Bay groaned as her phone buzzed for what seemed like the hundredth time in the last three minutes. A restful sleep had evaded her the night before; she spent much of it wide-awake, wondering how her love life had become so complicated. As it continued to buzz, she reluctantly opened her eyes and reached over to the nightstand.
Seventeen missed calls and twenty-two text messages from Ty greeted her good morning.
Bay, I'm so sorry. I overreacted. I believe you. I never should have doubted you. Can we talk about it? Please call me back. I need to see you.
The pleas for forgiveness went on and on as Bay scrolled through her messages. She sighed and put her phone down. At first, being with Ty felt so right. He was the one who would have grown up with her in East Riverside if she had never been switched. Their relationship would likely have evolved from childhood playmates to young lovers.
She smiled as she remembered the first time they met. He had actually thought she was just a rich white girl looking for pot in East Riverside. They had come so far and changed so much since then.
Her phone buzzed again. She couldn't avoid Ty much longer.
"Hello?"
"Bay? Please don't hang up. I'm so sorry about yesterday. Can we talk in person?"
"Yeah, I guess. My shift starts in two hours. Meet me at the shark booth."
"I'll be there. Thank you Bay."
Bay got up and walked to her mirror. The face that stared back at her conveyed misery and weariness. How could she ever be truly happy when her mind told her one thing, but her heart felt another?
"Step right up and take your shot at winning a large stuffed dolphin…or whatever floats your boat," Bay said hollowly through the microphone. Even though Mac referred to the microphone as a symbol of power, Bay felt utterly powerless. One way or another, she was going to hurt one of the two men in her life. Neither deserved to be hurt, but she could not continue like this.
"Way to lure in the customers," Mary Beth joked as she approached the booth. As soon as she saw Bay's expression, her smile disappeared. "What's the matter, Bay?"
"Nothing," Bay sighed. "It's just…what are you supposed to do when your mind and your heart don't agree?"
"Is this about Ty?" Mary Beth asked. "I know it isn't my business, but you look like you need someone to talk to."
"Thanks, Mary Beth, but this is something I have to figure out on my own."
"Of course, I should head back to my booth anyway. I'm here if you change your mind, though." Mary Beth began to walk away, but she stopped and turned around. "Bay, just remember to do what makes you happiest. We only have one life, and it would be a waste to live it in sorrow or regret."
What makes you happiest…The words echoed in Bay's mind. Ty made her happy, there was no doubt about that. She wouldn't have given up being a "vegetable" for just anyone. He looked out for her and always did his best to make her smile. They were able to enjoy both lighthearted and serious conversations. She knew he would never hurt her the way that Emmett did. But something was missing. She couldn't put her finger on it, but it kept her from feeling like their relationship was complete.
"Bay."
She looked up at the sound of her name. Ty stood before her, holding out a large bouquet of flowers.
"Wow, Ty, um…thank you." As she took the bouquet, he placed a hand on her arm.
"I hope you know how sorry I am. I don't know what came over me, but it was no excuse for the way I acted. I don't want to lose you, Bay. You are truly the best thing that has ever happened to me." His dark eyes were fixed on hers.
Bay broke their gaze, looking down at the colorful array of flowers. "Ty, I understand why you were suspicious, but I would never lie to you. And that's why—"
"Hey, can we get a game going over here?" A group of young boys crowded around the booth, holding out their money for Bay.
"We'll continue later," Ty said, leaning over the counter and planting a soft kiss on Bay's lips.
Bay nodded silently and placed the bouquet beneath the counter as Ty departed from the booth.
"All right, that should be it for today," Mac said, locking up the entrance gates. "Either of you need a ride home?"
"Sure, I'd really appreciate it," Mary Beth replied, smiling at Mac.
"Nope, I drove here so I'm okay," Bay said. "Have a good night, you two!"
Bay headed to the parking lot, unsurprised to see that Ty was waiting beside her car.
"Hey." He smiled.
"Hey," she responded, managing a small smile. Her heart thumped so loudly that she figured he could probably hear it or see it pounding out of her chest. She placed the bouquet in the passenger's seat and turned to him.
"So what did you want to tell me earlier?" he asked.
She took a deep breath, hoping it would steady her heartbeat. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately."
Ty's smile faded. He stared at her, expressionless.
"Ty, you are an amazing guy. When I was lost, you found me. You helped me fill the gaps in my life and showed me what could have been. I can never thank you enough for that. You've been so patient and understanding, especially with someone as inexperienced about life as I am."
"Was this real at all, then? Or was I right? Were you just using me to make Emmett jealous, and now that he's come around, you'll go running back to him?" Ty asked through gritted teeth as he tried to stay calm.
"This was real, please believe me," Bay insisted. "I wouldn't have let the other night happen if I wasn't serious about us. I do have feelings for you, Ty, and I care about you so much. That's why I'm being honest with you."
"Maybe this wouldn't have happened if I hadn't left," Ty muttered. "You wouldn't have tried to go to him for comfort."
"That's not why I fell for him. Yes, he was there as a friend when I was still upset about you, but it was more than that. He understood me even when words failed. I don't really know how else to explain it, but I really believe that things would have turned out the same whether or not you had left. It's…fate."
Ty was silent. Bay wished she could tell what was going through his mind. If he was going to yell at her, he should just let it out because she deserved it. But when he spoke, his voice was low, almost inaudible.
"So…there's no chance for us, then?" He made no effort to hide his tone of despair.
"You deserve better than this. You deserve someone who can give you her whole heart without holding back. As much as I wanted this to work, I know that there will always be something holding me back. I'm so sorry for hurting you, but I can't keep lying to you or to myself." Bay tried her hardest to keep her tears in check, but they defied her.
Ty cleared his throat in an attempt to keep his own tears from undermining his tough exterior. "Well, then, I hope you're right about fate. I want to believe that there's more in store for me. A brighter future."
"There is. I'm sure of it. You deserve it more than anyone else I know," Bay said, smiling weakly. "Um…do you want the flowers back?"
"You keep them." He hesitated before pulling her into a crushing hug. "Thank you for your honesty." Bay nodded against his chest.
Neither noticed the rumble of a motorcycle as it drove along the street by the parking lot. Emmett slowed down enough to see the love of his life wrapped in Ty's arms, and what appeared to be a bouquet of flowers sticking out from the car. The pain ripped through his heart like a dagger. He sped up and drove on without looking back.
Yes, he would wait his whole life for her, but not if the heartache destroyed him first.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing or following! I really do appreciate it, especially when I'm returning to writing after such a long hiatus. Please let me know if there's anything that needs work. Also, I know that this chapter was lacking in Bay/Emmett moments, but it will come soon!
