by Abby Donne
“It was a compliment,” Tara huffed.
Their waitress swung by for Layla and Tyson’s drink order. She hadn’t even picked up the menu. Quickly deciding on an iced tea, water for Tyson, the waitress dipped off leaving them with their menus for another few minutes. She started scanning it while Tyson and Tara bickered about her new boyfriend.
Returning sooner rather than later with their drinks everyone decided they were ready to order. Appetizer and meals ordered – Tyson didn’t even open his menu once, just rattled off a sandwich combo he apparently had memorized by heart – she disappeared. Whatever comforts Layla found in sitting wayside while Tyson and Tara took up center stage went right out the door when Lisa pinned her gaze on her from across the table.
“So Tyson said you’re studying computer science?”
Oh, she was so going to bore them to death. Nodding, Layla said, “Yeah. I want to get into consulting. Basically just looking at and analyzing a company’s structure and offering improvements. It gives me a little bit of everything I’m interested in.”
“Without the mob coming after you,” Tyson added, winking her way.
“The mob?”
Trying her best not to roll her eyes she explained, “He’s just making fun of me for being paranoid.”
“That seems boring,” Tabby remarked.
“Tabitha!”
“Tyson said the same thing, no worries. It’s fun to me. It’s like a game, and it’s better than spending all my time coding. Now that is boring.”
“She does IT with the school right now,” Tyson said. He was still holding onto her leg. Was he going to keep it there all afternoon? Not that she’d really mind. It was hard to be embarrassed he was groping her in front of his family when she was distracted by said groping.
The only downside to the touching was Layla kind of forgot how to speak when his hands were on her. It was hard to answer his mom’s questions about her family when Tyson was rubbing soothing circles into her denim. At least she had the foresight to wear skinny jeans that morning instead of a dress. He insisted on the dress, of course, but she was smart enough to know whatever good impression the dress would make would disappear when he flipped her skirt and started touching her in the parking lot.
Their food took longer than expected to arrive, even the appetizer, but after a couple minutes of talking about herself the awkwardness went away and she felt more comfortable amongst his family. Plus his dad, bless his damn heart, kept butting into Lisa’s stream of questions to ask Tyson about his semester.
When their food finally did arrive it was easier to focus on her sandwich than the talks about the draft at the end of the year and whether or not the Brigg’s neighbor back home were going to shovel their sidewalk that winter. Even though he really needed both hands to eat Tyson didn’t move his paw from her leg. The little gaps of conversation made it painfully obvious how his mom was staring at her – not that it was necessarily a bad stare. Whenever she’d take a break from scolding Tara for being on her phone during their meal she’d look over at Layla with a little smile.
“Is your season going okay, Tab? I haven’t got any videos from games yet.”
“It’s fine,” His sister responded. She stabbed at her lettuce. Apparently everything wasn’t okay. That or her salad really pissed her off.
Tara rolled her eyes and put her phone down. “She’s mad there’s a new girl who is better than her.”
“She is not. Everyone just loves her because she’s from LA. Who cares? She’s a crappy setter.”
“You’re just jealous her boobs are bigger than yours.”
“I am not!”
In a dad voice that made even her spine straighten, Henry bit, “Stop right now.”
“She’s making fun of me!”
“Oh my God, don’t make a scene,” Tara grumbled. She flicked her hair off her shoulder and huffed, “You’re just being a big baby.”
“We won’t let you drive back if you don’t behave,” Lisa said.
“Wait, you’re letting her drive? Like across state lines?” Tyson’s eyes bugged out of his head. “You think that’s a good idea?”
“I have my license,” She scoffed, somehow offended by his concerns.
Henry looked over at Lisa. “I told you I didn’t think she could handle it.”
“I’m right here, and I am perfectly capable of driving us home.”
Tyson’s fingers tapped at her thigh. Layla looked over in time to catch him grimacing and mouthing, “Sorry.”
She shrugged and mouthed back, “It’s okay.”
It really was. Some pretty epic fights occurred between her and Wade, especially during her teenage years. Layla thought she knew it all, and her brother was a prick. Really, she was thankful he stepped in and stopped her from doing some of the crazy shit she proposed. The back and forth between Tara and Tabby really made her thankful she didn’t have any sisters, though.
On and off through lunch she felt her phone buzz against her chair back. With their plates almost clean Layla excused herself to the bathroom, taking her purse with her. She made use of her bathroom break and checked her phone in the stall.
Emma: Who knew frequent sex turned you into a drama queen? Lol. You’re charming. They’ll love you.
Emma: Or not? It’s almost been two hours. Should I send a rescue team?
Dan: I had to adjust next week’s schedule. Sorry for the short notice but Jamal quit.
Ignoring Dan’s message she tapped back to her thread with Emma.
Layla: It’s busy here. You’d love it. It’s got serious Good Seed vibes. It’s not a disaster.
Emma: Told you!
Layla: Want to come over tonight? I’ll tell you all about it.
Emma: You’re going to kick Tyson out of your bed? WOOOOOW!
Layla sent a GIF of Steven Colbert giving the middle finger and promised Emma she’d text her with more details later. She’d already spent too long in the bathroom, and she didn’t want anyone to have to come looking for her.
She slid back into her seat with an apology, clasping her hand over Tyson’s when he dropped it back on her leg. The tension at the table was gone and like they hadn’t even bickered at all, Tara and Tabby were chatting about picking out Tara’s homecoming dress.
Tyson leaned over and whispered, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I had a message from Emma.” She scrunched up her nose and looked at him. “Sorry I took so long.”
“Just a little longer,” He muttered back.
As much as Layla wanted to spend the rest of her day snuggled up with Tyson in bed she knew he had to go to the gym and go to bed early since on top of practice Monday they also had some sort of extra training. She learned a lot from her neighbors at the game, Herbert and Ernie, but a lot of the technical terms went straight over her head. Still, Tyson seemed impressed when she retold him her favorite moments of the game and used all the right lingo. It was either that or he really liked the way she was touching his dick. Maybe a little bit of both.
If she could prolong their morning just a little longer they wouldn’t have to go back to the real world. The real world where even before Dan’s amended schedule, whatever it looked like, she was working thirty seven hours at Grab n’ Go and thirteen at the Union’s tech desk. Where she was struggling to stay on top of her homework. The real world where Tyson’s time was so tightly segregated she struggled to get a few hours of it here and there.
One semi-weekend with Tyson and she was already spoiled. What the hell was she going to do when he had no more weekends to give?
chapter fifteen
Grunting, Tyson pushed through the last of his lunges. His sweat stung his eyes and he was pretty sure he was about to blow a blood vessel. The only shining light to the workout was except for Heath, nobody was around to witness him getting his ass kicked. Tyson dropped the barbell from his shoulders and started to shake out his legs, breathing through it all. The new regime Heath tossed together, one that mi
micked The Rock’s – because yes, he was serious about following the diet and exercise plan he found online – was intense. It wasn’t tailored for a hockey player, obviously, but Tyson decided to give it a go. He was starting to plateau and wanted a challenge… at least until Heath cranked up the music and started barking out orders over the bass.
He grabbed his discarded shirt from the floor and wiped his forehead. Out of the corner of his eyes he spotted Heath on a bench shoveling food into his mouth. Not even two hours ago he was eating his fourth meal of the day while he hovered over the sink in their kitchen. They were a week into this new plan and honestly it was the most dedication Tyson had seen from Heath in, well, forever. Nate lasted two days, and Tyson wanted to quit right with him. All the extra time he was spending in the gym cut into his time with Layla.
She was working a lot, though, and it didn’t really seem right to abandon Heath for a chick. Layla was more than a chick, but he was already a little weary about how quickly his feelings for her were developing. The days were flying by, mostly because they barely saw one another, but the time they did get left him feeling a little bit crazy in the head.
After their lunch with his parents Tyson got at least one text a day for a week from his mom about Layla. Knowing his family liked her as much as he did was a relief. Especially since when he crept out of her bed that morning for practice he almost said fuck it and stayed with her. Their schedules were opposite. She worked late, he woke up early. The nights he did spend at her place they usually just dropped into bed together and slept.
Shaking some of the tension from his bones he started to walk over to Heath.
“I don’t know how you can eat right now,” He said. He swiped his water bottle and poured it on his face, somehow managing to get it everywhere but his mouth.
“Gotta get my carbs, man.”
Tyson sniffed, “No fish.”
“Just potatoes and eggs. I’m balling on a budget.”
Feeling a little weird for bringing it up, Tyson asked, “So… is everything okay? I haven’t seen you around a lot lately.”
“You haven’t been around,” Heath remarked.
“It’s a busy semester. I don’t think I’ve seen you at the house in a few days, though.”
“Your semester is easy as shit, dude. You’re just too busy fucking Layla to notice anything else.”
“Fuck off,” Tyson all but snarled. Ever since the first time Heath brought up Tyson’s ‘obsession’ with Layla messing with his head the topic hadn’t been touched. Still, Tyson was careful to mention her around Heath. It wasn’t like they sat around gossiping so it was easy enough.
“I’m just saying,” Heath shrugged as he tossed his fork in his now empty Tupperware container and snapped the lid on. “You shouldn’t try to lie to yourself and say you’re busy with class when you’ve been holed up in her apartment.”
“Well I’m here right now.”
“Congratulations. You want an award for walking without a wet dick for one day?”
“What the hell is your problem?” Tyson hopped up off the bench and grabbed his bag, heading for the exit of the private gym space in the ice arena. He’d never wanted to hit Heath more than in that moment, and that wouldn’t solve a damn thing. “Hope you didn’t need help pulling that stick out of your ass because I’m out.”
He was such a fucking ass. Tyson was just trying to be a good friend and make sure Heath was okay and he was turning it into some big deal about Layla. Like Heath wasn’t just as far up Emma’s ass. Ever since he stayed the night at her apartment anytime Tyson mentioned Emma Heath went into Hulk mode. Yet there the hypocrite was, slobbering all over the Tyson’s relationship. It wasn’t like Layla was fucking with his game. They were three games into the season, playing a double last weekend, and they hadn’t lost yet. No thanks to Heath. Coach dropped him out of Tyson’s line after he fucked up against Alaska and let the puck by for a goal. He was the one that always got too far in his own head. Even though he had family shit going on, he was still committed to the team.
And fuck him for saying anything about Layla.
They had an understanding. One she was doing incredibly well with. Probably because she was so busy herself. The one time she ended up at his place Nate and Steve didn’t act like total apes. She did cook them all a big pan of lasagna and a loaf of garlic bread. Carbs could turn even the biggest pig head into an angel for a few hours. Heath was nowhere in sight, but he showed up at practice the next morning dead on his feet. He was the only one that had problems with Layla.
A text came through just as he tossed his gym bag into the back of his car.
Layla: We’re so slow I managed to finish both of those stories and sketch out an idea for our Powerpoint. Told ya I wasn’t a slacker!
Tyson: Awesome. I’ll upload what I have to Google Docs tonight.
The three dots popped up and disappeared a few times, but he didn’t get a chance to see what they said because Jordan’s name popped on his screen for an incoming call. Tyson threw his car into reverse and started to leave the ice arena as he picked up.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Shit day but that’s not why I’m calling. Clear your schedule Friday night. I got a guy coming your way for dinner. He’s staying for the Bemidji game, but he’s seen your tapes already. Got some shit from the Blackhawks camp, too.”
Navigating through town, away from his house, he hummed a little. “Will do. Does this guy have a name or do I have to call him ‘guy’ the whole dinner?”
“Smartass. John Campbell. He’s a scout for the Sharks. He’s coming a long way to see you.”
The Sharks? He wrinkled his nose and tried to remind himself he’d be happy to play for any NHL team, even one in the swampy death hole of a state that was Florida. The team wasn’t amazing, honestly, but it was better than not getting drafted at all.
“I’ll be there.”
“I know you will be. I’ll be in Friday afternoon. I have to wrap some things up here before I head out.”
“No worries. Just send me the info. I can handle myself if you’re late.”
Tyson pulled into the Grab ‘n Go parking lot just as Jordan said goodbye. He tossed his phone into his cup holder and reached back for his gym bag, rooting around for a clean shirt. There was a ‘no shirt, no shoes, no service’ sign on their door and even though he was dating the only employee on shift he didn’t think it was a smart idea to go in shirtless. The only shirt in his bag just barely passed the sniff test, but he tossed it on anyway and jumped out of his car.
She was smiling before he even walked into the store. Her hair was braided over her shoulder, the blue peeking through the hazelnut. Emma recently helped her recolor the tips and they were so bright and teal it almost looked weird, but if anyone could pull it off it would be Layla. Face free of makeup and wearing the most hideous orange polo branded with the store’s name, she looked like an absolute angel.
Leaning against the counter she asked, “Hi! What are you doing here?”
There weren’t any customers so he came around the side and pulled her in for a kiss. Brushing his nose against hers he said, “I just wanted to see you. You’re off soon, right?”
She frowned. “Did you get my last text?”
“No.” Something between irritation and anger soured his stomach. All he wanted to do was have a beer or two with her and kick back. Studying for midterms was kicking his ass, and Coach was pressing extra hard at practice. He was sore, tired, and he wanted some time with his girl. “What’s up?”
“Dan just called,” She started.
“And you told him ‘no, I’m not staying I have plans with my boyfriend’ right?”
“If I stay tonight I’ll get paid overtime,” She said instead of the words he wanted to hear.
Tyson clenched the counter and rocked back, scowling, “You’re always staying. Can’t I just get you for one night? You’re not even the manager here, babe.”
“I know. I a
lready told him I’m thinking about leaving.”
Yeah, she told him about her plan to quit if things didn’t change. Too bad she was still working herself into the ground for basically minimum wage. Same old, same old.
“Are you that desperate for money that you’re going to stay here instead of spending time with me? I’ll pay you, if you are.”
“Are you serious?” She gasped, a scowl tearing apart her pretty face. Maybe he worded that wrong, but he was standing by it. “I’m not for fucking sale.”
“Are you sure? Because any time your boss says jump you say how high.”
“That’s what it’s like having a job!” She crossed her arms and eyed him down. “I’m not having this conversation with you here. Or anywhere, for that matter. You’re acting like a child.”
“Whatever, Layla. Have fun staying here all night.”
First Heath and now Layla? Tyson gritted his teeth as he left the gas station. All he wanted to do was spend time with his girlfriend. Was that too much to ask for? He didn’t even have a chance to tell her about his phone call with Jordan. Purposely not checking his texts, even when he was home and up in his room, Tyson decided to just say fuck it for the night. He was too annoyed to study, not that he wanted to anyway. Plus he had to celebrate his next meeting with a scout. Spending the night celebrating with his boys was a lot lamer than celebrating with his girl, but he had to pick his battles apparently.
Even if Heath was home Tyson would’ve skipped knocking on his door. Instead he went to Steve’s, pounding on the wood until it swung open to reveal a bleary eyed and yawning Steve.
“What?” He grumbled.
“I’m bored, and I just got a good call from Jordan. Wanna play some pong?”
“It’s like, five o’clock.”
“Has that ever stopped you before?” Tyson countered.
Sheets rustled and he looked over his shoulder. “Nah, but getting back into bed with her seems like more fun than standing out in the cold with your ugly ass. Sorry man.”
Okay, so a bust. Whatever. A quick check in Nate’s room showed he wasn’t home. It was a tad on the pathetic side but Tyson decided to just take a few beers up to his room and play some Pub G. He wasn’t supposed to go out to bars during the season, and he didn’t want to pay for drinks anyway. Staying in sounded like a better idea. It also meant he didn’t have to talk to people. He really didn’t want to have to put on that fake happy persona when he was feeling anything but.