Page 9 of Love is a Roller Coaster

A pang hits my chest. That’s where Tyler wanted me to enroll so I could stay here with him five years ago. I glance inside, my insides twisting as I take in all the sculptures and paintings, reminding me of what could have been.

I point at the gallery across the street. “Oh, I love this artist! Let’s go!” A total lie, because I’ve never heard of GerardBarbier before. After quickly checking for oncoming traffic, I run across the street as fast as my heels will allow.

Tyler appears at my side a moment later. I expect him to call me out for being a weirdo, but he stays quiet and just follows me inside.

Big mistake.

Huge.

Because this gallery is full of giant canvases with stick figures painted on them. Some are even accompanied by two-dimensional houses and flowers, the kind I drew when I was four.

“This is interesting,” Tyler says, suspicion lacing his voice. “You’re a big fan of this guy?”

“I…uh…it must be another…” I glance at the sign to remind me of his name. “Gerard Barbier.”

“Mm,” Tyler hums. “Well, we’re here, so let’s look around.”

We slowly pass by each painting, not saying a word. After a string of stick figure humans with stick figure dogs and cats, we get to a painting that is…well, let’s just call it abstract. I tilt my head, trying to get a better angle of the image in front of me.

“Is it any better sideways?” Tyler asks from behind me.

I grimace. “I’m supposed to be supportive of other artists, but…I’ll just say that I don’t understand this one.”

Tyler chuckles. “It looks like something my nephew would do.”

I turn to face him, finally ready to admit that this is a weird gallery. I speak in a soft voice. “You know, there are online quizzes where you have to choose if the artwork is done by a toddler or professional artist?”

Tyler shakes his head, an amused grin on his face. “And?”

“And…” I sigh. “It can be really hard to tell.”

He doubles over in laughter, resulting in a few heads being turned our way.

My cheeks flame. “Shhh,” I whisper, tapping him on the back.

“I’m so sorry,” he says, wiping his eyes. “This is just too much.” He straightens but can’t stop laughing and points at the door. “I’m gonna get some air.”

“I’ll come with you,” I say, unable to help the smile that’s hurting my cheeks.

As we walk outside together, I can’t help thinking that Tyler is sofun. I had forgotten how well we click. He’s been making commentary on all the paintings, but he also asks my opinion as an artist.

And as much fun as this night has been, it reminds me of the last time we walked along Main Street together, looking at the local art. His hand in mine, his lips on my cheek, whispers in my ear that one day my artwork could be on display here, too.

A shiver runs down my spine at the memory.No, Brooke. You let go of those goals years ago. You have new plans now.

But…do I?

Once we’re outside, Tyler freely lets his laugh loose. It’s so infectious, the deep notes filling my heart and making me giggle, too.

His laughter finally calms down enough so he can speak. “Oh, man. I hope Gerard Barbier wasn’t watching us.”

I snap my head to look back inside the gallery, analyzing the situation. “No one is looking at us now. I think we’re good.”

He nods and wipes his eyes again. “Sorry. I don’t know what came over me. But that was hilarious.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” I say. I twist my lips to the side. “Well, not to me. Maybe to Gerard.”

He chuckles. “I thought you said we were safe.”

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