We gathered our things, and I led him through the woods to a small opening. It may have been illegal, but five summers back, Dad and I had spent the entire summer building this tree house. The city didn’t seem to mind because they’d kept it up.
“Nice,” he said.
I grabbed one of the slats we’d used to build a ladder up the trunk and pulled myself up. “It’s pretty amazing.”
Once we were both in the tree house, I realized this might not have been the smartest idea. Sure it was fun when I was a kid, but I’d grown since I last came here. And Tyson was even bigger. When we sat down, we took up the entire floor.
“It’s cozy,” Tyson said, stretching out his legs.
I could feel my cheeks burn. I wanted to say it was because of the heat that still clung to the evening air, but I was embarrassed. What kind of person has to hide their tutoring sessions?
Me. Only me.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ll come up with a better place next time.”
Tyson laughed. It was soulful and free. It wasn’t cocky, like he was trying to impress someone—it was genuine. And I liked it.
“No worries. I’ll pick the place next time.”
So there was going to be a next time. My heart rate quickened at the thought. He wasn’t scared of my dad or my complete lack of spatial reasoning.
“You want a next time?” I asked.
He glanced over at me, and I could see the humor in his expression. “Sure, Tiny. Why not?”
I pulled my notebook and textbook from my backpack. “Well, maybe we should get this session over with before you hire me as your full-on tutor. I may lead you down the wrong path.”
He laughed harder this time, and I stared at him. What had I said?
“Oh, Tiny. I don’t think you could lead me down the wrong path.”
Realization hit me. “I didn’t—I mean, that’s not what I meant.”
He reached out and patted my shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll keep myself alert the whole time. Gotta stay away from the likes of you.”
I studied him. Was it wrong that I felt a little offended that he thought I was this saint? I could break rules. I was doing that right now by being out with him.
“Hey, I’m pretty convincing,” I said. “I’ve been known to corrupt people.”
His laughter died down to a smirk. “Really. Who?”
I pursed my lips as I thought. There had to be someone I’d convinced to do something bad. “Ronnie. In the third grade. I convinced him to steal cookies from the lunch lady for me.” I shot him a smug expression. “And he did.”
He placed his hand on his heart, like a woman in one of those old Western movies. “Well, Destiny Davis, I didn’t realize you were such a deviant. Whatever are we going to do with you?”
I laughed as I shook my head. Was it wrong that I was enjoying this so much? In the tree house, there was no dad or Tammy, it was just Tyson and I. It was nice.
“We should probably get busy if I am going to help you at all,” I said, reaching over and grabbing my textbook.
Tyson grew quiet as he nodded and did the same.
The next hour flew by. It was nice to have chemistry to talk about. It was simple and straightforward. There were no hidden meanings or unspoken words. It was straight up numbers and facts. It was just what I needed to keep my mind from wandering into uncharted territory.
Our study session was interrupted when Tyson’s phone went off. He shifted and pulled it out of his back pocket.
I tried not to stare at him as he studied his screen. Who had called him? Was it Tammy or another cheerleader? I made a mental note to ask Rebecca who he hung out with on the cheer team.
From the corner of my eye I saw his expression grow stony as he swiped his finger on the screen. Something wasn’t right. After sending a quick response, he shoved his phone into his pocket and started to gather his things. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but wasn’t sure if it was my place.
I decided to ask anyway. “Everything okay?” I started putting things into my backpack. Our study session must be over.
He paused and glanced over at me. My breath caught in my throat as I took in his gaze. He was upset. A desire to comfort him rushed through me. But I figured that physical contact would probably not be the best idea, so I gave him an encouraging smile and turned my attention to my backpack.
“Family issues,” he said. His voice was low and full of frustration.
“I hear that,” I said, the words tumbling from my mouth. I hear that? What was the matter with me? I cleared my throat and tried again. “Sorry. Anything I can do to help?”
He straightened and jumped from the tree house. I watched as he landed on his feet, as if jumping from seven feet up was an everyday occurrence.
I contemplated following suit but wasn’t sure how I would explain a broken leg to my dad, so I took the ladder instead. Halfway down, I missed the rung and my foot slipped. I clung to the piece of wood in front of me, praying that I didn’t look like a complete idiot.
Before I fell to my death, two hands wrapped around my waist. My heart pounded in my ears when I realized that Tyson was holding on to me.
“You okay?” he asked. His voice was inches from my ear. I could feel his warmth cascade over me.
“Yep. Mm hmm,” I said. I reveled in the feeling of him so close to me.
He helped guide me the rest of the way down. Once I was on the ground, I pulled away, breaking our contact. Even though it was warm outside, my skin felt cool in the absence of his touch.
“Thanks,” I said, tucking my hair behind my ear.
He shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Sure. Anytime.” He shrugged, like rescuing a girl as she climbed down a ladder was nothing. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.
We walked in silence to his car. Just as I climbed in and buckled my seatbelt, his phone went off again. He pulled it out. He cursed under his breath as he read the message. Sighing, he rolled his shoulders and glanced over at me.
“Do you mind if we make a pit stop before I bring you to Rebecca’s house?” He glanced over at me, but I noticed a hint of hesitation in it. As if he were embarrassed by what he was asking me. What did Tyson Blake have to be embarrassed about?
I nodded. “Sure.”
Ten minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot of Freddy’s Tavern. I snuck a look over at him. His face was red, and his jaw clenched as he kept his gaze forward. I wanted to ask what we were doing here, but I didn’t.
He hesitated, his fingers on the door handle. “I need to get my mom. Mind waiting here?”
“Of course.” I wanted to tell him that I didn’t judge him. That I knew what it was like to have less than perfect parents. But I doubted that he wanted to hear that right now. So I settled on an encouraging smile.
He studied me for a second before he nodded and pulled open the door. I watched as he disappeared into the tavern. I leaned against the seat and let out my breath as I stared at the building in front of me.
What was happening? It felt good that Tyson felt he could share this part of his life with me. From his playboy persona at school, I doubted that many people got to see this side of him. And yet, he was letting me in.
I was going to ignore the lingering thought that he had to bring me along. That I would have been stranded at Mason Park, where I would've had to call my dad and explain to him why I was there and not at Rebecca’s.
Nope. I was definitely here because he felt safe around me.
The door of the tavern opened and Tyson appeared. He pushed open the door with his back and in his arms he carried a small woman. She had jet-black hair and was leaning her head against his shoulder. His jaw was clenched, but not from the weight of the woman. It looked as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Without thinking, I opened my door and got out. I had an overwhelming desire to help.
“She okay?” I asked, taking note of her pale complexion.
Ty
son nodded.
I pulled the back door open, and he set her inside. After he buckled her up, he slammed the door shut and scrubbed his face. He tilted his gaze to the sky as he blew out his breath.
“I don’t know why she keeps doing this,” he said. His voice was low and coated in emotion.
Not knowing what to do, I stood there with my arms wrapped around my chest. I worried that if I didn’t keep my hands occupied, I might try to reach out and hug him or something.
What was I supposed to say? Any answer to his frustration seemed ridiculous and forced. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
He dropped his gaze to meet mine. He studied me with an intensity that made me feel vulnerable—exposed. Then he nodded. “Let’s get you back.”
He walked to the driver’s door and pulled it open.
I nodded, but doubted that he saw it. Once I was seated with my seatbelt on, he peeled out.
Tyson’s mom was quiet the entire ride to Rebecca’s. I glanced back at her to make sure she was still alive. She let out a few weak moans, and I saw her chest rise and fall—so I felt confident that she wasn’t dead.
When Tyson pulled into Rebecca’s driveway, he stared straight ahead with his hands clenching the steering wheel. I studied him, desperately wanting to say something to comfort him, to bring back that carefree laughter we shared in the tree house.
“Please, don’t say anything,” he said. His gaze dropped to his lap.
I reached out and rested my hand on his. Warmth raced from my fingertips and exploded up my arm. But I kept my hand there. “I promise.”
He met my gaze and held it. I wondered if he could read my mind. Did he see just what he was doing to me? Did I want him to know?
“Thanks, Tiny. I knew I could depend on you. You’re the best kind of friend.”
Friend.
I was Tyson’s friend.
My heart pounded with relief. I’d graduated from crazy junior girl with an over-protective dad to someone he could talk to.
Unsure of what to do, I nodded, grabbed the strap of my backpack, and pushed open the door. After I shut the door behind me, Tyson raised a few fingers in a sort of half wave, half salute and then pulled out of the driveway.
I stood there alone. Trying to digest what had just happened. One thing was for sure, I wasn’t ever going to be the same again.
Chapter Seven
Rebecca dropped me off at my house a half hour after Tyson left. I was grateful that she was quiet and didn’t ask too many prying questions. It was hard enough trying to process the evening’s events, and I really didn’t need to speak about what had happened out loud.
She smiled over at me as I pulled open my door and hopped out. “I’m happy that it’s working out for you. You know, with Tyson.”
I shot her a look and peeked toward the house. Dad’s light was on, which I hoped meant he was in his room instead of hiding behind the bushes to see if I were up to something.
“Yeah. Thanks for covering for me. I’m really happy to help Tyson out with his chemistry.”
I wanted to tell her about what had happened. But I’d promised Tyson I wouldn’t. Even though I trusted Rebecca with my secrets, for some reason it didn’t feel right to trust her with his. What a strange place to be. Keeping secrets from my best friend for a guy.
Weird.
She nodded, and I started to shut the door. “Of course. You need to have some fun, Des. I’m happy to help.”
I shot her a smile as she pulled out of my driveway.
Once I was in the house, I shut the front door as quietly as I could.
“Where have you been? It’s late.” Dad’s voice was low. He was not happy.
I forced a smile and turned. “I was at Rebecca’s.”
He furrowed his brow as he studied me. “Really?”
I sighed, dropped my backpack to the floor, and made my way past him and into the kitchen. “Yes, Dad. We were studying together.”
I could hear his heavy footsteps on the hardwood floor. Why was he acting like this? I mean, I know I had just spent the evening with Tyson, but he didn’t know that. In all of my life, I’d never given my dad a reason to doubt me. Why was he now?
He sighed as he leaned against the counter and grabbed a banana. “Sorry, Tiny. I guess I’m just agitated.” He reached out and patted my shoulder. His signature I was being a dork and took it out on you move.
I shrugged, ignoring that tugging in the back of my mind that said he had every right to be suspicious. I had lied. And spent time with a guy he’d forbidden me to see. “I get it. No harm, no foul.”
He’d finished his banana, so he leaned over and threw the peel into the garbage. “How’s Rebecca?”
I swallowed. Lying once was easy. But the longer I stood here, stringing together more of them, the harder it would be. So I faked a yawn and waved toward the hallway. “She’s good. Hey, I’m going to head upstairs and finish my Chem homework and then turn in. Big day of learning tomorrow.”
He studied me and then nodded. “Sounds good, peanut. I’ll see you in the morning?”
I nodded, pushing all feelings of regret from my mind. I wasn’t doing any of this to hurt him. I was trying to help someone. If anything, he should be proud to have a daughter who was so selfless.
When I passed by him, I went up onto my tippy toes and kissed his cheek. “Night, Dad.”
He patted me on the back. When I got back out into the hallway, I took the stairs two at a time. I felt as if my head might explode. Lying was a lot of work.
I needed sleep. If I went to bed right now, I’d maybe get six hours.
But when I pulled out my textbooks from my backpack, I realized how much work I actually had to do. It was going to take me into the wee hours of the morning before I finished.
Grabbing my phone, I turned it on. I needed some jams to get through this.
I don’t know why I thought things were going to change between Tyson and I. Experiencing an intimate moment the night before wasn’t enough to suddenly bond us. He was still the same cocky and flirty senior in class the next day.
I spent the whole period watching him text Tammy and flirt with the girl behind us. I wanted to shake him. Heck, I wanted to slap him. What was his problem? Did he only pay attention to me when no one was around?
Thankfully, Ms. Swallow was also watching and was not shy with her warnings. It took a few, but he eventually settled down and focused on the experiment we had been assigned to do.
That only lasted for a few minutes before his phone was out again and he was texting.
Fed up with his behavior, I decided to ignore him and just finish the lab myself. After jotting down the results, the bell rang, and I made my way up to the front. Tyson’s complaint was lost in the chatter and movement of students leaving the classroom.
But I didn’t care. It was his fault for being a jerk. If he failed this lab, what did it matter to me? I’d pass, and right now, that’s all I cared about. Even though my heart felt as if it were breaking a bit inside.
I slipped into the throng of people, hoping to dodge Tyson. Just as I rounded the corner, I felt a hand wrap around my elbow and pull me under the stairs. I yelped, turning to see my assailant.
It was Tyson. I narrowed my eyes. I tried not to glare at him, but I couldn’t help it. He was acting like a jerk. I pulled my elbow away and stepped back, pressing my back against the wall.
“What did you need, Tyson?” I asked. I hoped that my voice would come out calm and cool. Not needy and hurt, like I was feeling.
“You ran out of the room.” He shoved his hands into his front pockets as he looked over at me. There was a depth to his gaze that caused my breath to catch in my throat.
“I didn’t think you noticed.” I threaded my thumbs through my backpack straps and studied the speckled tiles below my shoes.
When he didn’t respond, I glanced up at him. He was studying me with a small smile on his lips.
“Did I do something?” he asked.<
br />
I sighed and glanced out at the students around us. What was I going to say to that? I felt like he was cheating on me, even though I wasn’t dating him? Ugh, I could be an idiot sometimes.
“You were just very focused on everything but chemistry. I figured as someone who wants to do well in the class, you’d at least try to pay attention.” I dropped my voice. “But you were too interested in flirting with everyone.”
Again, he fell silent. Hoping I hadn’t just ruined everything, I glanced up to see him watching me. I forced a smile, hoping to let him know that I was cool with everything. I wasn’t some needy girl that wanted him to talk to only her.
Gah. When did I become such an emotional basket case?
“I’m sorry,” he said, meeting my gaze. “You’re right. I was acting like a jerk in there.”
I scoffed and glanced around. “I wasn’t going to say it, but since you did…”
He laughed. The same way he had in the tree house. It was genuine. And I loved it.
He shook his finger in my direction. “I’m going to have to keep my eye on you, Tiny. You make a guy stand up and give a crap. I like that about you.”
I tried to silence my heart as it hammered in my chest. He actually liked something about me. Wow.
“Well, as your tutor, it’s my mission to get you through chemistry. If you learn a few life lessons along the way?” I shrugged. “So be it.”
He nodded. “So, if I stop getting distracted and help with the labs, you’ll promise not to sprint out of class like a bat out of hell?”
I pretended to mull that over. After a few seconds of making him wait, I slowly nodded my head. “Yes. If you try harder, I promise not to leave you in the lurch.”
He stuck out his hand and wiggled his fingers. “I swear.”
I hesitated before I met his handshake. I tried to ignore the fireworks that exploded across my skin from his touch.
“Good,” I said, dropping his hand.
The warning bell rang. We were going to be late if we didn’t head to class right now. I shot him one more smile and turned.
Rule #1: You Can't Date the Coach's Daughter (The Rules of Love) Page 5