[ ok I did rush this chapter. also, Scott brainrot is creeping up on me as well. Check out my latest rant in my announcements spot thing for what I'm thinking for it ]
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I THINK TY'S WEARIN' TOO MUCH.
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CAROLINA COULD FEEL THE WARMTH RADIATING OFF TYLER'S CHEST. Her eyes fell shut, wishing more than anything that it would keep the tears from falling as she waited for it. For the 'you're too young for us' and the 'we can't see you anymore, kiddo' that would hurt more than whatever had hit her in the storm the night before. Would they pat her on the head or ruffle her hair before leaving just to drive the point home?
"You are the most exasperating person I know," Tyler began, his grip on her tightening. "You make my blood boil. And when Javi said that — when he yelled how old you are, I was furious at you. I still am, damn it. Because what business does a nineteen-year-old have making me feel this way? God, you ain't even lived, Carolina."
"Ty—"
"No, Boone," he cut him off. "I'm not gone let us ruin her life."
"Is that what you think?" Carolina asked, her voice hoarse. She looked at Tyler over her shoulder. "You'll ruin my life?"
He clenched his jaw stubbornly, a silent answer.
Carolina pulled out of his hold and faced him, her face scrunched up in pain. "You already have, asshole!" Then she glared at Boone. "You too! You've ruined my fucking life whether you stay or go. I can't do anything without thinking of you. I can't eat, I can't sleep, I almost can't breathe. It's like I'm drowning in you two. And you're makin' me feel all this for what? For you to leave knowing I'm always gonna feel like this? Then just get on with it, like I said."
"You feel all that?" Tyler asked, his tone weakening. Because god, how could she describe exactly what was going on inside his chest? Why couldn't she just have a stupid teenage crush on him like he thought she did? Why couldn't it just be about the sex? Why did it have to run so much deeper on all sides?
"Of course, I do," she cried. "I—"
The confession died on her tongue, figuring it was the last thing either of the older men wanted to hear. So, she pushed past Tyler to again try and leave, only for Boone to catch her in his arms.
"And what about what we feel?" Boone asked her. "Huh?"
"Oh, yeah," she scoffed. "Exasperated and furious. Just what every girl wants to hear."
"Then let him finish, Darlin'," he said softly before turning her back to Tyler, his hands keeping her in place by her uninjured shoulder. She stubbornly looked at his boots inside of meeting his gaze.
