Maybe I Hate You

10 - Anxious

I took a deep breath as I turned my engine off. I was both nervous and excited but I had a feeling it was more nervous. The conversation we are going to have could really change things and I don't want that, but I know it must be done. Whatever happens, will work out for the better, I tell myself as I get out of the car and head toward the door of the diner.

Instantly I look around for him at the tables, I saw his car outside so I know he must be in here somewhere. The waitress notices me.

"He's in the back corner, love." She winks at me and walks off before I can thank her.

I take another deep breath and head towards the back of the restaurant. As soon as I turn the corner, Tyler sees me and smiles. He stands up and rushes to meet me before I get to the table. "Are you okay?"

The look in his eyes was pure concern, it took my breath away from me for a moment, it was overwhelming.

"Yeah, um, I'm fine." I notice the marks on his face, they were nothing compared to Oliver's face but still something to me. "I'm not the one who got punched."

He smirks at me. "It's nothing,"

Tyler gestures for me to sit down in the booth and I do. He sits across from me. I didn't know what to say, so I was quiet for a few moments until he spoke.

"I need to tell you something."

I nodded, not knowing what else to do.

"I like you, a lot. And today made me realize that I don't want to lose you before we even have the chance to see where this could go." His eyes constantly searched mine.

"I like you, too." It came out more like a question than I intended.

"So, even though it's hard for me, and I know it is for you, too, I want to be open and honest about everything."

I nodded again, waiting for him to continue. He was rubbing his hands together in his lap, it seemed as though he was more nervous than I am.

"Well, I'm sure you remember the post I made. When I made that post, I was a bit drunk, and I was at a party with a bunch of the guys from school. It was Oliver's party. The whole dare was his idea. And I know I've said it before but I will keep apologizing for what I did, it was so stupid. Anyways, Oliver has always had it out for me. I don't know why, if he's jealous or what, but I'm so sorry that you were caught in the middle of it. I understand if you don't want to be around anymore."

I shook my head. "What does Oliver have to be jealous of? He gets girls all the time."

Tyler chuckled. "Not nearly as many as you would think. He makes it appear that way, but he's actually rather alone. That I know of, he hasn't even been on a date in nearly a year, and he's an only kid. We used to be close, but we just grew apart. Our circles still run together, but I don't know him all that well anymore. I don't recognize him, but I'm sure that he would say the same about me."

"Oliver isn't going to scare me away. If I hadn't been caught so off guard I would have kicked him in the balls."

"I'm so sorry you had to see me angry like that. I never want you to see me like that."

"It's okay, I understand."

"No, you don't." Tyler's leg started shaking under the table. "I have anger issues, I've been in therapy for the last few years. I'm a lot better than I used to be, but it still spills out from time to time, and I can't forgive myself for letting you see me like that."

"You were trying to protect me," I whispered.

"Yes, of course, I was." He leans his hands out on the table in a quick motion that almost startled me. "At first, with ripping him off of you and yelling. But, especially after he punched me, I don't know there was something else besides just protection, and that's what scares me."