by L. L. Ash
Tyler got a steak sandwich and I devoured some fish and chips with a Mountain Dew to keep me awake for the last stretch.
When the bill came we both reached for it on the table and had a little tug of war with it.
“What are you doing?” Tyler asked, confusion on his face as he tried to nicely take it out of my hands.
“I know how much that room cost you. And who knows how much you spent on my admission to that tournament. Let me get this.”
He grinned.
“Seriously, don’t worry about it.”
Frustration burned just then, and though I couldn’t pinpoint why, I needed to pay the check to feel like I didn’t owe him something for the weekend we’d had.
“I know you’re a privileged rich kid Tyler, but that doesn’t mean I’m poor.”
I watched the smile melt off his face and a mixture of hurt and anger replaced it. He slid out of the booth, stood and walked away without another word.
My frustration didn’t ease, knowing I’d hurt him with my thoughtless comment, but pride consumed me. I wasn’t a helpless female that needed to be taken care of, and that was exactly how I felt he viewed me.
The waitress came back and when I handed her the check with my bank card in it, she just smiled and said, “That lovely boy you had lunch with already paid for it!”
I simmered. Without another word I stormed out of the restaurant, throwing open Tyler’s car door and growled, “What’s your problem?”
“MY problem?” he asked, white knuckling the steering wheel in anger.
“Are you so obsessed with paying for things? Have to flash your daddy’s money around to make yourself feel important?”
His lips pressed together again as if he was trying to control his anger.
“Money is convenient,” he said in a low whisper. “It can provide comforts and fun and necessities. But it’s not everything.” He looked at me then. “I work hard for what I earn. And I’m not flashing ANYTHING around.” He looked forward again. “And I’m sorry if you feel that I am. I was just trying to be a gentleman. Forgive me. It won’t happen again.”
As I begrudgingly got into the passenger seat, the car was deathly quiet. The last 4 hours of the trip were painful.
Every amount of companionship we’d built was now coated with animosity and it was unpleasant. By the time we pulled up to my house, I felt bad for what I’d said but the look of anger on Tyler’s face had disappeared and was replaced by indifference.
“Thanks for the trip,” I whispered as I got out.
“Sure,” he said but didn’t look at me.
I got out, retrieved my bag and he drove off without even a goodbye. I didn’t deserve one, anyway.
Dad met me on the porch, no doubt he heard the engine. When he saw the look on my face his anger and frustration melted and he opened his arms to me.
“What happened?” he asked, pulling me into his embrace like only a dad can do.
“It was such a good trip,” I started, feeling tears start to bubble out of me furiously. “He spent so much money on me Dad. It made me uncomfortable, so I fought to pay for lunch and I said some things that I know hurt him….”
He led me inside without a word.
After settling me on the couch and taking his seat in the recliner, he sighed and asked, “What about it made you uncomfortable?”
“I don’t know. Nobody’s ever spent a grand on me in one weekend before. No one’s ever spent a grand on me PERIOD. Besides you.”
“A grand?” he asked surprised.
“He’s a rich kid.”
“Is he a party kid or does he work?”
“He said he worked with his dad. That he didn’t get much time off.”
“So, what’s wrong with him spending money he earned on you?”
“It makes me uncomfortable.”
“Why?” he asked confused.
“I don’t know. I guess I just feel like he should save it or something….”
“Aren’t you worth spending money on?” he asked surprised.
I shrugged.
“Well there’s the problem,” he said gently and grabbed one hand off my lap. “You’ll feel uncomfortable with it until you realize that you’re worth being spoiled a little. Especially if he has the money to spoil you.”
More tears trailed down my cheeks.
“I wish I had the extra money to spoil the hell out of your mom. She deserved it but I was barely holding us above water financially, especially after she got sick.”
He shook his head and added. “I envy him that he can do that for you. And if there’s a woman in the world who deserves a little spoiling it’s you, Sweetie.”
I shoved my face into my hands, feeling nothing but regret now.
“How was the rest of the trip?” he asked me.
“It was amazing. We get along so well for the most part. I mean, he was raised by his dad most of his life like I was, and we both have a lot of the same interests. He’s funny and smart and strong and determined…. And he treats me like I’m the only person on earth. It kind of scares me.”
Dad’s face gentled. A look I’d never seen before took over his eyes and face, and my throat thickened.
“Sounds like you have real feelings for him.” he said quietly.
I nodded and looked into my lap.
“Did you two…. Participate in certain activities in the hotel last night?”
My face burned and I guess that was the only answer he needed.
Dad knew I wasn’t a virgin anymore. I’d come home crying after the first time and he’d been the one I confided in and cried to about it. It was then I’d also told him I’d never ever do it again.
He sighed, but not in exasperation like I imagined.
“I guess you fancy yourself in love, huh?” he asked, stroking my hair out of my face.
“I don’t know what I feel.”
“Because you’re confused? Or because you don’t WANT to know?”
He hit the nail on the head.
“Because I’m scared of how I feel.”
“Sounds to me like you need to do something special to say you’re sorry.”
“I don’t know how these relationship things work dad. I’ve never done this before and I was too young to remember what you and Mom did….”
“Well, all I know is food usually did the trick for me,” he said with a grin.
I smiled back and an idea sprang to life in my head.
-You still hate me?
I asked, my first words to Tyler in almost a week. It’d been 4 days since I sent the cupcakes and flowers to him at what I hoped was his office. I’d looked up Tyler’s name in the contact guide but found instead a man who I assumed to be his Dad, Scott Harrison, OWNER of the Triton hotel resort and casino. I supposed he wasn’t exactly lying when he said his dad worked at a hotel. I had assumed he was a manager or something similar, but that was my own mistake for assuming.
I’d waited 2 days before sending them, then another 4 but now I was done waiting.
Ding
I practically launched myself at the phone.
-I almost forgive you.
-What can I do for you to forgive me?
-You can apologize.
-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said all that stuff. I was scared and you made me angry by not letting me pay. It was stupid of me, I know.
-The cupcakes were delicious.
-I’m glad!
-Dad teased the crap out of me for getting flowers sent to the office though.
-I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that…
-Don’t be. It was awesome :)
-I miss you
-I miss you too. And not just your body.
-I’d feel like meat if you only missed my body
-I know, that’s why I added that first part too.
There was a pause while I laughed at him.
-Can I take you out tonight?
-I’d love that.
-I’ll pi
ck you up at 5.
-I’ll be ready
Being 2:30 I was in scramble mode to get ready for our first real date. Funny how we’d gone out of town overnight together, had sex, and had our first big fight before our first real date.
I dug through my closet for an apology dress, settling on a short number with no sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. The purple crinkle satin dress was only worn once for prom. Suddenly panic hit me and I texted him one more time
-Dress up or down?
His response was quick in coming.
-Up
I pulled the purple dress down and laid it out on the bed before jumping into the shower and shedding every ounce of hair besides the ones residing on my head. Even then I plucked my eyebrows.
Once my hair was dried and put up in some chopsticks, I applied my makeup before texting Dad to tell him I was going out with Tyler.
With smokey eyes, smooth skin and frazzled nerves I was ready for my date.
Tyler showed up 7 minutes before 5 and I ran to the door in my most comfortable pair of heels to answer it.
“Wow,” was the first words out of his mouth.
The same words almost escaped my mouth as well. He was dressed in dark jeans, lavender V-neck tee and a slim, soft black leather motorcycle jacket with a zipper down the middle and pockets up the front and sides.
His vans were replaced by black boots and for the first time since I’d seen him he was adorned in chains and rings.
“You clean up well,” I managed to gasp out,
“So do you,” he agreed, his eyes roaming and not even meeting mine.
I felt a little embarrassed, realizing this is the prettiest he’s ever seen me. Every other time had been when I was in tank and shorts with little makeup and (maybe or maybe not) shaved legs.
“I finally remembered your shirt,” I said, holding up his white ribbed tank that he’d let me borrow the first day we’d hung out.
He just smiled and said, “It looks better on you. Keep it.”
I smiled back and draped it over the back of the couch before grabbing my keys from my clutch and stepping onto the porch.
Dad pulled into the driveway just then, and we waited for him to get out of the truck before leaving.
“You kids heading out?” he asked, his lunch box hanging from one hand and his keys from the other.
“Yeah you caught us just in time to say goodbye.”
“Where are you going?” Dad asked, sidling up to us. “You’re awfully dressed up.”
“I wanted to take Sam out for a nice dinner,” Tyler said, meeting my dad’s gaze without falter, which he deserved major points for because my dad was seriously intimidating when he tried.
“When will you bring her back.”
“We’ll be out late. I wouldn’t wait up,” Tyler said honestly.
Dad looked from him to me and back before nodding.
“Keep your phone on Sweetie. And have fun.”
With that dad nodded again and headed into the house. At the door he turned and pointed a finger at Tyler saying, “But not TOO much fun. Understand?”
“Sam is in good hands. Have a good night Mr. Bulliard.” Tyler said like a freaking champ.
Dad nodded again and went inside.
Tyler walked me to the car and opened the door for me. I managed to hold my skirt down while sinking into the seat, but Tyler didn’t miss the extra flash of skin and seemed to admire it before closing the door.
Once inside the car we drove to the strip in relative silence. My fingers rolled and pulled at each other for a moment before I felt like I needed to break the ice so to speak.
“Tyler, I’m really sorry about everything...”
He stopped me with a shake of his head.
“I can’t blame you. You caught me off guard and I just wanted to impress you and take care of your every whim… I’m not used to girls like you.”
“Girls like me?” I asked in confusion.
“I mean, you’re not like my mom,” he specified and turned to get on the freeway.
“I’d hope not. But I can’t imagine there are too many women that ARE like her.”
“You’d be surprised,” he said with some bitterness.
There was another silence before he said, “I haven’t been completely honest with you Sam. I haven’t lied, but I haven’t told you the whole truth either.”
My heart sank into my stomach.
“My dad actually owns the Triton hotel.” he said, a wince on his face like he was waiting for me to slap him.
“I know,” I said and he glanced over at me, his face shocked.
There was some more silence before he asked, “How long have you known?”
“Well, I ran into it when I was trying to send you that little gift basket,” I explained.
Another silence.
“Why didn’t you tell me, Ty?” I asked.
He shrugged and was quiet for a long moment before answering.
“I didn’t want to tell you at first because I was afraid you’d be like my Mom,” he said with a sigh. “But then, after getting to know you, I was afraid you wouldn’t like me because of it. You don’t seem to have a great outlook on having money.”
“I don’t hate money,” I finally said, making sure I was clear, to clean up the misunderstanding. “I hate people who use it for terrible things, but I also don’t think it’s that important. It buys things that we need, but it doesn’t bring happiness so I’ve never put much stock in it.”
He nodded and I watched his shoulders relax. A minute later he glanced at me again and smiled.
“Does that clear up my stance for you?” I asked. “I don’t like you for your money, but I don’t DISLIKE you for it either. It just is. I like you for you.”
I pause a moment then added, “And your body….”
Tyler burst into laughter and it was good to see him grinning.
We got off the freeway and drove down the strip, hotels and resorts lining the street, people crossing at every stoplight clogging up the street. I’d only been to the strip a few times in the months I’d been here, but it had yet to stop looking like a dream. Lights flashed in every direction and each hotel was gaudier than the next. We pulled into an underground parking lot near the Triton and drove through the maze for a moment before he parked in a spot marked as ‘reserved’.
“Ooo, you’re special! You get a reserved spot!” I told him with feigned excitement.
Tyler rolled his eyes with a grin and got out of the car.
After helping me out, he asked, “Are you hungry? Or do you want to go walk a bit?”
“I’m actually starving,” I confided in a whisper.
“Then let’s get my princess some food,” he said with a laugh.
We got into the elevator near the parking spot and traveled up. Stopping at ground level we walked through the marine themed hotel. The walls were crushed shell plaster and the light sconces were dripping in pearls and shells. Chandeliers hung on the ceiling looking the same.
“I’ve never been in here before,” I commented as we walked and I rubbernecked to see everything.
“You haven’t?” he asked and slowed his pace. “It’s really something, isn’t it?”
I feel like we finally found the lost city of Atlantis.”
He laughed again and agreed, “That’s what they were going for.”
“You grew up here?”
“Yeah. In my Dad’s suite.”
“I’d like to meet him sometime,” I said, looking back at Tyler now.
“He’s dying to meet you, too.”
The smile on his face was beaming.
We found our way to a gorgeous restaurant and at the front desk the young woman at reception grinned at us and said immediately, “Right this way Mr. Harrison.”
“Mr. Harrison,” I teased in Tyler’s ear.
He chuckled and snaked his arm around my waist in a possessive gesture.
We were brought to a table that was separated
from the rest in a quiet corner next to the giant fish tank. Lights were dim for a romantic ambiance and the hostess pulled out my chair for me before sitting. Tyler sat after me and she wished us a good dinner then left us.
“Fancy shmancy,” I said, looking around at the tropical fishes and crystal dipped chandeliers.
“It’s the nicest restaurant in the hotel,” he said with an amused smile.
“You’re fancy shmancy too,” I told him, my gaze back on him.
He twisted the silver band on his index finger before saying, “I was entertaining some important guests this afternoon, I didn’t get the chance to change.”
“You look handsome. I’m glad you didn’t.”
He looked up at me and after searching my eyes, smiled warmly and reached over to take my hand.
Our waitress showed up at that moment, a pretty girl about my age with a wide smile, braid and white button up shirt and black slacks.
“Mr. Harrison, It’s a pleasure to have you in again!” she said and handed him a menu.
“It’s been about, what, 6 hours huh, Emily?” he asked her as she gave me my menu.
With a tinkling laugh she nodded, her smile never dimming.
“Well, I’ll let Travis give me what he will,” he said, never opening the menu. “And have the sommelier pick my wine to go with whatever Travis makes.”
“As you say,” Emily nodded with almost a curtsy before turning to me.
“I’ll have what he’s having,” I said nervously, giving the menu back.
Emily collected Tyler’s menu then wandered off to give the orders.
To say I was intimidated was quite the understatement. I didn’t even know what a sommelier was, let alone trusting them to pick my wine.
Tyler must have noticed my unease because he reached his hand back over to me and looked searchingly into my eyes.
“Is something wrong?” I shook my head but couldn’t meet his eyes.
My feelings of inadequacy made me want to cry.
“Do you want to leave?” he asked, standing from his seat.
“No, no. Sit down. Let’s just enjoy our dinner,” I said and smiled for him.
He sat but his face still looked worried.
“You look lovely Sam. I bet all the women in here are jealous of your beauty right now.”
He successfully got me to laugh, but a tear slipped out of my eyes in the process.