Too Close

Chapter 27

Tyler's P.O.V

February

Christmas passed and Olivia was the happiest I had ever seen her. She tried not to show it but I could tell she loved the Callahans' being home and they did too. I didn't expect them to get me anything for Christmas, but I'd passed them a basket of whiskeys and wine that Olivia helped me wrap for them. To my surprise, Mr. C also pulled out a box for me from behind his back.

A week passed.

O stayed home everyday during winter break to spend time with them before they had to leave again. I worked at the shop as much as I could, picking up the days Colton had taken off.

January flew by faster than the snow storms that hit the east every winter. Mr. and Mrs. C stayed longer than expected. They stayed past New Years and didn't leave until the middle of the month. When they were out of the house, Olivia and I fooled around and I realized how much I missed the alone time. They made her happy, but I was selfish. And I lost control when I was around her. Especially since she's been sleeping in my bed every night since they left.

I knew time was running out, graduation was four months away. With Olivia planning on going away for college, I would be on my own again.

I was home lying around, waiting for Olivia to get back when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

"Hey," I answered.

"Hey," I knew she was smiling on the other end. Loud music roared behind her but her voice was clear. "What are you doing?"

"Just came in from walking Clyde."

"We shouldn't be much longer. This concert is a drag." I got up and walked in the kitchen for some lemonade.

"Yeah. That one guitar in the back sounds terrible," I said, hearing someone behind her failing at a guitar solo. Someone at school had offered Haylie tickets to a music festival to help promote some up and coming boy bands in the area.

"Hey, the kid only has one arm!" I choked on my lemonade.

"Oh shit, are you serious?!"

"No, just trying to make you feel bad." She laughed on the other end.

"Not funny."

She started saying something but her words were drowned out by knocks on the front door. I walked to the window and peered between the blinds. I squinted at the red band tied on Reed's arm, on his right bicep. I opened the door.

"'Sup Ty," he said hesitantly. But his expression was cold, like he was here for something and wasn't going to leave without it.

"Tyler? Are you there?" O said in my ear.

"Yeah, I'll see you when you get back. Reed just stopped by."

"Alright, bye." I stepped aside for him to come in. I knew what he was here for. The red band gave it away.

"Is Olivia with Haylie?" he asked, peering into the kitchen and scoping it out to make sure I was alone.

"Don't tell me you don't know where your own girlfriend is," I answered. He headed for the living room and I followed. Clyde hopped up on his hind legs for him to pet him.

"Actually, I was asking about your girlfriend." He sat down on the couch near the TV and rubbed behind the dog's ears. "We need to talk."

"About?" I sat on the arm of the other couch and crossed my arms over my chest.

"You already know." He answered with narrow eyes, tilting his head. My jaw tightened.

"What does he want?"