Chapter twelve
Laur
“What the actual hell are you thinking, Tyler?” My outrage yell mixes with the forceful slam of the sliding door behind me, causing Tyler to flinch.
After Tyler brought an ice for Ryder’s face, Bren, Libby, and I quickly coerced him back inside to lecture our dear friend.
“You’ve been on a different level lately,” Bren furrows her brows, “What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing,” Tyler huffs out, folding his arms defensively across his chest.
“That’s a bold lie.” Libby’s voice is colder than the glare she sends Tyler from across the room. It’s cold enough to turn water into ice.
Tyler’s previously defensive arms drop to his side, each fist clenched in aggravation. “Mitchell’s been a pain in the ass all day,” Tyler retorts harshly. “He was asking for it.”
“Are we witnessing the same Blaine Mitchell?” Bren questions him as if she’s read my mind. Blaine Mitchell has been a saint since the end of last season.
“He’s different around the guys.” Tyler’s voice is a pitch lower than before. His eyes dart around the room, avoiding eye contact.
“Bullshit, Tyler,” Libby calls him out.
“Protecting your not-so-secret lover?” Tyler snarls at Libby, a fire back in his eyes.
My jaw drops at the abrasiveness of Tyler’s comment, while Libby’s clenches tightly.
Despite the sorrow starting to fill her eyes, she throws each word at Tyler as if it’s a dagger aimed for the heart. “Next time don’t expect Blaine to be so understanding, or Lucas for that matter.” She turns to storm up the stairs only stopping to spit out, “I would have been happy to see Blaine lay you flat on your ass.”
“Wow.” Bren’s tone goes into mama bear mode. “That was a douche move, Tyler. Since when do you treat your friends that way?”
Furiously following Libby, the patio door slams behind Bren.
The walls seemed to cringe at the silence that settles between Tyler and me. His big brown eyes meet mine, pleading for compassion. Even the stillness seems to be begging me to comfort him and fill the quiet void.
“If you are looking for sympathy, you won’t get it from me.” My voice remains melancholy, despite my irritation and disappointment with him.
“I . . .” Tyler starts, but I instantly cut him off.
“Honestly, Ty, I don’t want to hear your excuse.” I stare fiercely into his soul, hoping to find some truth behind what’s gotten into him, but self-pity seems to be the only thing present in his wide-eyed gaze.
“If you don’t stop whatever that is, you’re going to make this season,” I pause, trying to rein in all the profanities I want to yell at him, “difficult. And not just for yourself. For everyone.”
Tyler remains silent, not even acknowledging or agreeing. Throwing my hands up in defeat, I dash inside and upstairs to my room. I release a loud exhausted sigh as I sit on the bed, head in my hands.
Did Nick ever have to deal with this between his players? Did he intervene like Lucas? Nick was loyal and level-headed. I’m sure he stepped in when he needed to.
Laying back on the bed, my heavy eyelids close and I start to drift off. My mind and body both need a break. I thought men were supposed to be low drama, but it seems like I will have to constantly remind myself I’m dealing with a bunch of boys. Boys with massive egos.
A gentle nudge on my arm and a soft delicate kiss on my temple stirs me awake. The most beautiful golden eyes meet my sleepy graze, but no amount of grogginess could stop me from grinning wide at the sight of Lucas when I first wake up.
“Hi, sleeping beauty.” Lucas beams, brushing the hair out of my face.
Stretching up, I put my arms around his neck and pull him down so he’s laying down next to me. A big, unexpected yawn works its way free.
Laughing, Lucas says, “None of that. I’ll stick my finger in your mouth next time!”
Playfully, I let out a dramatic gasp, “You wouldn’t dare, Lucas Donato.”
“Oh, I would dare.” He smirks, bringing his face to meet mine. “Didn’t you learn I don’t mind being dared or did you already forget our skinny-dipping escapades.”
