LORA
I have yet to figure out what Tyler did to Sherry to put that look of fear in her eyes. For the past few weeks, she’s been walking around with her nose in the air and this insipid look on her face like she knew something no one else did. Since she and I have nothing to say to each other, I was never privy to what the heck that might be. But that all changed the day I watched the color drain from her face when she saw Tyler coming.
It was a complete about-face, and no matter how much Tyler denies it when I ask or skirt the issue, I know he’s done something. I just hope that he’s not going to get himself in trouble. When I think about it, the fact that she made up that whole story to tell me doesn’t warrant her destruction, but the way she reacted to Tyler’s presence that day tells me that he’s done something horrid to her.
I never knew how vindictive he could be, and though I’d never tell him, I’m here for it. I love the way he went after that Kevin guy and the other little runt who’d brought him the drink to give to me at the party, but those two deserve everything they got as far as I’m concerned. Sherry, on the other hand, is just a misguided fool who was trying to find her way into his bed. And though I’d like to scalp her bald, that’s no reason for Tyler to subject her to his brand of retribution.
I dropped the subject once more as he ignored me while driving us to school; besides, we had more important things to talk about. “So, the baby’s home, when are we going to tell our parents about us?” Now that I knew Tyler would stand by me no matter what, I was no longer afraid of their reactions.
“Any day now beautiful, I’m just waiting on one last thing.” I’m not sure I can trust that smirk on his face. Just what is he up to now?
Tyler
I saw Paul as soon as I pulled into my spot. He was leaning against his car arms folded like he was waiting impatiently for me to arrive. The look on his face confirmed it, and the way his gaze flicked to Lora before swiftly returning back at me sent the clear message that he needed a private meet. Because he knew some of what I’d been up to, I could only imagine what he was foaming at the bit to say.
I turned the car off and sat in silence for a few seconds while I got my thoughts together. “Babe, are you sure this is what you want?” I stopped with my hand on the door handle. I didn’t look at her but kept my focus straight ahead. If I look at her, I won’t be able to give her the choice I was about to. As selfish as it is, since the night I took her virginity, I’ve come to see her as mine, and what that means to me might not be the same as others.
Basically, as far as I’m concerned, I own every part of her, not just her body but also her dreams and wants, and most of all, her happiness. But this love thing is strange as fuck because as possessive as I am of her, and as much as I know I won’t ever let her go, not even after sixty years, I still have to do this.
“What are you talking about? Want what?”
“This, us, with me. Are you sure you’re in it for the long haul? I know there’re no guarantees in life and all that other bullshit, but if we do this, we do it all the way.” I didn’t tell her I was just asking as a formality; the least I could do was make her think she had a damn choice. Women are big on that shit.
We’re both products of divorce, something I have no plans to do to my future children. I know people claim to fall out of love for one reason or another, and I’ve also seen firsthand how hate can grow out of that pseudo-love and the damage one person can do to the other when that happens. Again, that’s something I do not plan to put on my kids. So I have to lay it all out there for her now before we go any further.
“Of course, why are you asking me that now out of the blue?” I finally looked at her with a smile before giving her my secret wink, which always makes her blush. It’s the only form of intimacy we can share while here for now, but I’m hoping that today will be the last day for that shit. Looking at Paul’s pacing ass, I just might be in luck.