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I roll out of bed and stomp out of the room, acting very much my age as I enter the living area to see Cynthia eyeing Ty as he makes coffee.
“Morning.” I sing, faking a cheery mood. No one can be cheery before fucking 9am. I don’t know why they make teenagers go to school so damn early.
Cynthia darts her head in my direction, looking me over and taking in Ty’s oversized t-shirt and probably a bird’s nest of hair on my head. She frowns, holding out a bag.
“Here’s your clothes and some extra make-up. You’ll need to cover that bruise.”
Ah, so we are hiding truths. Fun.
Ty looks over at me and frowns, holding up a mug. “Coffee? Tea? Hot Chocolate?”
“No thanks. I’ll take a joint if you have it, though.” I smile, and Cynthia rolls her eyes as Tyler frowns.
“No, I don’t, and you need to stop doing that shit, especially at school.” He scolds, and I grin. Oooh, teacher Tyler is in the house. Cynthia’s brows shoot up in surprise at Ty’s words, but she doesn’t say anything.
“ButDaddy, it makes it more tolerable.” The innocent voice I put on is accompanied by fluttering lashes, and Ty curses as Cynthia’s eyes widen.
I’m feeling like a smug bitch until I hear Tyler’s footsteps and see him round the bench, stalking towards me with fury on his face.
“Oh, shit.” I turn to flee, but he grabs my arm and drags me to his side to speak quietly.
“Do me a favour, Kitten. Keep our play between us. There’s no need to torment your mother even more.” His words aren’t harsh, even though his stance looks like I’m getting in trouble right now. I could be a brat and push the boundaries, but I don’t want to. He’s right. I’m only fuelling the fire with my mum by teasing her with my brattiness.
“Fine,” I whisper, my eyes darting up to his. “But only if you promise to punish me for it.”
He growls low and quiet, so Cin can’t hear, and gives me a slight nod before releasing my arm. I bite my lip, turning back to take the bag Cin brought, and I flee to the bathroom to get ready.
I make quick work of my makeup, lining my eyes, just not as dark as I usually do, and I leave off the lipstick today. I’m just not feeling the black lip vibe right now. I feel like they should be hot pink, which is really fucking weird, but hey, my soul is a little brighter right now. No need to question it too much.
After painting my lashes and covering the bruise as best I can, I look at my hair, and instead of starting on my twisted buns, I throw my head forward and comb my fingers through my hair, scooping it together and securing it in a messy ponytail.
I feel different, and I want to look different. I don’t know any other way to explain it, but once I’m dressed and entering the living area again, Cynthia’s eyes widen as she takes me in. Feeling a little self-conscious—because, let’s be honest, breaking that habit is going to take a long fucking time—I dart my eyes to Tyler, and he grins as he brings his steaming mug to his lips to sip whatever hot drink he made himself.
“You’re going to school like that?” Cynthia asks, and I grin.
“You’ve been asking me to dress normally for years. I thought you’d be happy.” I state, walking up to the counter and glancing at Tyler as he watches me. He looks pleased with the way I’m presenting myself.
“Well, yes, but it’s a very sudden change, Rhys.”
I frown and turn to her. “Not really. Those who matter have seen me like this lately. Why should I keep dressing in a way that I feel doesn’t represent who I am anymore?”
Her brows shoot up again. “You feel different about yourself?”
“Parts of me. Do we have to talk about this right now?”Or ever, I think to myself while Cynthia relaxes her shoulders.
“No, of course not. If you’re ready, I thought we could grab some breaky before we head to school.”
I nod at my mum and turn my eyes back to Ty. The muscles in his arms are flexing with the way he’s leaning over the bench top. Fuck, he’s one sexy man. Maybe I can ditch my exam and stay here with him… forever?
“Can I have a minute with Ty before we leave? I can meet you out in the car.” I mutter to Cynthia, and she huffs.
“I’ll be at the end of the hall waiting at the front door. Don’t be long.” She shoots Ty a glare before she turns and walks from the room, her heels clicking on the timber floors until she reaches the end of the hall.
My eyes drop to the bench between Ty and me, and with it, my heart, as an overwhelming sadness washes over me. Shit, maybe I should have gone with the black lipstick after all.
“Hey. What’s wrong?” Ty’s voice urges me to glance back up, and my eyes burn with stupid, hot tears.
“I feel like I’m not going to see you again.”
