New York

Chapter 9

I watched as Tyler stood up and paced the floor. I narrowed my eyes in confusion as he ran his hands through his hair.

"Tyler. What is it?" my voice is low and laced with concern.

"Luka, I...uh..." I can sense the hesitation in his voice and he faces me. I watch his facial features soften before continuing, "I love you and I really can't lose you."

I sigh in relief and stand from the bed. I walk over and wrap my arms securely around his neck.

"I love you too Tyler. I'm not going anywhere. You are stuck with me so get used to it bud." I feel my mouth stretch into what I hope is a reassuring smile. I listen to his heart beat steady before I release my hold on him. Tyler quickly pulls my body back to his and plants a kiss on my lips.

A knock on the hotel room door separates us and I jog quickly over the door. As I reached for the doorknob, I am jerked away by my waist. I look up at Tyler and his facial features are stiff. He pushes me behind him and cautiously opens the door.

A man with his hood up stands there silently before raising his head and slipping off his hood. Tyler instantly perks up and holds out his hand. The man takes it and they do the "bro hug" that us girls never understand. Why can't they just hug normally?

I sift between on my feet and wait for them to stop. The man grins and then looks beyond Tyler and over to me. He stares at me for a while and I feel the heat of his gaze all over my body. The tension in the air increases and Tyler coughs to gain the man's attention again.

"Is that her?" the strange man asks.

Tyler nods and holds out his hand for me to take. I gently place my hand inside of his and he pulls me to his side.

"Luke this is Toby. Toby this is Luka." The realization sets in as Toby grabs me around the waist, picks me up, and spins me in a hug. I giggle loudly as the happiness settles in the pit of my stomach.

"Okay. Okay. Toby put her down." The jealously is clear in Tyler's voice.

I am dropped from Toby's arms and I walk over to Tyler. I wrap my arms around his torso and whisper sweet nothings into his ear to reassure him. His arms wrap around my shoulders tightly and securely.

"No need to be a grump. It's been years since I've seen her and you already have her. It's my turn." Toby winks and chuckles knowing his words would get Tyler going.

"Tyler, it's okay. I promise." I give him a smile and her him grumble something in reply before walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge. I cross my legs and set my hands in my lap.

"Can we go to the beach? I've been dying to swim." Toby whines like a little kid and tosses his arms up. I chuckle at his actions and look at Tyler to see he wasn't even paying attention. He was on his phone typing like his life depended on it.

"Yeah let's go. Just let me grab my bikini." I hop off the bed and dart to the bathroom, grabbing my bikini from my bag on the way.

"Ohhhh." I hear Toby comment as I shut the bathroom door. I roll my eyes and hear Tyler growl lowly as the door clicks closed.

I walk out from the bathroom and see the boys have already changed and Tyler is already on his phone again. I narrow my eyes knowing its business, but I thought that was why we left New York in the first place, the get away from all of that. Toby eyes me up and down, smirking. His eyes twinkle with mischief before strutting over to me and throwing me over his shoulder. I squeal and wrap my arms around his torso so I don't fall. He carries me out the door and to the vehicle as Tyler continues to cuss underneath his breath.

Toby sets me down and I narrow my eyes before cracking up laughing. I grip my stomach and slouch over. I hear Toby cracking up also and Tyler chuckles a little before wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling his face into my shoulder. I smile towards him and he smirks then tosses me into the front seat of the vehicle. He leans in and kisses me on the nose after winking and shutting the door. Toby crawls into the back seat and slides forward until he's basically in between the two front seats. Tyler gets in afterwards and starts the truck, the engine coming to life with a roar. I feel myself start to get jittery and the smile never leaves my face as we pull out of the hotel parking lot. I roll down the window and the warm breeze hits my face. I close my eyes and bask in the heat. I feel Tyler's hand snake its way into mine and I squeeze it as I turn to face him.

"Ew. Stop. Love is gross." Toby scrunches up his nose and makes a disgusted sound. I laugh lightly.

"Oh, Toby. You'll think differently when you fall in love." I give him a small smile and focus back onto the scenery flying by us.

What a wonderful thing it is, love. How deeply someone can love someone else.