My pulse thrums loudly in my ears as Tyler stares at me, waiting for a response. God, he’s beautiful. Heartbreakingly beautiful when he looks at me like he’s doing now.
I feel Steve’s 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 can’t make the words come out.
But apparently Tyler isn’t finished anyway. His voice softens as he says, “Piper, I’ve never stopped wanting you. I screwed up. I know that. I let you go when I should have fought harder for us. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I wanted you to have everything—all of the high school and college experiences you had dreamt of—and I couldn’t give them to you. I thought I was doing the right thing. I’m still not sure I didn’t because you had a life you wouldn’t have had if I’d stayed in it. But things are different now or maybe I’m just more selfish. I don’t know, but I do know that I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything. And I’m not going to walk away so easily this time.”
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 wasn’t fair that he took the decision out of my hands. Shouldn’t I have had a say in what I was and wasn’t 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.
“You need to go, Tyler.” My throat feels raw, and my eyes burn with unshed tears. I can’t do this here. I need to think, and I can’t do that with him so close.
He nods. “I’ve said what I needed to. You know where to find me.”
I finally let out a breath as Tyler turns and leaves without another word. I’m frozen, body humming with his words, and emotions swirling inside of me.
“Who was that?” Heather slides into the booth next to Steve. The server sets our glasses down and I take mine and cradle it in both hands.
“I think that was the infamous Tyler,” Steve says.
“What? Really?” She sits taller and careens her neck. I don’t look back to see if he’s gone already. I think I’m in shock. He never stopped wanting me?
Heather’s lips twist into a smile. “Well, that’s the last time I’m ever going to the restroom. What did he want?”
“Piper,” Steve continues to answer for me. “That was a hell of a speech. I wish I’d written it down in case I ever screw things up and need to win you back.”
“I am so sorry.” My face is on fire as I glimpse back at Tyler. He’s gone, but I still feel the impact of his presence and words. “I need to go.”
“Go,” Heather says, smiling. I start to get up and then remember we’ve already ordered. I reach to open my purse, but she waves me off. “We’ve got it. Go.”
“Thank you.” I smile at both of them, but it’s 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. I’m almost to the front of the restaurant when a server carrying a tray of drinks steps in front of me. She doesn’t see me and I’m 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 Tyler’s 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, it’s sticky. In short, I’m a mess. But I don’t stop upstairs to change before I circle around the party to find Tyler.
I find him in the game room. He’s 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 doesn’t 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 don’t take my eyes off him, but I notice the group around him goes quiet as I approach.
When Tyler’s green eyes finally lock on mine, I summon every bit of courage in my body, close the remaining distance between us, and kiss him.
He’s shocked and slow to respond. His teammates and friends are cheering, but as soon as his arms wrap around me, I couldn’t care less. He picks me up and squeezes me to him.
And it feels like no time has passed at all.
