When the Night Comes

by Teegan Loy

Halfway through the song, I felt tears dripping down my face. I didn’t give a damn, because I needed to get it out before it consumed me.

  When I completed the song, the crowd was silent.

  “Thanks for putting up with me tonight.”

  I saluted them and they erupted. I barely heard it. Skye was standing at the back of the stage with one hand shoved into his pocket. I nodded and handed him his guitar.

  I cleared my throat. “Thanks.”

  He grabbed my wrist. I wanted to wrench my arm free because his fingers felt like they were scalding my skin.

  “What did you mean when you said you forgot something?” he asked, wide-eyed.

  “You, Skye. I fucking forgot you,” I whispered.

  He narrowed his eyes, and I held my breath, waiting for a response. All I got was a shake of his head as he brushed by me and took the stage. I didn’t try to stop him. He didn’t owe me an explanation.

  “Hey.” His voice echoed through the bar. “I doubt I can top that performance, but I’ll see what I can do. I might have a few problems holding my guitar tonight because the other day I got a tattoo on my hip. It hurts a little when the guitar rubs against it.”

  “Let’s see it,” someone shouted.

  “You wouldn’t understand. It’s personal,” he told the audience.

  “Aw, c’mon, Skye, let’s see it.”

  “Yeah,” several people agreed.

  The audience started chanting, “Tatt, tatt, tatt,” until Skye held up his hands and laughed.

  “All right, since you asked nicely, but I have to get a new one. I really don’t feel lost anymore.”

  I peeked around the corner and gasped as Skye lifted his shirt to reveal the same tattoo that was on my hip. He caught my eye and winked.

  “It’s always been you. Only you. Maybe together we can be found instead of lost.”

  I felt dizzy as he started to sing. He’d just outed himself to the entire crowd. It took me a few seconds before I was able to focus on the song. It was one of the most beautiful pieces I’d ever heard in my life. Maybe it was because he was singing for me. None of the other people in the audience mattered. Not once did his gaze leave mine.

  The song was about coming home, and when it ended, the crowd went crazy. But all I could see was him coming toward me. He pushed me behind the stage and shoved me against the wall. His hot breath made me shiver, and when he tilted my chin and brushed his mouth over my lips, my legs turned to jelly.

  “Did you mean it?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” I said breathlessly. “Take me home, baby.”

  “Those are the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard,” Skye said, gazing directly into my eyes.

  “I’m so sorry,” I said.

  “No talking.”

  “But —⁠”

  He silenced me by placing his mouth over mine. The kiss was gentle and made my entire body shiver with anticipation of what was to come. If we didn’t get out of this very public hallway, a lot of people were going to get quite a show.

  “We need to get out of here before I do something crazy.”

  “Crazy,” Skye groaned.

  I leaned into him and licked the side of his neck. “I want to take you apart without putting on a show.”

  A throaty moan was all I got from him before he moved away from me and picked up his guitar. He grabbed my wrist and led me toward a back door. We made a mad dash across the parking lot but were soaked by the time we jumped into his car. Skye started the car, slammed it into gear, and squealed out of the parking lot. Before I lost all train of thought, I dropped Joey a quick text, telling him I was heading home and he was welcome to sleep anywhere except my room.

  All I got back was a thumbs up.

  The ride seemed like it lasted for days. Inside my head, my brain was going a mile a minute, trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to say to him. A few times he started to say something but shook his head and kept his eyes on the road.

  When we made it inside, we stared at each other, both breathing sharply. I put my arms around his waist and pulled him closer.

  “You left,” Skye sighed into my neck.

  “You have a tattoo.”

  “Are you leaving again?”

  “That depends on you,” I said.

  He gripped me tighter and took a deep breath. “Tyler, I want to wake up with you in the morning and shut off the light with you in the evening.”

  I shrugged. “Then I’m not leaving. I shouldn’t have left this last time.”

  “Why did you leave?”

  “You pulled away from me at the diner,” I said.

  “What?”

  “It’s silly, but when you did it, I remembered everything I felt in high school. I can’t hide anymore.”

  “Oh my god, seriously, that’s why you left? I was so fucking nervous. You touched me, and I wanted to blurt out everything I was feeling. The waitress startled me and I knocked over the water. I didn’t mean to pull away, I just didn’t want to share all my feelings with everyone in the restaurant.” He placed tender kisses on my neck and mumbled words I couldn’t understand.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah,” he said.

  “Skye, I know we’ve both made a lot of mistakes in our lives, but finding you again was the best thing that ever happened to me. After five years, my chest doesn’t hurt anymore. It wasn’t a lot of fun walking around with a fucking gaping hole where my heart was supposed to be.”

  “We were both stupid,” he said.

  “I know.”

  He touched his forehead to mine and gazed into my eyes. “I know it’s probably too early or maybe it’s too late, but Tyler, I love you. So fucking much. I always have. I thought it would go away, but it never did.”

  “It’s not too late. I never stopped loving you either. I hid the love behind the hate because it was easier to keep moving. It would’ve buried me alive to think about what you really meant to me. I truly believed you’d made a life with Brooke.”

  “That’s what I wanted you to think. It’s what I thought would happen but . . .” Skye lowered his head.

  “You know what, let’s put the past away. We can’t change it, so what’s the point in bringing all this shit up again. We both know what happened. We lived it for five years. I think it’s time to let it all go,” I said.

  “You sound like your mama.” Skye smiled.

  “I think that’s a good thing.”

  For a few moments we stood in the entryway, clinging to each other and kissing. I’d forgotten how much I liked to kiss him. I’d been with a lot of people in the past few years, but not one of them could kiss like Skye. He pushed at my lips with his tongue, and I let my mouth fall open. He groaned and enthusiastically licked around my teeth.

  “Bed,” I managed to breathe out.

  “Yeah,” Skye agreed and squeezed my bulge.

  He was panting when we broke apart. “Can I ask you one thing?”

  “You can ask me anything. I’m not keeping secrets anymore,” I said.

  “What made you come back?” His face flushed and he ran his fingers through his hair.

  I chuckled and dragged him to my bed, where I motioned for him to sit down while I rummaged through my bag.

  “Hey, those are my jeans,” he said when I dropped the pants in his lap.

  “Yeah, and imagine my surprise when I dug in the pocket and found this.” I opened my hand and revealed a crumpled piece of paper. I knelt in front of Skye and handed him the note. He carefully smoothed it out on his thigh. His breathing stuttered and he stared at me.

  “This doesn’t really explain why you came back,” he choked out.

  “I realized you love me,” I said.

  “But you read my journals and . . . it doesn’t matter,” he whispered and then reached into the neck of his T-shirt and tugged on a chain. A platinum and titanium band dangled in front of my nose. He unhooked the chain and let the ring fall into his hand before he encased it in his fist. The c
hain slipped to the floor.

  “Tyler,” he said as he slid off the bed to his knees. “I’ll never walk away again. I can’t breathe without you. If you want to get married, I’m asking. If you’re not ready, that’s fine too. I don’t need anything conventional. I never was one for normalcy, but I would like you to wear this ring as a sign of my love and commitment to you, and only you.”

  “I don’t have anything for you,” I whispered.

  “You came back for me,” he said. “Will you wear it?”

  “Yes, I’ll wear your ring. I’ll marry the hell out of you. Whatever you want.” I closed my fingers over his fist that held my ring captive.

  His smile lit up the entire room. He opened his hand, grabbed mine, and slid the ring home. All I could think was sometimes fairytales really do come true. I was finally home. It may have taken me five fucking years to find it, but now that I had it, I was never going to let it go.

  “Make me yours, Tyler,” Skye growled.

  I had no words. I was overwhelmed with passion and lust and five fucking years of stored up love for him. It exploded out of me, and I couldn’t contain myself.

  I always thought moments like this were meant to be soft and gentle, but there would be other nights for that kind of love. Right now the animal in me was loose.

  I grabbed the collar of his shirt, exposing his neck so I could go to work on a giant hickey.

  But Skye couldn’t hold still either. We practically tore our clothes off and I couldn’t help but stare at his reddened tattoo on his hip.

  “I can’t believe we have matching tattoos,” I said.

  “C’mon,” he whined. “You can look later.” He shoved his knee between my thighs and it made my dick harden even more. I shoved him back and climbed on top of him, gently lowering my body until our cocks rubbed together. We both groaned at the contact.

  “I can’t take it anymore. Get me open. I want you,” Skye begged.

  He sounded frantic, and before I knew what the hell was happening, Skye had flipped me on my back. He reached behind and worked himself. I had to grip my dick to prevent a premature end to this evening.

  Soon he was slicking up my dick and sinking down on me. I couldn’t breathe.

  “Slow down, baby,” I said.

  “Can’t.” Skye grunted and pushed harder, taking more of my cock into his body.

  The heat and tightness threatened to overwhelm me. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on something that would slow down the fire that was threatening to engulf my body. Of course he was in no mood to listen to my whines. He rolled his hips and almost bounced on me, sending all sorts of electrical sparks up my spine. I decided not to fight him anymore.

  I gripped his thighs and started chanting his name. He reached down and laced his fingers with mine, and when I felt him touch the ring, I couldn’t hold back.

  “I love you,” I shouted and let go. I may have seen a thousand shooting stars as I released into him. His muscles clenched and he stopped moving, riding out his orgasm. I wanted to watch him fall apart, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I relaxed and enjoyed the sensations.

  He leaned forward and captured my mouth before he rolled over.

  “I can’t move,” I muttered into his hair when he snuggled into my neck.

  “This is where you belong,” he mumbled.

  “I know.” My eyes fell shut and I surrendered to sleep, happy and content in the knowledge that I was finally home.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The smell of coffee and food woke me in the morning. At first I thought it was Skye but he was still wrapped around me. It was definitely a good way to wake up, but I needed to see who was in my kitchen.

  Slowly and carefully, I untangled from him. He sighed and grabbed my pillow, hugging it to his body before his breathing evened out again. I stroked his hair a few times, feeling lighter and happier than any person had a right to feel. I pulled on some shorts and headed upstairs.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” Joey said.

  “You’re certainly happy,” I said.

  “I had a good evening.”

  A loud clattering came as someone thumped down the stairs.

  “I need coffee.”

  I recognized the voice and stared at Joey, who gave me a toothy grin.

  “Oh, good morning,” Lindy said.

  I raised my eyebrows. “Apparently.”

  She cleared her throat and took a seat. “Sorry I was late last night, but Ash filled me in.”

  “I made breakfast,” Joey announced.

  “Who are you?” I asked Joey.

  “I met a girl,” he said.

  “Jesus,” I muttered as Joey set a plate of eggs, toast, and bacon in front of me.

  “Holy shit.” Joey grabbed my arm, making coffee splash on the table. “Nice hardware.”

  Lindy couldn’t seem to form words. She stared at my hand and opened and closed her mouth several times. Skye stumbled into the room and stopped when he saw Lindy and Joey.

  “Hungry?” Joey asked him.

  “Uh, yeah,” Skye said.

  “Joey, this is Skye,” I said.

  “It’s nice to formally meet you,” Joey said, holding out his hand. “Sorry Ty was so stupid.”

  Skye laughed and shook his hand. “Thanks for being his friend.” Skye sat down next to Lindy and stared at her. “Hi, Lindy.”

  Her face bloomed red as she nodded.

  “I think they hooked up,” I whispered to Skye.

  Lindy immediately kicked me.

  “Hey, I smell food,” Gavin shouted as he opened the front door.

  “I need to change the locks,” I said.

  “Good morning,” Gavin boomed. “I’m starving.”

  Ashley strolled in and shoved me out of my chair, stealing my cup of coffee.

  “Hey,” I objected. “I thought you were off caffeine.”

  “My doctor said a little is okay.” She sipped from my cup. “Did you find what you forgot?”

  “Yeah.” I placed my hand on Skye’s shoulder.

  “Are you going to run off again?” she asked.

  “Nope.” I kissed Skye on the cheek.

  “And you’re okay with this?” Lindy asked Skye.

  “He’s mine now.” Skye raised my hand so they could see the ring.

  Ashley’s eyes widened and she squealed. She jumped out of her chair and almost knocked me over when she leaped into my arms.

  “I’m so happy for you guys,” she said.

  “Oh, that reminds me,” Lindy said.

  She raced out of the room, coming back with her purse in tow. She dug around until she pulled out an envelope and thrust it at me.

  I took a deep breath and ripped it open.

  Dear Tyler and Skye,

  Welcome Home.

  Love,

  Mama

  I swallowed thickly and looked down at the floor. Skye cleared his throat and pulled me into a hug. Gavin thumped me on the back and Lindy wrapped her arms around my waist, laying her head against my back. Ashley’s eyes glistened with tears as she mouthed the words “I love you, big brother.”

  “Back at you,” I said to her.

  “Who wants more breakfast?” Joey shouted, and the kitchen came alive with conversation and laughter.

  I was truly home.

  Epilogue

  “Jesus, Tyler, hurry the fuck up,” Ashley shouted. “Skye and Joey have been calling every five minutes. She’s really close.”

  “I can’t find the bag,” I shouted.

  “I have it, you moron. Now let’s go.” Ashley stamped her foot and threatened me bodily harm if I didn’t get it together. She grabbed the keys from my hand, telling me she wasn’t getting in the car with someone who was acting like an idiot.

  “I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be able to back out of the driveway without crashing into a bush, or worse, another car.”

  “Shut up, Ash,” I grumbled.

  My phone rang and Gavin shouted in my ear
about missing it if we didn’t get there immediately.

  “They’re going to kill me,” I said and twisted the ring on my finger.

  Ashley floored it and the car, along with my stomach, lurched forward.

  “I can’t do this,” I said as panic rose in my throat.

  Ashley laughed like an evil villain. “It’s a little late for second thoughts.”

  We made it to the hospital in record time. I was surprised we didn’t have the entire police department following us. Gavin was by the front door with his son, pacing and staring at his phone.

  “Hi family,” Ashley said and waved at them. Gavin barreled down the drive with Jayden in tow, yelling at me for being an inconsiderate bastard.

  “I was at work,” I said. “And she’s early.”

  We created quite a commotion as we bolted through the hospital doors.

  Dr. Heller met us in the lobby and assured everyone we weren’t a crazed bunch of lunatics. We followed him to the room and he let us in. Ashley had to push me into the room, but everything calmed when I saw his radiant smile.

  “Fuck, Ty, it’s about time,” Lindy and Joey shouted.

  “Bad word,” Jayden said, making us all burst out laughing. “You owe me a dollar.”

  “We’ll be out in the waiting room,” Ashley said as she scooped up Jayden and kissed him on the cheek. He shrieked and wiggled in her arms.

  Skye held out his hand and pulled me to the edge of Lindy’s bed just as the doctor told Lindy to push. In a few minutes, the cries of a baby filled the room along with Joey’s, who almost fainted. A nurse asked if I wanted to cut the cord, but I was too freaked out to move. Skye held my hand, and with his help, we were able to do our job.

  People bustled around the room and the baby was still crying. I couldn’t focus on anything except trying to take enough oxygen in to keep my brain functioning.

  “Tyler? Are you okay?” Skye whispered in my ear.

  “What?”

  Someone nudged me and asked me if I wanted to hold my daughter.

  “Daughter? Skye, we have a kid,” I said.

  “Yes, and I think you should hold her.”

  “You go first,” I said.