Chapter 46

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Tyler's POV

I get in the car, and punch the steering wheel repeatedly, screaming every goddamn curse word I know. How could I screw up like this? How could I not see this whole stupid plan is a disaster in the making? I cringe at my own selfish stupidity. I was so absorbed in my own bullshit that I didn't realize I was about to lose the only thing that matters most. The only one that matters most.

Will Carrie be able to forgive me for this? I know she's super pissed off right now, so it's useless to try and make my appeal, but once she's calmed down, maybe I can talk to her and smooth things over. When she said, "I think we should take a break" it felt like I took a bullet through the heart. I never felt so fucking miserable and desperate than at the moment when I realized that this girl might walk out of my life forever.

But I will get her back. There's no way I can let her go. She and I...we belong together. And maybe I don't deserve her, especially after this...but I'll be damned if I don't give it all I got to make her trust in me again.

I drive to the restaurant, hoping that my sister hasn't left for the day. She's always in my corner, but after I tell her everything that happened, I don't know if she'll be able to make me feel any better.

When I walk through the kitchen at Slate, Calvin stops me.

"Hey Ty! What's up with Daniel? He came in here, grabbed all his shit and said that he's not coming back. His face was all busted too. I asked him what happened, and he was super sketch about it--"

"Daniel is a dead man walking, as far as I am concerned. If he steps foot into Slate I want you to tell me first thing, and if I am not here, call the cops."

Calvin stares at me like I've just lost my damn mind, but nods, and I walk passed him, avoiding further interrogation.

I spot Tiffany and take her to my office.

When she closes the door, I slump down in my office chair and press my fingers to my throbbing temples.

"I fucked up, Tiff," I begin. "I fucked up so bad."

"What happened?" she asks, sitting on the edge of my desk.

"I should have known better than to trust Daniel. He basically sabotaged the whole thing... and he actually tried to force himself on Carrie."

"Oh my god! Is she okay?"

"I think so, I'm not sure...she was so shaken up when I saw her. And then he tried to lie about her throwing herself at him."

"No way! What did you do?"

"I beat the shit out of him," I say, silently wishing I didn't stop hitting him when I did.

"I always thought of Daniel as our little brother. Especially after all that you've done for him, bailing him out of jail and all that. I just can't even believe it."

"How do you think I feel? I thought I could trust him, but he totally blindsided me, and what's worse, because of him, Carrie's safety was jeopardized...well, actually, it was because of me...it's all because of me."

Tiffany puts her hand on my shoulder. "I feel responsible too. I am the one who told you to Pringle her...but to be honest, I didn't think you would actually go through with it."

"If only I never ran into Kenneth...that shit he said really got to me. It made me question everything. But now, I don't even give a crap if they hooked up before she and I got serious....I know she's been faithful to me. Only now, I am the one who doesn't appear trustworthy."

"Oh, Ty, I am sure she'll forgive you...maybe not right away, but she will. I know you two have a strong relationship, and--"

"You weren't there, Tiff. If you had only seen how she looked at me...like she'd lost all faith in me, or worse...as though I was someone who could hurt her."

"Give it some time. Don't call her or show up at her work. She probably needs her space, but once she figures it out, and she's ready, she'll come to you."

"I hope you're right," I say, and close my eyes, wishing I could go back in time and punch myself out as soon as the whole idiotic idea came into my mind.

"Alex and I set the date for the wedding," Tiffany informs me after some time.

I open my eyes and look at my sister's smiling face. "Really?"

"Yup, it's next weekend. We've decided to elope, and do Vegas. No guests, just the two of us. I just thought it'd be more fun to have Elvis walk me down the aisle instead of you," she says, and my mouth hangs open.

"How the hell?" I begin, but she's already laughing.

"I'm just kidding! But you should've seen your face."

My sister is totally nuts, but no one but her could elicit a smile from me at a time like this.

"You're a pain in the ass, you know that?"

"Proud of it."

"Thanks for listening to my crap," I tell her, and she springs on me, giving me a tight hug.

"I'm always here for ya, Ty, you know that."

When Tiffany leaves, I try to do some work, but it's a lost cause. All I can think about is Carrie. I wonder how she is doing right now. Does she hate my guts? Is she crying?

Not being able to reach out to her is more than I can handle. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't help myself. I pick my phone and text her: *I love you. I am sorry.*

There is a shit ton more I'd like to say, but it's better to keep it short for now. I don't expect her to reply, but I just wanted her to know that I am thinking about her.

Three hours fly by, and I actually manage to square away some business. When I catch the time, it's nearly 2 a.m.

I wonder if it's even worth going home at this point, since I already know I won't be able to get any sleep. If I do sleep, I can only hope that I dream of Carrie...of holding her close, and kissing her cheek, and comforting her, and keeping her safe...

A buzzing breaks through my thoughts, and my heart skips a beat...did she really text back? 

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