much as a glance in Joel’s direction. As the door closes behind him, I feel suddenly vulnerable without his presence.

“Seriously, Cari?” Joel starts again as soon as we’re alone. “Why Dylan?”

I sit up straighter, meeting his gaze. “Why not, Dylan? Is that really so hard to believe?”

Joel sighs, his shoulders slumping as he sits back down. “I’ve never seen Dylan really settle down with anyone before. Most women just want him because he has a little money. I don’t want you to be another notch on his bedpost.”

His words sting, but I push past the hurt. “Is that really what you think of me? That I’m some gold digger?”

Joel’s eyes widen. “No, of course not! I just… I worry about you, Cari. You’re my little sister.”

I soften at the concern in his voice. “I know you’re just trying to protect me, Joel. I appreciate that, I really do. But I’m a grown woman, and I can make my own decisions about who to love.”

“Love?” Joel’s eyebrows shoot up. “Caress, you’ve never mentioned loving any of the men you’ve dated before.”

I meet his gaze steadily, a small smile tugging at my lips. “That’s because I’ve never felt this way before. I love him, Joel.”

He studies my face, searching for any sign of doubt. “You’re sure about this?”

I nod, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at the admission. “I am. I promise I’ll be careful, but I’m going to go after this thing with Dylan wholeheartedly. He’s a good man, Joel. You can’t say otherwise. You wouldn’t have remained friends with him this long or gone into business with him if that wasn’t the case.”

Joel’s shoulders sag as the fight leaves him. “You’re right. Dylan is a good man. I just… I’ve seen how he is with women, Cari. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I reach out, squeezing his hand. “I know. And I love you for it. But you have to trust me on this. Trust Dylan, too. He’s not going to hurt me.”

“How can you be so sure?” Joel asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

I take a moment to gather my thoughts, thinking back on all the little moments that led me here. “Because I’ve seen a side of Dylan that maybe even you haven’t. The way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention. How he always remembers the tiniest details about things I like. The way he stood up for me against Trevor without a second thought.”

A small smile tugs at Joel’s lips. “He did deck that asshole pretty good.”

I laugh, relieved to see a glimpse of humor returning to my brother’s eyes. “Exactly. Joel, I know Dylan’s past isn’t perfect. Neither is mine. But when we’re together, it just… fits. Like we’ve been heading towards this all along.”

Joel nods slowly, a reluctant smile forming. “Alright. I’ll try to accept this, for you. But if he does hurt you…”

“You’ll have first dibs on kicking his ass, I promise,” I finish for him, grinning.

He stands, shaking his head with a chuckle. “Just… be happy, okay? That’s all I want for you.”

I stand, and pull him into a hug. “Thank you. For always looking out for me, even when I don’t think I need it.”

Joel’s expression softens. “That’s what big brothers are for, Cari. I love you, kid.”

“Love you too, you big softie,” I tease, making my way through the door and back to Dylan’s cabin.

As soon as I’m alone, I flop back on the bed, letting out a long breath. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest. For the first time in a long time, I feel like everything’s falling into place.

I reach for my phone, sending a quick text to Dylan:

“All sorted with Joel. Heading back to the cabin. Come back to me.”

This cruise has been a whirlwind of emotions, but it’s also been a wake-up call. I’ve spent so long letting fear hold me back, worrying about what others might think or how things could go wrong.

But life’s too short for that. Dylan makes me happy, makes me feel alive in a way I never have before. And I’m done letting fear dictate my choices.