His cheeks puff out like a chipmunk’s before he blows out a breath and starts creating his own list. “She needs to be kind, understanding. Nonjudgmental. She needs to know how to handle people with special needs.”
“Cyrus,” I murmur.
“That’s right.” Tyrell nods, his expression serious. “I can’t date a girl who won’t give everything to try and communicate and connect with my brother.”
I watch his jaw clench and wonder if he’s dated a girl whohasn’tbeen that way, and he’s determined never to make that mistake again.
“Is he the reason why you haven’t started traveling yet?” I quietly ask.
Tyrell grips the wheel, his entire arm tensing. I watch those muscles clench, unable to help admiring his obvious strength. “College has kept me here, but… I sometimes worry that it’ll stop me from going. My parents really need the support right now. Dad’s recovering from an injury and I spent spring break in Texas, trying to persuade Cyrus that letting Letitia drive him places was a safe option.”
“Who’s Letitia?”
“She’s one of the tutors at the college Cyrus attends. She’s been assigned to look after him and two other students with Down syndrome. Because my dad’s been around with flexible work hours, he’s been driving his boy all over the place, but with a broken clavicle, he’s had to give that role to someone else. And Cyrus always takes time to adjust to new things.”
“Was he okay by the time you left?”
“Yeah. It took four trips of me sitting with him in the back while Letitia drove, but he eventually warmed to the idea.” Tyrell’s face dips into a frown. “He cried when I left. Does it every damn time, and it kills me.” Scrubbing a hand down his face, he lets out a frustrated sigh. “Makes me worry that if I go off to explore the world… how’s my family gonna cope, you know? Mom’s been dropping hints for over a year now that after graduation, it’d be great if I could move back home or set up a place of my own in Dallas.”
He glances at me, and I give him a sympathetic smile. “That must be tough.”
I shrug. “I shouldn’t complain. I come from an amazing family. We all love and support one another.”
“So, maybe if they knew how much you wanted to travel, they’d support that too.”
Pulling up to the curb outside my apartment, Tyrell cuts the engine and turns to face me. “What if telling them breaks their hearts?”
Poor guy. He looks so tortured by that idea.
“They love you, Ty. They’ll want you to chase your dreams. And it’s not like you’ll be gone forever, right?”
“Yeah,” he mumbles, then cringes. “Why has this conversation turned itself around and landed on me? Girl, we’re supposed to be finding you a man.”
I grin. “And finding you a woman.”
He tips his head, looking a little wistful, and…
You know what?
Springing up straight, I reach for his arm, squeezing his wrist as an idea hits me. “I’m gonna find you a girl.”
“What?” He frowns.
“Yes! If you’re looking for a guy for me, then I’m going to set you up too. We can go on double dates, have each other’s backs.” I grin. “Yes! I’m loving this.”
“I don’t know.” Tyrell winces. “I’m not… You don’t have to…”
“Iwantto. And besides, it takes the heat off me. If we’re doing this together, then I won’t feel so much pressure.”
“Ooookay. How you gonna find me a girl?” He narrows his eyes. “You only just moved here a few months ago.”
“I work at Offside. I see a lot of girls come through my door. Plus, my roommates can help me. Don’t you worry, Mr. Jackson. I’m gonna get you the nicest girl on campus.”
A reluctant smile slowly grows on his face, and he looks away from me, shaking his head like he’s so not into this idea, but he’s pretty sure he can’t fight me on it either.
Eventually he clears his throat with a nod and promises the same. “And I’m gonna get you a music-loving traveling man who can cook and has the sweetest heart in town.”
“That’s it.” I giggle, thanking him for dropping me home before jumping out of his SUV.
