Page 24 of His Shy Girl

He closes my door for me, sneaking one more kiss as we wait for Tier to get out. She’s straightening herself and eyeing my boyfriend up as she comes around the front of the car, but Brennon’s eyes are glued on me. Unwavering.

To tell you the truth, I’m shocked he hasn’t drunk his fill of her yet. Everyone does a double take with Tierney. Even the guys we pass as we make our way inside to our table stare at her. But Brennon’s eyes are only for me.

“Rye, this is my girl, Willow. Willow, this is Ryeson.”

As soon as Rye stands from his seat, my nerves are lodged in my throat again. He’s really tall and really good looking. Not as handsome as Brennon, but he could definitely turn heads. “Nice to meet you, Willow. I’ve heard a lot about you.” I wonder if he’s heard about my problems, too. Brennon may have prepped his friends about my speech impediment so they knew what to expect. But when I see the look in Rye’s eyes as I start to speak, I don’t think he was warned.

“I-i-it’s n-n-nice t-t-to…”

“I’m Tierney, Willow’s cousin,” she cuts me off, and now, I’m utterly embarrassed. And when I look at Brennon, he looks like he doesn’t know what to do. His cheeks have turned red and his smile has thinned to a straight line.

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Ryeson says. “After you, ladies.” He gestures for us to take a seat.

“So, you two go to Bryerson?” Ryeson directs his question to me instead of my cousin, but I wish he’d asked his “date.” I don’t want to have to open my mouth again.

“Willow is at Bryerson,” Brennon answers for me. “Tierney, you’re at a private school, right?”

My stomach feels even tighter. Now,he’sspeaking for me too. I’ve never felt more inadequate in my life. And as they continue to talk, I just sit and listen, feeling like I should’ve stayed home.

“So where are you going to school next year?” Ryeson asks Tier. She’s glued to her phone right now, responding to her fans on social media.

“I’m not going to school next year.” She finally looks up. “I’m taking a gap year and just traveling around. I want to grow my social media following and become an influencer, so I’m hoping I’ll get big enough next year that my parents won’t force me to go to college.”

I’m not sure Auntie Diane will ever be on board with Tierney spending her life glued to her phone, making a living from stupid dance trends. She thinks it’s a waste of mental energy.

“Well, I hope that works out for you,” Ryeson says, looking like he agrees with my aunt’s opinion. He seems fairly disinterested in her. I’m actually shocked. Most guys hang on her every word. “What about you, Willow?” He turns his attention toward me. “Where will you be headed next year?”

“I-I-I’m …”

“She’ll be at ASU with me,” Brennon interrupts, answering for me again. I swallow back the rest of my words, trying not to let it bother me. My mom answers for me all the time, and I’ve come to just let her. She hates to see me struggle, but she doesn’t realize that it only embarrasses me further. Brennon though… I feel like he’s the one who doesn’t want to be embarrassed.

“That’s awesome. I’ll be at Tennessee.” Ryeson smiles.

“Tennessee?” Tierney chimes in, sounding appalled. “Orange is such an ugly color.”

Did she really just say that? Maybe she’s not cut out for college after all. You don’t pick a college based on the school’s color.

“So, what’s your major going to be, Willow?” He completely ignores Tierney’s comment, and she bristles beside me. She’s never ignored. If anything, she’s always idolized. By her friends, her online fans, guys. But not Ryeson. He looks annoyed.

“Willow’s majoring in Speech Pathology,” Bren says. “My girl wants to prove to all the kids out there that they can overcome their challenges.”

He turns and smiles proudly at me, but I can’t muster up one of my own. Is this how it’s always going to be? Him speaking for me? Him being so ashamed that he’ll monopolize all the conversations? I don’t want to bring him embarrassment, but if I’m ever going to get comfortable being around his friends like he wants, then he needs to let me speak.

“Mad props. That’s really awesome, Willow.” Ryeson holds his hand out for a fist bump. I return the gesture, noticing the approving smile on Brennon’s face. Maybe he just needs time to adjust.

“How are you going to teach kids how to speak properly if you can’t?” Tierney whips her head toward me, looking like I’m ridiculous for wanting to try. She’s never questioned my choice when our mothers are around. But right now, she wants to embarrass me.

“Th-th-there are d-dif-dif-fer-rent j-j-jobs w-wi-th-thin th-th-the f-f-field.” It’s getting harder to speak and I feel like I’m about to break out into hives.

“It’s seriously awesome that you’re going into a field like that.” Ryeson nods, dismissing my cousin for the second time.“It’s definitely more noble than posting a bunch of videos of yourself every day.”

My cousin stiffens at my side, and I have to bite my cheek to keep myself from laughing. I’ve never heard anyone speak to Tierney like that. It’s kind of refreshing to watch her get a dose of her own medicine.

“I think I’m going to pass on the party tonight,” Tierney states.

I’m not surprised. She’s not the center of attention and she can’t handle it.

“Yeah. That’s a good idea.” Ryeson nods then turn towards me. “You’ll still come though, won’t you, Willow?”

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