Chasing Shadows

Chapter 17

The drive back to the motel was quiet, the excitement of the night slowly fading into a comfortable silence between Jessica and Tyler. The hum of the truck and the gentle rhythm of the road beneath them lulled Jessica into a sleeping daze. Tyler glanced over at her every now and then, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he noticed her eyelids growing heavier with each passing minute.

By the time they pulled into the motel parking lot, Jessica had fully dozed off. Tyler parked the truck and took a moment to admire her peaceful expression. The way her lips were slightly parted, her hair falling messily around her face–it made her look even more adorable in his eyes. He couldn't help but chuckle softly as he leaned over to gently nudge her awake.

"Jess," he whispered, his low and tender. "We're here."

She didn't stir, her breathing remaining steady and slow. Tyler shook his head, amused by how deeply she had fallen asleep. He quietly got out of the truck and walked around to the passenger side. Opening the door, he tried once more to wake her, this time with a little more persistence.

"Jess, come on," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Let's get you to bed."

This time, she slowly blinked her eyes open, a sleepy smile forming as she focused on Tyler's face. "Mmm," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "I must've fallen asleep."

"Yeah, you did," Tyler replied with a grin. "Come on, let's get you inside."

He helped her out of the truck, keeping a steady hand on her as they made their way to her motel room door. Jessica reached into her pocket for the key, only to realize with a sinking feeling that it wasn't there. Panic began to set in as she frantically patted her other pockets, but the key was nowhere to be found.

"It's in Javi's truck," she said, her voice rising with concern. "I left it in his truck."

Tyler remained calm, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's okay," he said soothingly. "We can head back to the bar and get it if you want."

Jessica shook her head, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling back in. The last thing she wanted to do was make the trek back to the bar. Tyler noticed her hesitation and offered a different solution.

"Or," he suggested, his voice light and easy, "you could stay with me tonight."

Jessica hesitated for a moment, but the thought of going back out just to get the key seemed like too much effort. Besides, the idea of spending more time with Tyler wasn't exactly unappealing. She nodded, grateful for his offer.

"Okay," she agreed. "But only if it's not too much trouble."

"Not at all," Tyler assured her with a warm smile. "Come on, let's go."

They made their way to Tyler's room, and as soon as they stepped inside, Jessica kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the bed, letting out a contented sigh as she sank into the mattress. The day had been long, and the bed felt like a slice of heaven.

Tyler, meanwhile, rummaged through his bag before tossing one of his white t-shirts in her direction. "Here," he said, nodding towards her outfit. "I figured those jeans and that top might not be the most comfortable thing to sleep in."

Jessica caught the shirt, holding it up to inspect it before glancing back at Tyler. His suggestion was practical but the sight of his shirt in her hands made her stomach flutter in a way that was both new and exciting.

"Thanks," she said softly, appreciating the gesture. She then made her way to the small bathroom to change. Once inside, she peeled off her tight jeans and slipped out of her top, sighing with relief as she felt the freedom of her constricting clothes. She slid Tyler's t-shirt over her head, the soft fabric brushing against her skin. The shirt was large on her, the hem landing high on her thighs and leaving most of her legs exposed. But she couldn't deny how comfortable it was–much more so than what she had been wearing before.

When she emerged from the bathroom, she found Tyler standing by the bed, his flannel shirt unbuttoned and his hands working on undoing his belt. Jessica tried not to stare, but her eyes couldn't help but travel over his exposed chest. The way his muscles moved under his skin was mesmerizing, and when he caught her gaze, he smirked.

"Enjoying the view?" he teased, his voice low and playful.

Jessica quickly averted her eyes, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I wasn't–I mean, I didn't–" she stammered trying to find her words as she made her way over to the bed. She crawled under the covers, hoping to hide the redness in her face. Tyler's smirk only widened as he watched her, clearly amused by her reaction.

She picked up her phone, pretending to scroll through it, but her eyes kept drifting back to Tyler. He shrugged off his flannel, revealing the toned muscles of his back, before reaching down to take off his boots. Jessica's pulse quickened at the sight, her imagination running wild despite her attempts to stay composed.

Tyler grabbed something from his bag and disappeared into the bathroom for a few minutes. When he returned, his chest was fully exposed, and he wore a pair of grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips, almost teasingly. He made his way to the bed and crawled in beside her, the proximity sending her heart into overdrive.

He looked at her for a moment, his expression softening. "I'm really sorry, you know," he said, his voice sincere. "For being an idiot back at the bar."

Jessica couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, you might be an idiot," she replied, her tone playful, "but you're my idiot."

Tyler chuckled, the sound deep and comforting. Her words meant something to him–something significant. It was the first time she'd claimed him in any way, and it felt like a step forward in whatever this was between them.

He rolled over onto his side, propping his head up with one hand while his other reached out to rest on her. "Thank you for giving me a second chance," he said, his voice low and intimate.

They lay there talking for a while, the conversation flowing easily as they shared stories and laughed together. But Tyler soon noticed her glancing towards something near the door, her attention repeatedly drifting away from their conversation.

"What is it?" he asked, curiosity piqued. "What are you looking at?"

Jessica hesitated, unsure if she should bring it up, but Tyler's gentle prodding and teasing grin made it hard to resist. "What? Tell me what you're looking at," he encouraged.

She finally gave in. "Your cowboy hat," she admitted, nodding towards the object in question. "I was just thinking...when do I get to wear it?"

Tyler's chuckle was deep and rich, the sound sending shivers down her spine. He looked down, running his tongue over his bottom lip before meeting her gaze again. "Well," he began, his voice taking on a slightly mischievous tone, "I'm not sure you want to know the answer to that."

Jessica's interest was piqued, and she raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Tyler's grin widened, and he leaned in a little closer. "There's a tradition," he explained, his voice low and teasing. "To wear a cowboy's hat...you've got to ride the cowboy."

The words hung in the air for a moment, the meaning slowly sinking in. Jessica's eyes widened as the realization hit her, her face turning bright red. She tried to hide her embarrassment, but Tyler's laughter made it clear that he found her reaction utterly endearing.

"Tyler!" she exclaimed, playfully swatting at his arm.

He just laughed, pulling her into his chest. "Hey, you asked," he teased, wrapping his arms around her. "But don't worry, we can take our time."

Jessica buried her face in his chest, both mortified and amused by the exchange. But as she lay there, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her cheek, she couldn't help but smile. She wasn't sure what the future held for them, but for now, she was content to just enjoy the moment–cowboy hat or not.