Bite Me

Ch. 12 Realizations

I groaned in frustration. I was screwed up. I loved two guys and that isn't normal. I knew I loved Blake but I couldn't be with him because of Tyler. I loved Tyler but also longed for Blake. My thoughts spiraled around plunging me into self hatred. I was a horrible person who ruined lives because I'm messed up enough to be in love with two separate people. How could I be in love with both of them? My heels clicked across the sidewalk as I wandered down the street trying to get some clarity. I needed to choose one of them and forget the other but I somehow couldn't. I wished I could run back to Blake and scream I'm over Tyler but that was a lie. I would never be over Tyler until I learned why he left me alone without so much as a note. The longer I walked the more I realized I couldn't stay away from Tyler. I had to find him. I needed answers. My fingers subconsciously played with the silver bracelet on my wrist, a gift from Tyler. I slipped into the memory as I glanced down at the chain.

"Happy birthday," Tyler grinned as I wrapped my arms around him. He led me into the kitchen to the chocolate cake waiting for me.

"You made me my favorite cake," I said pressing my lips to his gently.

"Couldn't not celebrate the birth of my soulmate," he said causing my heart to skip a beat. We stood in the middle of his kitchen as he pulled out a lighter. He lit the candles before he started to sing Happy Birthday. I beamed at him as the music filled the room quickly. Once he finished singing I blew out the candles. I sat on the edge of the counter as he cut me a big piece of cake. He swiped a little frosting before touching my cheek.

"Hey," I said in fake anger wiping the frosting off my face. I took a bite of the gooey chocolate cake my tastebuds exploding with pleasure.

"How does it feel being 18?" Tyler asked as I shifted on the counter to face him.

"I feel the same as always. I love you and nothing has changed," I said as he smirked at me.

"You are beautiful and sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve you," Tyler said as my cheeks heated. Tyler knew how to get that reaction out of me and he seemed to enjoy making me feel this way.

"I'm nothing special," I said embarrassed.

"You are everything to me. I would do anything and everything for you," Tyler said his green eyes sparkling. I saw the love in his gaze as he spoke and the way he looked at me stole my breath from me.

"I love you so much," I said launching myself into his arms my lips crashing against his. Fire rushed through my body as he held me tightly against his body. I craved his touch as the kiss deepened waking parts of myself I didn't know existed. We were two halves of one soul and he made me feel complete. We pulled apart breathless and hungering for more.

"I have more for you," Tyler smiled his hand gripping mine. He dragged me out the back door to a romantic dinner. I sat down as he lifted the lid off the food container. Inside I saw homemade spaghetti that would take hours to make.

"Tyler," I said a smile playing at my lips as he placed the spaghetti on two plates.

"Your favorite. I got the recipe from your sister," Tyler said as I laughed.

"Mom refused didn't she," I said with a smirk as Tyler blushed. "It's a family secret," I said mimicking my mother.

"I tried for hours but left empty handed so I roped your sister into my plans and she was more than happy to help," Tyler said taking my hand in his. "I swear boot camp was better than my conversation with your mother." I snickered as he pouted. "It's not funny."

"It is hilarious," I said taking a fork full of spaghetti into my mouth.

"Your mom is a scary woman," Tyler muttered as I grinned.

"Where do you think I got my glare from?" I said as he took a sip of sparkling grape juice.

"Fair point. So where do you see yourself in the future?" Tyler asked as I paused. Images flashed through my head, our wedding, children, a house.

"I see myself marrying you," I said as he grasped my hand again. "I think we would have children and a big house."

"Mrs. Ashley Walsh, I like how that sounds," Tyler smiled at me as my heart raced with the thought. I wanted to marry Tyler so badly. The love I felt for him snuck up on me over a long period of time. I loved Tyler Walsh with all my being. "I promise one day I will get down on one knee and marry you. I love you Ashley Wayne and I always will, no matter what!" I got up from my seat climbing onto Tyler's lap. My lips caressed his eagerly as his hands touched my waist. I gasped feeling a box in his pocket. I got up as he pulled the black box out. He opened the velvet box to reveal a beautiful silver bracelet with tiny diamond hearts along the chain. Tears filled my eyes as I put the bracelet on.

"It's beautiful," I gasped as he rubbed circles on the back of my hand.

Tyler stared at me with sincerity in his voice, "I would give you the world if I could."

I felt the tears as they slipped down my face. I wiped them off my cheeks as I pushed the memory away. Confusion filled my body as my memory and the facts seemed to clash. Tyler loved me and said he'd never leave yet he did. Why? I needed to see Tyler, that much was clear to me.