Page 64 of Something to Prove
“Where? I?—”
“Here. There’s plenty of room and…my cousin flies for a commercial airline. He’ll pass along the friends and family discount so it wouldn’t cost much and—well, it’s up to you, but it could be fun.”
“I’ll think about it.”
I switched topics to my upcoming game and something goofy Langley had done or said at practice. By the time we ended the call, we were laughing and I just didn’t have it in me to bring up his dad. I’d tell him soon.
Maybe in Toronto.
CHAPTER 20
WALKER
Poor Ty.I truly felt sorry for him.
I’d obviously undersold how manic and overly friendly my family could be. Aunt Kay greeted him like a long-lost son, hugging him warmly and shoving a huge roast beef sandwich in his face within minutes of his arrival. She then proceeded to grill him about his entire life from his first memory to today while sliding a medley of apple-y desserts in front of him…because, “Walker said you love apples.”
Uncle Richard was no better. He and my cousin Jack wanted to talk hockey. Nonstop. My cousin Eric and his girlfriend, Nina, lived in Miami for a year, and wanted to discuss all things Florida. And Jack’s wife, Amelia, wanted him on her Pictionary team because he had good hands.
“You can draw. I just know it. I love this bunch of bananas, but they’re hopeless…the whole lot of them,” Amelia had joked.
And of course there was a slew of distant cousins in the area or people related to the family on Uncle Richard’s side who popped in for a glass of holiday cheer. The house was loud and boisterous with kids and dogs, and smelled of homemade bread and apple pie. To me, it was a wonderland. I’d grown up with quiet holidays marked by fancy meals cooked by a Michelin-starchef and occasional visits from stuffy relatives. In contrast, this rambling old Victorian house smack in the middle of a working orchard on the outskirts of the city felt like a real home. A loud one.
Ty wasn’t fazed.
“My ears are still ringing from a few days with my family. I’m fine. This…” He scanned the open-style great room filled with comfy furniture and walls lined with family photos. “This is nice. And they…know about us?”
Yes. Aunt Kay had put it together well before I’d asked if it would be okay if Ty joined us for a couple of days. The constant texting and my moony expression had tipped her off. She’d been delighted at the prospect of meeting my “beau”—her words, not mine. She was a teensy bit surprised to know Ty played hockey, though.
“Like your dad. Interesting,” she’d singsonged.
More like a coincidence.
I nodded. “Yes, they know…or suspect.”
“Okay…cool.” That was it. No worried frowns or trace of regret…just, “cool.”
And it was.
Aunt Kay wanted to know if we were sharing a room, and I’d gone out on a limb and said yes. If Ty had any strong objections, it was an easy fix. I had to admit, it was surreal to lie in bed with him…to sleep. No, I wasnothaving sex while my family was snoring nearby.
A sneaky a hand job or blowjob didn’t count, though, as long as we were super quiet. Anything more would have to wait till we got home.
But whispering in the dark under covers like kids at a sleepover was kind of perfect.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I slipped my leg between Ty’s and snuggled close. “What did you tell your family?”
“That I was going to visit a friend.”
“Hmm. So easy,” I hummed.
Ty’s smile dipped a notch. I didn’t press. I didn’t want him to remind me that we really were just friends. I enjoyed living in a fantasy land. It was nice here. Why muck it up with truth? The real world could wait.
“I can see why you love it here,” he commented lazily.
“It’s special, isn’t it? The holidays are nuts, but it’s usually very peaceful. The house is far enough from the city that you don’t hear planes and traffic noise. The sky is huge and in the summer, it’s the prettiest shade of blue…and it goes on and on.” I spread my hand wide.
Ty caught my wrist and kissed my knuckles. “If you like small towns, why go to New York City?”