by Iris Blobel
“When do you need to go back?” he asked.
She turned to meet his gaze. “I’ve taken Monday off.” Hoping that would answer the question. She didn’t mention that she intended to return home late Sunday.
They went upstairs, and Ty stopped in front of one of the spare bedrooms. He moved his head towards his bedroom door. “Katie?”
She looked up at him.
“I missed you.”
Everything stilled around her. She took in a breath and stared at the floor.
“Ty,” she said quietly. “I need you to understand, it’s not you I’m running away from.” She looked up to meet his gaze, and after a sigh she continued, “Life was hell back in school. It’s hard for people who haven’t gone through this to understand. I had days where I locked myself into my room not wanting to talk or see anybody.” She let out a little chuckle. “I remember Paige coming in asking whether mould had started to grow on me, yet.”
“Sweetheart, I understand, at least I think I do, but—”
Katie shook her head. “No. No buts. I know I look decent nowadays, and I know it’s the inside that counts, and I believe you when you say that you like me as I am. But who tells me that I will be able to cope with comparisons like the one in the paper. What if I—”
Tyson cupped her face. “It won’t happen, because ninety-nine people will tell you how beautiful you are, and you’ll laugh at the one person that disagrees.”
Chuckling, she placed her hands on his. “How has this turned to be about me and not you needing a shoulder to cry on?”
“Because we did that all afternoon.”
***
It tore Tyson apart to see her struggling with her demons from the past. He leaned forward and kissed her. The kiss was long and deep, until he felt her hands on his chest.
“I want to give us another try, Katie,” he whispered against her lips.
Stepping back, she shook her head. “I’m scared, Ty.”
“No.” He closed the distance between them and reached for her hand. “Don’t be scared. We can do this.” Heaving a big sigh, he took her hand. “You know how it is when you lose someone. You suddenly start to think that there is, and will be, one last day. Because tomorrow, or the day after, or the week after, could be my final day, I want to know I spent each day with you. No matter what.”
He waited patiently, knowing not to push her.
“I was so humiliated, Ty, when they compared me with all…all…models of all people. I’m not—”
“You’re everything to me, Katie. I don’t care what everybody else says.”
“One day you might,” she whispered, wiping a tear from her eye.
He shook his head vehemently. “Then you don’t know me.” Placing his hand on her face, he wiped away the other tear and said in a barely audible tone, “And in that case, it’s about time for you to get to know me.”
He kissed her again and dropped his forehead to hers. “Katie, whatever happens, I need you to know how much I appreciate that you came to Melbourne. Considering the circumstances, I had a great day today.”
Silence settled between them before she moved her hands up his chest. Although her gentle kiss surprised him after all she’d said, he moved his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. Katie pressed against him and heat rushed through with the sensation of having her back in his arms. None of those dreams he’d had over the last few months could compare to the reality of kissing her again, tasting her lips, touching her skin. It was like coming home, everything he’d wished for.
Burying his face into the crook of her neck, he whispered, “This is the moment to tell me to stop, sweetheart.”
She leaned back and met his gaze. “Please show me I shouldn’t be scared.”
It was all he wanted to hear, and with a swift and gentle motion, he swept her into his arms and carried her to his bedroom.
***
It took Katie a moment to orientate herself. She lay in Tyson’s arms, in the warmth of his bed. With her back pressed into his chest, he moved his hand up her thighs and to the flat of her stomach. A small moan escaped her as she snuggled closer to him. Revelling in the feeling of being back in his arms, she was content.
“I missed you so much,” he whispered.
She turned on her back and looked at him. A smile shone in his eyes, and she melted like ice cream on a hot day. She knew deep inside she had fallen for him. Katie loved Tyson and had since he’d first come to her when she had the cold.
Ty softly bit her shoulder. “Katie?”
She turned on her side to face him and met this gaze. “Hmm?”
“Did you hear what I just said?” he asked with a small frown on his face.
Touching his lips with her finger, she nodded. “Yes, I did. And yes, I did, too. So much it hurt.”
He took her hand and kissed the inside of her palm.
The way he kissed the side of her mouth made her quiver. Suddenly Katie’s stomach growled loudly, and she smiled sheepishly.
Letting out a laugh, he stole another quick hug. “Righteo. Breakfast?”
“Hmm. Yes, please.”
He shook his head. “How could I forget your need for tea in the morning?”
She gently slapped him on his chest, and he kissed her again. And again. Until she pushed him away and with raised eyebrows reminded him of her need for food. In one smooth motion, he got up and shoved his legs into a pair of old-looking jeans when his phone rang. Slouching back into the pillows, she watched him. At that moment, as she looked at his well-trained chest that rose with every breath, she knew they could make it work. She knew that whatever challenge lay ahead, with Tyson by her side, she’d be able to overcome them all.
Tyson turned to look at her. “The boys wanna come for a lunch barbeque. You’re up to it?”
Popping up on her elbows, she asked, “Boys?”
“Mark and Oliver.”
Her eyelids shot open wide, and he laughed.
“Hang on, mate,” he said into the phone, raising an eyebrow towards Katie as if to ask for an answer.
“I s’pose so,” she replied with a shrug.
Tyson arranged the details before hanging up and kneeling on the bed. “You’re all right?”
“Yes, of course, I am.”
He gave her a kiss. “Sure? You look tense.”
“Is this going to be the approval lunch?”
His brows shot up. “What?”
Not repeating what she’d said, she met his gaze.
“Sweetheart. They’re my friends and wanna get to know you. After all, you’re all they’ve heard about for the last few months.”
A warm feeling spread through her. “You’ve been talking about me?”
“All the time.”
With a wink, he gave her another quick kiss before he stood again to go to the kitchen. Or so she hoped.
Katie threw back the duvet and got up as well, her body still tingling from all he’d done to her last night. She looked around, picked up her clothes, and once dressed followed Tyson into the kitchen. The smell of the toasted bread reminded her how hungry she was. She grabbed the butter from the fridge before helping herself to some jam in the cupboard.
While she spread the toast, she asked, “Your grandma’s jam?”
He nodded as he cracked an egg into the frying pan. “Bacon and eggs?”
Shaking her head, she took a bit of the first toast. For a few minutes they were both busy making breakfast including tea and coffee.
“Ty, we will need to talk about where this is heading,” she suddenly said.
With his fork halfway to his mouth, he froze.
She smiled and leaned over to gently guide his hand with the fork to his mouth. “You’re here in Melbourne, I’m in New South Wales. I have no idea about your football season, but you’ll be too busy to keep coming north. I can’t come here every weekend to watch you play.”
He chewed his bacon and nodded.
“I�
��m not sure whether this is thinking too far ahead, but I’m petrified at leaving everything behind to come here.”
Ty placed the fork next to his plate and raked his hands through his hair. “I really like you, Katie,” he whispered.
“That doesn’t make it work, though.”
He stood to take the plate to the sink. “I know.” Looking out of the window, he let out a long breath. “Let’s get through this season to see how we’re going.”
“Ty—”
“One season.” He turned and stepped towards her.
Katie stood and moved into his embrace. “Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent.”
Gazing into his eyes, she saw his hopeful promise. At that moment, she felt a new inner peace. It was going to be okay. They were going to make this work.
***
Tyson gently pulled Katie close to him and buried his head against her neck. A thousand thoughts ran through his head, trying to figure out how to make the next few months work. It was going to be tough, there was no doubt about it, but with the help of family, he knew they could pull it off.
“When does the season start?” she asked.
“Late February with the pre-season cup.”
“Pre-season cup?” she asked with a hint of mockery.
He kissed her, not getting enough of her beautiful soft lips. “We need to teach you about AFL, sweetheart,” he said with a chuckle.
Pushing him away, Katie stepped back and grabbed her cup of tea. Watching as she took a sip her tea, he cleared the table.
Afterwards, they took a shower. It was in the nick of time they got ready, before Oliver and Mark arrived. The weather was perfect for their outdoor barbeque lunch. Markus had brought along their mutual friend, Sarah, in the hopes of making Katie more comfortable.
“So, Katie, sweetheart. What is it you do for money?” Oliver asked as he placed the drinks into the esky.
“I work in a shopping centre,” she replied hesitantly, before adding, “In the administration.”
“Cool. Do you get discounts?”
Tyson noticed her surprise and smiled.
“I do. Which helps paying the bills.”
Oliver stepped closer to her and placed an arm around her shoulders. “Every penny counts. Something these two guys wouldn’t have a clue about.”
When Tyson saw Katie in Oliver’s arm, a hint of jealousy hit him. There was no doubt, his friend wouldn’t make a move on his girl, but it was still odd to see her with someone else. Something he had never had with Anita. Not even close. Emotions rushed through him, and he knew he had to make the next seven to eight months work to convince Katie they were meant to be together.
“Oliver can’t cope with the fact that baseball doesn’t pay much,” Markus explained.
“It does in the U.S.,” Oliver countered with a touch of sulk in his voice. “But I have no interest in moving across the ocean. Been there, done that.”
Again, Katie’s look showed Tyson that she was lost. “Oliver’s dad worked outside Los Angeles for a few years, and the whole family was relocated to join him. This is how Oliver actually found his love for baseball,” Tyson explained.
“It’s not always about the money,” Oliver added.
The boys laughed and Sarah was finally able to add her view on this matter. “I wouldn’t mind having a tenth of what Markus earns. Beats going to work from nine to five for a few hundred bucks.”
“You’re not doing too bad,” Markus said.
Tyson walked over to Katie and gave her a can of coke. “Mark’s bought her an apartment,” he whispered to her.
Katie sighed. “That would be nice.”
He looked at her and took in her dreamy eyes. Her momentary thought was probably about the idea of having no or less money problems. Fully aware of the fortunate situation he was in, he knew there were those who struggled. He wished he could help Katie financially.
“The money comes at a high price, though,” Oliver said suddenly. “Always at the scrutiny of the newspapers and photographers. Poor Katie learned about it the hard way.”
Tyson didn’t miss the wink Oliver gave Katie.
“Glad you decided to ignore them, sweet pea.”
“I haven’t really—”
Tyson interrupted Katie, sensing an awkward conversation. “I think lunch is ready.”
The rest of the afternoon was filled with pleasant chit-chat about everything. Oliver charmed Katie and Sarah, and teased Ty and Markus. Tyson noticed how Katie relaxed and was grateful for his friends’ efforts.
He didn’t want her to leave. Ever.
Chapter Ten
Over the following months, Katie and Tyson fell into a routine to see each other as much as possible as well as go on with their lives. The kick-off for the football pre-season was in mid-February in Melbourne, when the tourist season along the New South Wales coast was still in full swing, keeping Katie busy. She tried hard to learn the AFL rules, but secretly looked forward to some rugby games while enjoying a drink with her dad. The pre-season didn’t go well for Tyson’s team, but he didn’t seem overly concerned about it. It’s kind of like a “warm-up” to the main game, he’d told her. Although he was busy with intense training, the chances for him to come and see her were more often because of the team’s early exit.
Katie’s birthday was a few months later in July, and Tyson was able to visit her for a few days.
They had breakfast when he handed her a small box, nicely covered with wrapping paper that displayed colourful images of cars. It made her laugh, thinking his love for cars had gone too far this time.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
Tracing the little present with her fingers, she appreciated her first birthday gift from him.
“Open it,” he whispered.
“You’re too impatient,” she replied, but deep inside she was afraid of what she’d find. They had agreed to go for the whole season to find out how the relationship was going. She didn’t want to say no to him now. Things were going great, and she was having one of the best years of her life, although it’d been extremely busy.
“Katie. Open it!” he demanded.
“Okay,” she nearly shouted.
With shaky fingers, she unwrapped the paper and opened the box. Instead of a ring, though, she found two car keys. Surprised, she looked up at him and couldn’t help but smile seeing the broad grin on his face.
“Ty?”
“It’s cheaper than renting a car for you all the time.”
Katie stared at him, hearing the words but not comprehending the meaning of it. He’d bought her a car. Not simply a small present, like a book, a necklace, or some lingerie, Tyson had bought her a car. Why didn’t he understand she didn’t want his money, but wanted to make it on her own?
“I can’t accept that,” she finally said.
He looked taken aback.
“I mean...” She sighed.
“Sweetheart.” Tyson took her hand and played with her fingers. “I know my money is an issue for you, but I do listen.” Placing a kiss on her cheek, he took the keys from her and walked with her to the window. “It’s small, second hand, and absolutely reliable to drive to Melbourne.”
Stepping past her pride, she acknowledged it made sense, considering the amount of money he’d spent on hiring a car for her over the previous months.
Sighing, she stepped closer to the window to admire her new car. With happiness rushing through her, she turned to him and almost threw herself at him. “A car? Really? Oh my God!”
Finally, she let excitement wash over her. She’d never received a present like that before. Not even close. She could still remember how long it had taken her to save up all her money for the car she already had.
Taking the keys back, she said, “Let’s hit the road. Time to say hello to the new car.” And added more to herself, “Unbelievable.”
He chuckled. “Where are we going?”
“Teagan’s, of course!”
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“Now, why didn’t I know that?”
She stopped all of the sudden, and he nearly ran her over. With a raised eyebrow, she asked, “You’re making fun of me?”
A bark of laughter echoed through her small apartment. “Me? No way.”
“Sarcasm?”
He kissed her. “Let’s go!”
Katie opened the door to her new little car and slipped behind the wheel. “My little Beetle will never forgive me,” she said as she touched the wheel and adored the dashboard.
“Forgive you? It’s a car.”
She shot him a glare.
Shaking his head, he held up a hand in defeat. “Okay, I get it. I’m sure he…” He hesitated. “He or she?”
“What?”
“Your Beetle. He or she?”
Slapping him on his arm, she poked out her tongue before starting the car. “I can’t believe I put up with you.”
His laughter filled the car, and Katie knew she wouldn’t put up with anybody else. Tyson was hers to keep.
They drove down the streets and by the time Katie got to the third light, she had a handle on her new automobile. She was so excited that her initial worries about the expensive gift had been all forgotten. Tyson made a feeble attempt to explain some of the features to her, but she ignored him.
“Part of a getting a present is to play around and figure out how it works without the manual,” she said.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, that is so.”
He glanced at her with a cheeky grin. “Let’s say I put a big bow around my nice body, will you play with me?”
No doubt in her mind, her cheeks were red like flames.
***
Tyson was pretty stoked that Katie was happy about her birthday present, and he was thrilled she’d actually accepted it. He knew money was still an issue for her, and although he was allowed to spoil her with the basics like taking her out for dinner, movies, or pay for everything when she was around, when it came to gifts that were more expensive, she had usually backed off. But he saw the need for a car. As much as he tried, he couldn’t understand her fear of flying, and the constant travel wore her out. He was aware of it and couldn’t wait for the season to finish so he could ask her to move to Melbourne. He was counting down the weeks until then.
