Beyond the Cherry Trees: The Cook Brothers Series (8 page)

“Tyler? What the hell?” My eyes widened as I tried to get a grip on what had just happened.

“Morning.” His lips pulled into a lopsided grin as he began walking toward my lowered window, all anger slowly melting away.

“What are you doing?” I stuttered. He just shrugged as he kept moving closer and finally leaning over the top of the car to stick his head through the window.

“Tay sent me, said something about your dad needing this order of pellets.” He waved his arms toward the bed of the truck that was wedged on the snowbank along the road. “I wasn’t counting on the roads being this bad. Cherryville winters suck!” he huffed as a low laugh rumbled out.

“Ditto,” I groaned. It was weird sitting here talking to him. We hadn’t said more than a handful of words to each other in years, and yet in the last few weeks we’d had two conversations that almost seemed normal. “My parents...” I let the words trail off.

“They don’t get it, do they?” He dropped his chin and kicked at the ground. Ty always understood me, and if he didn’t, he’d pretend that he did. When we were together back in high school, he always supported my dancing no matter what. I knew there were a million things that he would have rather been doing all those nights we spent in the studio, me dancing and him watching, but he stayed for me.

“I don’t think it’s that,” I murmured. “They just don’t understand why this is so bad,” I huffed, causing tiny snowflakes that were floating through my window to take off and swirl between us. “Crap!” I hissed, embarrassed as I reached up and touched my hair. In all the excitement of trying to keep from hitting him, I had forgotten that my hair was a mess, and I wasn’t wearing any makeup.

“What?” Ty smirked as he appraised me. “I’ve seen you at your worst,” he chuckled as I felt my face redden. It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen me like this before, it was more like I didn’t want him to. We weren’t together. I’d walked away years ago and never looked back. I honestly didn’t understand what was happening right now. He was nothing like the Tyler I had talked to at the charity ball.

“Do you want a ride back into town?” I swallowed as I looked away from him. I knew if I kept staring I might end up doing something that I’d regret. “Is Tay at the store? I could drop you there,” I kept rambling to try and keep my voice steady.

“That would be great.” He rubbed his gloved hands together as he rushed over to the truck. He reached in, grabbed the keys, and then trotted back to my car, rounding the front before climbing into the passenger side. “I’m gonna kill my brother,” he sighed as he closed the door, and tugged the snow hat off his head. I giggled, and his head snapped in my direction. “What?”

I could feel the tension slowly dissolving as I continued to giggle which soon turned into an all-out laugh. “You,” I pointed.

“What?” He turned to face me more as his eyes scanned me trying to figure out what was so funny.

“I don’t feel so bad anymore,” I sighed as I tried to control the laughter. I reached up and ruffled his messy hair as he rolled his eyes and slumped back into the seat.

“Very funny,” he groaned. “At least I’m dressed,” he muttered as my eyes dropped to scan my attire.

“I’m wearing sweats. How is that not dressed?” My brows furrowed as I jerked my head in confusion.

“This is not appropriate attire for a cold ass day like this.” He picked at the sleeve of my coat before reaching for his seatbelt. “Better put this on in case you decide to kill us with your stellar driving,” he mumbled.

“Excuse me?” I scoffed. I knew he was kidding, that was just Tyler, but I
was
ready to kick his ass out of the car before we even started moving. “What kinda shoes are you wearing?” I leaned to the side as if I was trying to see his feet.

“Why?” He glanced at me skeptically.

“I just want to make sure they’re good for walking seeing as you’re getting ready to be on foot again.” I tipped my head as I turned to face him.

“Sorry,” he rolled his eyes. “Can we go now? I was hoping to get breakfast before heading back home.”

“No more cracks about my driving. I saved your ass.” I narrowed my gaze as I sucked in a deep breath and put the car in drive. What the hell was I doing in a car with Tyler Cook? It felt weird but in a good way. When I had woken up this morning in my depressed state, I’d never thought that things would go in this direction. I knew he was back, but I had planned to avoid him. I didn’t think things could be so easy for us. We used to be like this, but once we left this town, we both changed. We grew up and somewhat apart. It felt odd being back. It was almost as if we’d skipped over the last two years and were picking up right where we left off.

I COULDN’T HELP
but stare at her as she sat there all flustered. Her eyes would dart to the side every few seconds as she tried to catch small glimpses of me. She thought she was being all secretive, but I knew better. I caught her every time, and every time she’d blush. “Is there something you want to ask me?” I tipped my head toward her, sliding my bent knee into the seat as I turned in her direction.

“No,” she shook her head. “Why?” The words were so quiet that I almost didn’t hear her.

“You keep looking at me. You need to watch the road,” I grumbled as I ran a hand through my messy hair.

Her foot left the gas and began slowing us as she pumped the brakes. As soon as the car came to a complete stop, she turned to face me with anger rolling across her face. “Do you want to drive?” she growled. I knew this look. This was the ‘I’m pissed at you, and you better shut up’ look.

“Something wrong?” I smirked as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Do. You. Want. To. Drive?” She narrowed her eyes on me as her face reddened. “Because if you don’t, I suggest you shut the fuck up!” she hissed. “I’m doing you a favor Ty. Stop pushing me!”

“Or what?” I taunted.

“Or I’ll,” she sputtered as she began frantically looking around. When both of us realized that she’d stopped on the edge of town, a small smile pulled at her lips. “I’ll make you get out.”

“That’s fine,” I shrugged. “It’s only a few blocks.” I turned toward the door and began to tug it open slowly.

“Oh for heaven’s sake,” she sighed as she tipped her head back and closed her eyes. Her foot pressed back on the gas causing my door to shut as she slowly made the rest of the drive into town. “You haven’t changed at all,” she muttered. “Still a stubborn ass with a need to tease and taunt me,” she murmured under her breath.

When we stopped in front of Cook’s Hardware, I couldn’t help but feel slightly sad. I was going to get out of the car and leave her there. It was a small town, so it wasn’t like we wouldn’t see each other again, but I was already missing her. This ten minute drive was a tease. “Wanna get breakfast?” I smiled hopefully as I put my hand on the door.

“I already ate at home.” She looked surprised by my invitation.

“Then what are you doing out here?” I waved my arms at the blustery weather outside.

“I needed an escape. I was going to the studio,” she mumbled as she turned away from me.

“You can’t dance. What did you think you were going to get done there?” I started to reach for her, but when she pulled away from me, I thought better of it. She wasn’t mine, and it seemed that she was trying to subtly remind me of that.

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I picked you up, didn’t I?” she snapped and there it was, the sting after the sweet. Mia had two sides, a sweet side and sour side. They went hand and hand with her personality. Whenever you saw one, the other wasn’t too far behind.

“How about coffee then?” I pushed open the door and climbed out. I stood there, one arm on top of the car, the other holding the door as I leaned in and waited for her answer.

“I could do coffee.” She gave me a sad smile. “I’m a mess though, Ty. Look at me,” she waved her hand down the front of her chest.

“I am,” I smirked.

“Stop,” she hissed as her cheeks reddened once again.

“No one’s going to be out today unless they’re nuts. The diner is probably half empty. Just come on,” I waved my arm, hoping she’d give in. I missed this. I missed her, and with everything that had been going on in my life lately, it felt nice to have something normal back. We might not be together, but I could pretend that Mia and I were something, friends maybe?

“Fine,” she huffed as she turned off the car. I watched her dig around in the purse she had in the back seat until she produced a brush. She yanked it through her hair a few time before tossing it back in her purse and twisting her hair in a knot at the base of her neck. There was the Mia I recognized. A bun was her signature hairstyle, and the way she’s worn it for most of the time I’ve known her.

She rolled her eyes as she peered at her reflection in the rearview mirror before tossing her keys in her purse, shoving the door open, and fumbling to get herself along with her crutches upright.

It took me a minute to jump into action, but as she fought with the door, I raced around to her side. “Sorry.” I chastised myself for not helping as I reached for her arm. She shook me off and scowled.

“I’m not helpless.” She tugged away from my grasp as she moved the crutches forward and began hopping toward the diner.

“Let me tell Tay about the truck, and then I’ll be right over. Get us a table, K?” I shouted at her back. She nodded and shook her head like she was mad at me before I sighed and turned to enter the hardware store.

“WHAT THE HELL
took you so long?” Taylor’s head popped up from around a corner as I tugged my hat from my head once again. “I was ready to send Trev out looking for you.”

“Very funny,” I grumbled. “You might need to call Mike,” I cringed as the words fell from my lips.

“Why? What’d you do?” Taylor stared at me as he narrowed his eyes. Now I knew why CJ spilled his guts to his dad so easily. Taylor had this look down, and he was one scary dude when he wanted to be.

“Well,” I started, backing up as I shrugged, “your truck might be in a ditch out near the Callahan place.” I placed my hand on the door to the store, ready to bolt like I did as a kid.

“Damn you Ty!” Taylor growled as he threw his head back in exasperation. “How old are you, sixteen?”

“Very funny. It’s bad out there.” I exaggerated by waving my arms around. Taylor came walking down the aisle with his arms loaded down with boxes of Christmas lights. “I can help with that,” I started to reach for them but thought differently when he growled at me.

“You’ve done enough.” He shook his head.

“Oh come on, Tay.” I dropped my arms at my side. “I’m not a little kid anymore. I’m sorry. Geez,” I shook my head before glancing back outside where Mia’s car was still parked. I didn’t think she’d leave, but I wouldn’t put it past her to sneak away when I wasn’t looking.

“Got a hot date or something?” Taylor teased.

“Something,” I mumbled as my eyes drifted toward the diner again.

“Did you walk all the way back here?” He put the boxes down on the counter by the register.

“No, I got a ride.” I glanced back at the diner again. It was like I could feel her staring at me.