Nobody's Obligation (Swimming Upstream #2) (6 page)

Chapter 11

Tyler

Tyler stood back in the reception area fidgeting with anything he could get his hands on. He flipped through the local paper and a couple of magazines, not really paying attention. He couldn’t remember a time when he had ever been this nervous and exhilarated in the same moment. Every time he saw Ava something spread through him and he became someone he didn’t recognise. It was like when he was with her—even the few minutes he had already spent with her—made him feel like it was okay to be himself. And that was something that excited and terrified him.

“Enjoying yourself?” Amanda probed, noticing the mischief dancing in his eyes.

Embarrassed he’d been caught daydreaming, Tyler had never been one to back down from a challenge. “Absolutely. You?”

“Look, I don’t know what you’re doing and I don’t particularly care, but one thing you should know is that Ava looks and acts tough, but it’s all bullshit. She’s a mess. It’s all fake. And if you take advantage of that, I don’t care who you are, I’ll kick your arse!” Amanda declared confidently before reaching down and picking up the ringing phone.

Tyler listened with fascination as the girl who had just put him firmly in his place oozed charm and professionalism down the phone while her steely glare was still firmly fixed on him. Not quite knowing what to say to placate her, Tyler simply nodded his understanding and collapsed into the visitors’ chair behind him, silently praying for Ava to hurry.

Moments dragged past agonisingly slowly and Tyler could have sworn that Amanda’s eyes never left him, but each time he risked a glance in her direction, she was engrossed elsewhere. “Shit!” he muttered to himself.

“Sorry?” Ava’s angelic voice pulled him out of his funk instantly.

“Ready?” Tyler asked, jumping to his feet.

“As I’ll ever be.” Ava grimaced, hoisting her handbag up onto her shoulder.

Shaking his head, Tyler fell in step with Ava as they walked down the corridor towards the elevator. “Ava, it’s okay. I’m not going to kill you.” Tyler grinned mischievously.

“Promise?”

“Promise. Smile for me? Please?” he begged as they stepped into the elevator side by side. Summoning her best smile, Ava flashed him a toothy grin. “That was terrible.” He laughed. “But it’s a start. Now let’s get lunch.” Stepping from the elevator, Tyler wrapped his gigantic hand around Ava’s without thinking. A bolt of electricity raced through Tyler’s already nervous body. Without exchanging a word, as quickly as it had happened, Tyler dropped her hand and instead dug his hands into his pockets.

Without a word, Ava fell into step beside him and breezed through the heavy glass doors to the driveway. Tyler pointed towards a car and moments later Ava dropped into the leather seat.

“Not what I was expecting,” Ava confessed, taking stock of her surroundings.

“Which part?” Tyler taunted.

“Honestly? Any of it,” Ava mumbled, folding her arms across her chest, silently cursing herself for leaving her jacket at home.

“Don’t tell me that when you got up this morning you didn’t expect me to stroll into your office like I owned the place, make a fool out of myself in front of your bosses, and then drag you away for lunch.” He smirked his adorable I-know-I-can-get-away-with-anything smirk.

Now more annoyed than anything, Ava snarled, “More or less.”

“Come on, Ava. Lighten up! I’ll admit I came to see you mainly to make your life hell but hey, shit happens. I changed my mind. And I apologised. So stop sulking and let’s just go and enjoy lunch.”

“Fine! One condition,” Ava added slyly.

“I’m listening,”

“I get to pick the music. Yours is shit,” Ava giggled, reaching towards the stereo.

“No way!” Tyler chuckled wholeheartedly “My car, my music,” he instructed as he reached out to knock her hand out of the way. As soon as their fingers connected Ava quickly withdrew her hand. He could have sworn she’d seen tiny blue sparks ignite between their fingertips, but he knew that was ridiculous. With one final glance at Ava, who sat beside him staring out the window while absentmindedly picking at her fingers, Tyler revved the car and merged into traffic.

Fifteen minutes later Tyler swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Noticing Ava had turned an odd shade of grey, Tyler let out a laugh. “What’s up?” he asked nonchalantly.

“Ummmm,” Ava murmured, unsure.

“Ava, I don’t bite,” Tyler reassured her, his steely gaze locked on her.

Gulping, Ava summoned all the strength she had and blurted out, “You said you weren’t going to kill me.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ava turned beetroot red. Out of all the things she could have said, he hadn’t been expecting that. And when she clasped her hand over her mouth in a gesture that screamed she wanted to take the words back, Ava started struggling for air. Tyler couldn’t contain his amusement at Ava’s obvious discomfort. When she broke out in a coughing fit, Tyler’s laughter died instantly. It wasn’t funny anymore. Without hesitation he slipped his hand from the gear stick and started patting Ava’s back softly.

Startled at his touch, Ava sucked a deep breath in and forced her eyes open. Instantly her gaze caught Tyler’s and the small smile that tugged at his lips. He was fighting desperately to contain his own laugh. With another deep breath, Ava exhaled. “Thanks. Not sure what happened. I guess I forgot to breathe.”

Allowing himself a soft chuckle, Tyler sighed, “Ava, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you and I don’t want you to be someone you’re not. Seriously. Be you. Be real.”

Sighing dramatically, Ava’s shoulders drooped instantly as her head fell back against the seat and her eyes drifted closed. “Okay,” she whispered.

“Sorry?” Tyler asked, slowing the car down.

As her eyes fluttered open, Ava found herself grinning earnestly. “I said, okay.”

Tyler was stunned. Not only did she agree to let things be, but as soon as the words left her mouth Tyler’s own stomach fluttered. Caught deep in his own thoughts, Tyler didn’t see the pot hole on the dirt road that he had turned onto as the car clunked in and back out of the hole. “Fuck!” he swore, not sure if he was swearing at himself or at the possible damage to his pride and joy.

“Sure you don’t want me to drive?” Ava taunted.

“Nice try.” Tyler smirked as he spun the car into a parking lot, sending a cloud of dust up in its wake.

Stepping out of the car as smoothly as she possibly could, Ava glanced around at her surroundings and realised she had absolutely no idea where she was. From the looks of it she was in someone’s immaculately maintained backyard. The grass was clipped to perfection and the garden beds filled with an array of colours and scents. It was stunning, but it seemed personal in some strange, almost haunting way. Ava just hoped she wasn’t trespassing.

Tyler joined her and reached for her hand. With only a slight hesitation, Ava let him take her hand and lead the way. As they turned the corner, Ava came face to face with a menacing looking dog that was taller than her knees. He was massive, his yellow teeth were showing, and he didn’t look happy. Tyler walked towards him as though he was harmless, knowing Ava had hidden behind him. As they approached, a low growl emanated from the beast.

“Tyler,” Ava begged, tugging his arm.

Wrapping his fingers even tighter around Ava’s, he pulled her towards him until her chest collided with his back, causing them both to stumble off balance. “Are you scared of him?” Tyler asked, his eyes alight with mischief.

“No!” Ava snapped harshly.

“You’re a really shitty liar, Ava,” He grinned as he bent down and rubbed his hand behind the dog’s ears. Within moments the dog had dropped to the ground between them and rolled onto his back, waiting expectantly for his belly rub. “Don’t be afraid of Buddy. He’s harmless.” Tyler laughed, stepping over the dog and pulling Ava along the wide veranda.

A moment later Tyler led her inside wide open French doors, and Ava’s mouth gaped open. The room was absolutely perfect. And not just perfect in a pretty way, but perfect in a ‘this is Heaven on Earth’ way. And then the penny dropped. They were standing in a winery.

The back wall was lined with large oak barrels. There was a long, worn, wooden bar stretching across the far wall with a beautiful blonde wearing a crisp white shirt and black tie standing silently behind it shining the largest wine goblets. Other than the blonde, the place was completely deserted. And it was silent. Magnificently so.

“Wow!” Ava exclaimed under her breath. Ava glanced down at her shirt and remembered the stained mess she was. With everything looking so clean and clinical, she felt like a complete fraud. Between the chocolate, coffee, and wet patch, Ava knew she didn’t fit in. Wrapping her arms around her chest, she tried to hide, but Tyler wouldn’t have it.

Turing around to face her, he grabbed at her arms and pulled them away. “Impressed?” Tyler enquired, raising a quizzical eyebrow.

“Absolutely,” Ava confessed, looking up into his chocolate eyes and getting lost.

“Good!” Tyler smirked. “And don’t even try and hide. Forget about this morning and let’s just enjoy some lunch. You hungry? Let’s eat,” he suggested as he once again reached down and took Ava’s hand before leading her straight through the winery’s main entry hall and into the restaurant.

It was just as perfect as the rest. Everything was clean and straight but not sterile. They had managed to walk the tight line between overdone and clinical, and instead they had achieved elegant. Ava was caught staring out the window at the gardens when Tyler stopped walking, causing her to walk straight into him. Again.

“Sorry,” Ava murmured as her face flushed an embarrassing shade of crimson. Tyler remained silent and tried to stifle his chuckle unsuccessfully. Instead he pulled out her chair, and waited until she was seated before taking his own.

Chapter 12

Ava

Without a chance to wrap her head around the absurdity of the situation, a fiery redhead with too much makeup appeared in the same crisp white shirt and black bow tie as the blonde at the front.

“Good afternoon. My name’s Nina and I’ll be serving you this afternoon,” she said with a thick British accent. “Here are your menus,” she explained, handing them each a deep crimson folder. “Would you like to hear today’s specials?”

“Please,” Tyler encouraged.

“Today we have as an appetizer scallops with peperonata and aioli. For the main dish, duck confit with crispy potatoes and bitter leaf salad. And for dessert we are serving roasted pears with saffron, rosemary, and bay.”

As she summed up the menu, Ava’s stomach let out an embarrassing groan in appreciation, causing Tyler to cackle.

“Can you give us a minute?” he asked politely as Nina half curtseyed before vanishing as quickly as she appeared.

Silence fell over them as they both studied the menu fastidiously. Ava was determined to pick the best item on the menu, and after hearing the specials she was having a hard time deciding.

“This is harder than I thought,” Tyler broke the silence, peering over the top of his menu and catching Ava’s eye.

“Definitely,” she quickly agreed.

“Anything strike your fancy?”

“Everything,” Ava admitted.

“Order whatever you like. Lunch is on me,” Tyler instructed.

“You don’t—” Ava protested but was cut off.

“I know I don’t have to. I want to,” Tyler said with a shrug of his shoulder.

After a few minutes of silence Ava placed her menu back on the table, and she barely had time to take a breath before Nina appeared to take their order. After making their selections for appetizer and main, Tyler insisting that Ava order both, Nina suggested a bottle of wine that would complement their meal.

“Well, we are at a winery,” Tyler agreed with a laugh, not bothering to look at the price. Ava couldn’t squash the evil thoughts that filled her mind.
Nice for some to not have to worry about their bank account,
she snarled to herself bitterly.

“Everything okay?” Tyler asked, noticing the change in Ava’s demeanour.

“Perfect,” she lied effortlessly.

Moments later Nina reappeared and uncorked the bottle of red before pouring a sample into a glass and offering Tyler a taste. After swishing it about in his glass, sniffing it, and taking a long swallow, he deemed it perfect, and Nina poured them each a glass before disappearing again.

This is hell,
Ava repeated in her head.

“Seriously, Ava. What’s up?” Tyler asked.

“Nothing.”

“Have you ever been told you’re a terrible liar?” Tyler taunted, watching as Ava scrunched up her face.

She knew she was caught like a deer in the headlights, but still she didn’t want to bend. If she told him the truth now, he would see how truly fucked up she really was. And the thought of Tyler, her idol, the love of her life, her saviour, knowing how truly screwed up she was, it was just too much. She would try harder to bury the truth and fake it. She had to. Tyler was her idea of heaven, and Ava wasn’t going to let the truth ruin it.

“I am not,” Ava protested, pulling herself up as straight as possible.

“Sure you’re not. Just tell me—” Tyler’s pleading was cut off by his phone ringing in his pocket. Ava watched silently as he pulled it out and looked at the name on the screen before silencing the phone and dropping it on the table beside his fork. “So where were we?”

“We were discussing this amazing wine,” Ava encouraged.

“Oh that’s right. We were talking about how bad of a liar you are.” Tyler chuckled and the sound reverberated through Ava’s body, sending chills down her spine.

“I’m fine.”

“I don’t believe you, but I’ll let it go…for now.” Tyler softened as his phone vibrated to life on the table beside him.

“If you need to get that, I don’t mind,” Ava tried, secretly pleading for a moment or two to herself so she could find some composure that she had surely left at home this morning.

Shaking his head, Tyler explained, “It’s not as important as this glass of wine or spending time getting to know you.”

Without warning, Ava broke out coughing and spluttering. And after the day she was having, it was only fitting that she had a mouthful of the delicious red wine which was now dotted all over her shirt. “Seriously! Fuck me!” she moaned, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.

Through his laughter, Tyler poured Ava a glass of water and handed it to her. He watched on with amusement as Ava tried to pull herself together. Tyler couldn’t refrain. “Maybe later,” he said, his wide eyes alive with mischief.

“You suck, you know that?”

“Yeah, but at least you’re smiling now.” Tyler grinned proudly as he raised his glass.

“Ass!” she replied, peering over the edge of her water glass and watching Tyler.

As humiliated as she was and no matter how many things had gone wrong today, it was still proving to be one of the best days of Ava’s normally boring and predictable life. She was having lunch with Tyler Andrews. The boy who had given her hope who grew into the man who saved her life. And although he didn’t know and he never would, Ava would always be grateful. All she had to do now was survive lunch.

Two hours and way too much food later, they were both stuffed and sleepy. Ava politely excused herself and made her way to the bathroom. That’s when she saw what she looked like and was beyond horrified. How could anyone let her out in public looking like that? Let alone bring her to an obviously nice restaurant. Her once white shirt had been coated in everything today. Coffee, chocolate brownie, and then a splattering of red wine. It looked like an abstract masterpiece.

“Fuck!” Ava cried to herself, knowing no one else could hear her. “Well, I can’t hide here,” she grumbled, running her fingers through her hair in a vain attempt to tame the strays.

Walking out the door, she spotted Tyler on the veranda, patting Buddy again. “Damn dog,” she complained as she headed in his direction.

“Ready?” he asked as Ava stepped through the door behind him, deliberately keeping Tyler between her and the dog.

“Yep,” Ava agreed, wrapping her arms around her chest in an attempt to keep warm. Inside it had been perfect, but as soon as she stepped outside into the weather the cool breeze sent a chill to her core.

“You cold?” Tyler asked, turning towards Ava, earning him a moan from the abandoned dog at his feet.

“I’ll be fine,” Ava assured him.

Without a word Tyler pulled his hoodie over his head, causing his shirt to ride up and giving Ava a sneak peek of his perfect abs and wide V hidden beneath his clothes. Without conscious thought, Ava sighed heavily at the sight.

“See something you like?” Tyler taunted as he pulled the sleeves off his arms.

With a groan, Ava turned away, trying to hide her humiliation. “Oh my God.”

Tyler just chuckled. “Ava, it’s okay,” he assured her. He reached out and dropped his mammoth hand on her shoulder, causing Ava to jump involuntarily. With another laugh, Tyler turned her around. “Put this on. It’ll keep you warm.” He handed her his jumper with a smirk.

Ava thought about objecting but knew he would find some way to talk her into it, so instead Ava pulled it over her head. It warmed her instantly. Not just through the fluffy material that engulfed her but the strong masculine Tyler scent imbedded in the thick fabric. If she thought she was in heaven before, being cocooned in Tyler’s scent was something else. Something better. Something religious. Ava couldn’t help herself. She grabbed the front and pulled it towards her nose, allowing his odour to completely overwhelm her.

“Did you just sniff my jumper?” Tyler mocked her.

“N-No.”

“You so did!” Tyler laughed, stepping beside her and wrapping his arm around her shoulders to guide her towards the car. “Ms. Jacobs, what am I going to do with you?”

Overcome with annoyance and embarrassment, Ava shrugged out of his reach and turned to face him. “I’m not sure, Mr. Andrews. But why don’t you try something different for a change? Maybe try being nice?” she offered casually.

“Don’t you think I’m a nice, Ava?”

“Actually no. I don’t.”

“You don’t?”

“Nope. All you have done all afternoon is make fun of me and make me feel uncomfortable. And on top of that your evil laugh and mischievous eyes seem to be enjoying every moment of it,” Ava declared.

“Mischievous eyes, hey?”

“Oh, shut up!”

“Ava, you and I could be great friends,” Tyler conceded, pulling Ava back into his grasp and draping his arm around her waist.

Ava was gobsmacked. She had tried her damnedest to make him as uncomfortable as she was, and he had simply shrugged it off.
What the hell is wrong with him?
Ava wondered as she walked along all wrapped up in him.

Moments later Tyler was holding Ava’s door open for her as she slipped into the car. Tyler silently started the car. A strange sense of melancholy settled over the car as they edged closer to town. Tyler changed the radio and some sad melody played softly, but it was quickly interrupted by the loud screeching music coming from Tyler’s phone.

Ava reached into the front pocket of his hoodie that she was wearing and pulled the phone out, holding it in her hand.

“Who is it?” Tyler asked nervously, his eyes never leaving the road. One traffic violation a day was more than enough for him.

Quickly Ava flipped the phone over. “Um, it’s a number. Did you want to answer it? I can put it on speaker.”

“You sure?” he said reluctantly.

Ava didn’t answer but instead just accepted the call and clicked on the speaker function. “Tyler!” a deep voice boomed through the phone. Suddenly aware that she might be intruding on a personal conversation Ava focused her sights out the window.

“Hi,” Tyler offered, his voice wavering slightly.

“Where the fuck are you?” the voice roared angrily. “You were supposed to be here two hours ago.”

“Ah, shit,” Tyler muttered. “Sorry, Jonathan. I had something urgent come up that I had to take care of,” Tyler confessed, sneaking a look at Ava.

“Something you had to do, hey?”

“Yeah, sorry, man. I can be there in half an hour?” Tyler suggested.

With a huff, the voice agreed and Tyler quickly ended the call before turning his attentions back to Ava. “Look, Ava, I’m so sorry—” he began, but this time it was Ava’s turn to cut him off.

“Tyler, please don’t. It’s okay. I know you didn’t plan on having lunch with me,” Ava admitted with all the fake strength and resilience that she could conjure.

Ten minutes later a very bewildered and disappointed Ava stood in the driveway and watched Tyler drive away. Releasing a deep breath Ava hadn’t even realised she was holding, she watched as Tyler turned the corner and vanished out of sight. It was only four o’clock and Ava was torn between right and wrong. Should she climb the stairs and face the ever growing mountain of paperwork, or give in and head home early? Since Tyler’s unexpected arrival, her whole day had been thrown into chaos, and she was under no illusions that it wouldn’t continue.

“Fuck it,” Ava swore under her breath as she stuffed her hand deep into her bottomless handbag searching for her car keys. Moments later Ava was sliding behind the wheel of her beat up silver Mazda and willing the engine to life. As it coughed and spluttered, Ava couldn’t control the snort as she realised just how far she’d fallen in a matter of minutes. From Tyler’s prestigious all leather, all creature comforts and every gadget invented car to her own battered and bruised Mazda. Pushing the thought from her mind, Ava slipped the car into gear and headed home.

By the time she made it into the parking lot of her shoebox apartment she had no idea how she’d gotten there. She’d completely forgotten the forty-five minute traffic congestion she’d fought through while she daydreamed her way home. The frustrating part was she couldn’t even recall the daydream she’d had that had gotten her there.

Bumping her way through the front door, she kicked off her shoes and sank into the threadbare carpet. It wasn’t comforting and relaxing but after spending the last two years in the same apartment, Ava knew what to expect, and that alone brought her comfort. “Honey, I’m home,” Ava called out sarcastically, knowing there was no one there to answer her—not even a cat.

Instead she padded across the blood red shag pile rug, her only decorating indulgence, and flopped heavily into her favourite oversized armchair. Rubbing her eyes roughly with her hands, Ava allowed herself, for the first time since this crazy day began, a chance to look back and soak it all in. “Seriously,” she said five minutes later. “Tyler fucking Andrews!”

With a shake of her head Ava sat up and ripped her shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. She didn’t want to look at it anymore. She knew it bore the evidence of today’s humiliation and right now Ava just didn’t want to deal with it. She just wanted to pretend like it didn’t happen. Well, at least the embarrassing bits.