Curls for the girls

Confession

Tyler's POV

I followed Nika into Paige's room, my heart hammering in my chest. She shut the door behind us, and for a few seconds, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the faint noise of the TV playing in the other room.

Nika stood there, shifting from foot to foot, looking like she was trying to figure out how to start. I crossed my arms, leaning against the desk. "So..." I said, my voice even, but there was no missing the way it wavered just a little. "You ran out on me."

Nika winced and ran a hand through her already-messy hair. "Yeah. I did."

I waited, giving her space to say what she needed to.

She sighed, finally lifting her gaze to meet mine. "I freaked out, Ty."

I let out a dry laugh. "Yeah, no shit." I didn't mean for it to come out so sharp, but my chest was still tight from the way she had bolted earlier. "You just... looked at me like I said something wrong. And then you left."

Her face crumpled with guilt. "I know. And I'm so, so sorry. It wasn't because of you, it wasn't because I didn't want to hear it—I just..." She groaned, pressing her palms against her forehead like she was mad at herself. "I love you, Ty. I do. I didn't leave because I don't feel the same way."

I blinked. My arms dropped to my sides. "Then why?"

She hesitated for a second, like she wasn't sure if she should say it. But then she took a deep breath. "Because I don't know if I'm good enough for you."

I stared at her. "What?"

Nika let out a breath that was almost a laugh but way too sad to be one. "You're—Ty, you're this incredible person. You're kind, you're patient, you're smart, and you make me feel things I never thought I could. And I love you so much it scares the hell out of me. But I don't know if I deserve to have someone like you love me back."

Her voice cracked at the end, and it hit me like a punch to the gut.

I pushed off the desk and stepped toward her. "Nika," I said, softer now. "You really think I'd say that to just anyone? That I'd tell you I love you if I didn't mean it with everything I have?"

She shook her head. "No, I know you meant it, but—"

"No 'buts,'" I interrupted. "I love you. You. Not some idea of you, not just the best parts of you. I love you when you're being annoying and stealing my food. I love you when you get all cocky on the court. I love you when you're overthinking like this. You don't get to tell me who I should love or whether or not I should love you. That's my choice. And I chose you."

Her lips parted slightly, her breath hitching. "Ty..."

I reached for her hand, linking our fingers together. "You don't have to be perfect. I don't want perfect—I want you."

Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time, they weren't the same kind as before. She squeezed my hand tightly, like she was holding onto me for dear life. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to make you feel like I didn't want this. I was just so scared of messing it up."

I exhaled and pulled her into me, wrapping my arms around her. "Then let's not mess it up, Niks. Let's just... figure it out together, okay?"

She nodded against my shoulder, her arms coming around me just as tightly. "Okay," she murmured.

We stayed like that for a while, holding onto each other. And for the first time all night, everything finally felt right again.

I kissed her softly on her forehead

"Baby talk to me next time" I say as she nods kissing my temple before wrapping her arms around me under my sweatshirt