Page 68 of Half Notes and Highlights
Tyler’s heartrate settled, and he felt foolish as he stood there ready to blast Wolf with a spray of fire, as if he’d really use beauty supplies to hurt someone. “Oh. Sorry.” He put them both down on the counter in front of the mirror. “What do you want to talk about?”
“What are you doing with Ethan?”
Heat burned Tyler’s cheeks, and the fear that had his heart racing a moment ago was nothing compared to the way it beat with anger right now. “We’re in love, and you need to step off. I’ve tolerated your rude comments and remarks out of respect for Ethan, but I’m fucking done.” He sliced his hand through the air. “Done! I have a thick skin. I’m from New York. But your attitude and insults are hurtful, and I’m not gonna take it anymore.”
“What insults?”
“You have something to say about everything. You constantly make fun of me!”
“I do not.”
“Just last night you said my clothes were ridiculous. That I looked like a creepy ‘70s porn star.”
“Those clotheswereridiculous. And I never said anything about creepy. I just said you looked like a porn star from the ‘70s.”
“All porn stars from the ‘70s were creepy!”
“You’re so fucking dramatic all the time. So out there. Can’t you just be normal?”
“Normal is boring. What’s it to you anyway? Why do you care what I do? Or say? Or wear?”
“Because you always have to be the center of attention. You show up one day to fix Ethan’s hair, and then you’re all he talks about. All he cares about is jetting off to see you instead of focusing on the band.”
“I never asked him to leave the tour to come visit me. He did that all on his own, so if you have a problem with that, take it up with Ethan. I never did anything to you. Nothing gives you the right to be such a fucking bitch to me. I was trying to be nice to you, and you throw mud at me every chance you get. You’re infuriating! I don’t know what Ethan ever saw in you!”
The hurt that covered Wolf’s face was instantaneous, and Tyler immediately wished he didn’t say that last part. “I’m sorry. That was mean. My temper got the best of me. I take it back.”
Wolf was quiet for several seconds while he studied the floor. “I deserved it.”
“Why do you hate me so much?”
“Because you stole Ethan from me.”
Tyler placed his fist on his hip, tired of the accusations and attitude. “I didn’t steal anyone. The two of you—” A sickening thought suddenly overwhelmed him. “Were you two serious? Exclusive?”
Wolf shook his head. “No. We’ve been together a long time. Weweretogether a long time,” he corrected. “But we were never exclusive.” He exhaled and let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “I don’t know if you can even say we were together. But . . . a part of me always thought we would be. So, when you came along, and he fell for you so fast and so hard, I was jealous. I’m not anymore,” Wolf said, quietly, his head hung low. “You won. Ethan picked you. I’m bowing out.”
“What does that mean? You’re bowing out?”
Wolf put his hands in his pockets. “I’m not going to stand in your way. I’m not going to be catty and bait you into an argument. That’s what I was doing. I know it was childish, but I couldn’t help it.”
Tyler wanted to believe Wolf. The guy certainly sounded sincere, but he wasn’t sure he could trust Wolf. “Why the sudden change of heart?”
“Because I want Ethan to be happy. And he is. With you. I never made him happy like you do. And I want to be happy too. I realized I can’t move on and find someone if I’m hung up on Ethan. If that’s even what I want.” Wolf let out an exasperated breath. “I don’t know what I want, anymore. I just know that I can’t move on with my life if I’m stuck pining after someone whonever wanted to be with just me, and who’s already moved on.” He let out another deep breath, this one deflating him. “I can’t do it anymore. I simply don’t have the energy. Or the fight.”
Tyler was quiet for a long time as he processed everything Wolf said. If anyone knew how it felt to be with someone who didn’t want exclusivity and to pine after someone who already moved on, and to just want to get on with your life, it was Tyler. “I could have been nicer too. I know I’m a drama llama. It wasn’t all you. I’m sure I gave you plenty to work with. I know I’m over the top, but that’s what I love most about myself.”
Wolf grunted a laugh. “I gotta give you credit. You don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. You’re authentic. You’re you. And you make no apologies for your fashion choices. You’re brave. Your confidence is admirable. I’ll give you that. By the way, I know those leather pants were from Jordan Betten. Some of the other stuff you wear is out there, but those pants are on point.”
Tyler couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His jaw dropped and his eyes opened wider with each statement coming from Wolf’s mouth. He shook his head as if to clear it. “I don’t know if I’m more shocked that you just said so many nice things about me or that you know the name Jordan Betten.”
“I’m an artist. And I don’t just mean a musician. I draw and paint. A lot. I know Jordan Betten for his art. I didn’t want to tell you this, but I designed the artwork for your trailer.”
“You did?” That probably shocked Tyler more than anything Wolf said today. “My flabbers have been gasted. You could knock me over with a feather. I think I need to sit down.” He slid into the salon chair and swung it around to face Wolf. “This conversation is turning out much differently than I expected. Thank you for the artwork. It’s amazing. I should probably apologize as well. I said things too. I’m sorry.”
“No. It was all me. From the beginning, I was rude and combative.”
“That’s true.”
