Chapter Thirty-Four
Oliver
When I return to my apartment covered in sweat from running out my frustrations, I hop in the shower and get ready for the day. The doorbell rings as I’m getting out of the shower. I quickly throw on clothes and run to the door. Standing in front of me are a very angry-looking Ty and Ally. Huh, I believe I should be the one who’s mad.
“May we come in,” Ty asks. I concede and step back to let them in. Ally follows Ty and then takes a seat on the couch. I sit in the armchair across from them and look from one to the other.
Ty speaks first. “We were rudely awakened this morning by someone who was making assumptions and ran away like a baby before getting the whole story.”
I balk. Ty holds up his hand.
“Stop right there. I don’t want you saying a word until we say our peace. If you’ll notice, your girlfriend has several bruises and one ginormous goose egg on the back of her head—that you can’t see—from taking a spill down the stairs last night.”
I take her in and wince at the true sight of her. “How did that happen?” I ask.
“Well, it seems that Ally put two-and-two together when she realized that I go by Grant at work.”
“What?” I look between them again.
Ty continues. “It seems that your Ally is my Allison.” I balk again and he realizes how that just sounded and corrects himself. “What I mean is, Ally is Allison Moore, she’s the one who updates my websites.”
“He’s the liquid moo guy?” I ask Ally.
She nods.
“You called my shake liquid moo?” Ty asks her.
“This isn’t the time,” she says to Ty, patting his arm, and then looks back at me.
“Grant and I have been friends for five years. We’ve gotten close, but we would never betray your trust, and I would never cheat on you. I went over to see if your brother wanted to get some dinner last night, and when he answered a work call, I was taken off guard and fell down the stairs.”
“The only reason I was in bed with her was to make sure she didn’t have a concussion.”
“Do you?” I ask with concern.
“No, I’m okay now. Just super sore.”
“Oh good.” I put my hand to my chest in relief. I couldn’t handle anything happening to her. “I guess I owe you both an apology for jumping to a very wrong conclusion and not trusting you.”
“You do,” Ty says and Ally nods along with him.
“I’m sorry.” I get up and sit next to Ally on the couch, gently pulling her to my side.
“Thank you. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I would never do that to you. I’d at least break up with you first before I started dating your brother.” I let her go in a state of shock, but then she starts laughing. “Got ya.”
“If you weren’t hurt, I’d be tickling you senseless right now,” I tease.
Ty clears his throat.
“I’m sorry too, man. I’ve been so upset being stuck at Mom’s and not being able to get to Ally that when I saw you lying next to her, I just saw red.”
“It’s okay. I forgive you. Now, did someone mention there was a bar crawl coming up?” Ty asks, clapping his hands together.
“Are you going to be up for it,” I ask Ally.
“I’d like to go. Do you think you could keep me company since I can’t dance?”
“I think that could be arranged, girlfriend.” I lightly bump her side, and she giggles.
“I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.”
“Well, now that you two are all lovey-dovey again. I’m going home and getting settled.” He stands.
“Home. I like the sound of that, big brother,” I say, standing with him and giving him a big hug. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks,” he says, pulling back and walking to the door.
“I assume you can get my good friend, Ally, home safe?”
“I definitely can. See ya later, man.”
“Bye.” Ally gives him a wave, and I join her back on the couch.
“I’m sorry for being an idiot.”
“I’m just glad we worked it out. Apparently, it’s good to communicate in an adult relationship. Speaking of communication, why didn’t you call or email me about what was going on at your mom’s?”
“I called and it went straight to voicemail, so I sent you a long email about the whole fiasco.”
“What? No you didn’t.” She grabs her phone and checks her email. “See, nothing,” she says, holding up her phone with her messages sorted by sender.
I grab my phone and quickly scroll through my sent folder. “Crap.” I hang my head and show her my phone. Yes, the big, long email is there, but I forgot the E at the end of ‘Moore,’ so it didn’t go through. “I’m so sorry.” I look up at her with puppy dog eyes, seeking forgiveness.
“Let me see it.” She reads the long, eloquent email I sent stating my undying love and need to be with her while all the things were keeping me away.
“I forgive you. But can you send it to me again? I’d like to frame the part where you call me an angel.”
“I’d be happy to.” I correct the address and resend, waiting for the notification tone to ring. Once the email is safely in her inbox, I place our phones on the coffee table. “Now, how about I kiss your bruises and make them all better.” Ally giggles and I start with her lips.
“Those aren’t bruised.”
I laugh. “I know, but I couldn’t resist. Now, let’s get you in my bed so I can make you feel better.” She laughs and lets me carry her to my room, where I gently lie her down and proceed to smother her with kisses.