Page 53 of Kiss Me Forever

"I didn't realize," Andrea mumbled, looking a little embarrassed by the fact that her friends knew more about his games than she did. "We'll have to talk more about the games."

"We can do that now," he said.

"Yes," she agreed. Turning back to her friends, she said, "I'm going to catch a ride with Alex. I'll talk to you later."

As the women left, Alex said, "I like your friends."

"Because they play your games?"

"It's nice to know that I have a female audience."

"I suspect you always have a female audience, Alex," she said dryly. "But while I'll be happy to hear about your games, I want to talk about you tonight. Is that going to happen, or are you going to come up with another unexpected emergency?"

"I waited for you, didn't I? Let's go."

"All right."

They walked out to his car without further discussion. As Alex got behind the wheel, his phone rang. Tyler's number flashed across the screen. It was extremely unusual for Tyler to call instead of text. "I'm sorry, I have to get this." He answered his phone. "Hello, Tyler?"

"I need help."

"What's wrong?"

"I wrecked the Monroe's car. They were going to kick me out anyway, but now I'm done."

His stomach tightened. "Where are you?"

"I'm at Homer and Third. I started running and I couldn't stop, but now I don't know where to go. You can't take me back there, Alex. I just need bus money. I'll go away. I'll get out of everyone's hair."

"Just stay put. I'll be there in ten minutes. I mean it, Tyler. Don't move." He set down his phone. "I need to pick someone up."

"Who's Tyler?"

"A fourteen-year-old kid who probably just ruined his life."

"And how is he your problem?"

"I'm his mentor, his Big Brother. I need to go get him. Do you want to catch a cab home? Mick will call you one."

"No, I'm coming with you."

He didn't want to take her along, but he also didn't have time to argue.

"Go, Alex," Andrea said.

"All right."

As he pulled out of the alley, she said, "Tell me about Tyler."

"He's a foster kid and a good kid, most of the time."

"What's happening now?"

"He said something about wrecking the family car. He's too young to drive, so I don't know what the hell is going on. He's in a pretty good situation. I hate to think he's wrecked that."

"Well, it sounds like he's not physically hurt, if that's any comfort," she said with a sympathetic smile.

"It is. Thanks. I thought you'd give me a hard time for another unexpected emergency."

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