My pulse thrums loudly in my ears as Tyler stares at me, waiting for a response. God, heâs beautiful. Heartbreakingly beautiful when he looks at me like heâs doing now.
I feel Steveâs gaze bouncing between me and Tyler. Heather just went to the restroom, so I understand how this looks to Tyler. I should tell him, but my throat feels like I swallowed nails. I part my lips but canât make the words come out.
But apparently Tyler isnât finished anyway. His voice softens as he says, âPiper, Iâve never stopped wanting you. I screwed up. I know that. I let you go when I should have fought harder for us. Iâm sorry. Iâm so sorry. I wanted you to have everythingâall of the high school and college experiences you had dreamt ofâand I couldnât give them to you. I thought I was doing the right thing. Iâm still not sure I didnât because you had a life you wouldnât have had if Iâd stayed in it. But things are different now or maybe Iâm just more selfish. I donât know, but I do know that I want this more than Iâve ever wanted anything. And Iâm not going to walk away so easily this time.â
I believe him, can read the sincerity on his face, but his words still toss a lit match on the lingering pain and frustration over our breakup.
He makes it sound like he broke up with me for my own good. Ha! Yeah, it felt really great to have my boyfriend dump me because of some preconceived notion he had about what he thought I wanted and who I needed him to be.
Was it hard? Yes. Did I want him to be able to attend dances and parties with me, meet my friends, have more time outside of hockey? Of course. But it wasnât fair that he took the decision out of my hands. Shouldnât I have had a say in what I was and wasnât willing to give up to be with him?
I would have dated him if he lived on the moon. The distance meant nothing to me. It was hard, but he was worth it.
The server comes with our drinks. She stands awkwardly taking in the scene. Tyler steps to the side to give her room.
âYou need to go, Tyler.â My throat feels raw, and my eyes burn with unshed tears. I canât do this here. I need to think, and I canât do that with him so close.
He nods. âIâve said what I needed to. You know where to find me.â
I finally let out a breath as Tyler turns and leaves without another word. Iâm frozen, body humming with his words, and emotions swirling inside of me.
âWho was that?â Heather slides into the booth next to Steve. The server sets our glasses down and I take mine and cradle it in both hands.
âI think that was the infamous Tyler,â Steve says.
âWhat? Really?â She sits taller and careens her neck. I donât look back to see if heâs gone already. I think Iâm in shock. He never stopped wanting me?
Heatherâs lips twist into a smile. âWell, thatâs the last time Iâm ever going to the restroom. What did he want?â
âPiper,â Steve continues to answer for me. âThat was a hell of a speech. I wish Iâd written it down in case I ever screw things up and need to win you back.â
âI am so sorry.â My face is on fire as I glimpse back at Tyler. Heâs gone, but I still feel the impact of his presence and words. âI need to go.â
âGo,â Heather says, smiling. I start to get up and then remember weâve already ordered. I reach to open my purse, but she waves me off. âWeâve got it. Go.â
âThank you.â I smile at both of them, but itâs all I can spare before I jump up to go after Tyler.
And I thought a night out would help keep my mind off him. Iâm almost to the front of the restaurant when a server carrying a tray of drinks steps in front of me. She doesnât see me and Iâm moving too fast to stop before we collide.
I gasp as the cold liquid and ice spill down the front of me. I glance out the window in time to see Tylerâs car pulling out of the parking lot.
By the time I get to the house, the ice has melted in my bra and water has pooled in my shoes. And whatever it was the server spilled on me, itâs sticky. In short, Iâm a mess. But I donât stop upstairs to change before I circle around the party to find Tyler.
I find him in the game room. Heâs standing in a small group of guys and girls. A beer bottle hangs from his fingertips. Everyone else is smiling and laughing. Tyler wears a smile that I can tell is fake even from across the room.
The girl standing next to him puts a hand on his arm. He doesnât even look at her, but I still feel an all-consuming rage to claim him. I already knew what I wanted, but it pushes me to act.
My strides are long and sure as I start for him. I donât take my eyes off him, but I notice the group around him goes quiet as I approach.
When Tylerâs green eyes finally lock on mine, I summon every bit of courage in my body, close the remaining distance between us, and kiss him.
Heâs shocked and slow to respond. His teammates and friends are cheering, but as soon as his arms wrap around me, I couldnât care less. He picks me up and squeezes me to him.
And it feels like no time has passed at all.