Page 22 of Stand

She didn’tmeanto look at Ty’s throat after she’d said that, but she somehow did, and he swallowed again.

She couldn’t do anything about this… attraction between them, but boy, was it fun to contemplate. She defied anyone to remain unmoved when this Ralph Lauren ad reacted to her the way he did. Smiling to herself, she faced front again.

They joined the line of cars pulling into the high school parking lot. “Maybe we could come see you one day, when we visit Uncle Noah,” Alyssa said. “You promised, Dad.”

“I did,” he said. A policeman in a reflective jacket pointed them into a parking space. “But not in the summer. It’s too hot.”

“Fall is nice,” Sam said, opening her own door. Ty went to the back of the SUV and opened it before handing Alyssa a dark-blue graduation gown and cap.

“But I’ll be back at school in the fall!” Alyssa complained.

“Okay, okay,” Ty said. “Don’t worry about it now. Come on, let’s get you graduated.” He put his arm around his daughter’s shoulders and led them safely through the cars to the sidewalk, where an older woman with short, light-brown hair squealed and held out her arms. Alyssa ran over to her. They were about the same size.

“Hey, sweetheart!” the woman said, sweeping Alyssa in for a hug.

“Hi, Grandma!”

“Look at you! You’ll be a high schooler in about one hour!”

“I know!”

“I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks. Hey, come meet Sam.”

Sam wasn’t ready for Ty’s mother, even though he’d said she’d be there. How much had she heard about Sam in high school? Or about Sam and Ty? Not that there was anything to hear.

“Hello, Sam,” Ty’s mother said with a carefree smile, and they shook hands. Nope, didn’t remember her. Or even recognize her. Also, Sam realized, his mom didn’t know what had happened with Julia the night before. Unless she was a freaking fantastic actress.

Mrs. Cavanaugh flicked her gaze from Sam to Ty. “Tyler,” she said. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing a guest.”

“I’m not,” he said as Sam said, “He’s not,” and Alyssa said, “He didn’t.”

Mrs. Cavanaugh laughed. Alyssa added, “I asked her. She helped us out yesterday when—”

And she quit talking very fast.

The change in mood turned Ty’s mom’s curious smile into a frown. “When what, sweetie?”

“I’ll tell you later, Mom,” Ty said. “Hey, Lyss, Gabriella and Kayleigh are over there. You go on ahead.” He disengaged her gently from her grandmother. “We’ll see you after.”

Ty pulled his mother away from the flowing river of parents and students and began to talk to her in a low voice. Sam hung back with Matt, who rolled his eyes in relief when he saw his own friends. He made a beeline for them, leaving Sam alone.

She didn’t really mind. In fact, the longer she stayed alone and anonymous in this crowd, the better. She wanted to breathe her way through the memories and keep herself calm without interruption.

The white chairs arranged on the football field in front of one of the goals, the bunting on the stage, and the enthusiasm of the teens began to work on her. Even after the stress of yesterday and her worry about the kids since, there were some things in life too exciting to ignore, and surviving middle school was one of them.

Parents chatted with relief at the lack of humidity, and girls in strapless white dresses were grateful for the warmth. The ground was firm underfoot as Sam stepped onto the grass to let another family go by.

After they’d passed, Ty was looking at her again, his mother behind him. Her eyes were wide, and their conversation wasn’t over.

“But, Tyler,” she was saying, keeping her voice low, “what are you going todoabout her?”

“I got a restraining order,” he replied through stiff lips. “And now I just want Alyssa to enjoy her night. I’ll worry about Julia tomorrow.”

“But what if she—?”

“Mom,” he said firmly, turning around. “Not today, okay? I don’t want her to ruin today.”

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