"Sure," I nodded, shrugging my shoulders.
"What'd you do in Alaska, Ty?" Lulu asked abruptly, sending me a slightly worried glance. (I sent her a slightly annoyed glance back.)
"Not much," he said casually. "You know how my dad is—all work, no play. Even on vacation."
"But you mentioned four-wheeling," I pointed out, tilting my head in the direction of his scar. "What about that?"
"Yeah, we did that," Ty answered quickly. "But then Dad had to go and attend to some business." He rolled his eyes. "Workaholic."
Sympathetically, I touched Ty's hand. He could barely remember what his dad was like before his mom, Jennifer, died. In fact, he was so traumatized by the woman's abrupt death, that he had few memories at all of his life before then.
I don't know what happened to Jennifer Sanders, and sometimes I wonder if I ever will. Sometimes, it seems like there's so much mystery in Ty's life, even though I know him so well... And it feels like that mystery is just piling up more and more.
xxx
"Not bad," I commented, looking around Ty's apartment. It was small, with one bedroom, a small kitchen, two little bathrooms, and a living room. The necessities. But it wasn't crowded, since everything was pretty bare.
"Dad had my basic stuff put in before I moved in," Ty explained as he closed the door behind us. "So there's not much. Sorry it looks so... sucky."
"Hey, no problem." I gave him a bright smile. "I'm used to it from you."
This earned me a quiet laugh, but that was it. No other reaction. I sat down on the couch, and Ty put a frozen pizza in the oven. He then sat down, and we spent about ten minutes talking about nothing. Then, however, I finally got to asking him more deeply about his trip.
"How did you and your dad get along?" I asked quietly. Ty had been twelve when he and his dad got into their first serious fight, and it had been horrible. There were many more after that.
"Pretty good, actually," Ty said sincerely. "He's trying to understand me more... Although, I'm not sure that will ever work."
"Maybe it will," I replied hopefully. Though I doubted it. There was a long pause before Ty spoke.
"He finally told me how my mom died."
Immediately, his face told me that he regretted saying that, and I took his hand. To my surprise, he jerked away, causing me to blush—why, I don't know.
"Sorry," Ty muttered, avoiding my eyes. "For, you know, taking my hand away like that. It's just... It's just a touchy subject, and I didn't plan on telling you so soon."
"Why not?" There was a tiny bit of shock in my voice. "We tell each other everything." Well, everything important. We allowed each other to skip out on the girly or guyish things.
Ty didn't give a direct answer. "It was cancer that killed her. Brain cancer."
Without thinking, I leaned forward to hug him, burying my face in his shoulder. I could feel the pain coming from him. "Oh, Ty. I'm so sorry."
"Yeah... So am I." His voice was strangely hollow, and I tried to ignore that. He needed to be comforted, not analyzed.
His hand suddenly flew to my collarbone, and I flinched a little bit. What was he doing? To my relief-and maybe a little disappointment?-he was only finding the silver chain that made up the necklace he'd given me a year ago.
Ty pulled away, looking at the ruby that hung on the bottom of the necklace. He suddenly smiled. "You're still wearing that. Good."
"Obviously," I smiled, though surprised at how quickly the mood had lightened. "What, did you think I'd take it off while you were gone? You're a bit more important to me than that." A slight blush colored my cheeks.
There was something in Ty's eyes as I said that, something I couldn't interpret. But before I could ponder it any longer, the timer for the pizza went off, and he rushed to get it. A few minutes later-after he got burned and cussed a little bit-he came back to me, with two plates, a couple of slices of cheese pizza on each one.
"But your favorite is pepperoni," I said, looking down at the pieces in front of me.
"So?" Ty gave his normal "Ty smile". "I know you can't stand any toppings besides bacon, and I don't want you to eat something that you hate just to make me happy. I like cheese enough."
Giggling, I took a bite of my pizza, and swallowed. "You're great, you know that? It's just me, plain old Alex, and you're acting like I'm some girl you're on a date with." The words were out before I could stop them, and now I could feel myself going really red. "Sorry, sorry."
"Don't be." Ty's voice was casual, and I'm sure his heart wasn't beating as fast as mine was. "But you're not plain old Alex."
I took in a sharp breath, looking up at him—he was six inches taller than I was, and even when sitting, our heights were different. Then he reached out and messed with my hair like he had earlier on in the day.
"You're my favorite annoying redhead."
Oh—that was it. I should have known. After all, we were just friends. There would be major confusion if we became anything else. And it probably wouldn't work out.
"Hey," I said, one of my earlier thoughts of the day coming up. "You remember Joshua, that guy I wanted to go out with four years ago?"
Ty's face froze, and he set down his pizza. "Yes. What about him?" His voice was eerily cold and calm. Too calm.
"I was wondering where he ever went." I took a bite of my pizza, watching him carefully, and pretending to be casual.
"I heard he transferred to somewhere in Washington." Ty's answer was quick and precise.
"Oh, really." I tried to sound just politely interested. Now came the really touchy subject. "Why did you hate him so much? You said you weren't jealous—several times."
"There are two possibilities," Ty began carefully, locking my gaze with his. "One—he was just not good for you, and I was sure of it."
"And the second one?" My voice was soft.
"I can lie, you know. Maybe I was jealous."
Carefully, I studied Ty's face, unsure of what move to make next. This whole meeting seemed to be like a complicated, intricate dance—and I had no idea what the choreography was. Finally, I was able to speak. "You've changed a lot."
Ty touched my face briefly. "You've changed a bit, too."
"I didn't mean just outwardly," I said quietly, tracing his scar. "You're different."
"Different can be better."
"But what if it's not?"
There was a moment where I thought Ty would tell me something. Give me an answer. Just... something. But he then shook his head, and that same weird look came back into his eyes. Gently, he took my hand. "It's better if you just stop asking questions, Alex. I don't want there to be a roadblock in our friendship."
His voice-so formal, so cold-mixed with that expression-just made me want to slap him. But I didn't. I couldn't slap Ty. It almost went against my physical nature. We'd never actually hurt each other. When we were kids, we'd promised each other that.
But... He was hurting me. Emotionally, at least. So didn't I have the right to physically hurt him back? Maybe—I just couldn't.
"'Night, Ty," I murmured, standing up and setting my plate down on his coffee table. "I'm calling it a day."
"Why?" He stood up after me and took my arm. "Is there something wrong?"
I locked his eyes in mine. "I don't know. Maybe. That seems to be one of your favorite words tonight."
"Alex." He gave a sigh. "Don't be difficult."
"You know what?" I snapped. "You sound just like your dad."
Shock and hurt passed over his face. "Please don't say that. I know you don't mean it."
Now I was mad. Why the heck was he closing himself off? Most of all, why was he closing himself off to me? None of this was making sense... And it was just making me furious. Out of habit, I reached up to my necklace.
Ty's hand flew to grab mine, and he jerked it away from the necklace. "Whatever you do, don't take that off." His voice was intense, and his eyes were serious.
Though he'd shaken me up a bit, I pulled away fro
m him, taking a few steps backward. "I'm not your property. You can't tell me what to do."
"Alex..." His eyes begged me—for what, I didn't know. "Please."
"Yeah, whatever," I muttered, annoyed. "I'll keep the stupid necklace on. Happy?"
"Never knew you thought it was stupid."
"I never knew you would act so strange."
My mood getting worse by the minute, I stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind me. But it opened again, Ty standing at the door. "Let me drive you to your house."
"It isn't that far away," I shot back, not even looking at him. "I'll walk. Besides, everyone needs a bit of exercise."
Suddenly, Ty was at my side, holding onto my wrist. "I'm going to drive you home." His voice was definite; he was going to get his way.
I folded my arms over my chest. "No." I could still fight, though.
"You can be such a pain in the neck." He lifted me up easily into his arms, then slung me over his back. Completely unromantically, by the way.
"Let me go!" I pounded on his back with my fists. "Or... Or I'll call the cops!"
"No you won't."
"Try me."
"I know you too well."
"Maybe not that well."
A middle-aged man suddenly stepped out of his apartment, staring at us. I blushed insanely, silent with embarrassment.
"Hey Mr. Sholtz," Ty said brightly, as if nothing was wrong. "Have I introduce you to my friend, Alex?"
My face was probably puce, since not only was I blushing, but all the blood was rushing to my head. I gave a weak wave. "Hey, Mr. Scholtz."
"Hello Ty." His voice was confused, of course. "... Alex."
Needless to say, we were in the car moments later. I quickly resumed my arms-folded position, so Ty had to buckle me in. Kind of humiliating.
"Somebody shoot me," I muttered, pressing my forehead against the cold glass of my window. "Just let me die."
"Oh, come on," Ty said, rolling his eyes.
"Not only am I mad at you," I began to mutter, ticking my reasons for distress off with my fingers. "But your neighbor just saw you carrying me over your shoulder out the apartment building. And I'm going through a major head rush."
"Why are you mad at me?" He sounded almost like a little boy again as he spoke.
"How many times do I have to mention it?" I asked furiously, throwing my hands up in the air. "You're acting so weird. And you've never kept secrets from me."
"Like you haven't kept secrets from me?" Ty retorted. "Remember when we were in middle school, and I asked you whether you liked that nerd-"
"You know we stay away from that kind of stuff," I muttered, narrowing my eyes. "How can you blame me for being worried about you? You come back home with a scar on your face, just having learned about how your mom died-"
"Some things you don't have a right to know, Alex!" Ty yelled, banging the steering wheel with one hand as he started the car. "You're my best friend, but there are grounds that can't be crossed."
His words-harsh and almost uncaring-made me silent. I stared straight ahead at the darkness in front of us, lit only by his headlights. Neither of us said a word. There was no apology in the looks we'd occasionally send each other—only hurt, confusion, and anger.
Finally, we came to my house, and Ty stopped the car. Silently, I slipped out and began to walk back towards my house. Suddenly, I halted, remembering something, and walked back towards his car. He hadn't moved an inch.
I fished into my pocket, then brought out a vial full of sand. "My aunt lives in South Carolina, and I know how much you wanted to go there, so I had her send me some of this." I shoved it through his open window, into his hands. "It was your coming home present."
Before he could say a word, I turned around and began to walk back towards my house, pulling my hair out of its ponytail—he liked it better up, and I liked it better down. But I wouldn't be primping myself for Ty Sanders again.
Or at least I thought I wouldn't.
xxx
"We're still friends, I think," I said quietly, walking with Lulu on my sidewalk. "We never said we weren't. He's just so different."
"I wonder why," she pondered. "Do you think it's something serious? Like drugs, or alcohol?"
"No," I replied. "He was with his dad during the whole vacation, and trust me, the man's really strict about that kind of stuff. It's just... When Ty spoke, I felt like he was lying to me part of the time. And I can't just deal with that."
"Of course not," Lulu nodded. "You shouldn't have to. But I don't think you should cut connections with him. It sounds like he needs you."
"Needs me?" I scoffed. "He acted like he didn't need anyone." I closed my eyes for a moment, then reopened them. "There was this weird kind of power about him, new. I don't understand it..."
"Maybe he's just getting older," Lulu said. "Maybe he got a new girlfriend in Alaska. Or maybe..." She gave me a sideways glance. "Maybe he likes you."
I burst out laughing. "Ty? Liking me? And in what reality would that happen?"
"Come on, Alex," Lulu persisted. "You know it could happen. It's happened to tons of guys and girls who've been friends for as long as you two have. Are all your feelings really platonic?"
"Um..." I kicked a pebble across the sidewalk. "I think so. I mean, I missed him a lot, but we always miss each other when we're apart for so long. In fact, we've never been apart this long."
"Fondness increases with absence," Lulu pointed out, raising her eyebrows. "Or at least, that's what the experts say."
"What experts?"
"Behavioral experts from around the world," Lulu answered easily. "You know, the kind that are always trying to figure people out... Whaddya call 'em?" She snapped her fingers, trying to find the name.
"Shrinks," I finished for her. "So shrinks would think that I like Ty as more than a friend."
"Pretty much."
"What do shrinks know?"
Chapter 2
"I'm really, really, sorry," Ty said suddenly, sitting down across from me. This was slightly disconcerting, since I'd been sitting at a table all by myself at Tammy's. It had been five days since our fight-if that's what you'd call it-and we hadn't had any contact.
Silently, I sipped my chocolate milkshake, glancing at Tammy. She raised her eyebrows, then gave a discreet nod. Keep on giving him the silent treatment for as long as possible.
"I like the sand," Ty tried next, taking the vial out of his pocket. "That was really nice of you. Thanks."
Now I turned to my order of fries, calmly taking one and beginning to nibble on it as if there was nothing wrong. If he wanted to talk to me, he'd really have to try. He'd have to grovel, he'd have to plead, he'd have to sell me his soul. OK, not that, but he'd have to work. At least verbally.
"What do I have to do to get you to talk to me?"
Ooh, how coincidental.
It's every girl's dream to have a guy offering to do anything to get her to talk to him. That, my friend, is such a rare thing, that I couldn't help but be a little... evil.
Calmly, I took the remains of my chocolate milkshake-it was about halfway done-and then the container of ketchup, holding it upside down, over the milkshake. I shook the container suggestively.
Ty's eyes widened. "Please no. Alex. Tell me you aren't going to..." He knew I was, so he bowed his head dramatically. "Fine. Go ahead."
With all enthusiasm, I squirted ketchup into my chocolate beverage, stopping only when Tammy told me to. Then I passed it across the table towards Ty. Drink up, buddy.
Rolling his eyes, Ty took the concoction and downed it in typical guy fashion—by pouring it down his throat. Not once did he gag, which made me feel a mixture of pride and disgust. He had the same look on his face when he set the empty glass down.
Slowly, quietly, I applauded him. "Nice. I'm impressed."
"And I'm asking you to forgive me for being an idiotic jerk," Ty said, skimming his fingers over my palm.
"You've always been an i
diotic jerk," I mumbled, looking down. "This time though, it's different. Why can't you just tell me what truly happened on your trip?"
"I already have," Ty stated, looking down at the table.
"You're already keeping things from me," I murmured, slowly moving my hand away from his. "Don't add lying to the list."
"I'm not lying."
"And I'm not stupid."
"Look." Ty leaned forward towards me, his voice pleading. "Just... Let me have a little slack for now, OK? Just a tiny bit. Let us go back to being friends—the way we used to be."
"I'm not sure how that would work out," I said slowly. "Since I know there's something up. But... You're important to me. Important enough to allow me to give you some slack."
Ty linked his fingers through mine. "I promise you, one day, this'll all make sense."
I smiled. You see, back then, I didn't know that he was lying. Either that, or he had no idea what he was talking about.
xxx
"Can't you just be happy that you two have decided to chill out about this supposed secrets thing?" Lulu asked as we sat in my room, talking about-who else?-Ty. He'd never been this dominate in our conversations before, and she seemed to delight in it. She sat on my beanbag chair, relaxing, while I sat straight up on my bed, unable to be casual.
"No," I insisted. "You don't get it—we don't lie to each other. And I know he's lying."
"Maybe he's not," Lulu retorted. "Did that ever come to mind? That you're just mistaken? Why can't you trust him?"
"I would!" I protested loudly, standing up. "But you don't know him like I do. It's in his eyes. All those lies... I can't stand it!"
"OK, OK, I get it," Lulu said, though I'm sure she didn't. "But did you ever consider that whatever Ty's supposedly lying about may be dangerous? That maybe he's lying to protect you?"
Oh. Shoot. She had a point. That wasn't good. I slid a hand down my face, feeling the slickness of my own sweat. What if Ty was protecting me? If Lulu was right... Then he could be in danger himself.
"Ugh!" Lulu bowed her hand in her hands. "I shouldn't have said that, I shouldn't have said that... Now you'll be even more OCD about this thing!"
Meeting: Vampire Hunter Saga Book 1 Page 2
