UN-RELATED (UN-RELATED SERIES) (12 page)

“I really think you should tell him.”

“No, I’m not going to worry him needlessly. Come on, let’s go to a movie or something, okay?”

“You better tell him. I don’t want another phone call.”

“I already told him I’d be out with you tonight and to not worry.”

We saw a great movie and then we shared a chocolate shake before he drove me home. We had spent quite a bit of time kissing of late, and I honestly didn’t look forward to the end of the evening. I enjoyed my time with him, but kissing didn’t hold the magic for me that it so obviously held for him.

He walked me to the door and I noticed the curtains move and I assumed Joe was standing there watching us.

“I really think you should tell Kellan…”
Tyler said when he noticed the curtains moving.

“Kellan is very protective of me…I told you, I can’t tell him. There’s nothing he can do about it…there’s nothing that needs to be done.”

“Okay, I guess you’re right, but I still think he should know.”

He leaned down to kiss me and I was preoccupied with thoughts of Kellan and as
Tyler kissed me I found myself imagining it was Kellan kissing me. I closed my eyes and pretended it was Kellan and suddenly I found kissing much more enjoyable. I knew it wasn’t Kellan, but just thinking about him made me moan softly and kiss Tyler more aggressively. 

He responded to my kiss and soon we were locked in a tight embrace which ended abruptly when Joe opened the door and shouted, “That’s enough! Go home,
Tyler!”

I was breathing hard, but feeling very guilty because I didn’t want him to stop, but it wasn’t him that I wanted and I knew I had been wrong in kissing him like that while imagining it was Kellan.

“I’m sorry Mr. Filbert. It was my fault.”

“No it wasn’t! I’ll be in in a few minutes,” I snapped at Joe.

“Now, Abigail!”

I didn’t like his tone and I knew I better listen or there’d be trouble, so I said goodnight to
Tyler and walked inside.

“I didn’t think you were that kind of girl!” Joe snapped at me once I was behind closed doors.

“What kind of girl is that; a girl that kisses her boyfriend? So what! It was just a kiss. And who are you to care all of a sudden, anyway? You’ve never been interested in me before. Why the sudden interest in my personal life?”

“Yes Joe, why the sudden interest in her personal life?” Nancy barked from the doorway with venom.

“I um, it just doesn’t look good for her to be standing out there like that…kissing him!”

“Hmm, since when do you care about what the neighbors think?” she asked, cornering him.

I took my cue and slinked off to my room, leaving them to fight it out.

I showered and put on another one of Kellan’s old t-shirts and climbed into bed thinking about that kiss. That had been the first kiss I ever enjoyed, and I couldn’t help but wonder that if it felt so good pretending I was kissing Kellan, what would it be like to really kiss him?

“You’ll never know, so just get that thought right out of your head!” I scolded myself and turned over trying to go to sleep before the guilt of my actions kept me awake all night.

MY SURPRISE

“So, where are we going and why are you being so mysterious?” I asked
Tyler a week after our very passionate kiss. I had forced myself to only think of Tyler since then, and I realized, that as much as I cared for him, I didn’t feel that passion, that desire that I knew I had for Kellan, and our kisses were back to…boring.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Okay, I have a brand new dress. The lady at the boutique picked it out for me. I hope it’s okay, it’s a little different.” I had been feeling so guilty for deceiving Tyler with that kiss, that I decided I would spend a little of the money I had stashed from Kellan on a new dress that I would wear for Tyler.

“Um, Abby?”

“Yeah?”

“Nothing.”

“No, what were you going to say?”

“It’s just, you don’t have to go out of your way to be beautiful. You are beautiful…if anything, dress down.”

“But, you said it was a nice place, and I have this new dress. It was on sale too, so I didn’t spend a lot…”

“Okay, whatever you wear is fine!” he snapped.

“Are you okay?” I asked. He never snapped at me, never raised his voice, and other than the one time Kellan threatened him, he’d never even really been angry with me, so I was confused. And then it hit me, he knew I had been thinking of Kellan during that kiss. 

I knew I was in trouble and it was going to take a lot of pleading to get him to forgive me, so I took extra care to look my best and was ready and waiting when he showed up at the door right on time.

“This is how you play it down?” he snapped again. He sighed and said, “Okay, let’s go. I might as well get it over with…” he stopped.

“Get what over with?” I asked, stunned by his attitude, and then I realized he
was
angry about the kiss, so I kept quiet, grabbed my purse and we both headed to the car, silently.

We were both quiet on the way to the restaurant. I stared out the window and he drove in silence. It was obvious we were both miserable. I couldn’t understand why he would plan a surprise or anything special for me when he was so clearly upset with me.

When I could no longer stand the silence, I finally worked up the courage and whispered, “I’m sorry,
Tyler.”

“For what?” he asked, glancing at me for the first tim
e since we got into the car.

“For last weekend…for the kiss,” I mumbled softly.

“Why? That was the best kiss I’ve ever had. Didn’t you enjoy it? You certainly seemed to,” he grinned for the first time in two days.

“Yeah, about that…” I took a deep breath.

“We’re here.” He turned to me and said, “Abby, I love you.”

“I…”

“I don’t expect you to say it back. I just needed you to hear it. Promise me that no matter what happens…after tonight; that you’ll remember it, okay?”

I was confused. I thought he was angry with me, but now I realized it wasn’t anger. There was something bothering him, but if it wasn’t the kiss, then I didn’t know what it was. But, it had been bothering him all week.
             

I nodded, for lack of a verbal reply and waited for him to finish making his way around the car to open my door.

We were escorted to the table reserved in Tyler’s name and after the server took our drink orders I knew it was time to talk. I needed to know what was bothering him, and I needed to confess my sins. I took a deep breath, but before I could actually speak, Tyler’s phone rang. He covered the mouthpiece and said, “I’ll be right back, okay?”

I nodded and watched him walk away. He came back to the table a few minutes later and he was pale white.

“Are you okay?” I asked as he slowly sat back down in his seat.

“I um, I’m not feeling too well…suddenly.”

“I’m sorry. Let’s go home.”

“No, I’ll be fine. I’ll be leaving soon enough. I just have to know…see for myself.”

“Know what? See what?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

He was turning paler by the minute. “Tyler, what’s wrong with you? Are you getting the flu or something? You look like you’re going to pass out.”

“No, I’m okay,” he said and took a deep breath in and let it out slowly through pursed lips.

“You need to go home,” I started.

“No, I told you, I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. We’re going home. Just let me run to the ladies room. I’ll be right back, okay?”

“Yeah, sure.”

I stood up and kissed his cheek before heading to the ladies room…

“So, she really doesn’t know I’m here?” Kellan asked Tyler a few moments after Abby left the table.

“No, she doesn’t know you’re here. She’ll be surprised.”

“Great. I haven’t seen her in almost two years. I miss the little brat.”

“She’s um, she’s not so little…anymore. So, how long are you staying?”
Tyler asked, hoping that Kellan would leave now, before he saw her.

“Just a week, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”

“Good,” Tyler whispered, feeling sicker by the minute.

“What?” Kellan asked.

“Sorry, it’s just…nothing. She’s going to be thrilled to see you.”

Kellan nodded and looked up. “Wow,
she’s
beautiful!” Kellan said when he noticed a young woman across the restaurant, heading in their general direction.

“Believe me, I know. She’s the most beautiful person I know…inside and out,”
Tyler quietly agreed.

“Do you know her?” Kellan asked, but his eyes never left the young woman.

“What? Of course…” he said, looking at Kellan like he’d lost his mind.

“I’d love to get her number,” Kellan said, staring at the young woman heading their way.

“You have it!”

“What?” Kellan said, turning to face
Tyler now.

“I told you…she grew up,”
Tyler said, looking over at the love of his life and realizing his worst nightmare was about to come true.

Kellan turned his head and stared at the young woman again. She was trying to get by a group of men at a table, but they were blocking her path and insisting she join them.

“Well, now’s your chance…go be the big hero…again,” Tyler snapped, waiting for Kellan to save Abby from the drunken men.

“What? I don’t understand…”

“Are you going to step in, or am I?” Tyler asked, and when Kellan made no move to help her, he said, “Some big brother you are!” and he ran to Abby’s defense.

Kellan was in shock, “Abby?” he whispered to himself when he finally realized the beautiful young woman was his foster sister. 

I knew Tyler didn’t feel well, and I was doing my best to get back to the table, but a rather loud, rather drunk group of men had other ideas when I walked by.

“Come on, honey, join us…hell, join
me
!” one of the drunks slurred while blocking my path.

“Thanks, but I already have a date,” I said, trying my best to get around them.

“She’s with me! Hands off, or I’m calling the cops!” Tyler said, getting used to having to defend my honor.

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that. We were just having a little fun…we didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Glad to hear it. Goodnight,” Tyler said and grabbed my arm and led me back around the other way.

“I was fine,” I said, irritated that he had stepped in.

“Yeah, I can see that!” he snapped.

“What is wrong with you tonight?” I asked, completely baffled by his strange behavior.

He sighed and said, “I’m sorry, Abby.” He stopped walking and stood in front of me, blocking my view of the table. “Just um, do you remember what I told you in the car?” he asked, looking ill again.

“Yeah, why? What’s wrong,
Tyler?” I asked, starting to worry about him now.

“Abby, can I ask you for something?”

“Sure, of course,” I said, still confused.

“Would you kiss me, please?”

“Okay, as soon as we get in the car.”

“No, now! It has to be now!”

“We’re in a room full of people. I’ll kiss you, but not here,” I said and grabbed his hand.

“NO! It has to be now! Right now…before…please? I need one more kiss, please?” he begged in desperation.

“I don’t understand. What’s the hur…” and then I saw him over Tyler’s shoulder. “Kellan!” I whispered, my heart instantly picking up pace.

Tyler
sighed and said, “Surprise,” with not much enthusiasm. 

He started to take my arm and lead me back to our table, but reality quickly set in and when I realized it wasn’t a dream, I ran and threw myself into Kellan’s arms.

“You’re here! You’re really here!” I was completely unaware of the tears of joy streaming down my face, all I knew was that he was here and for the first time in almost two years, I felt alive.

He hugged me back but didn’t say a word.

I pulled back for a moment and looked up into his baby blue eyes and said, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I um, I wanted to surprise you,” he said, staring at me like he didn’t know me. “But, it looks like I’m the one who’s surprised.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” I asked, but I was unable to stop smiling.

“Noth…nothing, I just, I barely recognize you,” he mumbled.

“I told you, I’m not that little girl anymore,” I laughed and hugged him close again.

“No, no you’re not,” Kellan said with a look that
Tyler didn’t fail to notice.

I had completely forgotten that Tyler was even there until he said, “Well, I guess I’ll leave you two to catch up. Goodbye, Abby,” he said and started toward the door.

“
Tyler! Where are you going?” I asked, but refused to let go of Kellan, which was something else Tyler didn’t fail to notice.

“I’m going home. You have my number, Abby. Call me later,” he looked down and added, “…when
he
leaves.”

Suddenly it all made sense and I completely understood why Tyler had been acting so strange, and why he begged me for a kiss in the middle of a very crowded restaurant…Kellan was home.

“Don’t go, please. Why do you have to leave?” I asked.

“Yeah, join us,” Kellan said, still staring at me.

Tyler smirked and said, “I kind of figured that it would be ‘you’ joining ‘us’, but I guess I was wrong. I’ll see you later, Abby,” he said and walked away.

I knew having Kellan back home was killing
Tyler and I felt horrible for him. I was torn; I didn’t want to leave Kellan’s side for a single second while he was here, but I couldn’t let Tyler suffer like this. “Kellan, stay right here…for a minute, okay? I’ll be right back…I’m so happy to see you,” I said as the tears started again.

“Tyler! Wait!” I yelled as he opened his car door.

“What are you doing? You have what you want. He can give you a ride home, you don’t need me.”

“I do need you. Of course I need you. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Am I supposed to be unhappy that he’s here? What do you want me to say?”

“Oh God, Abby, I want you to say that you love me. I want you to look at me…just once, the way you
always
look at him. I’m here, Abby. I love you. I always have.”

The tears were starting again, “
Tyler, I do love you. Don’t you know that? I know I haven’t actually said it…before, but it’s true. I do love you.”

“Maybe
, but not like you love him,” he said and started to get into his car.

“What do you think’s going to happen?” I asked him.

“I don’t want to think about it.”

“
Tyler, please don’t make me feel guilty for wanting to be with Kellan. He’s always been there for me. And, I’m sorry, but I do love him…but I also know that I can’t have him. And, I do love you…I grow to love you more all the time. He’s going to leave…go back to his life…and that woman…” I sighed. “I know he doesn’t want me, like you do. I know that. I know you’re here for me, and that you love me. That hasn’t changed…nothing’s changed. But please, I haven’t seen him in so long. Don’t make me feel guilty for wanting to be with him…he’s just here for a short time…and he only thinks of me as his little sister.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Tyler, you’re the one for me…just you. He doesn’t want me…not like that.”

“You didn’t see how he was looking at you. I don’t think he sees you as his little sister anymore.”

“He’s just shocked that I’ve grown up. Trust me, he doesn’t want me.”

“I do. I always will,”
Tyler said while focusing his attention behind me.

“What are you looking at?” I asked, starting to turn around.