Lost In You

T W E N T Y

"Where are Mum and Gabby?" I asked hesitantly as I flipped through the CD's, silently appreciating being in my own car.

Tyler tapped his fingers on the steering wheel before putting his phone in his pocket and turning to face me.

"Gabby woke up sick this morning, so your mum stayed to take care of her," He explained, his gorgeous eyes holding mine. I nodded and put Halsey's 'Badlands' album into the stereo. Closing my eyes as Drive filled the silence as we pulled out of the carpark and started the hour-long trip back home.

I glanced over at Tyler and admired him. His strong jaw was relaxed and his fingers tapped against the steering wheel along with the music. His eyes were focused on the road intensely.

"They're looking forward to seeing you," He added, flicking his eyes to me before going back to the road.

Clearly not Dad, I thought bitterly. I wasn't even surprised that he'd left the day after I did. I made a mental note to go to the lawyers myself and clear up the fact that I didn't want to see him ever again after my 18th birthday. I forced a smile and looked up at him.

"How's Mum been?" I asked. He nodded and turned his eyes back to the road.

"You'll have to wait and see," He teased, and a real smile replaced the fake one when I saw his grin.

I've got it bad.

❦

The house didn't look any different when we pulled into the driveway an hour later, the setting sun bathing everything in an orange hue. Tyler grinned at me before getting out to get my bags, leaving me alone to prepare.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

You've got this.

The house was quiet when Tyler opened the door, darkness and silence greeting me. Then the room flooded with light and my heart jumped.

"Surprise!"

People jumped up from behind the furniture and the first person I saw was Kara, barrelling towards me with the biggest grin on her face. I only just had time to brace myself before she threw herself at me and I fell back a few steps. A strangled laugh escaped as she trapped me in her embrace and laughed into my neck.

"You're back!" She squealed and pulled back. I laughed and wiped a stray tear from my cheek.

"I'm back," I grinned and stepped back, looking around the room. My heart caught in my throat when I saw the people in the room.

Gabby, Mum, Farrah, Mason, and my Aunt Claire were all standing in the foyer, beaming at me.

"Oh, Briar," Mum breathed and stepped forward, I met her halfway and she held me tight, the lump formed in my throat again. She pulled back and held me at arm's length.

"Oh, baby. You look so good," She choked, "So healthy."

I smiled and stepped back.

"Thank you," I answered, but before I could say anything else I was swept off of my feet and into the air by Mason's strong arms, a squeak escaped me before I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him back. When he finally put me on the ground I smacked his arm.

"You know I hate that," I laughed. He just grinned and ruffled my hair.

"Nice to have you back, Bri," He laughed and went to stand with Kara.

My gaze settled on Gabby and a grin split across my face as I gathered her in my arms, her small frame fitting perfectly against my body as I inhaled her smell and committed it to memory.