Chapter 37

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NORA

After Tyler parks the car in the garage, I steer Mads upstairs and to her room while Tyler makes himself comfortable in mine. 

I sit on Mads' bed while she goes to her bathroom to get ready for the night. When she finally comes back dressed in her cute monkey pajamas, I pat the spot beside me.

"You doing okay?" I ask, examining her face. While she's managed to wash away the smudged mascara, her eyes are still red and puffy from crying.

She looks at the floor and shrugs.

"Come here," I snake my arm around her side and pull her to my side. She rests her head on my shoulder, just like in the car. I start soothingly stroking her hair with my free hand.

"I remember you doing that when I was a kid," her voice is still hoarse but I can hear a smile in it.

"Doing what?"

"Stroking my hair whenever I was upset," she says. "I used to always come to you if I scraped my knee or had a fight with a friend, or just anytime I was feeling like crap."

"I remember." Dad was never really the comforting type and mom, well, mom did okay if she was home.

"You have always been the one constant in my life," she seems to be reading my mind. "I don't know what I would've done without you. You've taken care of me all this time, half the time doing mom and dad's job for them.

"I..." I don't know what to say. She's right, but it feels odd hearing her acknowledge it.

"And when dad left..." her voice catches and I squeeze my eyes shut at the raw pain in it. "I was devastated. I was just a kid and I felt like my world was falling apart, and mom was no better. She really let the ball drop after that and you picked up the slack. You really carried us through it all and I don't think I ever really realized it before," she looks up with such intense gratitude and admiration in her eyes that my throat closes.

"I just did what I had to," I look away before I start crying. To be truthful, the year after our parents' divorce was probably the hardest time of my life. Mom was a crying mess most of the time, gone the rest, and Mads was sad and relying on me since mom was pretty much useless. So I was basically taking care of the two of them as well as the house, while I was keeping up my GPA and running, not to mention missing Tyler. It was an exhausting time, for sure.

"No," she squeezes my hand. "You did more. You went above and beyond, and still do. And I haven't really appreciated you lately," she cringes. "But if anything, tonight has shown me who my real family is," she smiles up at me through her teary eyes. "I love you, and I'm so sorry I've been such an ass."

I shake my head at her. "You haven't."

She levels me with a look and I can't help but let out a small laugh. "Okay, maybe a little. But you had your reasons. And I love you, too. Now," I clear my throat, trying to keep myself together, "time for bed. Sister's orders."

"Yes, ma'am," she salutes and climbs under the covers while grinning.

I tuck her in. "You up for school tomorrow?"

She considers it for a moment. "Yeah. If I stay home, I'm just going mope around, so sticking to routine and seeing Hunter and Elliot might just help."

"Okay, then," I smile proudly. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she yawns and I walk across the room and turn off the light. I close the door behind me and cross the landing to my room, where Tyler has made himself comfortable on my bed.

 I climb in next to him, inhaling his familiar scent. He scoops me up against his chest and I let myself relax in his embrace. I feel warm and incredibly safe, something I've never truly felt with another man before.

"She okay?" he asks.

"She will be," I answer, my voice muffled by his shirt.

"And you?"

I think about it for a long moment. Am I okay? I've told myself countless times that I am, that I'm no longer affected by my father. But am I truly there yet? "I will be," I eventually say, believing it with all my heart.

His arms tighten around me and I snuggle in closer. I'm so tired.

"Go to sleep," he murmurs. "I'll be right here."

I smile against his chest and let sleep take me.

---

The next morning I wake up right where I dozed off, in Tyler's arms. I stay still for a moment, just enjoying the feeling. I never really cared for snuggling before, but that has clearly changed when it comes to Tyler.

"You awake?" his voice is hoarse from sleep.

"Yeah," I raise my head to look at him. He looks adorable with bed mussed hair and sleepy eyes, and I can't help but smile.

"What?" he looks at me curiously.

"Nothing," I bite back a smirk and bring my fingers through his soft hair.

He closes his eyes against my touch and I'm really tempted to kiss him. Damn it. I roll across the mattress to the edge and jump off.

"Where's the fire?" he raises a brow, looking at me funnily.

"Morning breath," I point at my mouth.

"Big deal," he rolls his eyes.

I shrug and scurry to the bathroom. "There's unused toothbrushes in the guest bathroom, if you'd like one," I quip over my shoulder. "And everything else you might need."

"Copy that," he calls back and I hear him leave the room.

I take care of business and when I'm done and dressed for the day, Tyler comes back. He leans back against the doorway and lets his eyes travel from my ankle boots up my legs clad in white skinny jeans, and over the purple lace-edged top under a soft cardigan.

"You look amazing," he says appreciatively.

"Thank you," I do a little spin and bow. "I try."

He grins and closes the distance between us. My heart starts beating faster the closer he gets, and when he cups my face, I feel it skipping a beat completely. His breath smells minty fresh and feels cool against my cheek as he lowers his head.

I raise on my tiptoes and connect our lips, the feeling sending electricity shooting right through me. His mouth moves against mine tenderly, softly, like he's memorizing the feel of it. I'm breathless by the time he pulls back.

"That was..." I try to clear my head, but I'm finding it really hard with him standing so close to me.

He grins, clearly enjoying the effect he has on me. "I know."

I take a step back to be able to think, and ask, "Do we need me to stop by your house to get you some fresh clothes?" I eye the crinkled shirt and sweats he fell asleep in.

"That would probably be wise," he says and starts backing out of the room. "I'll go make some breakfast, if that's okay?"

I blink repeatedly. "Uh, yeah, that would be amazing, actually."

"Great," he smiles and disappears down the stairs, leaving me staring after him dazed. Hot and cooks. Wicked. 

I shake my head and do my make up before knocking on Mads' room.

"Yeah?" she calls.

"You still going to school today?" I ask through the door.

"Yeah!" she calls back. "Almost ready. I'll be down in ten."

Glad she's gotten herself out of bed despite last night, I head to the kitchen and find Tyler in front of the stove making omelettes.

"Smells amazing in here," I sniff the air happily and get out three plates and set them next to him on the counter.

"I'm kind of a master omelette maker," he brags.

"Oh, really?" I raise a brow, amused. "I wouldn't have guessed."

"What?" he asks. "I don't look like the typical cook?"

"Not in the slightest," I bite my lip to keep from smiling and set three glasses and a carton of orange juice on the table. I also can't help but admire his muscled behind when I turn around. "Nice ass," I give it a smack, making him jump in surprise.

"Nora!" he turns around to fake scold me, amusement clear in his eyes.

"Sorry," I giggle.

Tyler opens his mouth to say something, but just then Mads walks into the room, making him shut up.

"You look good," I tell my sister, taking in her appearance. She's wearing her basic jeans and a large hoodie, her curly hair on a messy bun on top of her head. He's eyes are still a little red, but she's managed to cover most of the darkness under her eyes. You would need to be close to see something's wrong.

"Thanks," she smiles and takes a seat at the table. 

"Hope you like omelettes" Tyler says as he sets one before her.

"One of my favorites," she beams up at him and digs in. "Thanks."

"No problem," he smiles and turns back to the stove. 

"I like this," I stretch lazily on my chair. "I could get used to being served breakfast every morning."

Tyler looks over his shoulder at me and grins wickedly. "Oh yeah?"

"Totes," I nod. "I like not being the one doing the cooking."

"This is so good," Mads gives a thumbs up with her free hand. "Best omelette ever."

"Hey!" I fake pout.

She rolls her eyes but smiles. "Yours are good, too. But after you taste this, you're never going back," she points at her half-eaten food with her fork. "Trust me."

"Here you go" Tyler serves me my portion and sits down next to me with his own.

"Thanks," I smile and take bite. Oh damn. "Heavenly."

"Told you," my sister grins at me and I have to admit defeat. I've been bested at omelettes. Go figure.

---

"I wish people would just stop staring and mind their own business," I mutter as Tyler and I walk toward my car at the end of practice. People have been shooting us curious glances all day, as if they've never seen two people before. Clearly the word has already traveled through the whole student body that we're dating, and it has created a buzz.

"Just give them murderous looks, like I'm doing," he tells me and in that moment sends an icy glare toward a pair off ogling cheerleaders. They immediately turn around and scurry away. "Works like a wonder."

"Yeah, I doubt my looks are that intimidating," I say wryly.

He shrugs.

I sigh. "I guess I just have to learn to ignore them."

"Or you can dump his ass and be done with it," a familiar voice answers from behind us.

I close my eyes and pray for patience before turning around to face my jerk of an ex. "Like I did you, you mean?"

Zane glowers.

"Just beat it" Tyler takes a threatening step toward him, his jaw twitching. There's no love lost between them.

"You don't get to order me around" Zane spits.

"Just leave us alone," I say, my face showing my exhaustion. I'm so done with him and his jealously. I can't believe how much he's changed for the worst since we started dating a few years ago. He was always jealous, but never an asshole like this.

"Nora, can I just please talk to you?" he pleads. "Alone," he adds when Tyler takes yet another step closer.

"Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of him," I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Fine," he shakes his head like he's disappointed in me. "I just thought you should know what your... boyfriend... has been up to with a cute little brunette. Oh, here she comes now." A look of utter satisfaction fills his face as he looks at something behind us. 

Dread filling my core, I turn on the spot and see Jenny walking toward us. Tyler curses under his breath and I shoot him a curious look. What the hell is going on?

He just shakes his head as an answer.

"Well, look who we have here" Jenny's chipper voice reaches my ears and I inwardly cringe.

"Jenny, hi," I say through gritted teeth as she walks up to Tyler and places her hand on his arm, batting her eyelashes at him. Is this chick for real?

"Nora," she barely glances at me. "And hello, Ty, babe."

"Don't call me that" Tyler clenches his teeth.

Her mouth forms an "O". "But you just told me you like it like only last week. You know, when we were having little fun for old time's sake," she winks, brushing her fingers down his arm. "Oops," her eyes shift to me. "Was I not supposed to say that?"

What? They didn't... did they? No, he wouldn't. I know he wouldn't, not again. Deep down I know she's lying, but I can't help but sneak a glance at Tyler, which he notices.

"You really still don't trust me?" he accuses, turning to face me.

"I want to," I sigh. "But it hasn't been that long since you last betrayed my trust, so..." On top of the fact that all the men in my life have been liars.

"You've got to be kidding me!" he throws up his hands, clearly frustrated. "You've got to let it go."

"I'm trying!" I shout back, meaning it. I am trying. But it's hard to open yourself up to someone completely and just trust they won't tear you to pieces.

"Well,  try harder, then!" Tyler growls.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start any trouble" Jenny oh-so-helpfully pitches in.

"Get lost" Tyler doesn't even spare her a glance.

"But baby!" she whines like the spoiled bitch she is. "We were so good together."

"Something wrong with your hearing?" I ask her. "Get lost. Now," I add when she doesn't move.

She huffs and mumbles something under her breath but does eventually stomp off.

"Now you see?" Zane speaks up. "You can't trust him. He's a manwhore. He's done half the girls at this school, and you really thinks he's okay with being exclusive?"

"You're one to talk about trust" Tyler clenches his fingers into fists. "Didn't you cheat on her, more than once?"

Ouch. Thanks for the reminder.

"That's between me and her" Zane's face reddens. "Besides, it was different. It was a mistake. I love her."

"No, you don't," I say before Tyler gets a chance to answer. He's looking really tightly wound right about now. "You don't repeatedly hurt the people you love, especially not purposely. You knew exactly what you were doing all those times and you didn't give a damn. So please, go back to not giving a damn and leave me the hell alone."

Zane open and closes his mouth like a fish, clearly out of words to say.

"Leave us alone or I'll make you" Tyler threatens, looking like he means it.

"Really?" Zane's face is bright red now from the anger and humiliation. "Try me," he taunts.

Tyler takes a step closer, his fists shaking, clearly ready to swing.

"Stop it!" I hiss, stepping between the two idiots. "You're not going to pummel each other over me!"

"Why not?" Tyler looks over my shoulder, avoiding looking me in the eye.

"Because you could lose your scholarship, you idiot!" I yell at him. "Not to mention it's just stupid! You're not a caveman." Something flashes in his eyes and I think he pulls himself back a little bit. "And you," I turn to Zane, pointing a finger at his chest. "I've told you like a billion times already that we're over, for good. There's no chance of us ever getting back together, so stop trying and stop with all this jealousy crap. You have no right to dictate what or who is good for me. Got it?"

He doesn't answer, just stares at Tyler over my head like he wants to kill the guy.

"You used to be a good person," I tell him. "There's a reason I liked you back then. I didn't fall for an asshat. But you've changed, a lot. And not for the better. So please, take a hard look at yourself and just be a better person."

His eyes flash to mine, confusion and shame written clearly all over his face.

"Let's go," I turn around and take a hold of Tyler's hand and start steering him toward my car. He's rigid the whole walk there, and neither of us says anything on the drive to his house.

He takes off his seatbelt and is about to get out of the car when I reach out to him. "Are we okay?"

He pauses halfway out of the vehicle. "You tell me. Do you trust me?"

"I..." I can't seem to find the words no matter how much I want to tell him yes.

"And that's your answer," he shakes his head and slams the door behind him.

Great. Just great.

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Hi guys! I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the few weeks without updates! I know how annoying it can be when ongoing stories take breaks, so I just wanted to let you know I'm trying really hard to get back to one chapter a week. Been just crazy busy lately with work and a new puppy and other commitments, but I've finally found some time to write, so yay! <3








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