Page 21

halle

Were things always this easy? How could I find ways in my heart to just forgive Tyler over and over again? Did it make me weak? I didn't feel weak right now. I felt like a girl on a storybook date with a man she was crazy about. Was it right to be obsessed with him this much?

He made it hard not to be. I fell for everything I'd initially noticed about him. I'd gone on a date with him, now I got to watch him play again. I was planning to leave the following morning, but I couldn't do that if I was going to watch the game. I'd have to figure out how I was going to travel, but that was a problem for tomorrow. Right now I was focusing on how Tyler was holding his hand out in my direction. It wasn't for the first time tonight. With my jacket secured around my body to protect against the cold, I was ready to go.

Shyly, I took Tyler's hand. I wouldn't ever get over the feeling. His hand was always so rough and calloused. My fingers found a new bump on the side of his thumb. I pulled his hand up to eye level to study the patch. It was a scar, slightly pinkish white. That told me it was newer.

"Where'd this come from?"

"Oh, that. I...I nicked it on some glass at a party." I straightened.

"Adam said you didn't do parties."

"I don't. Because of that one. I went to make sure they didn't get stupid but that happened to my hand and Coach was pissed. Made me play right through the stitches without a second look. Wasn't fun." I ran my fingers over the scar again.

"No more parties."

"That's not one sided." Tyler pulled my in front of him so that I was looking into his eyes. "You can't drink and be stupid. Promise me you won't." I wanted to roll my eyes, but the desperation in his face made me rethink the action.

"Ok. I won't. I promise." He stared at me until I uncomfortably pulled away. "Did you have something else in mind or were you just gonna stare at me the rest of the night?"

"I'm not boring enough to just do dinner, am I?" I smiled slightly.

"Never."

"Exactly." Tyler tapped my nose. "Scoot. Back to the car we go."

I hoped his plans didn't involve walking. My feet were starting to complain in these heels. They calmed down once I was off them and settled into the sleek Mercedes. I still couldn't grasp the magnitude of Tyler's contract. It was insane. I wasn't going to complain. I just had no idea the number was that large.

Tyler let the car idle for a moment before pulling back onto the main road. He hadn't plugged anything into the car's built in GPS. I wondered where we were going.

I was surprised when Tyler pulled into his apartment parking lot again. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I thought—"

"Shh. You haven't seen anything yet."

He came around to open the door for me. I let him take the lead as we walked back into the apartment. We traveled up the elevator and back to his apartment in silence. The second we were inside, I pulled the heels off.

"Don't get too comfy. I'm not done yet. Come on, follow me." I did, trying to figure out what he was doing. Tyler stopped by the floor-length windows, which I now realized were a set of doors. One panel slid wide open. Tyler spread an arm so I could walk through. I hadn't noticed the deck furniture before. Now the decorations were in full view. Tyler didn't let me look for long. He motioned for me to follow him up a set of stairs. The flat cement was cold under my bare feet. I shivered slightly at the sensation. Tyler looked at me thoughtfully.

"Hang on." He disappeared back inside. I continued up to the upper level of the room. It was beautiful. My hands found the cool metal rail, gripping it harshly. Footsteps alerted me to the arrival of Tyler. I turned. He was holding out a thick blanket. I grinned, letting him wrap it around me. With the warm material, I felt infinitely better.

"So what was your idea Mr. Dewalt?"

"Just enjoying the sights." I turned to find bright green eyes on me. I blushed under his gaze.

"I like it."

"Good." Tyler moved to join me at the rail. He leaned backwards against it, studying me.

"Ok next set of questions. What were you like in high school?" I let out a heavy breath.

"Kinda terrible." I mentally cringed at the memory of what I'd been like in my younger years. "Kinda insufferable. Like I thought I was nice to people, but I really wasn't. I went to a private school, and I was in AP classes for almost all four years, so I was considered one of the smart kids. But I also played sports, so I was in the whole 'smart, athletic, pretty' crowd. It got to my head a lot." I remembered what Emily and I looked like two years ago. We thought we ruled the school. That everyone knew who we were and how important our presence was. "Guys all over us. Ya know, the usual. But Emily was the one that reciprocated that attention. I think I didn't want anything to do with guys because of my brothers. I knew how teenage boys thought and worked. I didn't want a damn thing to do with them."

"What made you change from that? I'm technically still a teenage boy." I rolled my eyes.

"I know. But you're different. And I'm different. I'm not trying to make the whole world bend around me anymore."

"Somehow it still does." Tyler's voice was lowered. I almost didn't hear him.

"What?"

"You still have everyone in your shadow, even though you don't know it." He paused, turning to lean on his side against the rail. "It's like...you know you're beautiful and intelligent. Confidence makes people look at you. Especially when you sashay down the street in the tiniest blue dress." I bit my lip and looked down. I almost pointed out that I had a coat on, but I knew it wouldn't help. Tyler's eyes were hungry. I didn't want to quench that fire. "I'm not the only one head over heels for you. You could walk up to the richest man in the world and have him wrapped around your finger in a minute. I'd do that instead of being stuck here with me." His laugh wasn't quite humorous.

"I don't want anyone else Ty. To me, you are the richest man in the world. And not with just money. There's so much more." Tyler's sly grin was back at that. I shook my head. "Ok, you little imp, tell me about you in high school."

"Oh boy. Not good. Biggest stuck up asshole you'll ever meet. Kinda settled down by senior year because I finally realized that I'd be facing the NHL in a few months. But before that. Yeesh." I rose an eyebrow.

"That bad?"

"Absolutely. I didn't care that I wasn't rolling in money like my other teammates were. I just knew I was good and my skills would do things for me in the future. That was the mindset freshman and sophomore year. By junior year I realized being nasty to people wouldn't get me anywhere. My coach kind of talked that shit out of me. Told me I wouldn't get anywhere in the big leagues if I had that attitude. Because the older guys would beat it right out of me. They would've, too. But I guess I kind of that attitude and decided to be a teammate instead of a stand-out star. It's worked so far, I think."

"You think?" I laughed loudly. "You broke Wayne freaking Gretzky's record. As a rookie. That is insane. And you'll do it again this year. I know you will." I started to go into a rush about this season. The look on Tyler's face stopped me. "What?"

"You're enthusiastic."

"So? I'm allowed to be, right?"

"Of course. I'm glad you are."

Our conversation died off. I watched the cars moving below the apartment. The layout of this roof was interesting. The lower level encompassed the front half, but it was split into two by a fence. One side for Ty and the other side for the other apartment, I assumed. The upper level was accessible by two staircases on either side. There was no divider up here, just the railing. It was set up like a typical backyard. Grill in one corner, lounge chairs in the other.

I wanted to rest here for longer, but the colder September air was getting to me. Tyler and I headed back down. After dropping my blanket in the couch, I beelined for my suitcase to change. I rifled through it until I found a soft pair of sweatpants and a faded T-shirt. I noticed with a jolt that the shirt was Ty's. I'd worn the shirt to bed so often that I didn't register it as his anymore. I slipped the comfortable material over my head. Without the tight dress constricting my midsection, I felt free to breath again.

Tyler was waiting for me in the living room again. He was changed too. I didn't understand how someone could go from classy dress clothes to shorts and a T-shirt and still look so good. I'm sure my transition was less than stellar. I made a face at Tyler as he grinned at me.

"Don't look at me like that." He laughed as I fell onto the couch next to him.

"Why not?" His next words made me sit up. "We need to talk about Kirby." My mouth dried out.

"I guess we do." Was he going to be mad? Hurt? Of course he would be. We'd both betrayed him.

"We weren't together, so I can't be too angry. And I know Kirby is more to blame—"

"What? How? I responded to him. It wasn't one sided."

"Yeah, I know. But you were vulnerable and he knew that. He should've stayed away. It's not like you were easy to reach. He had to fly down to your apartment, get the address from Emily, then rent a car to get there. Plenty of time for him to rethink things. Plenty of time for him to say 'The isn't right. Tyler loves this girl and this will only cause problems.'" I gaped a him. He didn't seem to notice the blip in his words. Love? Without noticing my crisis, Tyler plowed on. "I just want you to know that it hurt to know you two were together...that you two...ya know. But I can't blame you. You were hurting and Kirby is head over heels for you."

"It meant more to him than he meant to me." My words were blunt, like I'd robotically rehearsed them. Tyler gave me a weird look. "You said 'love' Ty."

"Oh. Yeah. There's that too." I wasn't expecting that answer."

"What do you mean 'There's that too'?" I felt a little hysterical.

"I realized it a little bit ago. I was gonna hold that off but...that didn't work." He was so matter of fact about it. I didn't know how to respond.

"So you...you love me?"

"Yes." I felt like a terrible person. Tyler had been here in Chicago for months feeling this. And I'd been down in North Carolina fucking up and leading Kirby on. Not realizing what he had. Did I even feel that now?

"I...I didn't know that Ty." Tears brimmed in my eyes. Tyler's face immediately showed concern.

"Hey. What's wrong? Please don't cry." I couldn't help myself.

"I thought you hated me. I thought...I thought you didn't want to see me. And...that's why...Kirby. I didn't know. I didn't know." The tears slipped from my eyes now. I couldn't control them. How did I mess up this bad? I can't imagine how Tyler felt when he found out about Kirby. He loved me, and I went off with someone else.

"Halle. It's ok. Look at me." I did, craning my neck up. His face was blurry. My lip trembled. "I don't blame you. It's over now. You can relax. Ok?"

"I'm sorry." I murmured quietly. Tyler didn't say anything. Instead, he reached out for me. I let him take me into his arms. Curling into his side was such a natural feeling. I let my tears fall into his shirt. Tyler murmured quietly to calm me down. I finally settled down and pulled back after awhile.

"I-"

"No. Don't talk about it anymore. We forgive each other, right? We put this past us now, ok?" I nodded, sniffling. Tyler's hand cupped my cheek. His rough thumb jumped up to catch a stray tear. He smiled at me. I found the strength to return the gesture. "Come on. Let's go to bed." I didn't argue. It was only eight, but I didn't mind. I accepted Tyler's hand and followed him to the bedroom. I wondered how my mom would react to this. I'd slept in the same bed as Tyler on multiple occasions now. Technically, we hadn't been officially dating for any of them. The thought of falling asleep away from Tyler was insufferable. I couldn't imagine being apart from me. Tyler helped me sleep. Tyler calmed me down. Even when we were on the rocks, I needed him by my side.

The room was bigger and more open than his previous apartment. It had the same decorations, and the bed had the same sheets. I dived for the big bed. The thick comforter was something I'd missed. I wrapped it around myself before Tyler had a chance to get in. When he glared at me for stealing the covers, I pouted at him. The look of disapproval dissolved.

He took the space next to me, pulling part of the covers back. I allowed him to take it. As soon as he was settled, I curled up to him.

"I missed this." I murmured into his chest. He rumbled happily.

"Me too."

&&&

It was still dark when I woke up. The cause of my awakening was obvious after a second. My phone was ringing. Loudly. I groaned in annoyance. It was on the nightstand next to Tyler's bed. I reached out to pick it up. My eyes were too blurry and used to the dark to see who was calling me.

"Are you in Chicago right now?" Emily's voice was loud in my ears. I quickly lowered the volume.

"Yeah."

"With Kirby?" Her voice was had an edge to it.

"No. I mean, he's here. But I'm not with him."

"Then what are you doing there?"

"Right now I'm trying to sleep."

"So you're not with anyone?" A hand came around my own, taking the phone from me. I turned to look at Tyler. He looked annoyed. He tapped the speaker button on the phone.

"Yes, she is. And he's trying to sleep too."

"Oh." Emily's voice deflated. "Whatever. Have fun."

She hung up. I was left confused and wondering what she had been calling about. Tyler groaned and buried his head into the pillow next to me. I sighed and sat up. Now that I was up, I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep.

"I'm going for a run." Tyler sat up with me.

"Not alone you're not." I frowned at him. "You don't know these streets and it's still dark out."

"Then come with me." Tyler opened his mouth, then frowned right back.

"I have morning skate at nine."

"So you can't run because of that?"

"No. That means you can't go. I really won't be comfortable with you out running when it's dark in an unfamiliar city." I glared at him, but he had a point. I relaxed the grim look.

"Then I'll just have to learn the city, eh?" I could see the faint smile in the light shining in from the living room.

"I'd like that."

"I know." I pondered for a minute. "Ok, so if you won't go with me running, then come shopping with me. When does that grocery store on the corner open?"

"Seven. We have a bit."

"Ok, so. We get dressed, go shopping, and then I have enough stuff to make breakfast before you go."

"I'd love to, but we're going to Pat and Amanda's for breakfast." I sighed, my plans dashed.

"What am I going to do for hours until the game?"

"Um. I could ask Dylan and Alex if Tayler and Lyndsey want to meet up with you? You guys could get to know each other before the game.

"That would be nice." Tyler grinned again. He pulled his own phone out and sent some texts out. I didn't see what he had said, but I hoped it wasn't too mortifying. I could imagine the text. Hey, my girlfriend that's not my girlfriend is lonely, make your girlfriends come hang out with her.

He was about to drop his phone when it buzzed.

"Dang, Brinksy's up early. He said Lyndsey's in town. He wants your number so he can send it to Lynds. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, sure." A minute later, my own phone buzzed again.