Over the next two weeks, Tyler and I spend every night that he’s not traveling together at home. We make dinner together, help Everly with homework, watch TV with Ash, one night we even go over and have a drink with Leo and Scarlett.
Living in the same house as the guy I’m dating is different than living together, but it still has a lot of perks that I could get used to.
Like how every night when it’s finally bedtime, we disappear into his bedroom and stay up too late kissing and making out until we pass out in each other’s arms.
Actually, I think if we didn’t live in the same house, we’d see a lot less of each other. Which is why I haven’t mentioned that Heather’s sister left yesterday.
Tyler’s free time is found in the minutes between spending evenings with Everly and his practice and game schedule. Every night is different, but that’s okay by me. When we were dating and living in different states, I didn’t get any of these little moments, and now I’m here for all of it.
The groan he makes every morning when his alarm goes off for his morning run. The way he always kisses my shoulder before getting out of bed. The way his face lights up every single time he walks through the front door and sees me. And how he never leaves my side without kissing me first. Even if he’s just going in the other room. Those little kisses pile up inside of me filling me with such happiness and hope for our future. It’s like, this is what things could be like with us. Not just now while I’m the live-in nanny, but in a future where we have a family of our own.
We haven’t exactly talked about any of that, but he’s been very clear that he’s in this for the long haul. And so am I. I’ve never wanted something to work more than I want him.
Tonight we’re hanging out downstairs with Ash while he plays some new video game. I’m not really paying attention. My head rests in Tyler’s lap and one of his muscular arms hangs around my waist. The other arm rests at his side, fingers absently stroking my hair as he watches Ash, occasionally commenting on the game.
“Oh, no, no, no,” Ash mutters, pounding the buttons on his controller harder. “Ah, fuck. I died again.”
Ash drops his head back to rest on the chair and then glances over at us. “I’m happy for you two, but it’s a real bummer to watch you make out all night and then go to bed alone.”
Tyler’s chest moves with a silent laugh. “Where’s Talia been?”
“We broke up,” Ash says. “I told you that.”
“Yeah, but Leo says you guys are on and off all the time.”
“Not this time.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
Ash shrugs just before the front door is flung open and Everly rushes into the room with a big smile. “Declan says I’m ready to take the test! Will you take me tomorrow?”
I sit up as Declan ambles in after her, much more composed but smiling like a proud brother. He takes a seat in an empty chair.
Ty looks to him for confirmation.
Dec nods and rests both hands on his massive thighs. He’s a big guy in general. Tall and muscular, but his legs are truly impressive in size. “She’s a better driver than you.”
“It was an accident,” Tyler insists with a whine to his voice. He glances at me with a pouty face. “I rear-ended his bike a couple of months ago. He’s never going to let me forget it.”
“And to think I’ve ridden in the car with you,” I say dramatically.
The guys all laugh, but Everly draws the attention back to her.
“Will you take me tomorrow or not?” She’s practically bouncing up and down with excitement.
Ty makes a low sound of regret in his throat. “Probably not tomorrow. We have the Wildcat Foundation fundraiser tomorrow night. What about sometime next week?”
“You’re gone most of the week. Pleeease?”
“I could take her,” Ash offers. “Little Sharpie and I are hanging tomorrow night anyway.”
“Same,” Declan says. “I’m not going to the event tomorrow so I could take her.”
Tyler and I are going to have a real night out while Ash stays with Ev. I love our nights in, but I’m so looking forward to dressing up and going on a real date with him.
“Thank you, guys. I appreciate it, but I will figure something out.”
Everly visibly deflates in front of us.
“What time are you done with school and stage crew?” he asks.
“Five, but they’re closed by then. I need to go during the day.”
“Right.” Tyler runs a hand over his jaw. “I have a break around noon. Can you miss an hour of school?”
They both look at me like I’m the school attendance monitor.
“I think that’s probably fine. Kids miss for appointments all the time. You’ll just need to sign her out.”
Everly squeals. A real, happy squeal that I’ve never heard come out of her sullen body.
“Thank you.” She hugs Tyler around the neck and then races out of the room.
And the smile on his face as he leans back is so happy I don’t think I realized just how much it means to him to do right by his sister until now.
The next afternoon, I’m leaving school when Tyler calls.
“Hey, I was just about to text you,” I say. “I heard about the test.”
“Total bullshit,” he says. “We waited for two hours and then I had to call it to get back.”
“I’m sorry. She understands.”
“I hope so. Are you with her now?”
“No, Everly is getting a ride home from Grace so I’m heading home to get ready.” Home. It’s amazing how quickly it’s started to feel like just that. “Are you already at the house?”
“No, I’m running late.” He grunts. “Since the DMV took for-freaking-ever, I missed a meeting that I have to make up now. I swung by the house and got my tux for tonight. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to meet you at the event.”
“That’s okay,” I say, tamping down the hint of disappointment that we won’t get to ride to the event together. “Scarlett and I are going to get ready together and then I’ll just ride with them.”
“I’m sorry,” he says again. I can hear how genuine he is in the apology. It’s laced with frustration, and that reminds me just how much he has on his plate.
“It’s fine,” I say cheerily. “You can make it up to me later.”
He chuckles. “You can count on it.”
