Page 27 of Wild About You
“I think you are way more mature and capable than I was at your age, but it’s still good to have people that will look out for you. And it will make your brother feel better.”
She sighs. “I guess you’re right. Besides, I really don’t want the lady next door to check in on me.”
We get out of the car and Everly lets us in through the front door. She nods her head toward the neighbor’s house. “She treats me like I’m five and she’s always hitting on Ty.”
Everly scrunches up her face in disgust. I bet there’s a long list of women hitting on her brother. And who could blame them? Young, hot, rich professional athlete? Any one of those things would make him a catch. All three? Hold on to your panties, ladies.
Everly kicks off her snowy shoes and I do the same.
Her phone rings and a big smile stretches out over her face. “It’s River.”
Everly disappears up the stairs, tapping away as she goes. I let out a long breath and look around, spotting a living area off to the right of the entryway. Even knowing this isn’t Tyler’s house, I still feel him here. The framed jerseys on the wall, the hockey stick mounted like artwork—it all has a very Tyler-like feel that unexpectedly makes me smile.
I reach out and run my fingers along the wooden stick on the wall and goosebumps climb up my arm. The hall leads to an open kitchen with a giant island. A piece of paper catches my eye. Tyler’s penmanship sucks the air out of my lungs. Why is it the smallest things that hit me the hardest when it comes to him?
Ev,
Here’s my card for food and emergencies, or whatever you need.
Stay out of trouble.
Ty
I hate how even when I want to hold on to every ounce of anger for the things he did in the past, the present version draws me in.
Chris pops into my mind. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks with my student teaching starting and I’ve barely talked to him, let alone seen him.
He isn’t a great love or anything. We’ve kept our relationship casual and fun, but I like him and he’s a nice guy. Still, I find myself comparing him to Tyler. Like I’ve inevitably done with every other guy that came before him.
Chris has a younger sister, too, Heidi, who is about the same age as Everly. It isn’t the same situation—she lives at home with two loving parents—but I can’t help but think of the time he wouldn’t let her borrow a phone charger, and here Tyler is leaving his credit card on the kitchen table like it’s no big thing.
But it isn’t just the money, because God knows he probably has more of it than he knows what to do with now. How incredible is it that Tyler was there for Everly when she had no one else all while keeping a crazy schedule and following his own dreams?
Maybe the truth is Tyler is a good guy. But he can be a good guy and still be the jerk that broke my heart.
9
READY TO CELEBRATE?
TYLER
“Did Declan make it?”I ask Everly, balancing the phone between my shoulder and ear as I pack my bag for the arena. Tonight is the second game of our three-game road trip. We’re heading home tomorrow, and I can finally sigh a breath of relief. Being away and making sure Everly is doing what she’s supposed to is even more stressful than being there.
“Yeah. He brought dinner and is trying to help me with my homework.”
“Trying?”
“We couldn’t figure out this stupid accounting assignment, but it’s fine. It isn’t due until next Monday.”
I lift my face away from the phone to the guys. Ash, Leo, Maverick, and Jack are watching TV in my and Mav’s room. “Can anyone help Ev with accounting?”
Without looking up from the screen, Leo calls, “I got this one.”
He stands and walks backward to the phone.
“We’ll be back tomorrow night, probably around eight. Make sure the house isn’t a wreck. We might be staying there but it isn’t ours.”
Ash says something from his spot on the couch, but I ignore him. No matter how welcoming he’s been, I don’t want to take advantage.
