A Chance at Destiny (5 page)

“Why? I just don't get it,” Destiny finally let her tears flow uninhibited.

“Why what?” Tyler wanted to help her but didn't know how. “Why is this happening to me? Am I that unlovable?” She pulled her knees to the chest and heaved in incredible emotional pain.

“Sit up,” Tyler grabbed her arm pulling her to a sitting position. “You are not unlovable. Some people don't know how to love. Some people just don't get it. You’re a good person destiny. In a few weeks we'll be out of here.”

“I don't want to be alone in the world,” she wiped her tears. Her tears were finally settling down some.

“What am I chopped liver? You have me. You'll always have me. It's me and you against the world.” He put his fist up and Destiny returned it with a fist bump then giggled. It felt good to laugh and to have Tyler.

“You’re a lunatic Tyler Duggan,” she smiled brightly.

“You’re a lunatic too. You’re marrying me,” he pushed her back over on her side. “Go to bed. We got a final to take tomorrow .I gotta kick your butt in calculus tomorrow. “

“Keep dreamin buddy. Ain't gonna happen,” she grabbed the covers and pulled them up over her, “Get out.”

Tyler laughed on his way out to the sofa. He felt good about their friendship. He was glad she'd agreed to the marriage.

Laying on the sofa, Tyler thought about Destiny. Watching her cry made his chest constrict so hard he thought he might be having a heart attack. He didn't know what to do to soothe her but his hand knew it had to connect with her warmth. Looking into her hazel eyes with her lips all puffy and soft from crying made gave him an urge to kiss her. How could they be together all their lives and Tyler not know she was so alone.

She was so self-assured and always prepared. But Tyler was finding out that was her facade. Destiny Jenkins was scared. She'd admitted to him twice in the last week. Tyler knew fear, and he understood not having stability and worrying about family. He could help her through this.

Until his father had reappeared in just the nick of time, he was facing some real trouble. He was so grateful to have his dad and James in that moment. They may not always get along, they may be dirt poor, but they loved each other and would stick together.

Chapter Four

The week of finals was brutal. Taking such challenging classes meant final projects and tests. Destiny and Tyler decided to study at night after Tyler got off work. She cooked. Any meals that had left overs, she'd freeze for Mr. Duggan to eat when she and Tyler left. Destiny was responsible for sending their essay and college applications off the following day after moving in with the Duggan’s. Destiny stayed at the library late to finish typing and emailing the paperwork as well as completing the online forms while Tyler was at the garage working.

That night, when Tyler pulled up to library at closing, he found Destiny engrossed in a book while sitting on the curb waiting patiently.  She got in loaded with romance novels, fashion magazines, and even chick flicks she’d rented to watch. Tyler shook his head. He knew how girly she was, but to see her in action gave him a chuckle. He hoped she hadn't expected for him to watch any of those movies.

He scoffed, “You and your girly stuff.”

“Tyler, I know you don't think so, but I am a girl,” she scoffed back.

“Oh, I know you’re a girl. My bedroom smelled all girly and sugary like a chick this morning. You stink my truck up with girl magazines and all those perfume samples,” He looked at Destiny. Tyler had defiantly noticed her girl parts. She came out this morning in a spaghetti strap tank top that lifted her breast perfectly. He was glad she put the little sweater over her to cover them before school.

“Whatever. You know I smell good,” she laughed at Tyler scrunching his nose in disgust.

Destiny rode on the ride to the trailer quietly. She was listening to the roar of the rough riding truck, taking in the smell of oil, grease, and exhaust that was Tyler after a night working in the garage.  She glanced at his calloused hands. She could see the darkness of the grime under his nails from working with his hands. Like one of the characters in the novels she was reading, her breath hitched, and she felt warm all over.

Tyler turned on the radio. He loved any music with hard guitar riffs and drums. He preferred hard rock. The harder the better. He was enjoying Breaking Benjamin’s
Blow Me Away
. His head bobbing up and down. Destiny took in his features. Those ice blue ices. His hat turn to the back. With the intensity of the music, his features would change from frowning to clenching his teeth. His nose would flair.  Destiny was more of an R&B fan. She loved all kinds of music
except
metal. But watching Tyler enjoy the sounds coming front he radio made her appreciate the rhythmic sound. Or maybe she was just enjoying Tyler.

As suspected, their relationship caused quite a stir. Students began to notice them arriving and leaving together, and the way the two of them cracked jokes about everything. Destiny and Tyler had become friends. They watched You Tube videos and listened to music. Destiny even added a few songs from Three Days Grace to her mp3 player. Tyler finally let her add a few of her songs to his play list on his iPhone like Bruno Mars. One weekend,Tyler even agreed to let her use the television in the sitting area to watch a chick flick. She squealed with delight grinning from ear to ear. He was glad to see her happy. His heart would feeling too big for his chest when she did that squealing thing.

On the weekends, she cleaned his house just as her own. She would get up and put on her familiar shorts and T-shirt to clean. Tyler was beginning to love seeing her in those shorts but kept that little bit of info to himself.  She washed hers and Tyler's clothes. She offered to wash Mr.Duggan’s, but he refused to let her wash his clothes. “You’re not here to be a maid. I can wash for myself,” he told her. She decided that he enjoyed his independence. But he started going to the laundry mat with her. He kept Destiny company as they washed on Saturdays while Tyler went to work.

For shock value, Tyler convinced Destiny to wear his favorite t-shirt to school and lose the CEO look one day. “Come on Destiny. It'll be fun to see the looks on their faces. You know you want too,” he said with a mischievous smile wiggling his eyebrows.  Just like Tyler predicted, the students and teachers stood in shock and dismay when she arrived in his signature rock-n-roll faded T-shirt. All the way home, the two of them laughed at the faces they'd seen all day.

Their acceptance packet was emailed to them both on the day before graduation. They'd both been accepted and received the married student scholarship. Tyler and Destiny high-fived and danced around the trailer.  They needed to get the wedding paperwork filed. Since there wasn’t a waiting period, they could do it all in one day. But first they needed to graduate.

On graduation day, Destiny looked in the stands. The only person to support her was David Duggan. He’d become her rock through this rough patch. He was in his dress pants and polo shirt sitting in the audience. When they called Tyler Duggan's name, Destiny was so proud. When they called Destiny's name, Tyler stood up and clapped for her pumping his fist. As part of their graduation present, they grilled burgers at the garage where Tyler worked.

She couldn't help but envy the love he was receiving from all the people in the shop. Even a few girls stopped by to wish him well. Destiny felt the pang of jealousy when he hugged them a little too long or a little too tight. But she only looked away. That night they danced and laughed then sat in the back of his truck talking till late into the night.

Tyler could see the hurt in her eyes during graduation. How could her sister not show up? Of all days, he thought. But he was determined to make the day as happy for her as it was for him. He knew James wouldn't want her at the party. But Tyler and Destiny had a mission. It was them against the world and whenever he'd see that lost faraway look in her eyes, he'd remind her.

As they were dancing to the music at the garage graduation party, Tyler held her close.  He held her hand and wanted her close by as he celebrated with his coworkers and friends. He cared about her. She was the one constant in his life. Even if she didn't know it, she'd been his drive. He competed to be good enough, and she was always there. Her drive fueled his. And now they would become an unstoppable power. “Are you having fun?” He asked Destiny.

“I am,” she said looking away. Tyler could tell something was bothering her. He'd become good at that over the last few weeks. “I just wish I had someone to share it with,” Destiny didn't have many friends. She'd learned to be by herself or with her sister. And now she didn't have that. She was feeling the loss of Dasha, Lilly and Lyle .

“You do. You have me. It's me and you ...”

“Against the world ,” She finished his statement and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Thank you so much. You have been a great friend” Then she placed he lips to his neck . Tyler responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her close. He loved the way she was so open with him about her feelings. He loved the way she felt when they snuggled on the sofa to watch all his action and sci-fi movies which she hated. He loved her hands in his as his friends congratulated him tonight. He loved her. Just her ...just Destiny. His destiny.

“We get married tomorrow. You ready?” He asked pulling away terrified by the thoughts running through his mind.

She giggled, “Do I have a choice?”

Tyler shook his head. They danced and laughed until the party ended. Many of his coworkers had collected money to help send Tyler off to college. They looked at Destiny and simply thought of her as his girlfriend. She'd spent many hours at the garage helping Tyler study and finish up a few projects. He worked the extra hours, saving the money they needed to prepare to leave for their new life in another state. His coworkers oohed and awed at the way they danced. Tyler and Destiny made sure to put on a show to make their relationship believable. Tyler had never dated a girl without having sex with her so spending time with Destiny was a new and welcomed experience.

Today was the day. Tyler and Destiny would be married. Destiny couldn't believe how fast the day had arrived since Tyler had met her with this crazy idea. But they were ready. They went to the courthouse, got the license and waited till their name was called to have the justice of the peace marry them.  They both agreed to speak their vows from their heart. As
friends
, they had agreed this was the right thing to do. So when the time came, Destiny spoke,“Tyler, my friend, my confidant. You have been with me through so much. I appreciate all you are. I want you to know that I will respect and cherish you from this day forward.”

In kind, Tyler responded, “You are my Destiny. Since we were seated together in kindergarten, you have been a driving force in my life. I too will honor you, respect and cherish you. This, I promise.’

At the announcement of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Duggan, for the first time, their lips met and Destiny relaxed into Tyler's embrace. There was something so gentle about his kiss. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair as she opened her eyes and they met for the first time as husband and wife. She'd never noticed how blue his soft his eyes were when he really focused on her. He kissed her on the cheek as her hands played through his hair. He held her close for a few more moments than necessary.

Tyler looked at her in her pretty floral maxi skirt and cardigan. He was dressed in his khaki pants from graduation and a polo shirt. He felt grown up. As a gift, his dad had given him the money to buy them two simple bands from the local discount jeweler. They were small and inexpensive but they meant the world to both of them. It was their reminder of their bond and their commitment to each other for a better life.

They walked through the courthouse hand in hand not wanting to let go. They were husband and wife.

Their wedding night was spent just like any other night. Tyler slept on the cracked overused sofa and Destiny returned to the bedroom. They'd already packed their things, prepared to drive out early the next day. Tyler mapped out their trip on Goggle maps. They would stop and eat for breakfast, lunch, and supper.

“Nine hours with stops could make for a long trip,” Destiny mentioned a week before they left . So Tyler decided to stop at the half way point and get a motel. Because Destiny couldn't drive, he decided the first thing they would do is teach her once that got to Bradford College.