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“I need to get going.”
Ty stood up. “You don’t have to leave. I know I don’t have much stuff or anything, but there’s a fully stocked fridge. I could make you something if you’re hungry.”
I crossed my arms, shaking my head. This was the longest I’ve spent alone with Ty since he left and it was…a lot. So many feelings swirled around my mind. Emotions I didn’t understand or know how to make sense of. I needed some space to take a breath, to clear my head.
“I need to get home to Dad.”
“Oh, okay.” He nodded, but couldn’t hide his disappointment.
I turned to leave, but he called my name. I glanced back at him. “Thanks for coming.”
I nodded and started to walk away but again, his voice stopped me. He hurried toward me, blocking my way to the stairs.
“Are you going to the Willow Hope Gala?”
I gave him a sidelong look. We always attended the gala. Ever since we were little. “Of course.”
One side of his lip tipped up in a shy grin. “If you’re not going with anyone, do you want to go with me?”
I stepped back, frowning. My pulse quickened.
He held up his hands, obviously sensing my panic. “Just as…acquaintances. No pressure.”
My chest eased, but my heart continued to race. I wasn’t sure how to answer. We’d always gone to the gala together in the past, but it was different now.
That night was going to be hard for Knox, though. What better way to support him than to have his two best friends getting along?
I bit my lip, not ready to fully commit, but also not wanting to shut the idea down completely. “Maybe,” I said.
Ty’s grin broke into a full smile. “Okay.” He nodded. “Maybe.”
And then he stepped out of the way, letting me pass. By the time I got outside and took a big gulp of fresh air, my skin was hot.
This had been a huge step. I wasn’t sure how to process it, but I was letting Tyson Ranes back into my life.
I just hoped I wouldn’t regret it.
I didn’t go back home right away. Instead, I went to the bar like the low-life I was.
I sipped the last of my drink. The ice clinked in my empty glass as I set it down. Abel arched a brow from behind the bar. “Another?” he asked.
I sighed and shook my head. The place was pretty empty, but it was a random weeknight and not very late. I was confident I wouldn’t see anyone like Callen so early, but I wasn’t going to risk more than one drink and end up staying later than expected.
“Just some water, please.”
Abel pursed his lips, but filled a glass with ice and water and handed it to me. He leaned against the bar, staring me down until I shifted in my seat. “What?”
He tilted his head. “Tough day?”
I swirled the water around my glass. I hadn’t wanted to drink, but I didn’t want to go home. This place had sort of become my spot the last couple years. I knew drinking and partying at the bar was doing me no good, but I needed the noise and bustle of the bar to distract me. Plus, I liked Abel.
“You could say that.” I shrugged.
“Wanna talk about it?”
It was like I was in an old movie, spouting my woes to the local barkeep. I drank deeply from the water as I tried to gather my thoughts. I swallowed hard. “It’s nothing, really.”
“Would that nothing have anything to do with that Ranes kid?”
