15. McKenzie
FIFTEEN
MCKENZIE
It’s been two weeks since I woke up in Tyler’s lap, and I haven’t let it happen again. There have been a few nights where we stayed up playing card games, but we both went to bed at a reasonable hour. And I’ve had more fun on those nights than I have in a long time. I’m even starting to look forward to the next time, even though they’re infrequent and probably mean way more to me than they do to him.
The Bobcats won the game the week Koby was out, but it was certainly closer than anyone wanted it to be. Then there was an away game, which was a much better win than the week before, and this week is a bye week. Unfortunately for me, that meant I had to go two weeks without being on the football field and in the action. Instead, I’m at Alessandro’s, trying to get some extra cash.
Today is Friday, but not just any Friday. It’s my twenty-second birthday. I haven’t told anyone because I don’t want to make it a big deal, and I really don’t want anyone to feel obligated to do something for me.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t treat myself to a chocolate chip muffin and coffee from my favorite coffee shop on campus. I talked to my mom this morning while I was getting ready in the gym bathroom. I had a late shift last night, so I didn’t stay with the Danvers.
Mom went on about how she missed me and wished she could cook me my favorite dinner. She’s definitely having a tough time now that four of her five kids no longer live at home. I wish I could be there to hug her today, too. I wish that every day, but more so today when I can hear the loneliness in her voice and try so hard to keep the same out of mine.
I need Tyler to review and sign a few things for my class that’s due next week, basically a mid-way review for the semester, so I figured today would be the best time to get it since he doesn’t have a game this weekend.
I stroll to the field house, enjoying the slight breeze. Fall is here and I’m so ready for it. I wish it lasted longer because winter comes fast and hard in Nebraska. I’m used to it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish we got a few more weeks of fall before the snow hit.
The first thing I hear when I walk into the field house is the sound of metal clanking. The team must be in the gym. I walk in just in time to see Tyler lift his shirt up to wipe some sweat from his forehead. Either the universe hates me, teasing me like this, or it’s giving me a fantastic birthday present.
I stop in my tracks and stare for a moment too long. When he puts his shirt back down, I shake my head and hope to God no one saw me drooling there for a second.
Half the team must be in here working out because as soon as they notice me, people start calling my name.
Hayes is the first one to approach, shirtless, as always. He has a nice body, but for some reason, it doesn’t affect me the way Tyler’s just did. I wonder what that says about me.
“Kenz. What’re you doing here?” Hayes wraps his sweaty arm around me.
“Hello to you, too.” I take his arm and remove it from my shoulder. “I need to talk to Coach for a minute.”
He shakes his head. “One of these days, you’re gonna be here to see me. I just know it.” He says it with a flirty smile that I’m sure would get any girl on campus to agree to a date with him.
I roll my eyes and smile. “Keep dreaming, Hayes.”
At this point, almost everyone has turned to look at us, including Tyler. He looks upset about something, and I’m wondering if maybe I shouldn’t have come. Maybe I should’ve scheduled time with him? Showing up unannounced isn’t my usual thing, but I thought Tyler and I were cool now. The look on his face says maybe I was wrong.
“Hey, I need you to fill out some paperwork for my class. Should I leave it on your desk?”
Tyler walks toward me but doesn’t stop. “No, I can do it now.”
He walks past me, and I assume that’s my cue to follow him. I wave to the rest of the guys before following Tyler back to his office.
“Sorry to interrupt your workout,” I tell him once we’re in his office.
“I was pretty much done. No problem. What do you got for me?” He sits behind his desk and the sight reminds me that Tyler is a grown adult who has a real career. He’s a man. Not just one of these guys running around trying to catch my eye. I think that’s one reason Tyler appeals to me so much.
Not that it matters or will lead to anything.
Clearing my throat, I look at the papers in my hand. “Um, these are like a mid-semester review. I basically need you to grade me, then put it in the envelope and seal it with your initials.”
I fan through the papers and realize the envelope is missing. I open my bag to check for it, pulling out my phone and a notebook and setting them on Tyler’s desk. Nothing. I know I had it when I walked inside the field house.
“Shoot, I can’t find the envelope. I must’ve dropped it. I’ll be right back.”
He nods, and I hand him the papers before I retrace my steps. I find the envelope close to the gym. I guess I dropped it on my way in.
I jog back to Tyler’s office. He’s looking down at the papers with a pen between his teeth. Why is everything he does so hot?
My phone lights up on his desk, and I quickly put it in my back pocket. I’m sure it’s birthday texts from my family. They’re the only ones who ever really text me. Besides Kylie, of course.
“Here’s the envelope. You have to seal it and initial it. I can give it to Professor Moore next week.”
“Got it. Are you coming to the house tonight? Can I give this to you, then?”
“Kylie asked me to, so yeah. I was going to come over after my shift. I’m working lunch today, so I’ll be done by four.”
“Ok, I’ll have these ready for you tonight.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Ty—I mean, Coach.”
He chuckles at my almost mistake. I’ve probably been getting too comfortable calling him Tyler, but I like using his actual name. In my head, it makes me feel like we’re closer.
“See ya.” I wave, grab my bag, and head out.
Once I’m out of his office, I check my phone to see the birthday texts from my family rolling in.
Dad: Happy Birthday, baby girl. I love you.
Oliver: Are you feeling 22 (or however that song goes)? HBD love you
Chris: Happy Birthday Sis 3
Matty: Happy Bday Kenz. Miss you
Spencer: HBD ILY
I quickly text them all back and then head to Alessandro’s.
The lunch shift goes by fairly quick. We’re busy, but Angel still manages to squeeze in a small birthday celebration for me. She gives me a piece of tiramisu with a candle and makes everyone on staff sing Happy Birthday to me. It’s embarrassing, but I let her do it. She’s the only one who knows it’s my birthday, and that’s only because I’m her employee, and it’s on my paperwork.
After work, I head to Kylie’s house. I wish I could stop and take a shower and change so that I don’t smell like the restaurant when I get there, but it would take too much time, and I’m already pretty tired.
Tyler’s truck is parked in the driveway next to Kylie’s BMW. My stomach flutters with butterflies, which is ridiculous because I see him almost every day. But he’s not usually home when I get here.
I shove some clothes and my shower stuff into my backpack before I head to their front door. I ring the doorbell like I always do and wait for Kylie to answer. When she does, she’s smiling at me like a maniac.
“What?” I ask her.
“Nothing. Just glad you’re here.” That’s not suspicious.
She pulls me inside, shutting the door.
“Do you mind if I take a shower really quick?” I ask. I hate that I have to shower at her house. It makes me feel so shitty, and every time I ask, I’m afraid she’s going to think I’m using her. Which I’m not. I certainly wouldn’t be here as much if she wasn’t asking me over.
“Um, can I just show you something first?” she asks.
“Sure. . .” I say slowly and follow her into the kitchen.
I stop in my tracks when I see Tyler standing by the kitchen table, smiling like he’s happy to see me. But that’s not what makes my heart pause. It’s the birthday cake on the table with lit candles and party decorations hanging around the kitchen: a happy birthday banner, balloons, and colored streamers. It looks like a little kid decorated in here, but I love it all the same.
“Happy Birthday!” Kylie and Tyler say at the same time.
I’m completely surprised. “What—how did you know?”
Kylie is beaming with excitement next to me. “Dad said he saw someone text you Happy Birthday earlier. He called and asked if I knew it was your birthday today. I didn’t, by the way, so boo on you for not saying anything. Anyway, we started planning a little party. Why didn’t you tell me? We could’ve done something really cool.”
I shrug. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
“Ugh. You kill me with your humility. On my birthday, the whole state of Nebraska will know.”
“Thank you, guys. This is too much.” I look over at Tyler, who is still smiling at me. He looks genuinely happy. Not a forced smile like he’s doing this only to appease Kylie, and I’m not sure how to take that.
“Go on,” he encourages. “Make a wish.”
I look at the candles on the cake. They’re dripping fast, so I know I need to hurry.
A wish? What do I wish for?
I wish to find true happiness.
I blow out the candles. I don’t even know what true happiness means to me. But it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently. What do I want to get out of my life? Maybe that’s how I’m thinking because I’m in my last year of school. In the spring, I’ll have to decide what to do next. Where to go. I’ll have to make some big choices, and I don’t know if I’m ready for that.
I turn to Kylie and hug her. She squeezes me tight in return. Then, without thinking twice, I walk over to Tyler and wrap my arms around his neck. He doesn’t move for a moment, but I don’t back down. He finally wraps his arms around me in a hug.
“Thank you,” I whisper into his ear.
“Happy Birthday, McKenzie.”
Reluctantly, I break our hug.
“Ok, go get cleaned up,” Kylie instructs. “We’re making you dinner, and then we’ll do cake and presents.”
“You guys really didn’t have to do all this,” I say, hating that they spent time planning all this out today. I’m not used to being the center of attention.
“Stop. Go shower.” Kylie pushes me out of the kitchen, and I make my way up to the bathroom I’ve been using. I quickly shower and freshen up, throwing on leggings and a La Vista University long-sleeve shirt.
When I get back downstairs, Kylie and Tyler are in the kitchen cooking together. She’s at the cutting board, and he’s doing something at the stove, and they’re talking and laughing together. It’s a really sweet moment. A moment I feel like I’m intruding on. And another reason I need to stop staying here so much. They need this time together. Without me.
But I’ll think about that tomorrow.
I take a few more steps and say, “Something smells good.”
Kylie looks over her shoulder at me. “Dad is grilling steaks and making mashed potatoes. I’m in charge of the salad.”
“You like steak, right?” Tyler asks me.
I chuckle. “I’m from Nebraska. Of course, I like steak.”
The other night during one of our card games, I mentioned to him that I’ve lived in Nebraska my whole life. I’ve been to Colorado and Iowa, but that’s pretty much it.
He told me how he loves to travel. He did it all the time when he played, and he lived wherever football took him: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee. He misses traveling but doesn’t know where he would go these days.
He smiles at me like he’s remembering our conversation, too. “I know. I know. Just making sure.”
Kylie brings over a giant bowl of salad she made. It’s the best-looking salad that I’ve ever seen. Then she asks Tyler to pop a bottle of champagne. They really went all out for this.
She pours three glasses and sets them at the table as Tyler brings over the steaks and potatoes.
“You guys, this is seriously too much,” I say again.
“We’re happy to do it, McKenzie. It’s your birthday, and we’re your friends,” Kylie says.
I smile at her and then look at Tyler. Is he my friend? I guess so at this point. He’s not really my teacher, and I certainly don’t consider him a father figure of any sort. I suppose friend would be the best term.
He raises his champagne. “To McKenzie. Happy Birthday.”
Kylie and I raise our glass to clink against his before we all take a sip.
After dinner, they make me open the gifts they got. Kylie got me a gift certificate for us to get our nails done together, which is honestly so sweet. I can’t remember the last time I got my nails done.
Tyler got me Uno cards, which makes me laugh. Kylie doesn’t seem to understand it, but neither of us explain it. Our late-night card games are something just for us. They also got me a new pair of shoes because, apparently, they both agree that my sneakers are worn out.
I thank them both profusely, still not believing that they did all this for me.
Kylie and I refill our champagne, and Tyler says, “We should play a game. Who’s up for some Monopoly?”
He looks so excited about it that there is no way I could turn him down even if I wanted to. Luckily, I come from a board game family, so I’m always down to play.
Kylie crinkles her nose. “Monopoly? I think it’s been at least ten years since I’ve played that.”
“Come on, Ky. It’ll be fun. I used to play this with your grandparents when I was a kid,” he says.
“Alright, fine.”
He disappears down the hall and comes back with the game.
We set it up quickly and end up playing for almost two hours. I’m having so much fun that I don’t even realize that we play for so long. We finally call it when Kylie announces that she’s had enough and is going to bed.
“You coming?” she asks as she stands from the table. I know I should go up with her. It’s late, and I have a long day tomorrow, but I’m just not tired yet.
“In a few. I think I’m going to have more cake first.”
She laughs. “Get it, girl. See you in the morning. Oh, and Happy Birthday again.”
“Thanks, Ky.”
She goes upstairs, and Tyler and I clean up the game.
“Do you want to play cards?” he asks after we’re sure Kylie is tucked away in her room.
“I’d love to,” I say way too quickly, almost cringing at my own desperation to spend time with this man.
I do eat another piece of cake while we play because it’s my birthday so why the hell not.
“Thank you for tonight. This meant a lot to me,” I tell him after a few rounds of Uno.
“You’re welcome.” He looks up at me from under his lashes, and my stomach flip-flops again. I want this man so bad it hurts. All the time we’ve spent talking at night and playing silly little card games. I want more, but I know I can’t have it. A wave of sadness washes over me.
“I should go to bed.”
He nods and stands from the couch.
“Can I hug you again?” I ask this time because I don’t want to make him uncomfortable. Just because I know what my feelings are doesn’t mean I can assume what he’s feeling. I’m his daughter’s age. I’m sure he doesn’t see me as anything more than her friend.
“Come here.”
He opens his arms for me. I feel so happy and content being there, pressed to his strong chest. I have no idea how long we stay like that. Just hugging in the middle of his living room.
But when I finally make a move to step back, he stops me.
I look up at him. Our faces are so close, our mouths just inches apart. My tongue slips out to lick my lips. I’m close enough that I can watch his eyes track the movement.
Does he feel this connection? Does he want this as much as I do? Surely, my imagination is running wild, right?
Then he closes the distance between us, and his lips are on mine.
Tyler is kissing me .
I’m frozen for a second before I start to kiss him back. His lips are so soft and full, and his tongue slides inside my mouth and tangles with mine. I’m lost in him and wouldn’t want it any other way.
He pulls me flush with his body, and I feel his hard length press against me. I get a little bolder and run my fingers through his hair. It’s gotten longer since the season started, and it’s the perfect length for me to tug on. He moans into my mouth.
God, I want him. All of him.
His hands move to my ass as his mouth trails from my lips down to my neck. He quickly finds the spot that I love and sucks as I tilt my head back in surrender.
Suddenly, the alarm on the dishwasher goes off, signaling that the wash cycle is done.
It spooks Tyler. He practically pushes me away from him, both of us breathing heavily.
His chest heaves as he stares at me in disgust and shock. Embarrassment heats my cheeks. He kissed me. I didn’t do anything except kiss him back.
He looks away but speaks gruffly. “Go to bed, McKenzie.”
I nod, not sure what else to say. I turn and walk away as fast as I can without running. I don’t look back. I don’t want to see that look on his face again.