Chapter 156: Outside
Dylan descended the stairs with a satisfied expression, his jian strapped to his waist, heels brushing the steps as if he were choosing them one by one, careful not to startle the wood. Behind him, the two women had remained upstairs. Élisa and Maggie, busy talking about "women stuff" — in other words, things that, according to them, he had neither the right nor the capacity to hear or comment on.
And Dylan, as carefree as he liked to act, wasn’t entirely stupid. He knew damn well what they were about to talk about. But he knew just enough to not know when to shut up.
"You’re gonna talk about your period crap, aren’t you?" he’d thrown over his shoulder as he slammed the door, smirking — a ridiculous display of bravado.
Élisa had gone even paler than she already was — which was saying something — and Maggie had stared him down with a look so sharp it could’ve skinned him alive on the spot.
But Dylan hadn’t stayed a second longer in that room where even his breath felt threatened by some kind of mystical throttling. He had fled — bravely — the way only fools know how.
At the bottom of the stairs, he locked eyes with Jonas. The latter widened his eyes like a kid caught sneaking sweets, then smiled. Dylan flashed him two thumbs up, unsure if Jonas would get it. Judging by the sheepish grin and twitchy nod, Jonas understood... something. Or was pretending to.
Dylan approached and sat across from him. Jonas barely looked up.
"So? How’d it go?"
Dylan smiled.
"I poked around and found the perfect excuse. From now on, she’ll be spending more time around you. Try to make a move while you’ve got the chance, man. Be yourself. Declare your flame. Shake off that damp-fish energy."
Jonas raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to laugh or run.