PROTECT

Chapter 10

In the car, I think about how much fun Ty is and how much fun I had with her tonight. I won't say it out loud but I don't want it to ever end.

"You tell Charlie where you wanted to eat?"

"Yeah he knows".

We talk about little things as we make our way to the destined food spot.

"Wendy's? Really?"

"What? I don't get to have it when I'm out on the road"

"So what did you eat?" I ask helping her out of her car.

"Salads, kale drinks, healthy white people shit".

"Ou bless your heart"

Once we got inside, a few of the workers started squealing so I knew to keep my distance and to act like we weren't what was was.
What are we though?

"I'll take whatever you get" I told Ty

Ty ordered a couple of different things and I added on a a cookie and paid.

We ate inside the Wendy's restaurant and talked.

After eating the Wendy's, Ty decided she wanted some ice cream so we went to Jeremiah's.

"Lemme taste yours" Ty asked as we walked down a strip.

I leaned my cup toward her and she dug in.

"Ok fat ass"

"Which flavor was that?"

"Uh birthday cake. Something like that"

I tasted hers and hers was good but not good like mines.

"So tell me, you like Charlotte?"

"Yeah. It's cool"

"Where you from anyway?"

"Arizona. You from Charlotte?"

"Born and raised. My family just moved to Texas after I graduated"

"So why you back?"

"I went to get my 6 year pin, met you and never left"

I blushed messing in my ice cream.

"Do you want to go back?"

"Eventually. Id like to move back here though"

"Oh ok"

"What about you. You wanna go back to Arizona?"

I bit my lip.

"Nah. Probably never"

Understanding that life back in AZ was a hard topic, she moved on.

"You the only child?"

"Yeah. No siblings. Part of me thinks that the main reason I am how I am now. Or was. "

"Too much attention or not enough?"

"I don't know"

"You?"

"Too much attention, I resented it. I was always being watched. My brother was never being hawked"

"So you have a brother?"

"Yeah. And my parents are married. What about yours?"

"Yeah well it's only me and my mom. I have a picture of my dad but I don't know him. I don't want to"

She hummed and we continued walking in silence.

"See. Here's the thing. I actually had a lot of fun with you tonight and I kinda don't want it to end but I won't say that out loud" I turn to Ty after throwing my cup away.

"But you just did"

"You're hearing stuff"

"Anyway" I said walking away but she pulled me back.

"So let's not end it. We can go to my apartment"

"Sounds fun but I gotta get home to my mom"

"She told you to spend the night. She don't want you home" she says pulling me close to her chest.

"I gotta check on her" I say looking her in the eyes then to her lips as we were close enough to kiss.

My eyes found hers and we stare into each other's eyes before she breaks eye contact to look at my lips.

"Come on. It's late" I say looking down and rubbing down her stomach.

She wipes her mouth and follows me to the car.

Somehow, my fingers found their way to Ty's hand and our fingers interlocked.

Pulling up at home, I scrunched my face seeing another car in the driveway.

"You know?" Ty asks referring to the car.

I shake my head no and Ty offers to walk me in.

"I'm fine"

Ty ignores what I just said and walks me to the porch.

The house is dark but I could hear a tv. Oh she here.

I turn to Ty to tell her it's ok and she nods.

"Thank you for tonight" I thank her.

".. and happy birthday. Thank you for wanting to spend it with me"

"Always. You sure you don't wanna grab some clothes and come over?"

"No it's fine".

I kiss her cheek and wait for her to get in the car before shutting and locking the door and going upstairs.