Page 53 of Wild About You
“The ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ speech. Ouch. Heard that before.”
“I’m sorry.” I move closer and hug him, then get out of the car.
I walk slowly up to the house, glancing back just once to offer a sympathetic smile. My stomach is in knots, but I know I made the right decision. Being with Chris has never felt anywhere close to what it felt like with Tyler. Then or now.
Downstairs is quiet, but the lights are on. I think I hear music in Ash’s room.
I go straight upstairs. Tugging my hair down from my ponytail, I moan my relief and massage my scalp with my fingertips. I toss my purse on my bed, kick off my shoes, and glance toward the bathroom. It’s dark, but Tyler’s door is open, and his light is on. He walks into the bathroom while I’m still staring in that direction.
Shirtless, jeans unbuttoned, he’s got a shirt in one hand and the other is running through his messy hair when he spots me.
I squeak and turn around so fast I get a little dizzy. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were home.”
“Same,” he says. His voice sounds a lot less affected than mine.
Still facing the other direction, I hear him walk toward me.
“I’m decent.”
Slowly, I turn back. He stands inside my room looking too good to be real. Mostly I’ve seen him in workout clothes, shorts, sweats, T-shirts, that kind of thing, occasionally a pair of jeans that I’m pretty sure he had when we were together four years ago, but tonight he’s wearing a cream sweater that stretches over his broad chest and a pair of black jeans that hug his muscular legs.
His bare feet move a step closer. “Do I look ridiculous?”
“No.” The word comes out raspy. I find myself reaching out to smooth my hand down his bicep. It’s something I did a million times when we were together, but as soon as I do it now, I wish I hadn’t.
He feels different and I want to run my fingers up and down his arm until I know his body as well as I once did.
“Everly picked it out for me. She seems to think my wardrobe needs an update.”
“Still adverse to shopping, huh?”
I pull away, but I swear my fingers tingle as I drop my hand to my side.
“Not completely true. I like shopping for shoes.” His mouth pulls into a playful smile, and he looks down at his feet and wiggles his toes.
When he looks up, he stares at me more intently. “How was your date?”
“It was fine.” I can’t get the wordswe broke upout of my mouth. I haven’t even fully processed it myself.
“What’s he like?”
“Chris?”
His chin dips.
“He’s nice.” My voice wavers. “He’s a fan of yours, actually.” Or was. I might have just earned Tyler one less fan in this city.
“Well, I’m not a fan of his.” His lips press into a firm line. “Sorry. That was out of line. If you’re happy then I’m glad.”
He leaves, walking back through the bathroom between our rooms and then closing his door.
My heart is galloping in my chest, and for a fraction of a second I consider going after him.
Oh, this isn’t good.
* * *
The next afternoon, River picks up Everly from school, so I stay a little later and work on grading and lesson plans. When I finally make it back to the house, the kitchen is filled with half the Wildcats’ roster.
