Page 32 of This Is Why

LEXI

Even though I’mthe one who made Ty leave—and I stand by that decision, babies are important, thank you very much—I miss the hell out of him. He left this morning and I haven’t heard much from him since, which is fine, because again, babies are important. Ty has only been in Brookside for five days, but he’s made himself a nice little place in my heart and I feel his absence almost as deeply as I feel his presence. Gabe was nothing but a steady stream of Ty this and Ty that when I put him to bed, so it’s evident there’s a Tyler-shaped place on my son’s heart, too.

Ourson’s heart.

It’s time I get used to sharing him now. I just wish, because it is so nice having Ty around, that he didn’t have to leave again so soon. And while I’m busy wishing, I wish he didn’t live all the way on the other side of the country. Every time I start thinking it’s time to tell Gabe the truth, every time I start thinking there’s something real between Ty and me, some chance for the three of us to grow into a little family, I come right back to the fact that there’s a thirteen-hour plane ride separating us. That’s right. Thirteen hours. And that’s if I decide to go crazy and pick a flight without layovers. Can you imagine that with a six-year-old?

There has to be a way to make this work, but I’ll be damned if I can seeit.

My phone vibrates with an incoming text just as I sit down with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and the intention of binge-watching Orange Is the New Black on Netflix. I snatch my phone up off the coffee table and my stomach flutters with excitement when I see Ty’sname.

Ty: Hey, you.

Me: Hey. I’ve been thinking aboutyou.

Ty: Right back atcha, kid.

I consider inviting him over, but it’s late and for all I know, he might still be in Grayson visiting his sister. I scroll through the Netflix menu until I get to OITNB, fast forward through the atrocious song that plays during the opening credits, and then hit pause to send Ty atext.

Me: Obviously your sister didn’t kill you for neglecting your brotherly duties and ignoring her for solong.

Ty: She did not. She did, however, tell me I was a fool if I didn’t spend every last second I have in Brookside withyou.

Me: You told her aboutme?

Ty: Of course I told her about you. Why wouldn’t I tell her about the woman who is systematically changing my life for the better with each passingday?

I hold the phone to my heart and smile up at the ceiling. Before I can think of a way to respond, another text comesin.

Ty: This would be easier if you’d open your door. Texting is so impersonal.

I frown. If I opened my door? He’s here? Happiness surges through me. I push off the couch and fling open my door and there he is in all his glory. I do a full body scan because yes, please! This man is eye candy at its finest and I am not above objectifying him. Not at all. Even in a t-shirt and shorts he looks amazing.

“Have you been out here this whole time?” I ask as my gaze settles on his handsomeface.

“From the moment I hit send on the firsttext.”

“You could have just knocked, youknow.”

“Yeah, but this is more fun.” He sweeps me into his arms and kisses me as he walks us backward into the house, kicking the door shut on the way. My body responds to his and I grab him by the belt and lead him down the hallway towards my bedroom. His sister is right. We’d be fools to waste even a second of alone time. Once my bedroom door is closed and locked behind us, I get down on my knees and undo his belt and then his pants.

“What do you think you’re doing?” heasks.

“You got to taste me. Now I want to taste you.” I lower his pants and underwear and his cock springs free, thick and veiny and bigger than I remember it. I lick along his shaft, running my fingernails along his inner thighs and just as I suck his tip into my mouth, I gently brush my nails against his balls. He groans and his dick jumps in appreciation. I bob my head along his length, pushing him as far back into my throat as I can manage.

“Fuck, Lex.” Ty takes my hair in his fist. “That feels sogood.”

I look up at him as I swirl my tongue around and around and the feral pleasure on his face sends heat coursing between my legs. I slide a hand into my waistband and down into my panties, circling my clit in time with my bobbing head. Ty closes his eyes and lets his head drop back and I swear he’s about to come, but instead of chasing down his orgasm, he pullsback.

“That’s enough,” he says. “I need to haveyou.”

He pulls a condom out of his wallet and slides it in place. I don’t complain this time even though I want to. He knows I don’t like them, but maybe, given Gabe’s existence, Ty feels better being safe. He stretches me out on the bed, gathers my wrists in his hand and pins them over my head and then stares down at me. His gaze is heated yet soft and a smile tugs at the corner of hislips.

“You are so beautiful, Lexi. I could stare at you all day and still wantmore.”

He kisses me, his mouth tender, his breath sweet, and then in one smooth motion, he slides himself into me. He never breaks eye contact, not once, and we move towards climax together, our chests heaving, our hearts pounding, and something perfect building betweenus.

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