Chapter 30
The sun glints off the lake, casting a cascade of shimmering lights that dance across the surface as I lug the last of the BBQ gear down to our usual spot by the water. It’s a perfect day for our get together, warm but not stifling, with a light breeze that carries the promise of a great evening.
Ty arrives just as I’m setting up the last folding chair, a cooler in tow filled with an assortment of drinks. “Need a hand?” he calls out, jogging the last few steps to join me.
“Yeah, thanks,” I say, grateful for the help. We work together, arranging everything neatly on the table. The grill is already in place, and I start to prep it for the burgers and steaks Gracie is seasoning back at the house.
“So, how’ve you been holding up, really?” I ask Ty as we pop open a couple of beers and lean against the back of my truck.
Ty takes a long sip, his eyes on the lake. “Better now than I have been in months. Being back here, with you guys... it helps. Makes me think I can start fixing some of the messes I left behind.”
Just then, we hear the crunch of gravel, and we turn to see Sophie pulling up. She steps out of her car, a bag of what I assume are her infamous potato salads in hand, and pauses when she sees Ty. Their eyes meet, and there’s a whole conversation in that look, something deep and complicated.
Sophie hurries inside, avoiding further interaction, and Ty’s gaze follows her, a mix of longing and regret in his eyes.
“Alright, spill it,” I prompt as I watch Sophie disappear into the house. “What’s going on between you and Sophie?”
Ty sighs, his shoulders sagging a bit as he sits on one of the picnic benches. “It’s a long story, man.”
I take a seat across from him, curious and concerned. “We’ve got nothing but time, Ty. What happened?”
He runs a hand through his hair, looking out over the lake before he starts. “Sophie and I, we were a thing, a long time ago. Fell pretty hard for each other. We kept it quiet because... I don’t know, we wanted something that was just ours, you know? Not for the band, not for anyone else.”
I nod, remembering how close they’d seemed back then, always together, always laughing. I’d suspected something, but never wanted to pry.
“Everything was great until after the band’s first big tour,” Ty continues, his voice tinged with regret. “We came back, and I guess success changed things. We fought—a lot. About stupid stuff, mostly. I still can’t even remember what started it all.”
“And then?” I prompt when he falls silent.
“And then, the last time I left town, we broke up. Viciously,” he admits, shaking his head. “I don’t even know why it got so bad so fast. Sophie hasn’t really spoken to me since. I tried reaching out a few times, but she shut me down. I left it alone after that.”
This is a big fucking shock to me, seeing as Ty is the epitome of a bad boy who has a different woman in his bed every night. How did he go from being devoted to one woman to a womanizer?
But the pain in his voice is evident, the weight of unresolved feelings clearly still a burden. “You think there’s any chance to fix things?” I ask, hoping for his sake there is.
Ty shrugs, a small, sad smile playing on his lips. “I don’t know, man. Maybe. If she’s willing to talk, I’d like to try. But I’ve got to respect her space, too. She’s been clear she doesn’t want me around.”
“Maybe today’s the day,” I suggest. “We’re all here, it’s neutral ground. Might be a good time to clear the air.”
Ty looks uncertain, but then nods slowly. “Maybe. I’ll see how the day goes.”
Just then, Gracie and Sophie emerge from the cabin, Gracie carrying a tray of marinated meat and Sophie with a bowl of her salad and some buns. They’re laughing, the sound light and carefree, a stark contrast to our more serious conversation.
“Hey, you two ready to eat?” Gracie calls out, setting the tray down on the table near the grill.
“Born ready,” I reply, standing up and moving to take the tray from her. I give Ty a reassuring pat on the shoulder as I pass. “We’ll figure this out, buddy.”
Ty nods, managing a grateful smile as he stands to help with the drinks. The afternoon slips into an easy rhythm of grilling, eating, and sharing stories. The laughter and camaraderie feel good, but the undercurrent of Ty’s situation with Sophie lingers in my mind.
I decide to leave them to it, focusing on giving them a moment. Maybe today won’t solve everything, but it’s a start.