Going Full Throttle

Chapter 25

"Baby, baby, baby, oooooh," I sang at the top of my lungs as I made Finn's breakfast. He giggled and bobbed to the music on his stool while he watched. Finn didn't seem to particularly like my choice of dated pop songs but he was a good sport.

I mimed casting a fishing rod toward Finn then once I had his attention I tried to reel him toward me. In a move that was far beyond his years, he rolled his eyes and hopped off the stool. He walked toward me with his head dropped back like this was all beneath him. I couldn't deny that some of my sass had rubbed off on him but I blamed Tyler for this one.

I grabbed both of his hands with mine and spun us in circles until he laughed. I kept my hold on him and tugged his arms around until he danced with me. Before long, Finn and I were hopping around the kitchen and screeching the lyrics from my childhood.

"What the hell is that noise?"

I twisted around and glared at Tyler. He had let himself in the backdoor and leaned against the wall. His face was screwed up in confusion and disgust as he looked around for the source of music.

"It's Canada Day," I said to him slowly as though it shouldn't need an explanation. When he just raised his eyebrows further, I huffed. "We're listening to Canadian icon—and the first man I ever lusted after—Justin Bieber."

Tyler straightened his spine and his eyes widened with genuine incredulity, "That scrawny punk?"

"He was not a punk," I defended. "He was just misunderstood."

Tyler moved toward us and sank onto Finn's abandoned stool. Another song came on and I smirked toward the big grump. As dramatically as I could, I serenaded him with "U Smile". I put my all into it, scrunching my eyes closed and belting into the wooden spoon that had become my microphone.

Finn rightfully thought I was hilarious as he held his sides and crumpled in laughter. Tyler, on the other hand, crossed his arms and looked at the roof like he was trying to teleport out of there. "Cause baby you smile," I sang with a coy smirk, stepping closer and gripping his large hands, "I smile."

"Wow," Tyler sassed with an eye roll. "How poetic." I smacked his chest but I knew I'd won when the tiniest little smile tugged at his lips.

"What the heck are you wearing?" I asked as I turned down the music and went back to the stove. The impromptu dance party had made me accidentally burn a pancake. I flipped it onto a plate and started again, dropping new batter into the pan.

Tyler looked down at his black shorts and black muscle shirt. The loose and lowcut fabric of his shirt emphasized his broad chest and big arms. It made my mouth water a little but it was entirely wrong for the occasion.

"What?" he shrugged.

"It's Canada Day," I said pointedly.

Tyler smirked and cocked his jaw at me like a challenge. "Merica."

"I have dressed in stars and stripes for Independence Day," I argued through narrowed eyes.

"Classic Canadian," Tyler mumbled but I knew he meant for me to hear. He was winding me up intentionally and the light in his eyes said he was enjoying it.

"One more word and you don't get any pancakes." I pointed my spoon at him threateningly. He sat a bit straighter and eyed the stove with interest. When his eyebrows drew together with concern I whipped back around.

"Great," I groaned at the pancakes that once again were a little too toasty for my liking. I dropped them onto the same plate. "Third times the charm," I said as I spooned the last of the batter.