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It’s only been weeks, but this is everything I’ve ever wished for.
As the door clicks shut, leaving me alone in my apartment, I remember a certain saying.
Be careful what you wish for.
CHAPTER20
Daniel
Five years ago
Iknew something was off when I walked in at 4 a.m. and the dining room light was on. The yellow glow carries into the kitchen and I follow it to see Tyler at the end of the large table, head in his hand staring at the screen to his laptop.
I expect to hear something, maybe see him watching a video. But the screen has gone black and that’s when I see his expression. Defeated and exhausted.
“You still up?” I ask him, which is a stupid question. It gets his attention though, although his exhaustion makes him blink several times before he can answer me. It’s then that I see his eyes are puffy, not with sleep, but with something else.
“Yeah, couldn’t sleep,” he answers and then visibly swallows as he closes the laptop.
My jacket rustles as I slip it off and hang it over the chair in front of me. I still feel like an asshole for snapping at him the other day. Of everyone living under this roof, Tyler’s the last person who needs my shit. “Everything alright?”
He sits back and lets out a heavy breath, but instead of answering verbally, he only shakes his head no.
“You want to talk about it?” I ask as I grip the back of the chair and prepare myself for the answer I know is coming. Addison isn’t here and Tyler can’t sleep. She left him.
“You were right,” Tyler says and then turns away from me.
“I was an asshole who was trying to be an asshole. I’m never right. You know that?”
He lets out a huff of a laugh and wipes under his eyes.
“What happened?” I ask him.
“She said it’s too much for her. That she needs space.”
I nod my head in understanding. “Nothing wrong with a little space,” I say and try to make it sound like it’s not a big deal.
“I know her, Daniel. I know it’s her way of putting distance between us so I’ll be the one to leave.”
The legs of the chair scratch along the floor as I pull it out and take a seat. A heavy breath leaves me as I put my elbows on the table and lean closer to him. “Girls are hormonal,” I say to try to make him crack a smile. He’s the one who’s good at this, not me.
“I think she’s done with me, but I don’t know why.”
“She loves you,” I tell Tyler although it makes a spike of pain go through my heart. She does love him. I know it by the way she kisses him. It’s obvious she does.
“I don’t know,” he says in a whisper, shaking his head.
“Just give her a day or two, cut class if you have to. Give her time to miss you.” I hate that I’m giving him this advice. But I hate to see him like this more.
“What did Mom used to say, huh? If you give someone love, they’ll love you back. Right?”
He nods his head, although he still doesn’t speak. It’s been a while since I brought up Mom. And it still doesn’t feel right, but Tyler was her baby boy. He may have been younger when she got sick, but it hit him hard. He didn’t understand.
“I promise you,” I tell him as I pat his back. “Come with me for the next two days. I have to make a trip to Philly for a shipment. Come up with me and let her miss you.”
He’s reluctant for a moment but then he nods. “I could use the distraction, I guess.”
“Perfect.” I stand up quickly and leave him be as fast as I can. “Get some sleep,” I say over my shoulder and I don’t stop walking or respond when he tells me thanks.
