Love's Destiny (Love Trilogy #2) (12 page)

I set my keys on the table in the foyer and followed the sound of voices into the kitchen. Destiny was there, perched on a stool at the counter watching her parents while they cooked. She turned and faced me as soon as I entered the room. I avoided eye contact.

“Hey Ty, just in time for supper.” Aunt Katherine said cheerfully.

“Great. I’m starving.” I tried to sound enthusiastic.

“Can you set the table Destiny?” Aunt Katherine asked and it took a great deal of effort for me not to look over toward Destiny at the sound of her name.

“So what were you up to today?” Uncle Mike asked as we all moved to the kitchen table for dinner.

“Job hunting.” I said as I took a seat still keeping my eyes averted. I knew she was looking at me, I could feel it.

“Really?” Aunt Katherine said sounding startled. “You don’t have to do that Tyler, if you      need anything…”

“I think it’s a great idea.” Uncle Mike interrupted. “Better than sitting around the house all the time.”

I smiled at him for the support. He understood that what I needed most right now was to keep busy.

“Well I guess that’s true.” Aunt Katherine conceded

“So where did you apply?” Destiny spoke up and involuntarily I raised my eyes to look at her. My breath caught in my throat but I struggled to keep my face impassive.

“All over.” I replied looking back down at my plate.

She didn’t say anything else and neither did I. Uncle Mike started talking about some property he was scouting for his new art gallery and I was grateful that the attention had shifted from me.

After dinner I made a quick escape and didn’t come back out of my room all night. Destiny didn’t come to my door.

The following morning, I didn’t hide in my room. I came downstairs and ran into Destiny in the kitchen. She was perched on a stool eating some scrambled eggs and talking with Aunt Katherine.

“Morning Tyler.” Aunt Katherine smiled brightly “Hungry?” she asked already scooping some eggs onto a plate for me.

“Sure.”  I said and pulled up a stool right next to Destiny.

I didn’t look at her. I ate my eggs in silence and so did she. Aunt Katherine left the kitchen, maybe she sensed the tension and thought we needed some privacy. I wished she hadn’t. The silence was heavy in the air.

I gobbled down my eggs as quickly as possible and then left without a word. I thought I heard Destiny huff behind me as I left the room.

Again I devoted my day to job hunting. This time I got lucky and found a hardware store that was looking for a stock boy. The hours would work with my school schedule and I’d make enough to keep gas in the truck.

Destiny was waiting for me on the front steps when I got home that night.

“What’s your problem?” she demanded as soon as I stepped out of the truck.

“Don’t have a problem.” I said coolly

“Then why won’t you talk to me?” she asked anger still in her voice

“We’re talking now.” I retorted

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.” her voice a little softer now.

I wished she’d stay angry. Angry was easier to handle than sad.

“If you’re itching for conversation why don’t you just call Blake?”

“That’s not fair.” She whispered looking hurt.

“Life isn’t fair.” I snarled as I pushed past her and walked for the door.

If I had to look at those sad eyes another moment the façade would crack. I wouldn’t let her see the emotions that were rumbling inside me. I wouldn’t let her know how much she’d hurt me again. She’d only feel sorry for me, and I didn’t need her pity.

“Tyler.” I heard her call after me, but I ignored her and went straight to my room.

The silence continued between us. She didn’t try to talk to me again. I tried to convince myself it was for the best. No sense in making a fool of myself confessing feelings that would not be returned.

The night before she left for New York she came to my room and knocked on the door. I hadn’t expected it to be her. I smiled instinctively at her before locking down my feelings and putting on the mask I’d been wearing the last several days.

“I just wanted to say goodbye.” She told me.

My heart ached and my stomach tensed.

“Goodbye.” I said not able to hide the emotion in my voice this time.

“I’ll miss you.” She whispered.

“I’ll miss you too.” I conceded trying to smother the hope that was blooming inside me. I tried to remind myself that she’d miss me just like she’d miss her brother.

“I’ll be back for Thanksgiving.” She told me

“I’ll be here.” I said regaining my indifference

She stared into my eyes for a moment and I had to look away. I couldn’t look into those beautiful blue eyes and keep my cool.

I did look at her, however when I felt her place her hand against my cheek. My eyes met hers and I could see the turmoil there.

“I’ll miss you.” She said again and then turned and walked away.

Mom came with me to New York City to help me get settled in. Since the residence rooms come fully furnished I had packed lightly. Mom thought it would be fun to go shopping once in New York City to get the linens and accessories that I would need for my room. I definitely agreed. I was so excited to finally be arriving in New York. I’d dreamt of this day for years.

Although I’d spent countless hours imagining the splendor of New York City nothing could have prepared me for the vibrant energy of the bustling city. I loved it! I loved the crowded streets and bright lights, the energy, the people, the noise, I loved it all. I couldn’t blink as we drove down 65th street toward Lincoln Center and the Juilliard School. I tried to absorb every sight every sound with my face practically pressed to the glass of the taxi window.

I already had my dorm assignment. My room was on the 18th floor of the Rose Building. Mom and I carried my bags through the entrance and checked in with security before taking the elevators up to the main residence floor. The halls were crowded with students and parents, carrying luggage and searching for room numbers. Some students lounged on the couches watching the big screen TV or playing pool. Obviously they were the returning students who were already settled in. It was easy to pick out the first year students like myself, we were all scrambling around with varying expressions of fear and excitement.

We made our way up to the 18th floor and easily found the suite that contained my room. There were four suites on each floor. Each suite contained a communal living room, 2 soundproof practice rooms, 3 double bedrooms and 2 single bedrooms with 2 1/2 bathrooms.

The single rooms were reserved for returning students. I would be sharing my double room with a dance major from Oklahoma City named Carrie. I had been given her contact information when I received my room assignment and she and I had emailed each other a few times over the last week. She hadn’t arrived yet.

“So what’s first?” Mom asked excitedly as she helped me unpack “Dinner or shopping?”

“I’m starving!” I replied laughing at her exuberance

“We really should have brought your Aunt Amy along.” Mom sighed, “She would love to have free reign to decorate this room.”

“I think we’ll manage.” I said putting my arm around my mom “I’m really glad you came with me.”

“I couldn’t send my baby off to New York City all alone.” Mom said squeezing me “I’m still not sure how I’m going to leave.”

I kissed her temple and turned away to finish filling the small dresser an
d closet with the clothes I’d
brought. I didn’t want to clutter the bathroom with my personal items, so I left them in my travel bag on top of the dresser. I looked around at the room and took inventory of what I needed. Bedding was definitely top of the
list if I planned on sleeping.

“Ok, dinner first and then shopping.” I said and Mom nodded in agreement.

We walked along 65th Street taking in the sights and sounds as the sun set and the city came alive. We ate at a small bistro and then easily found a large department store that had everything we needed. All I had planned on buying was a bedding set and pillows, but Mom was an unstoppable force.

By the time we’d left the store I not only had a bedding set being delivered but also a small stereo system, television, phone, microwave and lap top computer. Mom ignored my insistence that all this stuff wasn’t necessary and finally I stopped resisting and allowed her to splurge. She seemed to be having just as much fun as I was.

On return to the residence hall we stopped off at the 11th floor Residence Life Office and rented a small refrigerator for the room as well. Mom oversaw the delivery of everything we’d purchased, helping me set up the small kitchenette with the microwave and rented refrigerator.

“You need a coffee pot.” Mom frowned as if frustrated that she hadn’t already thought of it.

“I’ll manage.” I assured her “There are plenty of coffee shops nearby”

She ignored me as she moved to my room and straightened the deep purple comforter over the bed again, adjusting and readjusting the gold trimmed throw pillows. I watched her from the door of the room smiling at how reluctant she was to admit that I had what I needed and her job was done.

We set up the TV in the communal living area and the laptop and phone on the desk in my room. I placed a small picture that I’d brought of our family on top of the dresser and smiled at how that one small addition made me feel at home.

Other students were bustling in and out of the suite now, unpacking and settling in. Mom looked around one last time, I could see the desperate need to find something else to do. Any excuse to stay a little longer. We both walked over to the large windows overlooking the Hudson River. The view was magnificent.

“Your father would love to paint this.” Mom commented looking out over the moonlit view. I nodded silently.

The room was crowded now and Mom reluctantly turned away from the window and looked into my eyes.

“You’re going to be ok.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.

“I know.”

“I expect you to write.”

“I will.”

“And you’ll be home for the holidays. No excuses.”

“Of course.” My throat was getting tight in anticipation of the inevitable goodbye.

“I love you.” Mom whispered as she pulled me close for one last hug

“I love you too.” I said as I buried my face in her hair the way I’d often done as a child. I absorbed her scent and committed it to memory.

“Okay then.” She said cheerfully pulling back and holding me at arm’s length for one last look. Mom took a deep breath and I could see the tears she was holding back.

“You’ll write and call.” She said again.

“I can’t if you don’t leave.” I laughed back the tears that were threatening to spill over.

“Okay then.” She said again nodding briskly. “Talk to you soon.”

“Talk to you soon.” I repeated, it was easier than goodbye.

I stood with my back to the window and watched my mom walk out of the room. She glanced back once at the door and I smiled at her for support. As she disappeared from view I felt a mixture of sadness and exhilaration. I was on my own.

I walked into my room and sat on the edge of the bed. Looking around at the small space that was my new home.

“Oh my gosh!” a southern tinted voice squealed from the doorway.

I turned to see a cute little strawberry blonde with big blue eyes and pixie like features, she was tiny and delicate and her face held the innocence of a child.

“Isn’t this amazing? This is just amazing!” She drawled in that southern accent with a huge smile spreading from ear to ear. She walked into the room and spun in a circle giggling. I sat on the edge of the bed watching her in amusement. I wasn’t sure if she’d even noticed me sitting here yet.

“Oh! You must be Destiny!” she exclaimed when she finally stopped spinning and took notice of me.

I smiled and stood to extend my hand, I was a good six inches taller than her, she couldn’t be more than five foot tall.

“Carrie Anne Moss.” She introduced herself with that adorable southern drawl shaking my hand.

“Destiny Carter.” I replied. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

“It is isn’t it? I mean this is all just so amazing! Have you ever seen anything so amazing? I’ve never been anywhere so amazing!” She was bubbling with excitement

“Amazing.” I agreed and we both laughed.

I helped Carrie unpack while she told me all about her family back in Oklahoma. She was the middle child of 6 siblings. Her family had a farm in a rural area just outside Oklahoma City. She had been taking dance lessons since childhood and had worked as a carhop at a 50’s style diner all through high school in addition to babysitting every weekend to save up enough money to come to Juilliard.

Dancing was the only thing she’d ever wanted to do and she overflowed with excitement at finally making it to New York to realize her dreams. Her enthusiasm was contagious.