— Wren —
"Wren, wake up."
I mumbled unintelligibly into my pillow, followed by a breathy, still-sleepy laugh from Tyler.
"Wake up," he urged, gently shaking me.
"Don't wanna," I protested.
"You have to," he reminded me, prompting a loud groan. "You have work in an hour."
"So we can sleep for thirty," I whined.
"We? In your bed?" Tyler raised an eyebrow, playing with his hair.
"Well, yeah," I deadpanned. "The couch sucks." Tyler smiled and joined me in bed, wrapping his arms around me naturally, a stark contrast to Josh's clinginess, which often overwhelmed me.
"Wren?" Tyler whispered, his fingers tracing my spine. I lifted my head from his chest.
"Your couch does suck."
"Guess you'll have to sleep in my bed with me every night now," I teased, snuggling back into him. Tyler sighed heavily and planted a lingering kiss on my forehead. "What?"
"I leave tonight."
"Oh. Right." I felt foolish for momentarily forgetting that Tyler had to return to his touring life soon. Selfish desires to keep him to myself tugged at my heart, but I also knew how much he cherished touring and his music. I threw off the blankets and headed to the bathroom. Perry quickly assumed my place, curling up beside Tyler as I had moments earlier.
"Where are you going?" Tyler frowned.
"I have to work in an hour," I called over my shoulder before shutting the door.
In the empty bathtub, fully clothed, I hugged my knees to my chest, lacking any motivation to get ready. I simply wished Tyler could stay. I b heard Tyler enter the bathroom and silently cursed myself for not locking the door.
"Hi," he greeted, taking a seat across from me.
"Hi."
"Please don't be mad at me."
"I'm not mad, Ty," I sighed, "I'm just going to miss you." Tyler chuckled softly, causing me some embarrassment.
"So come with me," he suggested with a wide smile.
"What about Perry?"
"My sister can cat-sit. Maddy loves cats."
"What about my job?"
"Trick and Pete won't care; they love us." He was right, too. When Patrick and Pete found out that the boyfriend I had mentioned to them was Josh Dun they gushed about how they know him and Tyler from high school. I guess the band that Patrick was in was literally with Josh and Tyler. 'What could have been' he keeps reminding me.
"Why are you making it sound so simple?" My own frustration surprised me. Tyler looked taken aback.
"Why isn't it?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, seeking understanding. I sighed shakily and ran my fingers through my hair.
"It's just, the last time you guys went on tour—"
"I'm not Josh," Tyler's voice softened. "You can trust me."
"I do trust you."
Tyler leaned in, and we shared a gentle kiss. I kissed him back, my hands on his cheeks, our lips moving softly, setting the butterflies in my stomach fluttering. The kiss was brief but profound. I felt secure with Tyler's lips against mine. Blushing as we broke the kiss, Tyler kissed my nose and forehead before standing and taking my hand to help me up.
"You better get ready for work," he grinned.
***
"HE KISSED YOU?!" Patrick's hand almost slipped, nearly causing a mishap with a customer's drink. He quickly apologized to the lady before turning back to me. "Wait, what about Josh?"
"We broke up." I explained with a slight blush
"WHAT?!" Patrick's eyes nearly popped out of his head, and he seemed genuinely stunned. "How did so much happen in a week?"
"Why didn't you tell us?" Pete chimed in.
I shrugged. "Everything happened so fast, I feel like I'm living in a soap opera."
"Oh, you've gotta go with him now. I want to hear all about it," Pete playfully nudged me, and I laughed.
"So, it's okay, then?" I asked, seeking reassurance.
"Yes," they both responded in unison.
"You two are the best," I beamed.
"You better keep Tyler around, Wren," Patrick commented as he prepared another coffee. "He's making you happier than I've ever seen you."
"I know," I replied, blushing deeply.
