Thank You, Tyler

Chapter 12

My little nap turns into waking up late that evening, close to midnight.

I force myself up and into the living room to see how Derek and Tessa are, since they aren't in the room with me.

Derek's crashed in front of the tv with Tessa sleeping on his chest. I smile. I grab the remote and turn off the tv. I pick up Tessa and carry her back to the room. I change her into pajamas and set her in the crib.

I head back to the living room to kiss Derek's forehead, there's no waking him after he's asleep. He looks so handsome as he starts to snore quietly.

I'm so in love with you.

I hear my phone start to ring in the room and rush back to answer it.

The caller I.D. is a number that looks familiar but I can't match it to a name.

"Hello?" I pick up.

"Kelly? Is that you?" It's Mrs. Jones, Tyler's mom. Her voice sounds panicked.

--

Tyler made the varsity football team this year. He has practice so often that I only get to see him during school. I started hanging out with Derek, it's been nice to have a part of Tyler around with me.

Derek's pretty cool. He's a year younger than Tyler and they met when they lived next door to each other when they were younger. Since Tyler made the team, he hasn't had much time to hang out with Derek either. I think Derek and I are using each other as a replacement for Tyler.

But Tyler finally got some time off from practice and spent yesterday afternoon with Derek, Tyler told me they got in a fight but he wouldn't say what about.

I get to see Tyler today, I'm sure he'll tell me what the fight was about today.

Tyler picks me up for our dinner date at seven and we go to a drive-thru then take our food to the park to eat.

I'm halfway through with my burger before either of us speak.

"So you've been spending a lot of time with Derek lately?"

"Yeah, I guess. You've been really busy and all."

"And?" He looks me in my eyes.

"And what?"

"Do you like him?"

"What?"

"Do you like him?" He asks again with a stronger tone.

"I'm dating you, why would I like your best friend?" I feel my defense mode coming on.

"You're just spending a lot of time together, I just wondered," his voice softens, but it looks like it's still nagging him.

"Tyler, I love you, no one else," I roll my eyes.

"You better."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just saying you better not be trynna cheat on me. You're my girlfriend and that's my best friend."

"Tyler, what the hell--"

"I'll kill you, Kelly, if you like him."

"Calm down. I don't like him. I just told you I loved you."

"Okay."

"Whatever."

--