Let Live (An Austin Carlile Love Story)

Back To Me

Tyler's P.O.V:

"Tyler?" He whispered finally, breaking the haze that had formed around us. I snapped out of my trance and cursed under my breath as I squatted down and began to clean up the mess I had made. I picked the big shardes of glass up, collecting them in the palm of my hand.

"Shit!" I whisper-yelled as I cut my hand on one of the pieces, watching as the red blood pooled out of my skin. Sue came rushing over with a broom and dustpan and squatted down next to me.

"Are you okay?" She asked, her tone laced with worry as she eyed the cut to my hand. I winced and gave her a small nod, continuing to clean up my mess. "Tyler, I'll clean this up. Go get your hand cleaned up." I nodded and stood up, my legs still shaky. I could feel his eyes burning into my skin as I walked into the back towards the bathroom. I turned the water on, allowing ample time for it to warm up before I stuck my hand under it, watching the blood run down the drain.

I heard footsteps getting closer and closer. I shut the water off just as the door opened. "Au-Austin you can't be back here," I mumbled, glancing at him for only a moment before looking away once again. I opened the cabinet and pulled out the first-aid kit. I felt like I couldn't think, like I couldn't breathe. His cologne was suffocating me, his presence overwhelming.

"Your boss said I could come check on you." His voice was soft. "Here, let me help you." He grabbed the plastic box before I had a chance to object. I hoisted myself up onto the edge of the sink and he grabbed my hand in his.

The feeling of his skin against mine.....I couldn't explain it. My heart raced, my breath caught in my throat. It felt like it had before, back when things were perfect. Only now it seemed amplified, an entirely new feeling. He must've felt it to because he looked up, away from my hand. Our eyes met, his still glistening as they always had. After only mere seconds I tore my gaze away from his, looking anywhere else but at him.

He held my hand over the sink as he poured alcohol onto it. I winced loudly at the pain, and out of the corner of my eye I saw him shoot me a worried glance, his face etched with sorrow. He dried my hand off and carefully wrapped gauze around it. He never let go of my hand, not even after he had finished bandaging it.

I cleared my throat and he finally let go. "Uh, thanks," I mumbled with a small smile as I jumped down from the sink, my boots making a loud noise as they connected with the tiled floor. I walked out of the bathroom, Austin following closely behind. He followed me back out to the front. I gave Sue a small smile and showed her my bandaged hand.

"Tyler. Do you have time to talk for a minute?" Austin asked, his voice still softer than normal.

"Austin, I have to-" I was cut off before I could say anymore.

"She's actually about to take her break," Sue spat out. I turned and glared at her, my glare being met with a devious smile. I took a deep breath and turned back towards Austin.

"Okay. Let me go get my coat." He nodded his head and gave me a small smile before I retreated towards the backroom. I pulled on my black peacoat and slung my scarf around my neck, not bothering to tie it around or even button up my coat. I shoved my phone into the back pocket of my jeans.

I paused a moment, leaning against one of the work tables, trying to steady my breathing. I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to think.

What was he doing here? How did he find me? Why now?

I rested my sunglasses on top of my head and walked back out towards the front. "Take your time, dear," Sue said and I rolled my eyes at her. I shoved my hands in my coat pockets and motioned for Austin to follow me outside.

I dropped my sunglasses over my eyes, blocking out the bright sunlight. I placed my hands back into my pockets and began to walk down the sidewalk with no real destination in mind, Austin falling into step beside me. I kept my gaze focused downward as we walked, neither one of us speaking. The city was bustling, but I didn’t hear any of it; the only noise I could focus on was the sound of my heart beating wildly in my chest. I turned the corner, Austin continuing to keep up with my strides. I spotted a small park a short ways ahead and kept up my pace until we reached it.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned, finally gaining the nerve to speak. His head jerked down to look at me, seemingly taken aback by my sudden question.

“I have meetings all weekend for the Aspire & Create winter line,” he replied plainly. I nodded my head in understanding. Austin stopped at a bench and took a seat, motioning for me to join him. I hesitated a moment before complying and sitting next to him, crossing one leg over the other as I stared at a small, frozen pond off in the distance.

“Did Josh tell you where I worked?” My voice was quiet; I didn’t bother looking at him. I kept my gaze forward as I spoke, still not quite comfortable with this situation. My emotions were conflicted. I felt confused having him here, having him near me again. A part of me didn't want him here; I had moved to New York to start a new life, and having him here brought part of my old life back, a huge part.

But there was another part of me that wanted him to tell me he still loves me, that he's sorry. That part of me never wanted him to leave.

After a moment of silence he spoke. "No, he didn't. I had no idea, I swear. I just - I just happened to pass by and-" he paused and I looked over at him. This time when our eyes met I didn't look away; I held his gaze and he held mine, our eyes burning into each other's. He startled me when he reached out, his fingers grabbing the ends of my hair. "Your hair - you look so different. I hardly recognized you," he said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back.

"Yeah, well. I was in need of a change. The red hair drew too much unwanted attention," I replied with a small laugh.

"And you wear heels now?" He questioned with a chuckle as he motioned down to my boots.

I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. "Like I said. I needed a change."

"Well, you look absolutely beautiful," he murmered. I felt my cheeks blush and I looked away, hiding the evidence of the effect he still had on me.

"Thank you." My reply was quiet, almost inaudible, but it was all I could muster up.

We sat for a little while longer, neither of us really saying anything, but as time passed the awkwardness of the situation began to fade. When it was time for me to head back to work, Austin walked with me back to the coffeehouse.

He stopped me outside before I had a chance to go in. "Ty. You wanna grab dinner tonight and catch up a little more? I mean, we didn't have much time to talk and-" he paused, nervously rubbing at the back of his neck.

I frowned in response, mentally cursing the fact that I had to have dinner with Danny. "I'm sorry, Austin, I-I already have dinner plans tonight."

"Like a date?" He didn't sound irritated or angry; only sad. I averted my eyes to the ground and shrugged my shoulders, not able to formulate the words.

"How about tomorrow night?" I threw out, looking up at him once again.

"Sure. I'd love that," his response wasn't as cheery as I had hoped. He asked for my phone and he put in the name of his hotel and his room number. "I'll call you tomorrow, alright?"

I nodded. "Okay. Bye, Austin." He pulled me into a hug, and I didn't hesitate to hug him back. Having his arms around his, my cheek pressed to his chest...it all came rushing back, slamming into me with such force I felt as if I couldn't keep my balance. It wasn't long before he let me go. I wasn't ready for him to let me go.

"Bye, Ty." With that I gave him a small smile and ducked back inside, into the warmth of the coffee shop.

All I could think about was him.

And how much I didn't want to go out with Danny anymore.