separation//[t.j.]

dinner.

about a week passed, and most of our days were spent hanging out with tyler.

riley was much happier having their dad around, which made me glad. i was happy to have tyler around too. before we reunited i really pushed away how much i missed him. but being around him after 15 years brought everything back.

even the feelings, which i was fighting. it's not that i was still mad at tyler for what happened in the past, but i didn't want us being together to mess up riley. for the longest time it was just the two of us. even though they were happy to have their dad around, me being with their dad was a whole different situation.

that was if tyler even had feelings for me anyways. sure, my feelings stayed. but did his? even though he didn't have a wife or girlfriend, 15 years was a long time to get over someone..

"mom, you're gonna burn the meat." riley snapped me out of my thoughts. i immediately snapped out of it and tended back to dinner. there was three days until tyler left for tour and we were having tacos for dinner. he loved tacos and so did riley.

"sorry ry, i was just thinking." i apologized.

"about what?" they asked.

"don't worry about it, i'm fine." i assured my kid. they turned to me so we could properly converse.

"i have a question."

"what's up, buttercup?"

"do you still have feelings for dad?"

riley's question caught me off guard. i was literally just thinking about that. did i raise a mind reader? or did my kid just know me that well?

"oh gosh, that's complicated. that's also a lot to uncover and i haven't even uncovered it myself."

"that's understandable. i was just wondering."

they started getting the things out of the fridge for tacos. cheese, lettuce, sour cream. but no tomatoes, or both of them would kill me. they hated tomatoes. it was funny how alike riley and tyler were.

the doorbell rang as i was draining the grease from the meat and riley ran to greet tyler.

"hey, kiddo! i brought my uke, hope that's okay." i heard tyler greet riley.

"that's great! moms finishing up dinner so we can have that soon." riley replied.

the two entered the kitchen and tyler greeted me.

"hey, y/n." tyler greeted. "dinner smells great."

"thanks, it's tacos." i told him.

"my favorite." he reminded me.

"i know."

i mixed up the meat and brought it to the table. finally, everything was set up for dinner, and we could all sit down.

"dinner is served." i smiled. we all sat down and started making our tacos.

"how was everyone's day?" tyler asked.

"good! i started drawing again." riley replied. i looked at them. this was great news.

"really? that's amazing!" i exclaimed. they smiled.

riley had a serious talent for art and had a bad habit of contradicting themself. they ended up going on a break from making art and i always wondered when they'd go back to making it. so hearing that they were drawing was amazing.

"that's great, ry. can i see any of it?" tyler asked, highly interested. riley blushed and i knew what words were about to come out of their mouth.

"sorry, i don't let people see my art. even ask mom. she only thinks i'm good because one day she walked in on me having a breakdown over my art and she comforted me. she also got to see the piece, which was horrible."

"i thought it was incredible." i interjected.

"you have to say that, you're my mom." riley said. i shook my head.

"just eat your tacos." i said. tyler just chuckled and riley sat looking like they proved a point.

after dinner, tyler offered to help me with dishes while riley put away the food. after we cleaned up, we went to the living room and tyler grabbed his ukulele.

"so, any suggestions?" he asked us.

"dad, can you play air catcher?" riley asked. tyler seemed surprised.

"oh wow, i haven't played that song in forever. i didn't even know you knew self titled." he replied.

"you forget, before i knew you were my dad, i was your biggest fan."

tyler smiled widely, as he nodded.

"okay, so air catcher?"

"yup."

tyler started strumming some chords and started singing.

"i don't fall slow like i used to, i fall straight down."

tyler's singing really was beautiful. i remember when he'd right songs in his basement. now he was pretty much a rockstar. i couldn't help but feel proud of him.

"but now i'm here to give you words as tools that can destroy my heart."

riley clapped when tyler finished and he gave an awkward bow.

"thank you, thank you. it feels great playing small venues again." he joked. we all giggled.

tyler played more songs and then we decided to watch a movie. after that, it was about 10 pm and riley decided to head to bed.

"goodnight guys, i love you." riley said, disappearing into their room.

"i love you sweetie." i told them.

"see you tomorrow." tyler added. when they went to their room, tyler turned to me. "i have to talk to you about something."

"what's up?" i replied, my heart racing a bit.

"i know this is short notice but...do you and riley want to go on tour with us?" tyler proposed. i scrunched my eyebrows.

"what?"

"i know it probably sounds crazy but, our tour bus is two floors and there's enough space to have you guys join and since riley is homeschooled then they can still learn on the road. josh and mark are alright with the idea and i really don't want to be away from you guys until november."

i thought for a moment. touring the us didn't sound too bad. going to shows and staying on a tour bus didn't sound horrible either. there was no doubt in my mind that riley would be excited and i could still school them on the road.

"i get it if you say no, because now that i think about it, it's sounds insane. but i just wanted to ask because i wouldn't mind seeing you guys every day for over a month."

"yes." i decided. tyler did a double take.

"yes?" he asked. i nodded.

"i have to talk to riley, but i'm sure they'll be down for it. so yes."

tyler smiled and wrapped his arms around me, hugging me. i was surprised at first, but then i hugged him back.

"this is great! this is gonna be so fun, i can introduce you guys to the crew and we can finally occupy the extra room upstairs and-"

"tyler," i giggled, cutting him off. "you're gonna wake up riley."

"i'm sorry. i'm just excited." he told me.

"i know you are. we can talk to riley about it tomorrow."

"yeah, that sounds like a plan. i should probably head home now though."

"yeah, it is getting pretty late. i'll walk you out though."

tyler got on his shoes and i walked him out to his car.

"so i'll see you tomorrow?" tyler said.

"yup. and we'll tell ry about going on tour." i agreed.

"okay, gorgeous. you get some sleep."

"goodnight, tyler."

"goodnight, y/n."

tyler pulled away and i stood there starstruck.

he called me gorgeous.