Let Me Go (Tyler Carter)

Chapter Eight: New Lovers

"Addison, get up." Tyler whispers, touching my arm. I groan and turn over, my hand throbbing. Tyler wraps a pair of arms around me, as I groan, blinking my eyes rapidly, trying to adjust to the bright light that streams through my windows. "C'mon, I have plans today."

I mumble incoherently as I turn over, facing Tyler. He's dressed impeccably nice, making me smile slightly. I sit up, stretching as Tyler laughs. I get up, rummaging through my clothes. "What are we doing today?" I ask, looking through my closet.

"Going out to eat, then going to a poetry slam." Tyler says.

"Okay, but why're you dressed so nice?"

"This isn't nice. It's a button-up shirt and jeans. Look, go take your shower, I'll find you somethin' to wear." Tyler says, as I disappear into the bathroom. I turn the water on, peeling the bandages off carefully and stepping into the shower. The warm water burns my hand, but makes it feel better as well. I hiss slightly and finish my shower quickly. I wrap myself up in a towel and grab the bandages and topical ointment for my hand. I try and wrap my hand up, stepping into my bedroom. I see a pair of jeans, along with a tank top and oversized cardigan on my bed. I shrug and get dressed, walking into the bathroom. I brush and loosely curl my hair, brushing my teeth and applying some makeup.

"Why're you putting makeup on?" Tyler asks, leaning in the doorway.

"Because I like to, and my face looks gross. I'm almost done, hold on." I say, applying some mascara and a bit of lip stain. "C'mon," I say, smiling. I turn the light off, grabbing my phone from the charger and my purse, throwing it across my shoulder. Tyler grabs his keys and phone, shutting the door behind us. I lock it up, as we walk towards the parking garage. I slide into the passenger seat, as he starts the car. Damn, a Mercedes. It's so nice. I laugh quietly to myself as we drive through the city, reaching a little bakery in the heart of the city. I step out of the car, warm smells enveloping me, making my smile widely.

"This way," Tyler says, holding the door open for me. I walk inside, greeted by warm air, a pleasant surprise from the harsh weather outside. It's lined with glass cases for baked goods. "What'd you want?"

"I dunno, pick me out something." I say, sitting down at a small booth. I look at the décor, deeply lost in my thoughts. So lost, that I jump when Tyler places something on the table. My hand aches but I try to ignore it, looking down at the table. Tyler comes back, placing a hot pretzel in the table, as we sit there quietly. I take a piece of it, taking a drink of hot cider. "Where's the slam at?"

"The University hall, at the U of C," Tyler says, taking a bite of his pretzel.

"Oh okay," I say, as we talk quietly.

"How's your hand?"

"Um, fine, I guess." I say, as I finish eating,

"Ready to go?"

"Yeah," I say, throwing my bag over my shoulder. We drive to the University, as I direct Tyler where to park. We park and walk out, as I grab my ID from my bag. We walk in, finding the slam center. Yes, we do, in fact have a slam center. Okay, it's a conference room that was changed into a Slam Center but whatever. I see Neil standing there, along with Ollie.

"Hey! Ollie, Neil, I want you to meet my, er, bo- my friend, Tyler." I say, smiling at them.

"Hello! I take it you're here to see Addi preform again, correct?"

"Yeah, but can we talk in private?" Tyler says, as he and Neil walk out.

"How are you?" Ollie asks, glancing at me.

"I could definitely be better. It's a long story." I say, as I sit down. Ollie laughs and disappears. I see Tyler come back quickly, but leave again for something. Soon the slam is in full swing, Jackson here, to present one. I listen intently, cheering as he walks off stage. "Great job, lover boy!" I joke, giving him a hug as he rolls his eyes.

"Okay, now, we have a newcomer. I want you to welcome them!" Neil says, as I look around for whoever is new. I gasp as Tyler jumps up on stage, adjusting the microphone.

"I'm Tyler Carter, I'm from the band ISSUES, so if you've heard the name before, that's probably where. I've written poetry since the time I could remember, since I started writing songs. Now, before I start, I want Addison to stand up." Tyler says, looking at me, as Neil nods, winking at me. I awkwardly stand up, as Tyler begins speaking again, "Okay. This poem is about Addison, and actually, we met while she was performing one of her poems, so this one's for you!" Tyler says, as I sit back down.

"Let's go! This is gonna be cute!" Someone yells from the back. I roll my eyes as Tyler begins, his voice holding a louder, more demanding presence than I've ever heard.

"Your lips so soft and red,

the thought of kissing you is stuck in my head.

Your beauty so bright and warm,

shinning through the darkest storm.

Your eyes sparkle like stars in the night sky,

when I stare into them I feel like I am soaring high.

My love for you is pure and true,

I never stop thinking of you.

The sound of your voice saying "I love you" makes my heart pound

because I knew I'd truly found my one and only.

I promise to love you for every moment of forever

and when everything else crumbles, I will never.

I am your armor to protect you from harm,

like you are to me, a lucky charm.

For you are my heart, my soul,

baby you are my whole world."

I sit there frozen, as the crowd around erupts in cheers. Tyler jumps off the stage, as a wide smile makes it's way across my face. "Tyler, thank you." I say, giving him a long hug. He pulls away, looking at with soft eyes.

"Are you still going to present?"

"No, not today," I say, as someone else takes the stage. We walk out, saying a quick goodbye to Ollie, Neil and Jackson. We disappear, as we walk back to the parking garage. We drive back home, reaching the quiet apartment. Tyler shuts the door behind us as I lay on the futon, turning the television on. Tyler sits beside me, my head in his lap, as his hands play on my skin.

"What are we, Addison?"

"What do you mean?"

"What are we? Are we dating, are we friends, what?" Tyler asks, as I sit up.

"What do you want us to be?" I ask, the television the only noise besides our breathing.

"Addison, I love you. That sounds so fucking stupid and cliché, but it's true. Can we, can we give it a shot?" Tyler says, looking at me with those same soft eyes. I nod, giving him a hug. God, so many years being along, it feels wonderful to actually be able to invest myself into someone, and not just something. I bury my head against his chest, fighting back tears. I compose myself and lay my head back in his lap, smiling to myself.