“Oh? How’d she get involved with something like that, anyway?” He raises his eyebrow and I’m guessing Tamilyn didn’t delve that deeply into the conversation.
The back door opens and my dad comes walking out. It’s almost like being saved by the bell except Phil is still waiting for an answer. “Oh, Austin ran into some guys at the bar and they told him about it. Supposedly, he was in a gym back home. He got me to join too, but it’s not really my thing.”
Dad laughs from behind me, clapping his hand on my shoulder. “You don’t need to fight to prove anything, son. You’re smart as all hell and that’s all that matters.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I mumble. I’ve thought a few times about how fighting may not be for me, but I’ve never spoken that aloud to anyone yet. Saying it is like the liberation I’ve been waiting for. My dad is right. I don’t need to fight to prove anything and I won’t. I’m done with the gym. I doubt anyone from that place will even realize I’m gone.
“No offense, but I don’t see you doing that, Ruston. If it makes you happy, though, then that’s a different story.” Phil flips the steaks.
“None taken.” I raise my hand. “It’s just honestly not me. I have no place inside there. I don’t know why I even told him I’d join anyway.”
The door opens and Tamilyn walks back outside holding a pot of barbeque sauce in her hand. She hands it to her Dad and sits in a wicker chair. After crossing one leg over the other, she closes her eyes. I’m getting irritated. The least she could do is actually acknowledge me because our families know how close we are and they’re bound to grow suspicious if the rest of the evening continues this way.
***
The dinner table is set and the food is placed in an elaborate display. My stomach is growling as I watch everyone sit down. My parents sit on one side of the table and Phil and Barbara take seats on the end. That leaves two spots open and they are side by side. I sigh as I begrudgingly walk toward one of the chairs. Tamilyn hasn’t seen this yet and I know her facial expression is going to be one for the books. I reach across the table for a paper plate and set it in front of me. I look up to see Tamilyn making her way toward the empty chair. Her lips are pressed together and she looks uncomfortable. Join the club. She pulls the chair out and sits down.
Phil says the blessing and everyone begins fixing their plates. In almost true movie fashion, our hands brush against each other a few times. Her touch is electrifying and I’m being shocked each and every time. She still hasn’t said two words to me. I shovel a bite of potato salad into my mouth and look up to see Barbara eyeing the two of us suspiciously. Shit, she’s on to us.
Eating is torturous but I’m hungry. I’m able to push her out of my mind for the time being. I will make her talk to me before this night is over, though. She stops mid-bite and pulls her phone out of her pocket. I don’t have to ask to know who is on the other end of that text message. The smile on her face says it all, and I step back from table. “Dinner was great. Thanks, Phil and Barbara.”
“There’s plenty, Ruston, eat up.” Barbara smiles kindly.
I politely decline her offer and walk straight toward the kitchen. Forcefully, I cram the plate into the trashcan while muttering a string of cuss words.
“What’s gotten into you?”
I turn to see Tamilyn just watching me. I really don’t want to get into this right now in this kitchen. I grab hold of her arm and pull her into the hallway where at least we can see if someone is coming. She yanks her arm from me, sending me an unfriendly glare.
“What is your problem?” she hisses.
“My problem? You mean your problem, right?”
“You have issues, Ruston.”
&n
bsp; “No, Tamilyn, I don’t. You went back on everything you said and decided to give him a try. Well, I’m happy for you, I really am, but you hurt me. He had some nerve bringing you back to my apartment. You could have told him it wasn’t a good idea or texted me to tell me what was going on. I laid my feelings on the line for you, Tam, and I thought you had done the same but I was wrong. How the fuck could I have been so wrong, because even though we were both drunk that night, I know you felt the connection between us.”
“I wanted to apologize to you, Ruston, I really did. I know I’ve made such a mess. I’ve become that girl and I hate it. I like him, though, and it’s only fair.”
“How is it fair? I’ve waited for you all my life. He swoops in and suddenly you run to him. What about me?”
“I love you. You know I do.”
“Prove it then, Tamilyn, because I don’t really know.”
Her lips crashing against mine take me by complete surprise. When I kiss her back, I kiss with as much passion as hers is laced with. My heart thumps wildly in my chest and I want her so badly but I don’t act on that. I’m too caught up in this moment to give a shit about anything else. She breaks the kiss and catches her breath. “I’m sorry I screwed everything up,” she whispers.
“We can fix it,” I assure her. “We can be together. I’ll even tell him if you’re worried about that.”
“It’s not that easy, Rus. I don’t want to hurt either one of you.”
“You’re killing me. I’m the one who wants you the most. I wish you could see that.”
She steps back, and I want to reach out to pull her closer, but I give her the space she wants. “I-I can’t hurt him. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“I don’t understand you, Tam.” I step closer to her, cornering her against the wall. “You said you love me and I asked you to prove it. You did with that mind-blowing kiss, and you’re back to saying you can’t hurt him?”