Promises

Chapter Sixteen

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1069

Your forehead was practically glued to the car window as Tyler drove you through the streets of California. This moment was something that you had only dreamed of before, and now that it was finally happening you wanted to make the most of it that you possibly could. After all, you had never been this far from home before.

"Is it everything that you ever dreamed of?" Tyler asked, laughter just barely detectable in his tone.

"It's amazing," you said breathlessly. "This is really what you get to see every day?"

"Yeah, it's pretty nice. There's a lot more to see than at home."

"No kidding."

Tyler turned into a neighborhood. The houses that lined the streets were nicer than any of the ones that you had seen at home. Large windows faced the street, giving you glimpses into the fabulous interiors that the homes had. You began to wonder what Tyler's house was going to look like.

He pulled into the driveway of one of the smaller houses in the neighborhood. It surely wasn't the mansion that you had always envisioned him living in, but it was still much nicer than the house he had lived in back home with his family.

"Here it is," Tyler said as he stepped out of the car.

"It's nice," you said, grabbing your duffel bag from the backseat of the car.

Tyler opened up the front door and led you inside. You weren't sure what you had expected to see, maybe dozens of people wandering around and taking care of his house. Instead, it seemed like it was just Tyler that lived in the house, as far as you could tell. Maybe the life you had envisioned him living wasn't exactly accurate, after all.

He showed you to the guest room where you would be staying. You set your things down on the bed before walking over to the window that overlooked the hills in the distance. It was one of the most beautiful things that you had ever seen.

"I can't believe you just get to...live here."

"It's pretty incredible. I just wish you could be here with me."

"Maybe one day," you smiled.

"Want to see the rest of the house?"

You and Tyler spent the rest of the day exploring the city. He showed you some of the first venues that he had ever played and some of his favorite spots in the city. It was nice to finally feel like you were becoming a part of his life again. You just wished that the two of you didn't have to live so far apart.

The two of you got out of the car and walked back towards the house. You had gone out to dinner at Tyler's favorite restaurant which had proved to have some of the best food that you had ever eaten.

"So this has been your life for the last ten years?" you asked as you took a seat on the couch.

"It wasn't always this glamorous. The first apartment I had was quite the experience. Things broke all the time, the landlord couldn't be bothered to help, and the lock on the door only worked about half the time."

"I'm sad I missed it," you laughed.

"Hey, if there were two of us then one of us could have kept watch while the other slept."

"Just what I always wanted in an apartment! How long did it take for your career to really start picking up?"

"A couple years. Josh joining the band really helped."

You gasped, "I'll have to meet Josh soon! I need to see who took my place in Los Angeles."

"I'm sure you'll meet him soon. I think you two will get along really well."

"Ok, good." You paused for a moment to take in your surroundings. "It's hard to believe that I'm really here."

"It's hard for me to believe too, but I'm glad that you finally had the opportunity to see California."

"It's weird to think that we were going to move here when we were eighteen. I mean, I guess you did."

"Yeah," Tyler smiled. "Hey, can I talk to you about something serious?"

"Sure, what's up?"

Tyler looked nervous, which in turn was making you nervous about what he was going to say. Your only escape at the moment was the guest bedroom, which wasn't exactly removed from Tyler.

"So I've been doing a lot of thinking," Tyler started. "And I thought that you might want to move out here and live with me."

You felt your heart skip a beat. There was nothing you wanted more than to be living in California and following your dream, but the last ten years had proven that that wasn't an option.

"Tyler, I would love to." Tyler began to smile. "But I can't."

"Why not?"

"You've seen what my life is like at home. I can't just leave my mom at home to move out here, she won't be able to support herself. Not to mention how guilty I would feel if I just left her in the house alone."

"I have enough money to be able to support her," he said quietly. "You mean so much to me, I don't want you to be so far away."

You sighed, "I just don't think I can leave her. I mean a lot to her too, Ty. She's already lost my dad, it just doesn't feel right for her to lose me too."

"I understand, and I'm not going to force you to do anything."

"Have you ever considered moving home?"

"I have," Tyler nodded. "A lot, actually. My career is just so established here that making the switch back home would be difficult."

"Well, if you want to be close to me, I think that's what you're going to have to do."

He leaned back in his chair and looked down at his feet.

"I'll consider it," he said finally.

You reached over and grabbed his hand in your own, giving it a light squeeze. "Even if you decide you can't come home, we're still going to be best friends. Best friends forever, remember?" you smiled.

"Best friends forever," he nodded.

"If we can survive ten years without talking, then we can get through anything."

"You're right."

You scooted over and pulled him into a hug. He held onto you tightly.

"I know, I'm always right."