Play the Music

Chapter Two

This chapter has not been edited. 

-----------

Tyler shut the door to her bedroom before walking downstairs into the game room. She spoke. That's all he could think to himself. He couldn't fathom why she had trusted him to let her confide in her.

He thought she was beautiful. The way her hair fell in long waves down when she was reading something on her phone. She would crease her eyes in a way that made her look like she was frustrated. He knew that she needed time. He was willing to give her all the time she needed.

Tyler rewatched the bedroom scene in his mind a few times before making the decision to go talk to her. He wasn't sure what he could say that wasn't too personal, but he wanted to try. He wanted her know that no matter what, he would be there for him.

He walked back upstairs until he reached Leigh's bedroom and could hear the faint sound of Taylor Swift's "Back to December" playing in the background. When he finally gained the courage to knock on the door, he heard the music stop playing. He knew that was his cue to come in.

"Hi." he whispered.

Leigh paused, she didn't know if she could do it again. Her last words were used out of desperation and she didn't want anyone taking advantage of her words again. They were something she valued. She didn't know if Tyler was perfect, but she knew she could trust him. Just him.

"Hi." she managed to voice.

He stared at her for a minute.

"You can sit down." Leigh whispered as she sat up in her bed. Tyler obeyed and sat down on the edge of the bed and she smiled at his awkwardness.

"I'm sorry." he stated.

She looked at him puzzled, waiting for an explanation.

"For everything honestly. Your parents. Your past. But mainly I meant earlier. Carson is an ass. He thinks he needs to act differently around Bianca than he does around us. It's some show he's put up. I'm sure that once he gets home after practice he'll be here trying to apologize."

"I don't think I'm going to accept it." she looked into his chocolate eyes when she spoke, "I don't need to have someone that pretends to like me in front of others and ignores me the rest of the time. It's too childish for me."

Tyler was about to respond before his phone went off in his pocket. "Hold on." he placed his index finger up to Leigh.

His voice was close to a whisper, "Yeah. Okay. Four? Maybe. Yeah, yeah. Got it. See you then. Bye."

Leigh checked the clock on her dresser that flashed two fifteen. She glanced at Tyler to see him watching him. The kids wouldn't be home until three fourty since they have to take the bus.

"Come with me." Tyler instructed as he took Leigh's hand and lead her down the stairs into the kitchen.

"Going to cook me some food?" she laughed.

"Obviously, didn't you know I'm a professional." he joked as he wrapped his apron around his waist. "So here's what is on the menu: mac and cheese, frozen pizza, eggs benedict or sweet and sour chicken in a frozen package."

Leigh laughed at the sight of him. It wasn't a smirk or a forced laugh. It was the first time she's enjoyed a real laugh since that night. "I think I would like some mac and cheese."

"Fine choice indeed! Now the choice remains, Velveeta or Kraft?" he pondered while wiggling his eyebrows.

"But of course it's Velveeta!" Leigh mocked his fake proper voice.