“What?” I grinned slightly as I thought about how much easier it would be if I only had to deal with a boot. The break hadn’t been that bad, and I guess staying off it for two weeks had helped a lot.
“Go ask her yourself.” He rolled his eyes as he turned away from me.
“Well, you’re in a fine mood.” I rolled my eyes with the sarcastic bite.
“Whatever. I’ve been stuck here while you’re out.” He finished the last step and paused as he ripped the hat off his head and ran his hand through his sweaty hair.
“I’m going to the tree lighting tomorrow. Wanna come?” I tossed over my shoulder as I reached for the door knob.
“Already going. I’ve got a date,” he grinned. “Mom said I could have the car for the night too, and I’m not driving you,” he shot back.
“Well how am I supposed to get there?” I scoffed.
“Call one of your friends,” he groaned. “Or better yet,” he grinned. “Call Ty. I’m sure he’d come and get ya.”
“You know if I wasn’t hurt, I’d get you right now.”
“Sure you would,” he taunted. He bounded closer to me before stopping in the doorway. “You still like him. I’ve seen the look. I may be younger, but I’m a guy, and if my ex called and asked me for a ride, I’d be there in a heartbeat. I’ll even call him for you.”
“Oh, no you won’t,” I snapped as he started to reach for my pocket.
“Fine,” he sighed. “You do whatever you want, but… I’m still getting the car,” he laughed as he walked away, leaving me there standing on the porch in the cold.
“Crap!” I muttered. This was just great. Tyler was going to love this. I knew as soon as I called him he’d make some crack about me wanting to be around him more or something. It seemed I couldn’t win. No matter what I did, the universe was just not letting up. It seemed to be sending me a message, I just hadn’t figured out what that message was.
WHEN I GOT the call from Mia last night asking if I could come and get her today, I thought she was joking. She’d made so many points that this wasn’t a date when we were at the diner that I thought it was some sort of cruel joke to see if I’d really jump when she said to, but she assured me that she truly meant it. Dan needed the car for a hot date, and me being a guy totally understood. It also helped that this meant I’d get her alone for a few extra minutes. It was a win, win.
“Do I have everything?” I muttered to myself as I glanced in the backseat of my rental. I was trying to make things somewhat nice for Mia so I’d packed us camp chairs and blankets. I figured with her being on crutches it would be nice to sit. I also had a thermos of hot chocolate, her favorite. I snickered as I thought about the last time we’d had hot chocolate together. We’d gone camping at a cabin and spent most of the weekend snuggled in front of a fire making love. I knew tonight was going to be a far cry from that trip, but I was hoping that when I offered her the beverage, she’d remember like I had.
I let my eyes do one last sweep of the car before climbing in and beginning the drive to her parent’s place. It wasn’t far, and the roads were in much better shape today so the drive was quick. When I pulled up in front of her house, her dad was stringing Christmas lights along the roof. “Evening Mr. Callahan,” I waved as I climbed out. “I would’ve helped if I’d known you were going to be decorating.” When Mia and I were together, I was a part of all of these traditions.
“I didn’t know you were coming over,” he called from his spot on the ladder.
“I’m taking Mia to the tree lighting,” I scrunched my brow. “Didn’t she tell you?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean anything. She hasn’t really been talking to us lately. She spends all her time locked in her room, or at the studio. I don’t know what she’s doing there other than making herself feel bad.”
“This time off has been rough on her, huh?” I mused as I let my voice trail off.
“She sure has been struggling that’s for sure.” He began climbing down the ladder as I moved up the front steps. “I’m glad she’s going out though. Getting things somewhat normal is exactly what she needs.” He wiped his hands on his jeans to get the snow off his gloves before reaching to shake my hand. “It’s good to see you back home, Ty.”
“Thanks,” I smiled just as the front door opened.
“I thought that was you I heard out here,” Mia’s mom smiled at me as she looked over her shoulder. “She’s coming in just a sec. You two planning anything for later?”
“Taylor’s having some friends over. I thought I’d take her to hang out with us. We won’t be out too late.” I glanced around; this felt odd. Mia and I weren’t the high school kids that her parents seemed to think we were. I hadn’t had an exchange with parents in a long time. The Callahan’s had always seemed to like me, but this was their daughter we were talking about. Even though I promised Mia that we were going to do the ‘friends’ thing, I couldn’t help but think about kissing her, and making her remember ‘us’.
“Quit giving him the third degree,” Mia’s soft voice chimed behind her mother as she struggled with an oversized coat.
“I’m just making conversation, honey.” Mrs. Callahan smiled as she stepped out of the way. Mia was standing there in a pair of skinny jeans, one foot encased in a big black boot while the other was daintily clad in a fur lined Ugg.
“Surprise,” she smiled softly as she lifted the boot. “I don’t need the crutches anymore.”
“That’s great,” I smiled back her as she awkwardly stepped forward. She reached for my shoulder to help steady herself as she ambled down the front steps before looking back at her parents.
“I won’t be too late, but don’t wait up.” She waved as determination spread across her face. “I hate this damn thing,” she muttered so only I could hear, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“SO,” I GLANCED AT her as we made our way down the dark snowy streets. “You don’t want them to wait up. Is there a reason for that?” I wagged my brows when I quickly glanced at her.
“Friends, Tyler!” she snapped as she shook her head.
“Yeah, yeah,” I chuckled. “You planning on meeting someone tonight and leaving me there?”
She sighed before taking a deep breath. “Other than the diner, I really haven’t left the house that much. Tonight’s the first time I’ve done more than shower and brush my hair. It feels nice to be among the living, and the doctor says that I may be able to get rid of this thing sooner than we originally thought.”
“I’m happy for you,” I smiled as I started to reach for her hand. It was a habit, and I had to force myself to put my palm back on the wheel instead of her thigh like I was itching to do. “You still ok with going over to Tay’s after?” I tried to sound nonchalant, but on the inside, I was as nervous as a prepubescent school boy.
“Sure,” she lifted a shoulder as she gave me a half smile.
When we finally arrived in town, I parked in the employee parking that Taylor had behind the hardware store. Technically, I should have parked in the lot that was cleared down the street, but with Mia’s leg I wanted to be close.
I helped her out of the car before slinging the shoulder straps on the chairs over my arm, and grabbing the thermos. “Sustenance,” I chuckled as I held it in front of her. She rolled her eyes and laughed before slowly shuffling along beside me.
The sidewalks were clear, but I couldn’t help wrapping my arm around her waist. She started to pull away, but when I told her I just didn’t want her to fall and hurt herself worse, she relented.
ONCE WE MADE it to the town square, I set up the chairs and helped Mia sit down. I smiled as I folded myself into the spot beside her and opened the thermos. We passed it back and forth, slowly sipping the hot chocolate as the area began to fill with people. This was a big deal here in Cherryville, not as big as the Cherry Festival, but pretty close. The Masons had a huge farm on the outskirts of town, and each year they would cut down the biggest fir tree they could find. La
st year’s topped out at twenty-two feet; at least that’s what Taylor told me. This year I wasn’t sure how big it was, but sitting here a few feet from it told me it was big. I felt like a little kid as I sat there peering up into the night sky. A blustery wind blew by causing me to shiver, and when I glanced at Mia, her teeth chattered.
“Cold night, huh?” I mused as I looked over at her.
“Just a little,” she giggled as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
“I could help with that,” I smiled as I watched the blush from earlier return to her face.
“Friends, Ty,” she scolded as she rubbed her arms again.
I shook my head at her stubbornness. “Come here.” I motioned her to get up, and as soon as she did, I didn’t give her a chance to fight me off. I gave a quick tug, causing her to spill across my lap. She laughed awkwardly as I shifted her tiny frame to fit right across my thighs. “Body heat will help,” I murmured right beside her ear as I wrapped my arms around her, holding her on my lap. She tensed as her back stiffened, and she refused to look at me.
“This isn’t a good idea,” she mumbled as she started to get up, but I tightened my arms.
“Relax,” I soothed. She continued to fight me, but after our combined heat began to warm her, she relented.
I’m not sure how long we sat there waiting. She was sideways across my thighs with her boot dangling, and I had one arm wrapped around her back as the other rubbed up and down her arms. You could see our breath mingling in the air each time we sighed. Mia’s nerves seemed to grow as the minutes ticked by, but I wasn’t letting her push me away. Besides, if she’d gotten up, she would’ve shown the entire town how happy I was to have her cuddled in my lap. I don’t think she realized how happy and painful tonight really made me feel. I’d been dying to have her like this, but it hurt to know that she was trying with everything in her to keep a wall between us.
I’VE ASKED MYSELF a thousand times today if coming here with Ty tonight was the right choice. Could I do the ‘friends’ thing with him? We’d been so close at one time that we didn’t even need to talk to know what the other was thinking. Of course, I blew us up when I walked away. I saw now how he looked at me though, and as much as I wanted to get us back, I knew that I’d be going back to the ballet as soon as my foot healed. Then what? If I let us go there, could I walk away when dance called me back? I knew my heart couldn’t take another stab like it did when I left him, but I didn’t think being around him like this was possible without feeling anything.
When he’d pulled me into his lap, I knew I should fight him. Sitting there all nestled and warm against his strong chest was slowly killing me. The way his arms cradled me against him. I was losing the battle against my heart. It was thundering in my chest, and every time Tyler would whisper something near my ear, I could feel my panties dampening. It was so unfair, but as the night wore on, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stop it.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered as I looked up at the tree. They’d lit it up about ten minutes ago, and as soft Christmas carols wafted from outdoor speakers, people stood around staring. The tree was always the focal point this time of year. Each year the town decorated with a different theme, and everyone worked hard to decorate the windows and doors of the businesses along Main Street. This year’s theme was none other than The Nutcracker. I figured it was fitting since the rest of my life seemed to be punishing me.
“It sure is,” Tyler’s voice was soft as his cold fingers pushed a lock of hair behind my ear. I couldn’t help but hold my breath as his blew across my rosy cheek. I could feel him, hard right below my thighs, but I was choosing to ignore it. I wasn’t planning on acting on whatever this was so it didn’t really matter.
“I’m talking about the tree,” I rolled my eyes as I turned toward him. When our eyes connected, he licked his lower lip.
“So was I.” The hand he’d been resting on my outer thigh began to slowly climb toward my waist.
“Sure you were,” I tried to joke, but the laugh got caught in my throat as he began to lean toward me. “Ty,” I stuttered as his forehead touched mine.
“Shhh,” he whispered. We sat there, both of us with closed eyes, just letting the moment sink in. He was trying to respect me, but he was fighting so hard. “I miss you, Mia. So much. I just…” He swallowed as his eyes blinked open. I tilted my head to the side as I pulled away and watched the battle wage in his eyes. “Never mind,” he muttered before he cursed under his breath. “You ready to go?”
“Yeah,” I nodded as I rose from his lap. I watched as he gathered all our things before helping me to the car.
We walked in silence, both of us afraid to talk about what almost happened between us. The longer he stayed silent, the more I began to wonder if going to Taylor’s was a good idea.
After putting our things in the backseat of the car, Ty moved to the passenger door to help me in. He paused with his hand on the handle as he stared at me. It felt like a thousand butterflies were taking off in my stomach, and when he leaned closer to me, I did nothing to push him away. I was going to regret this, but I couldn’t help myself.
The moment he leaned close enough, I wrapped my arms around his neck, almost knocking him over as I tugged his head down toward mine. The boot made it awkward but as soon as I was able to get him close enough, I slammed my mouth down on his.
His eyes went wide before, groaning, he wrapped his arms around me. He turned so he could press my back into the side of the car as his hips pressed into mine. My chest rose in short pants as everything I’d been fighting since he climbed in my car yesterday came rushing to the surface. His tongue swept in as his head tilted to bring the kiss deeper. My fingers threaded through his hair, yanking as I held him to me. We were out of control, and as the fire raged between us, I wasn’t sure I could stop it. Ty groaned again before he pulled back gasping for air.
“What was that for?” His eyes were wild as he watched me.
“Figured I’d get the whole kiss under the mistletoe thing out of the way now.” I shrugged as I fought off a grin.
“There isn’t any mistletoe here.” His lips curved up on one side as he watched me.
“Really? I didn’t notice.” I shrugged again as I started to climb in. “Good practice then.” I reached for the door to close it, leaving him standing there in a daze.
He wandered around the rear of the car before climbing in and fastening his seatbelt. “Friends don’t kiss like that, ya know,” he chuckled as he started the engine. I had made a similar comment yesterday about holding hands.
“Didn’t know that either,” I answered flippantly. He shook his head as he began backing out the parking space before he turned to look at me once again.
“So what does that mean?” He wrinkled his brow.
“Drive the car, Ty,” I grumbled as I shoved at his shoulder.
“Fine,” he rolled his eyes. “But just so you know… I plan on getting my kiss under the mistletoe, and maybe under a few other things too… like a blanket,” he warned suggestively.
And just like that, Tyler Cook turned me into a ball goo willing to do just about anything. I was crazy if I thought that I could keep him away. Now the only problem was going to be not falling too hard. I couldn’t do it again. I couldn’t let him break me.
WHEN WE PULLED up at Morgan and Taylor’s house, my jaw dropped. The picture before us looked like something out of a movie. Snow blanketed the yard and hung off the eaves of the house. White twinkle lights covered all the shrubbery, and wreathes made out of fresh greenery were hung on the door and on every window. Red bows were strategically placed on each wreath, and wooden candy canes lined each side of the driveway. The sun porch that wrapped from one end of the house all the way along the backside was lit up, and you could see a tree shining through the window on one end.
“Wow,” I whispered as I sat there staring.
“It’s something, huh?” Tyler laughed lightly. “Nothing like what my parents used to
do.”
“How does she find the time to do this?” I mused as I pushed open my door and started to climb out.
“Now that she’s left her father’s company, she does freelance work. I think the last job was for Taylor.” Ty shrugged as he climbed out and narrowed his eyes at me. We’d yet to really talk about that kiss, and I was trying to lighten the mood between us.
“Must be nice,” I sighed.
“I can ask Tay for a job you if you want,” he chuckled as I pushed against his shoulder.
“Very funny,” I grumbled. “I’ll be going home soon. This isn’t going to be forever.” I pointed down at my boot as we made our way up the front steps and knocked on the door. “Aren’t you staying here with them?” I couldn’t understand why he would be knocking.
“I don’t have a key,” he shrugged just as the door flew open.
“Asshole!” Taylor lifted his arms out to the side just as Morgan came walking up behind him. She smacked the back of his head as she passed by causing him to duck and hiss. “She’s been on my case about my language for days. Seems the little peanut in her belly can hear me already. I don’t know how, since it’s only the size of a jellybean.” He chuckled as he lifted the beer he was holding to his lips before stepping out of the way to let us in.
“What happened to cider and hot chocolate?” Ty motioned to the beer as he started unbuttoning his coat.
“I was told that I had to dance with her tonight. She’s got the living room set up like a dance floor. Something about needing to do something other than watching football.” He rolled his eyes. “I can’t dance sober.” He shrugged before tipping his head back. “At least, not as good as I do with a little liquid courage.”
“At least you can dance,” I grumbled as I started to peel my coat off.
Beyond the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series Page 7