“Babe, name calling isn’t the way to go.”
I hear her muttering. Probably curse words because I can’t really make it out. “I’d gladly take your sister with us. Assuming she wants to leave the house.”
“Juliet does. We both ganged up on our mom. My mom was super pissed at us. But what did she really expect? Juliet and I were supposed to jump up and down for joy. I thought my sister was literally going to self-combust at the table. It’s bad enough our house looks like Scrooge decorated it. Now my mom wants to spring a date on us.”
“Why don’t you guys have more decorations?” I ask.
“Our dad used to decorate our house November first. Every year. Our house had lights all over and it would smell of cinnamon. I miss that. I miss that a lot. But since he died Mom doesn’t even want to put up a tree. Juliet and I had to set it up. We did it after Thanksgiving because mom refuses to do it any sooner.”
Ah. Now I get why she wanted me to help her decorate the house with Christmas decorations. It gives me the perfect idea. Problem is I’m going to need a few people to help me pull it off.
I need to change the subject. “That sucks. So, hey, side question. Did you get all your shopping finished?”
“What?”
“You know, the Christmas shopping. I thought you said you had a few more things to get.”
“What the hell, Tyler? I was talking about something personal and you know what never mind. When you stop being an asshat give me a call. Goodbye!”
Shit! That didn’t go like I wanted. I thought a subject change was a good idea. I’m never going to get the handle of this dating shit and reading people’s emotions.
Chapter Sixteen
Layla
The nerve of him. I mean here I was talking to him about something important and he wants to change the subject. With all things, about getting gifts for people. Maybe I should cut him some slack but at the same time, I want to hit him in the head with a frying pan.
Juliet enters my room with a scowl on her face. “If she thinks I’m going to meet that tool Evan she’s seriously lost her damn mind.”
“I know. You know what pisses me off the most is Mom sneaking around about it. Oh, and why didn’t you notice it sooner? You told me she was meeting a client. Did she lie to you?”
“She said she was meeting a client for lunch.”
I fold my arms. “And you didn’t notice her attire when she left?”
“I don’t pay attention to what people wear. As long as they aren’t walking around in bras and underwear why the heck would I care?”
My sister is so clueless when it comes to fashion. I shouldn’t be mad at her. She probably didn’t even look at Mom before she left.
“You’re mad about something else though, what is it?” Juliet asks.
I raise my hands up. “Oh, I don’t know why I thought dating Tyler would be a good idea. I love him but man I want to slap him silly sometimes. I was telling him about what happened earlier with Mom and then I told him how depressing our house is during Christmas since Dad died. Do you know what Tyler did?”
“Uh … no. But I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
“He freaking asked me if I got all the gifts I needed to get. What the hell, right?”
“Uh … no offense, Layla, but he’s a guy. They’ve got little to no emotions. Did you bite his head off for it?”
“Yeah.” I frown.
My sister sucks in the corner of her mouth and nods. “I know I’ve been annoyed lately but you guys really are good together.”
“I know we are.”
“Just fix it then.” She looks about the room. “What are we going to do about the other situation? I can’t be here for that, Layla.”
“Tyler offered to take us away.”
She nods. “Sounds good.”
“Movies are usually open on Christmas, maybe we can go there.”
“I don’t care where it is. I’m not going to meet that Evan guy. Not on Christmas.”
Wonder how Mom is going to explain herself when both of us aren’t here? Eh, not my problem. She should have thought about us first.
Our doorbell rings the next morning. I notice Juliet sluggishly moving to the door and I feel sorry for whoever she’s about to greet. She’s not a morning person. Right now, she has no coffee in her which makes her extra moody.
The door rips open and she snaps, “Do you have any idea what time it is? People like to sleep!”
“Hey, Juliet. Is your sister in?”
“Don’t you have a life? Before you started dating Layla what exactly did you do? You’re here like every stinkin’ day.”
I walk over to the door. “Ignore her. She hasn’t had coffee yet and she’s extra grouchy.” I shoot my sister a glare.
She rolls her eyes and walks into the living room then plops down onto the couch.
I glance back at Tyler who looks like hell. “I want to talk to you,” he says. “Are you free to leave for a couple of hours?”
Just as he asks my mom exits her office. “I thought I told you no guests since you and your sister were so blatantly rude to me last night?”
Juliet snorts. “We were rude. But you’re the one who is still wrong.”
“That’s enough out of you! Tyler, I’m sorry but Layla will not be allowed out of the house today.”
“Why? Because I expressed how I felt? This is bullshit!”
“Language! I said enough! Tyler, please.”
I grab ahold of his arms and shove him out the door with me. I’m not exactly dressed to go anywhere. Hell, I don’t have shoes on, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to be grounded. She can ground me for disobeying but not for telling her I refuse to meet her side piece.
“Hey, uh … What are you doing?” Tyler asks.
“Get me out of here. Now.”
“Babe, you don’t have shoes on or socks. And your top is um …” he swallows. “I can see a lot right now. Not that I mind.”
“Just shut up and get in your SUV.”
We’re rushing to his Cherokee and the front door pops open. “Layla Faye Valentine, you better not even think about leaving.”
“Watch me, Mom.” I shut Tyler’s door and lock it. Yep. I’m so not going to sit in that house and listen to her crap.
Tyler starts up his Jeep and says, “You’re going to get me into trouble, aren’t you?”
“Probably.”
He backs out of the drive and huffs. “All right. You better remember this the next time you’re mad at me.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything for you. You know that, right?”
I nod and swipe a stray tear from my eye.
“I got some spare flip-flops in here. I think,” Tyler says as we park in the Target lot. He rifles through the back and says, “Got them. They’ll be big on your tiny feet, but you can manage. We’ll get you some shoes that actually fit.”
“I don’t need the shoes.”
“Yes, you do. You can’t go walking around barefoot where I’m taking you. And stores have this crazy policy about no shoes no service. I mean what the hell is that?”
I giggle even if it’s not exactly funny. “The nerve of some people.”
He smiles. “Exactly.” He shuts the back and comes over to my door. After he opens it he slips the sandals on my feet and hands me over his varsity jacket. “Come on.”
I stare at the jacket. “Ty, I don’t need that. It’s not exactly cold out.”
He swallows. “It’s not for you. More for me. Keeping myself in check since I can tell you aren’t wearing a bra right now.”
I blush at his words and slip the jacket on.
We hurry in and I find a pair of black shoes. Tyler insists I grab some sweats and socks too. Even though I keep telling him I can manage without socks.
“We’re not going to argue about this,” he says as he pulls down some multicolored striped socks and we head to the self-checkout.
He swipes our items, pay
s then we’re back in his SUV. I’m putting the shoes on and he’s driving us to who knows where. I do know that I’m happy I left my cell behind at the house. My mom can’t blow it up and leave a bunch of texts or voicemails.
Chapter Seventeen
Tyler
She’s going to get me into a hell of a lot of trouble. I can feel it in the pit of my stomach.
Layla fidgets in the passenger seat as I pull into one of the nature parks. “Hey,” I say as I try to get her to face me.
She looks at me and asks, “Why are we in a forest?”
“We’re going to be walking. Come on.” I get out and walk over to her door.
“Are you going to murder me out here?” she asks as she stands beside me looking hot as hell in my jacket.
I laugh. “Yes. You caught me. Now let’s get a move on. I’ve got a time schedule to keep.”
She rolls her pretty green eyes. “I don’t exactly like hiking you know that, right?”
Of course, I know my girl doesn’t like hiking or even going into wooded areas. Layla hates anything that can crawl, bite, and lives in dark, damp places like the woods. But I’m here and I’ll totally squish, kill, or throw off anything that fits the description of things that terrify her. And I’ll look like a badass doing it.
Layla narrows her eyes. I sigh. “Yeah. I also know you hate getting dirty. I promise it’s going to be fine.”
“It’s not just that.” She pokes my chest. I swear she does this to feel my muscles, but I would never admit this because I like the idea she wants to feel me up. “I hate creepy forests you know this.”
“Babe. I got you.”
She takes my hand and lets me guide her into the woods. “All right. If anything lands on me even a stray pine cone, I’m coming back to your SUV and we’re leaving.”
I want to laugh but I don’t. Even if she looks really adorable, all pissed off with bright pink cheeks. “Got it,” I say.
We make our way onto the trail. We walk about five minutes and Layla asks, “How far do you plan on taking me?”
“Not far.” As we walk a little farther I mumble, “About last night, I’m sorry. I realize my subject change was abrupt and possibly wrongly timed. I just knew you were sad and I don’t know how to deal with sad.”
She shrugs. “I know. Guys don’t handle emotions well, I shouldn’t have said any of that stuff. It’s just … I need to talk to you about some things. I was really upset. Still am. Not so much with you but with my mom.”
Her words are true, but I still need to fix this. “I get it. You can talk to me about it I promise to try not to be such an ass. I won’t be great at this. It’s going to take me a while, but you can’t get pissed off at me.”
Layla nods. “We both suck at this don’t we?”
I turn to her. “No. We just get our wires crossed.” I shift and point at the path ahead of us. “We’re almost here. Ready?”
“To be killed? Yes,” she jokes.
I laugh. “Excellent.” We walk a little farther and move a branch that’s covering the surprise.
She gasps. “Oh my gosh! What is this?” she asks.
“This, babe, is supposed to be a recreation of Wonderland I think. I am not sure.”
“Oh, look at the little trees with their enormous ornaments. It’s so cute. Aw. Now I wish I had my phone with me. I would have taken some pics.”
“I got you covered.” I pull out my cell and snap away.
Layla pulls me against her and kisses me. “Sometimes you make me so mad, Tyler, that I want to whack you. But then you do things like this and I—” She looks up at the sky and her stare locks with mine. The corners of her mouth lifts. “I want to tell everyone how amazing you are. I’m so lucky you’re mine.”
“Remember that when I take you back to your house and your mom wants to beat me because we drove off without her permission.”
“I’m not ready. I know that seems selfish and cruel, I’m not ready to let my dad go. He’s been gone for almost three years now, but it still feels like yesterday some days. When my mom told me she was seeing this Evan guy, I couldn’t handle it.”
I kiss her temple. “I’ll be the driver of the getaway car every time because well, you can’t drive for shit, babe. Call, text, whatever I’ll come. No matter if it’s a holiday or some dumb event I have to attend. I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Tyler.” She squeezes me tighter.
“Anything for you, babe.”
“I think I want to go to your family dinner.”
I pull back and study her. “Really?”
Chapter Eighteen
Layla
After the little Christmas walk in the park, the inevitable was about to happen. Even though I told Tyler I thought I was ready to meet his family, pretty sure that won’t be happening when he drops me off at my house. In fact, I’m certain my mom has a whole lot of chores waiting for me like Cinderella, and I’m going to be looking at a long grounding.
“You’ve got that look again, Layla. We can drive around for a bit more if you want?” Tyler offers.
I shake my head. “No. I better get this over with. She probably is ready to call the cops, and kill me all at the same time.”
He smirks. “Damn. It was nice knowing you.”
“Hey! Glad to see where we stand.”
“Um. Your mom is a little scary. Sorry, babe. If I had to choose a side, I’d totally pick the side that doesn’t have me dead too.”
I shake my head. “And here I thought you were going to be my protector for life. What a sham.”
He pulls into my driveway and throws his Cherokee into park. I start to open the door, but he says, “Babe, I got this.”
He gets out and comes over to my side, pops the door open and helps me out. “You know I am perfectly capable of opening a door?”
“Yes. But it makes it more rewarding when I can do this in the process.” He shuts the door and pushes me against it while his lips crash into mine. He breaks our kiss way too soon and says, “Since I probably won’t be seeing these lips until Christmas Eve, I needed that to hold me over.”
Possibly longer. I hope that’s not the case. Knowing my mom, she’ll probably tell me I’m grounded the rest of winter break. That will totally suck.
I reluctantly make my way to the front door with Tyler holding my hand.
I turn the knob and push the door open. I wince, expecting her voice to come pouring out. Nothing. Silence greets me. No yelling. Not my mom standing by the door with her foot tapping, arms crossed, and giving me the ‘you’re in so much trouble’ look. I have this strange sensation to call out for her, but I stop myself.
“This is weird,” I whisper to Tyler.
“Well, here’s how I see it. You can go looking for her, or maybe … we can go make out in your room for a bit. I’d prefer the last option.”
I smack his arm. “Quit goofing off.”
“You know you want more of my mouth on yours action,” he winks.
Yes. I want more of that, but I also feel like this is a setup. Like if I think I’m in the clear and BAM my mom will come out of nowhere and embarrass the hell out of me. Then completely ruin my entire mood by telling me my punishment.
As I am debating what to do, Juliet comes out of the entrance to the garage. “Where’s Mom?” I ask.
“Office, I think.” She frowns. “Where’s the wrapping paper?”
“My room. Oh, wait!” I shout as Juliet starts rushing up the stairs. “Don’t go in there!”
“Too late!” I hear her call back.
I glance up at Tyler who is smirking. “It’s not funny. I think one of her gifts is unwrapped and still on my floor.”
He shrugs. “It’s only one.”
His lips brush over mine. “I should go. Text me before you go to bed,” he says as his minty breath faintly coats my lips.
His mouth locks with mine again. I wrap my hands around his neck and pull him closer to me. Molding our lips perfectly. His han
d skims down my back and a throat clears. Shit.
Tyler and I break apart and my mom stares at me. “Hope you had fun,” she says as her eyes narrow.
I bite back my retort to that comment. I think I’m going to be in enough trouble, no need to add to it.
“Call me later,” Tyler says then he exits the house. Once the door is closed I wait for my mom to lay into me.
She stands there though. Not saying a word. Is this a game? Like are we playing the silent game and whoever talks first loses? I’m not sure so I just stand there too not saying anything.
Finally, after a long moment, she says, “I should punish you. I should ground you until you’re thirty. I should forbid you to ever see that boy again. But I’m not. I realize this change that is going on with all of us is going to be hard. I need to start moving on. How else am I going to sit across another widow and tell her what she’s doing is perfectly fine if I can’t do the same?”
I fold my arms. So, this has nothing to do with her or us but her business and how she will look. Wow. And here I almost bought into her cock and bull story.
“I don’t know. I hear lying works wonders.” I march up the stairs into my room. Unbelievable.
Me: She didn’t ground me
Ty: Good
Me: I’m still mad @ her
Ty: I understand. How bout we talk about smthin else?
Me: K
Ty: What is ur fave thing in the whole world?
Me: Um … I dunno
Ty: I have 6 things: U. Friends. Jeep. Fball. Cookies. Cooking.
Me: Aww. Hmm. U, family, Rach, cheer, & shoes.
Ty: Pft. Typical princess. Must have her shoes. Except 4 2day when u ran outta the house barefoot. LOL
Me: But u rescued me & got me shoes. Which BTW r super comfy.
Ty: Glad u like ’em. Still up 4 the party?
Me: Yeah.
Ty: Awesome. I’ll pick u up @ 7
Me: K
Ty: Babe, luv 2 talk more but I g2g
Right Gift Wrong Day: A Right Text Wrong Number Novella (Offsides) Page 7