Chapter 16
Tyler
“Igot a few extra things, so feel free to eat whatever looks good.” I pile food onto my plate while stealing glances at Audrey as she looks over the dinner spread out on her coffee table.
When she opened that door, my heart skidded to a stop.
I’d never experienced a feeling so strong as I did when I saw her, dressed down in her pajamas with her hair a little untamed.
She looked stunning and cozy all at the same time.
It was a sight that, for a brief moment, I thought I wouldn’t mind coming home to every day.
Which is insane. Unhinged.
And yet…
Even as Audrey carefully scoops food out of the containers and places it on her plate, every cell in my body is telling me that she’s it. This is exactly where I want to be.
As we continue eating, my eyes go back and forth between the TV and her. Without a doubt, I enjoy watching the latter significantly more. “I’m glad I could see you today.”
The smile she wears is shy, and I’m obsessed. “I’m glad you called.” As she pushes food around her plate, her smile drops a little. “It’s been a…day.”
I frown, not liking the sadness creeping into her tone. Before I can press her for more information, she looks up and asks, “Have you ever been skydiving?”
At the random question, I let out a small laugh. “I’ve done it a few times. I actually have a friend who owns a skydiving company a little ways outside of Nashville.”
Surprise has her eyebrows jumping. “Really? Was it scary?”
I take a sip of my beer. “I don’t think I could say it was scary to me, but my mom did it once, and she was scared before she went. Once she was back on the ground, she said she loved it.”
Audrey nods thoughtfully as she finishes chewing her food.
“You thinking about doing it?” I ask.
Sadness takes over again when she shakes her head. “My mom wants to do it. And I want to make it happen for her.” She grimaces. “And I feel like I should do it with her.”
“Let me get in touch with my buddy. I can get it all set up for you.”
She chews on her bottom lip for a few seconds as her eyes search my face. The hint of pain in her gaze tears me up. “Thank you, Tyler. If possible, we need to go very soon.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Curiosity sits heavy in my gut, not just about why there’s an urgent need to go skydiving, but also about everything Audrey. But for tonight, I’ll take whatever she wants to give me. I pull out my phone and scroll through until I find the person I need.
Me: Jeffrey, it’s been a while. I need a huge favor. Is there any way you can fit two people in for a tandem ASAP?
Once I set my phone down on the coffee table, I put a little more food on my plate. Glancing over at Audrey, I tell her, “I texted him. He’s usually good about getting back to me, so should hear back in no time.”
Her smile is small, but I’m glad to see it. “You’re amazing.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Nope, just want to help you in any way I can.” Noticing the pile of books on the table next to the couch, I ask, “Reading anything good recently?”
She glances over her shoulder at the books. “Yeah, one is a reread of my favorite romance book. Then someone recommended a thriller that I picked up, even though romance is my favorite.”
“I used to read all the time as a kid. Me and my mom would go to the library every week. But then I got older, and it seemed less cool to read, which, looking back, was dumb,” I admit.
She shakes her head. “I totally understand that. I was made fun of for being a bookworm, so I know how that goes. Maybe you can get back into it.”
Tapping my temple with my finger, my eyes lock onto hers. “I have an idea.”
Audrey lets out a breathy laugh and raises her eyebrows in question.
“How about you give me your favorite book to read, and I’ve already told you my favorite movies, so you can pick one of those to watch.”
She eyes me skeptically. “You’re going to read a romance novel?”
I nod emphatically. “If that’s your favorite book, I sure am.”
Audrey reaches over and grabs the book on top of the pile and thrusts it into my hands. The cover doesn’t give a lot away about the story, but I’m excited to read something that she cares about.
Giving her a smile, I wiggle the book in the air. “I can’t wait to read it.”
She laughs. “I can’t wait to hear what you think. So, what movie will I be watching?”
I tell her the name of my favorite action movies, one I’ve seen many times. “Have you seen that one?”
“Nope. I’m glad it’s not a scary movie because I cannot do those. At all. I’ll have nightmares for weeks.”
My phone vibrates where it sits on the table, and I lean forward to pick it up. “Don’t worry, I don’t really like horror, so you’re in luck.” I open my text and look up at Audrey to find her watching me expectantly. “You’re all set for Saturday.”
Her face beams. “Really? Are you serious?”
“Jeffrey’s confirmed. You two are going skydiving.”
She lets out a little squeal of excitement and launches herself at me. I catch her while balancing my plate so I don’t drop it. Her lips find my cheek in a smacking kiss.
It may be tame compared to the other night, but this simple moment means more to me than anything.
“You going up with us today?” Jeffrey walks over to me as I stand impatiently waiting for Audrey and her mom to arrive.
My arms are crossed, and I’m staring intently at the dirt road carved through the field, leading to where Jeffrey and his team prep customers for their flights.
Jeffrey didn’t question me the other night when I texted him asking if he could get two people in as soon as possible.
He even moved a few groups so he could open up his Saturday to do this for me.
I glance over my shoulder as he joins me in my staring contest with the empty road. “No, I’m just here for support. I want to be on the ground when they land.”
“I see…”
Narrowing my eyes, I explain, “This is their first time. I want to be here when they land in case they need anything.”
Jeffrey’s smirk grows. “Something my team wouldn’t be able to handle?”
Scowling, I turn back to the road. My stomach jumps with excitement when I spot a car slowly coming in our direction. “Here they come,” I mutter, more to myself than to my friend.
I start walking toward them as the car rolls to a stop in front of the small building used as an office. I’m not sure what Audrey told her mom about me, so as much as it kills me, I resist giving Audrey a kiss when she steps out of the car and turns her irresistibly bright smile my way.
“Goddamn, she’s fucking hot,” Jeffrey comments under his breath from my side.
Molten jealousy rips through me, and I elbow him, maybe a little too hard in his ribs, if his pained grunt is any indication.
“Noted,” he breathes out on a wheezing laugh.
I ignore him and close the distance between me and Audrey. Her mom’s rounding the front of the car as she looks around the property, her smile just as wide and infectious as her daughter’s.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” I call out. “You ready to fall thousands of feet through the air?”
Audrey’s expression turns distressed while her mom’s fills with elation.
“Which one of you is Tyler?” Audrey’s mom’s eyes dart between me and Jeffrey.
I raise my hand, nervousness sneaking its way in. “That would be me.”
I’ve never met the parents of someone I’m dating, even if that label might be a stretch for what’s going on between me and Audrey. For now, anyway.
“Tyler, thank you so much for arranging this for us. I’m Kelly Grey, Audrey’s mom.” She spreads her arms wide. “Can I give you a hug?”
Audrey groans in embarrassment as she mumbles, “Mother.”
“I would love a hug, Ms. Grey.” I catch Audrey’s eyes over her mom’s shoulder, and one side of her lips lifts in an apologetic smile. I wink at her before letting go of her mom.
Kelly laughs and pats her daughter on the shoulder before turning to Jeffrey. “And are you who owns this place?”
Jeffrey smiles at the older lady. “Yes, ma’am, I am. I’ll be taking one of you tandem with me while the other one goes with Max. You’ll meet him shortly.”
My smile falls when I realize Audrey will be in very close proximity to some other man for her jump.
Never in my life have I wished I were a certified tandem instructor until today.
Not that I don’t trust Jeffrey and his team, but I wish I could be the one experiencing Audrey’s first jump with her.
And having her literally strapped to my body wouldn’t be so bad either.
Jeffrey ushers us all into the office to complete the paperwork before starting the safety briefing and getting everyone suited up. He and Kelly walk ahead, and I match my pace to Audrey’s.
“You look much less excited than your mom. You sure you want to do this?”
She huffs out a laugh. “I’m freaking terrified. But I need to do this with my mom. I’ll regret it if I don’t.”
Nodding, my hand goes to her lower back as we climb the few stairs up to the door of the office. “It’ll all be great. I promise.”
Audrey stops at the top of the stairs and turns to me.
When a piece of hair blows in front of her face, I reach up and tuck it behind her ear, the ever-present electricity lighting up where my fingertips trace her soft skin.
Her arms go around my waist, and she rests her cheek on my chest. My arms wrap around her and hug her tight against me.
“I know I said this before, and will probably say this again, but thank you for arranging this. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it means.”
Not being able to fight the urge with her body pressed to mine, I drop a kiss to the top of her head, inhaling her sweet scent. “You don’t need to thank me. I’m glad it all worked out and Jeffrey could get you two in.”
Audrey sighs and steps out of my hold. Her smile is shaky when she says, “Alright, let’s go get this over with.”
My hand returns to her lower back as we take the last few steps toward the door. “That’s the spirit.”
The laugh Audrey lets out as she pulls the door open is strained, but she seems slightly less tense. All I can hope is that this experience is amazing for her and her mom, so this memory will bring them joy for years to come.