The Boyfriend Deal(19)

"Did you discuss this with my dad?"

"We may have talked about it a few weeks ago. He'd asked how prepared I  was ,and I'd admitted I wasn't. I have to say, I was rather  embarrassed."

"Dad has that effect on people."

He laughed and wrapped an arm around my waist.

"You know," he said, "what I really wanted to get you was a puppy, but  your parents said that probably wasn't the best idea right now. They  were worried that having something extra to take care of might upset you  right now."

"You wanted to get me a puppy?" I asked softly.

"Maybe after we're settled in Jacksonville, we can look at getting a  dog, or even a cat, if you'd prefer a kitten to a puppy. I just hate  that you haven't had a pet, and it's a wish I had hoped to grant for  you."

"Just knowing you thought about it is enough, Tyler." I rested my head  on his shoulder. "You really see us living in Jacksonville next fall?"

"Well, I certainly hope so. I've already been browsing apartments  online. Your dad contacted the police department down there to find out  which parts of town aren't as safe as others, so it's been taking some  time to look all of them up on a map. Finding something in our price  range in a good neighborhood hasn't been easy, but it's doable. There  were a few options."

"I haven't been accepted yet, Tyler. What if they deny my application?"

"Then I'll look at apartments elsewhere. You were already accepted to UT Knoxville so that will be our back-up."

"But if we go to UT, we won't be able to get an apartment."

"I know." He laced our fingers together. "We'd have to stay in dorms and  wouldn't get to see each other quite as much, but it's only four years,  Red. We have our entire lives to be together. We can still date in  college without living together."

I smiled. "My dad is pushing UT, isn't he? I bet he isn't too thrilled with the idea of us living together."

"Actually," he said quietly, "your Dad would prefer that we live  together. I think he's nervous about you moving away from home and not  having someone to watch over you. If you're in a dorm, I won't be able  to help you when you need it. There's no guarantee you'd get a  sympathetic roommate."

Now I was getting nervous. I'd have to start praying extra hard and  cross every finger and toe that I would be accepted to University of  Florida. I knew we still had five months left of school, and graduation  to get through, but the thought of starting a new chapter in life, of  getting a fresh start, was rather exciting. I would always be the nearly  blind girl, the girl who couldn't dress herself without help, the girl  who couldn't shop without assistance. My glasses improved my vision a  lot, but it was still a huge struggle.

"Hadley, wherever we end up, the important thing is that we're together.  I don't care which school we attend. Yes, it would be nice to play  football on a scholarship, but it isn't the end of the world if I don't.  What would be the end of the world would be attending a college  hundreds of miles away from you, not getting to see your smiling face  every morning, or getting to kiss you goodnight every night."

"So  …  one day at a time?" I asked.

"One day at a time. Come on, I think the party is winding down. I should probably get you home."

I let him pull me up and I grabbed the gift box with my sweater and  gloves. I said goodbye to his parents, and Tyler helped me put on my  coat then led me out to his truck. It was cold; fresh snow was on the  ground, and the vents blew cold air when he cranked the engine. He shut  off the heat until the engine had time to warm up, which would pretty  much be sometime on his way home, since I didn't live that far away.         

     



 

I sat in the middle, snuggled against his side. He kept both hands on  the wheel, but I laid my hand on his thigh, feeling the muscle tense  beneath my fingers. Christmas music played softly on the radio, filling  the silence around us. When he came to a stop in front of my house, he  put the truck in park and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"I'm glad you came tonight."

"Thank you for inviting me," I said. As his head lowered to mine,  butterflies erupted in my stomach. Kissing Tyler was always amazing, and  always as wonderful as it had been the first time. When he pulled away,  he helped me out of the truck and walked me to the door.

Dad was already there waiting for us.

"Thanks for bringing her home safely, Tyler. Did you want to come in for some hot chocolate?" Dad asked.

"Thank you, Mr. Ryan, but I'd better get back. Mom will need help cleaning up after the party."

Dad nodded and stepped back inside.

Tyler kissed me twice more then went back to his truck. I stood on the  front steps until his taillights disappeared. Snow started falling again  and I shivered as a breeze blew. Something told me this would be the  most magical Christmas of them all, despite everything I'd been through.  Even if I didn't get to see Tyler tomorrow, I would still feel warm and  content knowing he loved me.





Epilogue



Hadley



Tyler had accepted the scholarship to Florida State University, and we'd  been living in a small apartment in Jacksonville for the past year. I'd  found things to fill my days and had even discovered a way to continue  playing my flute. Tyler had bought me a ton of flute audio files and all  I had to do was listen to one in order to play the piece of music.  Since music was a balm to my soul, I really loved him for it. There were  a million reasons to love Tyler, and I discovered more every day.

We'd decided we liked Jacksonville well enough to stay after graduation,  even though that was still a few years off. Tyler was studying Fire  Science and still planned to become a fireman. He'd even volunteered at  the local station and was getting hands on knowledge along the way. As  for me, I was studying Psychology at the college in hopes of being a  school counselor one day. I had only signed up for two classes the first  semester to make sure I could handle the work. I hadn't wanted to get  overwhelmed, but my parents had already offered to hire tutors if I  needed them. Turned out I was pretty good at keeping up with my  classwork and the following semester I'd taken a full load.

My parents had recently sold our home in Tennessee and moved nearby. Dad  had gotten a job with the Jacksonville police department and seemed to  love it. Tyler's parents had talked of moving, but hadn't done it yet. I  wasn't sure if they were waiting to make sure we stayed here, or if  Tyler's mom was just trying to give him some space.

The large digital display on the living room clock told me Tyler would  be home any minute. I'd made his favorite-homemade meatloaf, mashed  potatoes, green beans, and some yummy rolls my mother had taught me to  make. The apartment smelled delicious.

I heard the key in the lock and I rushed to the front door to greet him. When he saw me, a big smile wreathed his face.

"Miss me?" he asked.

"Always."

After a kiss that still had the power to melt my bones, he put his stuff  aside and followed me into the kitchen. I'd already set the table, and  he claimed his seat.

"This looks great, Hadley. I didn't realize how damn hungry I was until  just now. I got busy with a study session at lunch and completely forgot  to eat."

"Have as much as you want. There's still some left over if you want seconds, or even thirds."

"Thirds?" He smiled. "Just how many people did you think you were feeding?"

I felt my cheeks warm. "I had a little trouble reading Mom's recipe and  she didn't answer, so  …  I made a little more than I intended."

"It looks great, Red," he said softly. "I know you didn't have class  today, but I'm sure you still had work to do. You didn't have to prepare  a big meal. We could have ordered pizza or something."

"I like taking care of you. It's not like you don't take care of me  every day. This is my way of giving back to you. The least I can do is  cook."

"I just don't want you to feel like you have to, but it's definitely  appreciated. You know I love your cooking. If I don't watch it, you'll  pack the pounds on me and coach will have me running extra laps."

"Ready for the big game?" I asked.

"Yeah. Nervous though."         

     



 

"I'll be in the stands cheering you on." I smiled. "I wouldn't miss it for anything."

"Your parents going too?"

"Dad has to work, but Mom said she'd take me. She knew you wouldn't be  able to focus on the game if you were worried about me, so she's  babysitting."

"Red, no one needs to babysit you."

"I know." I sighed. "She wants to see you play as much as I do. I'm just sorry your parents won't be here."

"I talked to Dad this morning on my way to class. He said he might start  looking for a job around this area. He didn't make any promises, but at  least he's willing to look. And, if they decide to stay in Tennessee,  we'll just have to go visit. Or invite them here for the holidays. I  don't know, we'll figure it out when the time comes."