The Boyfriend Deal(14)

"Are those for me?" I asked.

"I had Mom pick them up for me before the game. I wasn't sure if the  florist shop in the hospital would be open this late." He set them on  the bedside table. "They're roses. She called and asked what color to  get and I wasn't sure, but I thought you might like pink."

"The color is really pretty and they smell great, Tyler."

He sat beside the bed and rubbed his hands up and down his thighs, his palms rasping against the denim of his jeans.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing!"

"Tyler, something had to have happened since you left last night."

He took my hand in his and caressed my fingers with his thumb. "There  were some scouts in the bleachers tonight. Florida State University and  University of Georgia both talked to me after the game."

"What did they say?"

"They've offered me a full ride. I told them I wanted to stay closer to home."

I squeezed his hand, knowing it was my fault he wasn't going to take  them up on their offer. He deserved to go somewhere far from our small  Tennessee town. Someplace where you didn't have to drive almost an hour  just to go to a mall. I knew he felt responsible for what had happened  to me, but it wasn't his fault Alicia was completely crazy.

"You should go," I finally said. "Before we started dating you'd planned  to get out of the state and see the world. That shouldn't change now.  Especially after … "

"After what?" he asked.

"There's a chance I won't be able to play anymore, and if I can't read  music I won't be able to read my textbooks either. My life is about to  change, Tyler, and I don't want to drag you down with me."

"Hadley, there's no reason you can't go away with me to college. We  could get an apartment together. Even if you can't go to classes, we  could find something you'd enjoy doing."

"Tyler, I won't be a burden to you. It's best if I stay with my parents."

He got up and sat on the bed, pulling me into his arms. I burrowed  against him, loving the feel of his arms around me, the way his scent  surrounded me. If Tyler left, I would miss this, but it wasn't fair to  ask him to stay behind. And go with him? How would I function out there  on my own?

"Hadley, I know that the world just became a much scarier place for you.  I get that, I really do. But if you'll let me, I'll help you. If you  can't manage school, I'll come see you every day when it lets out. If  you can't go to college, I'll help you find something you can do. As  long as we're together, I don't care where we go. I can attend any  college, as long as they accept me. Would a full ride to UGA be nice?  You bet! But it isn't something I have to have."         

     



 

"But tuition … "

He silenced me with a soft kiss. "Doesn't matter. My parents have saved  since I was born. My tuition is covered. The only benefit to going  somewhere that's paid in full is that I could use that fifty thousand to  rent an apartment for us."

"You really think we could make it work?" I asked, not sure I dared to hope.

"I really do. I'd have to go to practices, but you could come watch me  if you wanted. And of course, I'd have to attend classes, but we'd be  together every night. Depending on how I set up my schedule, maybe I'd  have Fridays off and we could have a three day weekend to have some  fun."

"We have time to think about it," I said. "I don't want you to pass up a  great opportunity because of me. Let's see how things go with my  eyesight, and how well I'm able to function day to day. There's going to  be an adjustment period. I can't make plans for my future right now,  Tyler. If you have to have an answer tonight, I'd have to say no."

"It can wait. I won't be able to hold off the colleges forever, but I  can tell them I need some time, maybe even explain the situation to  them."

I pressed my lips to his then burrowed into him again.

"Just the fact that you're willing to make a place for me in your future means a lot to me, Tyler."

"There's no one I'd rather be with than you, Hadley. You're it for me.  From now until forever, I want you in my life." He smoothed the hair  back from my face. "I love you, Hadley. I always have."

I squeezed him tighter and blinked back tears. "I love you, too."

I don't know how long we stayed like that, just holding one another, but  eventually my mother ran him out of the room and told him he could come  back in the morning. I felt like I was floating after hearing those  sweet words from Tyler. Despite the uncertainty of my future, everything  was right in my world just then.





Chapter Eight



Tyler



Hadley came home from the hospital that next day and a week later she  had her glasses. I could tell she was self-conscious about them, but she  was still every bit as beautiful to me now as she'd been before Alicia  tried to kill her. As for my ex, Hadley's dad had hauled her away in  cuffs, and her trial was set for two weeks. I knew there was no way  she'd get off unless she used the insanity plea. As crazy as she was,  she might actually be able to pull that one off. Maybe she'd end up in  the same prison as Hunter. He'd been arrested the day after he'd slashed  my tire.

The halls had been empty without Hadley. She'd only been back at school  for a few days, and I knew she was struggling. Everyone was going out of  their way to be nice to her though, even Colin. The girls I'd dated and  dropped over the years all flocked around her, but I noticed no one  dared bring her baked goods unless they came from a shop. Hadley was  taking all of her fame in stride, but it was making her uncomfortable. I  think she preferred it when she was invisible.

The cafeteria was packed when I got there, and I saw Hadley was already  at a table with Amber. I made my way over to them, wanting to make sure  she had everything she needed before I went through the line. Ever since  I'd uttered those freeing words-I love you-I'd taken the role of  boyfriend rather seriously. Actually, I'd gotten so serious about it  that unbeknownst to Hadley, I stopped at a jewelry story the other night  and purchased something special for her. Something I was terrified to  give her. I'd talked to my parents and hers before doing it, and  thankfully, I had their support. If the circumstances were different, I  imagine I'd have had a different outcome. But with Hadley needing  constant care, I knew her parents were relieved she had me watching over  her. And I did it gladly!

"Hadley, you aren't eating?" I asked as I noticed she didn't have a tray in front of her.

"The line was too crowded."

I leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I'll get you something. Just sit here with Amber."

She smiled up at me gratefully and I hurried off to get something for us  to eat. When I got in the line, people ushered me ahead of them until  I'd nearly reached the front. It didn't take long to get two trays, one  with everything I knew Hadley liked, check out, and return to the table  where she was sitting. I put her tray down in front of her and claimed  the seat beside her.

"Thank you, Tyler," she said softly.

"You know I'd do anything for you." I smiled and kissed her softly.

Amber made kissy noises. "You two should get a room."         

     



 

Hadley's cheeks flushed and I just laughed, thinking I wouldn't mind  getting a room with her. When she was ready, we'd talk about it. If  everything that was said was true, then she was still a virgin. No way  was I going to fool around in the bed of my truck with her. She was  special, unlike the girls who had come before her.

"Practice today was cancelled," I told her. "Want to go somewhere after school?"

"I just need to text Mom so she won't worry."

"Tell her I'll take extra special care of you."

Hadley leaned her head against my shoulder. "If she knows I'm with you,  she won't worry. Both of my parents have seen how wonderful you are. I  think they'd keep you forever if they could. Have you noticed they've  been sending you home later and later? It wouldn't surprise me if they  ask if you want to camp out in the living room with me one night, or use  the guest room."

"Your parents may like me, but I don't think they're ready for you to be  alone with me all night. They want to preserve your innocence."

She made a face and I couldn't help but laugh.

"You should take her somewhere special today," Amber said. "You know, she's never been to Lookout Point."

My eyebrows shot up. "Are you trying to tell us something?"

Amber shook her head. "I just meant no one ever took her up there to  fool around. Even if you only kiss and hold hands, it will still be  something she'll remember fondly."

"I'm right here," Hadley said. "I'm going blind, not deaf."

I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Would you like  to go to Lookout Point with me? I promise to mind my manners."