The Boyfriend Deal(17)

The thought of her applying to University of Florida excited me. I  wanted to accept the scholarship they'd offered, and knew I needed to  let them know soon if I would be attending. If Hadley got in, then  things would be perfect. I hadn't told her yet, but Mom wanted to use  spring break as a time to check out the campus and the housing nearby.  She'd already been checking out apartments online, in hopes Hadley would  go with me. If she didn't, I would probably stay in a dorm.

Mom appeared in my doorway, a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. I knew it would be white chocolate raspberry, her favorite.

"I wasn't sure if you heard the news," she said, stepping farther into the room. "Today was Alicia's trial."

"What was the verdict?"

"They found her guilty of attempted murder. The judge sentenced her to  fifteen years with the option of parole after ten. Also, I heard Hunter  is serving up to one year for vandalizing your truck, and he'll be  charged a twenty-five hundred dollar fine. His trial was last week, but  you were so preoccupied with Hadley I didn't think you'd really care."

"I don't. I mean, I'm glad he's being punished for what he did, and that  he's away from Hadley, but I guess in the grand scheme of things, what  Hunter did seems petty and small. Alicia tried to kill Hadley. If I had  known how completely psycho she was … "

"You can't blame yourself," Mom said.

"Hadley said she doesn't blame me, but I blame me. She could have died,  Mom. I'd have lost her and all because I … " My voice cracked.

Mom sat beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Hadley is  fine, Tyler. I know she's having a hard time adjusting to her weakened  eyesight, and I'm sure she's frustrated and angry about what happened to  her, but with you in her corner, I know she'll succeed. I've watched  you since the night you came home and told me you were dating her.  There's been a change in you."

"I'm still an asshole, Mom."

She smiled. "Maybe. And I'm sure you drive Hadley insane some days, but  for once you're thinking about your future, and it entails something  more than never ending parties and girls."

"Oh, I still like parties."

She squeezed my shoulder. "I'm sure you do. You wouldn't be Tyler if you  didn't, but I've seen you put Hadley first in your life. She's a  special girl, and I'm happy the two of you are together. I think it was a  little soon to give her a promise ring. You're only seniors after all,  but when you asked, I supported your decision. As long as neither of you  even thinks of getting married before you have a degree, then I won't  complain."

"I just wanted her to know I love her and want to spend my life with  her. I didn't want her to think she was just like every other girl I've  been with. You're right; she's special. And I wanted a way to make her  feel special." I sighed. "But tonight, she was having doubts about us. I  went to see her and overheard her talking to Amber. She called herself  useless and said I'd be better off without her."         

     



 

"Maybe  …  maybe she needs something special. Christmas is coming up. Why  don't you invite her family over for Christmas Eve? We hadn't planned to  have a party this year, but you could invite Colin and Robert. I'm sure  your dad will want to invite the neighbors."

"I'm sure Hadley would love that, Mom, but I think I have an idea. You  can still do the party, if you want, but what if I created a special  night for Hadley? She was right. It's been a while since I've asked her  out on a date. Think you can convince Mr. Mortenson to reserve a table  for us at his restaurant? Best table in the house!"

Mom smiled. "I think I can manage that. When do you want to do this?"

"Tomorrow. I don't want to give her time to back out. I'll tell her  tonight that I have a surprise for her and to dress up for the occasion.  I'll pick her up tomorrow and whisk her off to dinner, and then I  thought maybe I could drive her over to the Christmas Village so we  could see all the lights. Maybe she just needs a little holiday cheer,  and for me to show her, rather than tell her, how I feel."

Mom nodded. "I'll help you make the arrangements. Now, why don't you  call your girlfriend and let her know she's going on an enchanted  evening tomorrow and that you won't take no for an answer."

Mom kissed my cheek then wandered out of the room, probably to call Mr.  Mortenson. They'd been friends for years, and if anyone could get me a  last minute reservation, it was her. My hands shook a little as I called  Hadley, worried she might turn me down. She'd been so upset earlier,  but when she'd called around nine she'd sounded better, almost  optimistic. I just hoped I wasn't calling too late. It was going on ten  o'clock now.

"Hello," a sleepy Hadley answered.

"Did I wake you?"

"Mmm  …  I was half asleep. Is something wrong, Tyler?"

"Nothing's wrong, Red. I just have something special planned for  tomorrow. At five o'clock, I want you dressed and ready to go, so wear  your nicest dress."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"All right." She yawned. "Five o'clock tomorrow."

I smiled as I hung up the phone, folded my hands behind my head, and  fell back onto the bed. A special night with Hadley sounded amazing. I'd  take her to the restaurant, the Christmas Village, and then maybe I'd  drive her to the bluffs to watch the river. I wanted to have a romantic  evening with her. Well, as romantic as two seniors could have. It wasn't  like I could take her on a fancy vacation, just the two of us.

****

The next day passed slowly, and when it was finally time to pick up  Hadley, I found that I was rather nervous. I hadn't even been nervous on  our first date, but there was a slight tremor in my hands as I put the  truck in park in front of her house. When I reached her front door, I  smoothed my tie, ran a hand through my hair, and rang the bell.

Mrs. Ryan answered and welcomed me with a smile. "She's upstairs, Tyler. Come on in, and I'll let her know you're here."

"Thank you, Mrs. Ryan."

I stepped inside, out of the cold, and looked around. They'd put their  tree up after Thanksgiving, but there wasn't a single decoration  anywhere else. My house look like a reindeer had thrown up in it.  Lighted garland decorated the stair rail; the mantle was decked out with  fake snow and a Christmas village; we had two trees-one in the front  entry and one in the living room-and there were other little things like  nutcrackers, mistletoe, and holiday candy dishes. Mom went all out. I  wondered if the Ryan's lack of decoration was normal, or had they just  not bothered since Hadley wouldn't be able to see most of it?

A noise at the top of the stairs drew my attention and my breath caught  in my throat. I'd always thought she was beautiful, but tonight she was  absolutely stunning. Her hair was pulled back in some sort of intricate  knot with tendrils around her face. The dress she had on hugged her  curves and made my fingers itch to touch her. If she'd dressed to drive  me crazy, she was succeeding.

"You look beautiful," I said. "But then, you always do."

She blushed a becoming pink as she descended the stairs. I reached out  and took her hand in mine, wanting to kiss her more than anything, but  not daring with her dad one room away. I might have gotten away with it  once before, but I wasn't going to tempt fate. Mr. Ryan seemed to like  me just fine, but I didn't delude myself into thinking he was okay with  me kissing his daughter.

"Are you ready for the first part of your surprise?" I asked.         

     



 

She nodded eagerly.

"Goodnight, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan. I promise to have her home by ten o'clock."

Mr. Ryan appeared in the doorway. "Don't rush the night, Tyler. Hads has  been looking forward to this all day. If you're not here right at ten  sharp, I won't send the cops after you." He smiled. "Just try not to  keep her out too late."

I shook his hand and led Hadley out to my truck. Her mom stood in the  doorway, waving to us as we pulled away. My palms were sweating on the  steering wheel as I drove to the restaurant. When I pulled up in front, I  watched her eyes widen as she realized where we were. Mr. Mortenson's  restaurant was about the only fancy thing we had in town, and everyone  ate here for special occasions  …  graduations, engagements,  anniversaries. I wondered if she'd ever been here before.

"Tyler, we don't have to eat here. It's so … "

"So what? You don't like it?"

"I love it," she said softly. "But I don't want you to spend so much money on me."

"Relax, Red. Dinner is actually a treat from Mom and Dad. They wanted to  do something special for you. What comes next is on me."

She smiled and I walked her through the front door. I gave my name to  the hostess and she seated us at a table in the center of the room.  Hadley fidgeted when they handed her a menu, and I knew it was because  she worried she wouldn't be able to read it.