Chapter 77
RAIN
Iwasn’t surprised when he took us to an indoor ice rink.
He said he had booked something, but judging by the full parking lot, it wasn’t this rink.
As we went inside, the front entryway was full of people.
Grandparents. Parents. Teenagers. Little kids were running around.
Some were putting on skates. More than a few glanced our way and once they saw Tyler, they didn’t look away.
A small buzz started and I waited to see if people would approach Tyler.
He didn’t give them a chance. He took my hand and led me to the front desk where he paid for the general skate admission price.
The attendant gave the price, looking and sounding bored.
Tyler paid in cash.
“Do you need skates?” the attendant asked, now actually looking at us.
Tyler shook his head. “Got our own.” He had grabbed a pair he kept in his truck and led me to the rink, sitting on one of the side benches.
More than a few people followed us, watching. Phones were being lifted and aimed at Tyler. “You okay with the attention?”
Tyler had bent over to put his skates on but looked around before shrugging. “A few of the younger skaters might come over for an autograph, but it’ll be fine. You okay with it?”
I laughed. “After last night’s game?” It was meant as a joke, but some of my chuckle faded because truth be told, I didn’t think I’d ever get used to it. But this was Tyler and his world and I wasn’t leaving. I reached over to squeeze is knee. “I’ll be fine.”
He was still studying me, serious, and straightened after he finished with his skates. “You sure?”
I nodded, bending to put mine on. “What’s your plan?” I stood when I was done.
Tyler grinned, his eyebrows dipping a little as he observed me. “What do you mean?” He stood as well and I led the way.
“I mean…” Once my skate hit the ice, everything synced up inside of me.
It felt like home. Me. Tyler. Feeling the glide underneath me.
A sudden rush hit me, making me dizzy. I quickly eyed who else was on the ice.
Little kids that were pushing penguin and seal skate helpers.
There were some teenagers. Moms and dads.
A few older people as well, but in the rink, mostly everyone was paying attention to themselves.
My gut stirred. That was about to change.
I flashed Tyler a grin as I smacked his arm. “Tag. You’re it.” Then I was off.
I heard his laugh and knew he was skating behind me.
Neither of us could go as fast as we would’ve in an empty rink, but it was fun. Dodging people. Using the skate helpers to block him. People were watching us. I knew that. Caught more than a few phones pointed our way from the side, but I couldn’t bring myself to worry about any of the attention.
It was a rush, almost matching Tyler in speed. He caught me, but he didn’t catch me right away and I could tell that we were both surprised at how much he had to work to get me.
After the eighth time we just transferred who was “it,” Tyler came up behind me and grabbed my hips. His chest warmed my back and he held me, as we both continued skating at a more leisurely pace. He dipped his head and I felt his breath against my neck. “I want this forever.”
My insides exploded.
Twisting my neck, I looked up at him and found him watching me, his eyes were so dark, filled with a piercing somberness.
His hands squeezed my hips. “Forever, Rain.” He was slowing us down and he had drawn us over to the boards.
At the moment, no one was around us so we had our own little section here.
“I want this till I’m shitting my pants. ”
“Tyler.” I half-laughed, half breathless too.
He moved around so he was facing me and pulled me against him again. “I mean it. If you don’t want the same, you need to let me go. Do it now while I’ll still shatter, but later…you’ll absolutely destroy me.”
I slid my hand up his chest, around his neck, and my fingers sank into his hair. Taking a good fistful before I looked him straight in the eyes. “You can shut up about that.” I yanked on his hair. “It’s forever for me too.”
His eyes were smoldering. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
He closed his eyes, his shoulders loosening, and he touched his head to mine. “Where have you been all my life?”
A twinge went up my spine, making me feel alive. Intoxicated.
My throat swelled up. “Lost.”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “Not anymore and not ever again.”
My heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest.
He dropped his forehead to my shoulder and sighed. “I booked us our own dine-in theater.”
“You did what?”
He lifted his head, a primal glaze over his eyes and he blinked it away before he could respond.
“I thought after an hour of skating, we’d be hungry.
I wanted it to be all date-like and what’s more like a date than dinner and a movie?
But I hate watching movies with strangers so I booked a whole theater.
There’s supposed to be wine and flowers waiting for you. ”
I was almost afraid to ask. “What movie?”
“Fuck if I know. It looked like killer zombie nuns or something.”
He brushed a kiss to my forehead just as we heard a nervous, “Uh, Mr. Griffin? Could I get your autograph?” And our little moment was officially invaded, but by a boy who looked fourteen years old. Not killer zombie nuns.
I pulled away, giving Tyler some space as a few more people came over for autographs. Some wanted pictures with him. A few just wanted to ask who he was and to talk to him. Tyler was kind to each person until we were able to make our way out of there, heading for the theater.
He was right. The wine and flowers were romantic. There was a whole bouquet of lilacs and where he was able to order lilacs on such short notice, I had no idea. I was impressed. They smelled wonderfully.
The dinner was amazing.
The movie… The movie was actually romantic. They were fighting to live and they needed to sacrifice for the other a dozen times and in the end, there were tears. The dad chose to hold off the zombie nuns so his family could escape.
Tyler was sniffling next to me.
When the credits rolled across the screen and the theater lights turned on, I patted Tyler’s hand. “You okay?”
“Yep.” He cleared his throat, blinking as if there hadn’t been any tears on his face at all. He stood. “All good. You? You good?”
I took the moment just to appreciate him. “I think you cried more when the family horse died.”
“Oh, God.” He had to turn away before he was composed again. He held up a finger. “She was their family member. She was good. All animals are good and don’t tell me they aren’t.”
My chest filled with tenderness. Well, if I hadn’t known before now, I knew for an absolute certainty now. We’d started for the door where some of the staff members were waiting to come in and clean.
I paused half way there. “Tyler?” My voice was hoarse.
“Yeah?” He threw me a glance, but catching the expression on my face, he wheeled all the way around. “What is it?”
“Ask me again.” Still hoarse.
“Ask you what…” But he stared at me before comprehension flared and his eyes got big. Real big. “Will you marry me?”
My heart was stuck in my throat but I was able to whisper, “Yes.”