The Unexpected

Chapter 8

My parents, Alex and I all go over to the new place. It's not quite finished yet but we're almost there. The only rooms left to paint are the living room and kitchen which Tyler is going to help me finish when he gets out of work. He finished the bathroom and it looks amazing. After gathering all of the boxes labeled 'bathroom', I put everything away. After we finish painting, I'll bring the rest of the stuff.

Matt told me he already had everything planned and ordered for downstairs. Workers have been coming in and out of that place, fixing it up. He said all the stuff is being brought in and put in place today. I'm so excited. I can't wait to see the place finished.

Holding Alex's hand, we climb up the stairs with my parents trailing behind us. I scoop Alex up in my arms to quicken the pace. When we get upstairs, I give them a tour. "And this is your bedroom, baby. Do you like it?" I ask Alex.

He grins and hugs me. "Yes."

I kiss the top of his head. "This is a nice place. I love your bathroom." My mom smiles.

"Wait until you see the living room." I say excitedly.

I lead the way to the living room and my mom gasps. "I've always wanted one of these." She says, sitting on the bay window seat.

"Nice fireplace." My dad says, looking it over.

"So you guys like it?" I ask.

"Of course."

"Tyler is coming over when he gets out from work. We're gonna finish painting and then I'm gonna start bringing stuff over." I say.

"Does he know about Alex?" My dad asks.

I shake my head. "No."

"Don't you think you should tell him?" He asks. "You guys have been spending a lot of time together."

"Nothing is going on, dad. We've been working on this place since I got it." I say in exasperation. "And everyone's bound to find out anyways. How am I supposed to keep it a secret?"

"You have for years, honey." My mom says softly.

"Under the circumstances, I think it's okay." I snap. "He's my son, it's my life, I can do what I want."

"Mommy?" Alex says softly.

I glance down at him. "What, baby?"

"Why are you yelling?" He asks.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry sweetheart."

He kisses my cheek and I smile. "We can take him back home now. Tyler she be here soon." My dad says.

My mom grabs him after I've hugged and kissed him goodbye. They leave and I begin painting. It isn't long before Tyler gets there. "Hey."

"Hey." I say, not looking at him.

"Everything okay?" He asks.

"I'm fine."

He walks over to me and points at my chest. "You have paint on your shirt."

I look down and his finger - wet with paint - touches my chin. My jaw drops as I quickly wipe it. "I am so gonna get you back. Just wait and see."

I return to painting as he laughs. A little while later, he uses the paint roller to paint the back of my shorts yellow. "That's it." I grin.

I quickly dip the paintbrush into the yellow paint and flick it at him. He quickly turns so it all lands all over his back. He laughs as he flicks paint back at me. I hold up my hands in surrender. "I'm done."

"Put it down." He grins.

"At the same time." I negotiate.

He nods. While I put the paintbrush down, I wipe it all over my hands. He doesn't notice so I walk over to him and cup his cheeks. When I remove my hands, my hand prints are left on his face. He chuckles. "So mature."

I shrug. "Whatever."

"I can do better than that, though."

When I turn around, he places his hands on my breasts but quickly removes them. His yellow handprints are on my black shirt. "This is gonna be really awkward to explain." I laugh.

"To Matt?" He asks.

I furrow my eyebrows. "Matt? You think Matt and I -"

I burst into laughter, cutting myself short. "Well the way you guys acted the day I seen you two made it seem like you were a couple." He shrugs.

I grin at him, humored. "He's my best friend and we both like men."

He raises his eyebrows. "Really?"

I nod. "Yeah. He thinks you're cute. I can get his number for you if you want."

He shakes his head. "No thanks. I don't swing that way." I step forward to get closer to him, only to slip and fall. He catches me before I can hit the ground. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I nod.

When he makes no effort to move, I look at him in confusion. He stares at me with a heated gaze and for the first time in a long time, I want to be with someone. I bring my hand up to his cheek and my eyes flutter closed but he doesn't kiss me. Instead, he clears his throat and quickly helps me to my feet. "You should get cleaned up. I'll finish this room."

He returns to painting and I stare at the back of his head in shock. The sound of my phone ringing takes my mind momentarily off of him. "Hello?" I answer.

"Hey Mia." Steven says. "Are you doing anything tonight?"

I glance at Tyler before walking away. "I was painting but I could use a break. Why?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner tonight."

"Sure. I have to shower but you can pick me up at my parents house in an hour if that's good for you." I reply.

"That sounds great. See you in an hour."

"See ya." I hang up and go back into the living room. "You can go home. I'm gonna go home and shower."

He shakes his head. "I'll finish this wall first."

"Thank you for helping. I appreciate it but I won't be needing anymore help after today."

He stops painting and looks down. "Okay."

I leave him there while I drive home. After showering, I send Steven a text telling him I'm ready. He picks me up and takes me out for dinner. Throughout the night, my mind continuously wanders back to Tyler.

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