" He's back?" Emily asks for the second time after hearing the news about Tyler's arrival.
I nod my head a few times to clarify that I'm not joking. I'm still shivering from the encounter I just had with him.
" He's really back?" she asks again still not believing me.
" Em, if I nod my head one more time, it's gonna fall off." I sigh.
I'm exhausted at this very given moment. From having a sleepless night to sitting with Emily and Parker the whole day to running into Tyler. You get why I'm tired?
" Parker!" Emily yells.
I'm about to scold her from yelling and causing my headache to increase when Parker's figure strolls into his room, unfazed by his girlfriend's loudness.
" Tyler's back." Emily comments.
" He's back?" Parker shrieks in excitement before going red in his face and clearing his throat.
" I mean, he's back? Cool." Parker says with a nod.
Bromance at its best.
" Yeah Ally just ran into him." Emily continues.
Parker's eyes grow double their size as he takes in the information. I just love how Emily and Parker react the same way after hearing something that amazes them.
" Did you hook up?"
Before I can get a chance to scold him a hair brush comes flying past my head and hits Parker straight on the chest.
" Out." Emily orders.
Parker laughs as he does what he is told and leaves the room. There's no doubt that he's racing over to Tyler's room to pull him in for one big manly hug.
" What are you going to do about Tyler?" Emily asks as she starts sorting through her wardrobe to find me something to wear.
What am I going to do? That's a pretty good question. In all honesty there isn't much I can do. I'm in his frat house getting cozy in his bed. I just hope that we can leave this place as soon as possible.
" Party all my problems away." I admit truthfully.
" Ally, I don't want to see you going down that road again." Emily says with concern evident in her voice.
" It was your idea to go out." I wink as I take hold of the dress she picked out.
Looking down at the mini cocktail dress I cringe. At least it's not pink. I didn't know something besides pink even existed in her wardrobe.
I hurry over to the nearest bathroom and quickly get changed. I would love to go back to Tyler's room and grab a clean set of underwear but there is no way in hell that I'm facing him. At least not for now.
Strolling back to Parker's room I can't help but notice how the dress is pulling up my body. Well it is a size smaller than my usual size so I'm not even surprised. If it keeps my boobs inside and my yoohoo locked away then I'm all in.
" It's a little..."
" Short?" I finish Emily's sentence for her.
She nods in agreement. I sigh before walking over to the dresser where her makeup is sprawled out over and start applying some of the stuff that doesn't make me gag.
" It'll have to do. " I say finishing up my lipstick and grabbing a pair of matching heels to go with the dress.
" Are you sure you don't want to try on anything else -"
" Emily it's fine. Let's just go." I sigh and before she can argue further I'm out of the room and on my way to the front door.
I do notice the wondering eyes as I pass by some of the guys that are living in the frat house. I want to feel irritated with them but this dress is asking for it. I'm all for woman empowerment but I as a woman can I
agree that this dress is a little too much out there.
" No. No way in hell are you going out dressed like that." I hear the all too familiar demanding voice.
I turn around with a little twirl. A smile creeps up to my face when I notice Tyler basically gawking at me.
Don't be childish -
I slowly walk over to him and stop mere inches from his figure. My eyes slowly move from his sculptured chest to his broad shoulders to his dimples to his eyes. Damn those eyes hold so much power. Almost enough to make me obey.
Almost.
My tongue trails over my bottom lip as a little giggle manages to escape. I see him gulp from the close proximity I just created. Good. I have him where I want him.
Ally stop -
" From what I can recall, I dont remeber asking for your opinion?" I say while drawing my eyebrows togher, implying my confusion.
I watch as Tyler takes in a deep breath and holding it in for a little while before letting it go slowly.
" What's going on here? " I hear Parker's voice from behind me.
A smile makes it way back to my face. No matter how painful it is to have Tyler this close to me, I have to suck it up. Just for this one night. I can go back to sulking tomorrow.
Yeah right.
Oh hush it.
" Oh nothing. I was just -"
" Inviting me along for tonight." Tyler interrupts me by finishing my sentence in the complete opposite way it was supposed to be finished.
" You were?" Parker and Emily both ask in unison.
I throw a quick glare towards Tyler before looking back at the confused couple. An awkward laugh leaves my mouth as I pull a strand of hair away from my face.
" Yep." I struggle to say.
Damn it. Why couldn't I just deny it?
You want him to come with -
No I don't.
Yes you do.
No I don't.
Now you're just being childish.
I am-
" Uh Ally, are you feeling okay?" Emily asks stepping closer to me.
" Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" I laugh awkwardly.
" Well you were making weird faces for a few seconds so I was just wondering." Emily says giving me a weird look. She takes a few seconds to look at me intensely before wrapping her arms around Parker's waist and ushering the both of them outside.
Once they're out of sight I take it as my chance to escape Tyler's presence. I'm too late as I feel Tyler's breath fan the back of my neck. Goosebumps I tell you, goosebumps.
" I'm all for the banter babe, just remeber who you're up against." he whispers into my ear.
My legs were about to give out when I feel his hand slide from my backside over to my waist before he grips at it. Flashes from him touching Gabby the same way immediately floods into my brain resulting in me flinching and stepping away from his touch.
" Don't fucking touch me." I spit out in pure disgust.
Tyler's playful expression drops into a worried one. Now is not the time to be worried.
I don't wait for him to say something as I basically storm out of the house and towards Emily's car where Parker is waiting in the driver's seat and Emily is talking on the phone.
" Yes mom. No mom. Love you too mom." Emily answers what I assume is her mom in monotone.
" Are you ready to go?" Emily asks as she puts away her phone.
" We're ready." Tyler answers for me as he appears from behind me.
I at least thought my little outburst would be enough for him to back off and give me space but he was right when he said that I should remember who I'm up against.
He's Tyler Anderson after all.
***
" When did vodka start tasting like strawberries?!" Emily yells over the loud music that is blasting through the club's speakers.
" After your 7th shot!" I yell my response.
I forgot how loud it gets in a club. Emily laughs at my response before ordering another round of shots for us. I've had a few shots of my own but I still don't feel anything. This better not be my body rejecting the intoxicating liquor that I'm drowning myself in. God knows how much I need this right now.
" Don't you think you had enough babe?" Parker asks Emily as he returns with a beer in his hand and Tyler right beside him.
" Last time I checked you were my boyfriend and not my mom!" Emily yells in response.
I laugh at her response. I hate it when people ask me if I have had enough. I know when I've had enough and when I'm still drinking then I haven't had enough. Thank you Karen.
" Vodka and cranberry for the beautiful lady. " I hear a voice order from beside me.
I turn to my right and notice a toned chest. Attached to the toned chest is broad shoulders and then finally an unfamiliar face.
I look at the guy in confusion as a smirk crosses his face. He licks his bottom lip before opening his mouth.
" That's what you've been drinking the whole night yeah?" the guy asks.
Creep alert-
He's cute.
A smile of my own forms on my face as I take hold of my new drink that the bartender just made. Even before I can take a sip the drink is removed from my hold and into the hold of no other than Tyler Fucking Anderson.
" Kind of creepy that you've been watching my girl the whole night. Don't you think?" Tyler asks in mock curiosity.
" You're girl?" the guy asks in complete surprise.
" No!"
"Yes."
Both our answers come out in unison. I don't forget to throw Tyler a glare before looking back at the guy. He looks so confused right now. I would too if I were in his footsteps.
" Leave." Tyler spits out.
I'm about to knock him out when the guy lifts up his hands in surrender.
" Sorry man. I didn't know. Keep a close eye on this one." he warns Tyler.
Did he just insult me?
" Excuse me." I say offended. Before I can do as little as kick him where it's necessary I feel Tyler pull me back and out of the guy's reach.
The guy quickly dissappears into the crowd before either me or Tyler go in for the kill.
I look over at Tyler in pure anger. I'm pissed that he just had to tag along. I'm irritated with him for still claiming me as his and I'm beyond furious with myself for still getting butterflies after hearing him calling me his girl.
I'm about to open my mouth and scold him when he turns around and walks away. The anger inside of me sends me all the way outside where he is now standing. I wanted so badly to go off on him but something made me swallow my words. No words are spoken between us as we look out over nothing in particular. A few people pass us as they head into the bars that are down the street. This is mainly where everyone goes out for a night of fun. Not exactly a place to go with the guy who broke your heart. Yet here I am.
How can he just stand there and look so calm? As if he doesn't have a care in the world. How can he just ignore what we had? After all the shit I put him through when he was chasing me? Is he hurt? Does he feel even the slightest remorse? Does he still love me like he claimed back when we were still something. I can't just stand here and keep quiet. All these unanswered questions are eating me alive.
" You really have nothing to say for yourself?" I finally speak up breaking the silence between us.
There I said it. I'm surprised it didn't slip out earlier.
" What do you want me to say?" he sighs still not looking at me.
Is he serious right now?
" Oh I don't know, maybe something along the lines of I'm sorry I kissed another girl when we were basically in a relationship?!" I snap.
" I did apologize earlier. "he replies flatly.
I think back to what he said. He calls that an apology. I'm sorry is supposed to repair what is broken between us? I think not.
" That's your idea of an apology? " I ask through gritted teeth.
He quickly turns around and slams both his hands onto the wall behind me making me immediately back up into it. His face is a mere inch away from mine. I can feel his minty breath fanning my face as I look into his eyes that are now filled with pure anger.
" You keep acting as if I was the only one who fucked up. You expect me to apolize for kissing Gabby when you fucking kissed Zac right in front of me! You kissed him Ally. After all the times you tried to convince me that he was just a friend you went and kissed him. You're not the only one who got hurt that day Allison. I got hurt. I'm still hurting inside and I'm sorry if you think I'm the biggest douche there is on this planet. Hurt people tend to hurt other people and you did a big number on me Allison. So don't tell me to fucking apologize when you're not even capable of seeing the shit you put me through."
I'm speechless by the time Tyler has finished talking. It's like someone opened a curtain in the dark room I was trapped in and for the first time in a long while I can see what is right in front of me.
How could I be so selfish?
All this time he was hurting just as bad as I was. He saw Zac and I kiss. It slipped my mind that I'm the only one who knows about Zac's sexuality and all I focused on was the images from Tyler's lips on Gabby's. I blamed him although I was just as guilty.
Tyler looks at me with a different emotion in his eyes. Hurt. He's hurt and this is the first time I'm noticing it. Before I can mutter a word he moves away from me and starts walking away.
He's walking away from me. From us. From what we had. From what can be repaired. I can't just let him go without him knowing the full truth.
Ally do something!
I can't. What am I supposed to do? We're both to blame here and it doesn't look like he's willing to sort things out. He tried earlier but I saw the look in his eyes. He's given up.
I haven't given up.
" He's gay." I speak up.
Tyler stops in his step. He slowly turns around and faces me with a confused look on his face.
" What?"
I take in a deep breath and slowly release it. I'm sorry Zac.
" Zac, he's gay." I repeat myself.
Tyler shakes his head in denial. He walks closer to me. I can see in his walk that he's pissed off.
" Don't bullshit me Allison." he growls.
Of course he won't believe me.
" I'm not!" I cry out.
He doesn't say anything as he still doesn't believe me.
" He told me the day after the bonfire when we went to the fair. He came up to me and apologized for treating me that way the previous night and admitted that he isn't into girls. He used me as a cover up but promised me he wouldn't do it again. We grew on each other as the weeks passed because I was the only one who knew his secret. That's why I was so comfortable with him. I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone and believe me I wanted to tell you so badly. Things went well with keeping his secret until Mason started expecting something was up. Zac didn't hook up with girls or acted even the slightest bit interested in the topics about girls so it was bound to happen for people to start expecting that something is up. I didn't think Mason would be the one to confront him on new years eve. Zac panicked and that's when you saw him kissing me. " I explain.
Damn it feels good to get that off my chest.
Tyler stares at me in complete shock. Now he's the one who is left speechless.
" So Zac is gay? " he questions.
I nod my head in response.
" And he kissed you to cover up his secret? "
I nod again.
" Motherfucker." he sighs as he places his hands onto his hips and looks down.
I know I promised Zac I'd keep his secret but his secret is the reason why I'm in this shit space with Tyler. Zac messed up the second his lips landed on mine and this is my way of cleaning up his mess.
" You probably didn't see me pushing him away from me the second his lips touched mine?" I ask knowing exactly the answer.
Tyler shakes his head before massaging his temple with his fingers.
" I was so furious after seeing the two of you kiss that I didn't think straight. Fuck. I kissed Gabby. "
" You kissed Gabby. " I repeat his words.
Just saying it makes my heart ache.
" I'm sorry you had to see that. I was just so angry -"
" That's not an excuse. "I cut him off.
" I know but I'm sorry. " he apologizes again a little softer this time. He steps closer to me and cups my cheek. I don't move away from his hold as all I want to do is move into it. This is my safe place.
" Baby I'm so sorry. " he whispers again.
I look up at him. He looks so sincere right now.
" I'm sorry too." I whisper while looking down at my feet. I know the longer I look into his eyes the closer I get to letting a tear slip.
Tyler leans in and places a kiss against my forehead. The feeling of his lips against my skin makes me warm up from inside. God I missed this.
" Where do we go from here?" he asks after a few minutes of intense silence. He still hasn't let me go and I don't want him to let me go.
What now? We finally talked through what happened that night but where do we go from here? Do we just go back to how things were before everything happened or do we start from the beginning?
Something clicks inside of my head. The whole kissing incident wasn't the only thing that was stirring up problems in our relationship. He was off a few days before new years eve and that already caused a lot of damage to our relationship. He never explained what was going on with him. He just went his own way and before I had a chance to talk to him our problems increased when Zac kissed me.
" Let's start with why you were off before the whole new years eve incident."
Tyler sighs before moving away. He knows exactly what I'm talking about. Urg. Why is he doing this? This is him starting to push me away again.
" Tyler -"
" Ally please." he begs me to drop the subject.
I can't just drop it. It feels like we took one step forward and now he's taking two steps back. What could be so bad that he doesn't want to talk about it? He acted out pretty badly from what I can remeber. Did he kiss someone else?
" Tyler I need to know. This is the only way we can take another step forward into repairing what we broke. Communication is the only thing that's going to save us." I say stepping closer to him.
I watch as Tyler's shoulder slouch down. He looks miserable.
" My dad has leukemia. "
This is not what I was expecting.
_______________________________________
Helloooo!
Sorry I've been gone for a while but I'm back with a new update :)
This was an emotional update I have to admit but damn these two had to sort out their drama ð
Poor Tyler :(Â at least now we know he wasn't being a douce for no reason.
Thoughts?
Thank you sooooo much for 115k!!!!! I really appreciate it a lot ð
Peace out âï¸