Getting Back at Tyler Wilson

Game on [Part 2]

(Copyright) © 2011 Candle_Ice

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Game on [Part 2]

Lynn smiled at him. He smiled back. The waiter filled their glasses with water, hand them menus and left. She was certain that Tyler was a little apprehensive, which made her all the more confident.

Dramatically taking her napkin, she shook it out and then placed it on her lap. With her back straight, she leaned forward and placed both elbows on the table in front of her, cradling her chin in on hand. “So, Tyler, tell me about yourself.”

Not original! Her mind was still trying to play catch up with her new found confidence, but at least it was typical first date procedure to get to know one another. Hopefully she’ll be able to keep the topic on him and stray away from too much talk about her.

“Not much to tell, really.” He imitated her action with the napkin, but placed one arm on the table, and the other on his thigh.

“I beg to differ. I bet there’s a story there.”

He chuckled, a soft, almost-there sound that seared in Lynn’s brain. It was the same sound he made that night he humiliated her. Granted he had chuckled many times before in her presence, but this wasn’t technically a chuckle. This was his method to charm and distract.

But Lynn wasn’t falling for that one again! “Come on Tyler; tell me about the man behind the agent persona.”

She forced herself to sound as sweet as honey and look expectantly at him.

Taking a sip of his water, Tyler cleared his throat. “The producer in you always sees a story, eh? There’s nothing much to tell, though. I’m 27, I live on the other side of town, moved here after college and love everything the capital city has to offer. I work an almost 54 hour week and I teach football at the rec centre on weekends.”

“You play football?” Lynn sounded as though this was a remarkable feat. In high school he used to wrestle, but football was a far cry from his talents, given that their school didn’t have a football team. She realised she sounded almost condescending, so she amended: “You don’t look like the football type.”

“True. I only play a little; a friend- my roommate actually, thought me in college, and I became hooked. I’m not the next David Beckham or anything, but I like teaching the kids how to play.”

Tyler Wilson is an all round good guy now? Teaching little kiddies how to play? Lynn was stunned beyond words. Hard to believe a self serving guy like him to be anything other than self serving, so there must be a reason behind the whole act. “Really? It’s gratifying then?”

“Very,” Tyler answered without hesitation, “It’s not all about winning trophies, though I might add that we do win a couple of trophies here and there- but it’s just something I like to do, not something I have to do.”

Interesting. “So is your job something you have to do?”

He was Tyler Wilson, for crying out loud! He was the envy of all guys in high school, he had a trust fund worth more than most small countries, and he had the perfect life! So how can that person be the same one who was sitting across from her telling her that he actually wanted to spend time with little kids? Was Lynn hearing right?

“Most days, yes. Other days, like days I find someone who actually loves art for art and not fame, I’m really glad I get to showcase their vision to the world for the sake of expression.”

“Like your recluse artist?” Lynn prompted, a little taken aback by the depth of such small talk.

“Yes, like him.” Tyler smiled at her, and turned to survey the menu.