“Stay with me,” I blurt before I can think twice.
Tyler’s pacing stalls. “What about the kids?”
I lift a shoulder. “They’ll be fine. They both love you. We’ll tell them the truth. The heat is messed up.”
Tyler’s mouth quirks. “I hate to break it to you, but that air mattress won’t cut it. Not sure my back can handle another night. I think it has a puncture.”
I clap a hand over my mouth, my cheeks heating. “I am so sorry. Maybe there’s a patch kit in the box. We’ll figure it out. But the offer still stands. Stay at my house.”
He considers my offer for a second before agreeing. While he packs a bag, I sit perched on the edge of his bed. My eyes land on a book sitting on his nightstand and I reach for it.
“You still have the book you were reading that night!” I exclaim. Just as my hand makes contact with the spine, Tyler swipes the book, tucking it in his bag.
At my shocked expression, he quickly says, “Sorry, Jo. It’s private.”
Accepting that explanation, I go back to watching him pack.The book did have plenty of notes in the margins, and there’s no telling how much more he’s added since.
“Before I stay with you guys,” Tyler begins, his voice serious, bringing my attention up to him. “I want you to know, this morning happened because I felt like I would physically combust if I didn’t get my mouth on you. I still feel that way. But I would never press for more until you’re ready, especially this week with your kids around. I respect you too much.” His words settle over me, equal parts promise and restraint, and he goes on. “I need to know where we stand, Jo. When you’ve decided, say the word.”
Pausing, I chew over his words for a beat. Where do we stand? Things are moving quickly, but with each passing day, I’ve felt less and less afraid. Tyler’s putting in the work, proving to me he’s exactly what he says. Steady, reliable…safe.
“I see you, Tyler. All that you’ve done, it’s not lost on me. I promise I’m getting there. You were right this morning, we’re so much more than friends, though I don’t know what we are exactly.”
With a look of relief, he pulls me in for a hug, and I snuggle into him. He really does give the best hugs and this room is so damn cold.
“Let’s get back to my house where the heat works,” I say into his chest.
With his duffle bag in one hand, and mine in his other we start toward the door.
“Oh, and Tyler? When I’m ready for more mind-altering orgasms, you’ll be the first to know. My word will be balderdash.” The corner of his mouth twitches, but I can’t resist pushing further. “Until then, I guess I’ll have to give them to myself.”
Swinging the door open, I look back to see Tyler wearing a dazed expression.
This is how the following days go: Each morning, Tyler sets up a makeshift office at my kitchen table while Abby, Jay and I go about our daily lives, futzing around the house. The two of them don’t think twice about him being around, either. Tyler receives a plethora of phone calls, and I occasionally hear words like, Austin’s 1099’s or tax deadline. I overheard him on the phone with his mom, and the gentleness with which he spoke to her had my heart clenching inside my chest. But after the third call from a woman named Kate, I whip out my phone to text Penny.
Who the fuck is this Kate woman and why does she call him so dang much?
Penny
I wish you could hear how hard I’m laughing. I just snorted.
But I’m loving how jealous you are right now.
Well, who is she? I swear they’ve been on the phone three times today.
Penny
Kate is Austin’s publicist. I can assure you there’s nothing there. Kate’s like a robot, solely focused on her job.
Calmed by her assurances, I push the jealousy from my mind and enjoy the time Tyler and I have together. He helps make dinner, sometimes taking over completely, and afterward we settle on the couch, either with one of his crossword puzzle books or our current read. This time he’s reading a self-published book by a friend of a friend’s calledNothing is Heavyand I’m reading a sexy hockey romance by a new author, Jillian Arly. The kids hang out in their rooms until inevitably Jay pulls Tyler into a game or two of Fortnite. We go our separate ways at bedtime; me to my bedroom and Tyler to the newly patched air mattress.
The first night, after much internal back and forth, I sent him a text to join me in my bed. Now this is our routine: Tyler comes to my room, lies down beside me tucking me into his solid chest, and holds me while I sleep. That’s all we do. We sleep. Sleep doesn’t come easy to me. I spend my nights tossing and turning, a few hours of shallow sleep, then I’m awake again. But with the warmth of Tyler next to me, I can’t recall a single time in my life I’ve slept so sound or felt so content. Every morning, he’s the first to rise with fresh coffee waiting for me in the kitchen and we repeat the day. And it’s been nice. Better than nice, if I’m being honest. It’s been perfect.
We’ve gone through this routine for three days now, but based on the conversation drifting from the kitchen, it sounds like Tyler’s heat is fixed. The snow has melted, other than a few lone snowmen still hanging on for dear life in shady spots, leaving no reason for Tyler to stay another night. And my heart hurts.
Wishing desperately he had a reason to stay, I almost don’t hear his approach as he rounds the couch to sit beside me.
“Time to get back to real life,” I say, forcing neutrality into my voice.
