“Why?” I know why. Well, I know why in my head, but I want to hear Tyson’s interpretation of the situation.
“There is not one nice bone in his body. I’m positive he is a high functioning psychotic and I’ve spoken to colleagues, listed off all his traits and each one of them has confirmed what I know… he’s unstable and dangerous at best. If he knows about you, he would use you to get one of the three of us to do whatever he wants done. If he found out you were with King, I don’t even want to imagine where his depravity would end. He’s always had hatred for King, and that venom extends to each of those close to him. Although in truth they would follow him blindly into any situation.”
“So, you broke my heart…”
“To keep you safe. It was impulsive the way I chose to reject you and I live with that regret, but I’d do it over and over and over again, instead of letting him get any opportunity of finding out who you are to me.”
I pull my head up at the same time he does, and his stormy eyes are more tumultuous than the weather around us.
“And what am I to you?”
“I barely know you, and that’s not to discount what I’m trying to say. If anything, it makes all the signs and signals clearer. You are my scent perfect match with the soul of a sunflower and you have this natural ability to make me feel things I never thought I would.”
“And now?” I ask genuinely intrigued because each time Tyson talks I learn a little more about him. And I like that.
He looks down at his feet seriously, before he lifts his head back up, “Every time you open your mouth I’m unsure if you’re going to split my eardrum with your laughter or if you’re going tobe talking smack or discuss the meaning of life. You keep me on my toes, and I want that.”
“See, I knew you were a sweet talker. You had my bullshit alarm going off when you threw my words back at me in the hospital.”
“Really?” he asks, stunned.
“No, not at all. I honestly thought I was an idiot and a complete failure as a person for misreading all the incredible things I felt. I wasn’t lying when I said you broke my heart, Tyson, and I’m not saying that to be a bitch.”
His eyes are simmering with emotion, “You didn’t misread a thing between us.”
I shrug indifferently, “Someone accused me of that once, when I was growing up, and it really shits me that now, years and years later, this dweeby fucker still messes with my head.”
Tyson’s eyes nearly pop out of his head as he tips his head to one side like he’s hard of hearing. “Someone did that to you at school?”
“Not someone, the school’s football captain.”
Tyson’s jaw snaps shut and a vicious hiss like a rattler snake has me taking a small step out of striking distance, but he lunges at me and grabs my retreating hand.
“If I make it through this weekend alive and King decides not to kill me, I’m booking us a getaway.”
I laugh and roll my eyes. “Not necessary.”
“It is. Besides, you can show me where you grew up.”
“Why would you want to see that?”
“Tristan, starting today I’m setting up my new life. I always was going to distance myself from Rex and the club but after what happened with you, the dates have been brought forward. I need you in my life.”
“But a second ago you were talking about Rex.”
“I’m jumping on the same bandwagon as King… hit hard and fast, knowing you’ve prepared as much as you can and ready for the fallout.”
“What about Steel?”
“I won’t speak for my brother but completing my residency was the cut-off point for our pack. It really was the reason I booked this cabin, for us to sort out our pack or to figure out how to split from Rex. If they choose to leave now, it’s not my call. I’ll work for The Fallen as their chief medical…”
“You’ll do no such thing!” I stomp. “You are going to have the most amazing career!”
He smiles, looking relieved, and gorgeous. He straightens his hair and rights his clothes until they’re perfect again. “I know. With you cheering me on I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to achieve anything.”
“Wow… you really do have that whole shmooze thing going on don’t you.”
“I do,” he agrees, smiling until the laughter stops and he looks a little detached. “I’m still going back to kick the living shit out of your ex-school football captain.”
