Chapter Twenty-Six

Tyler hadn't woken up in the best mood, and as the day progressed, it didn't improve.

Every little thing had him on edge. The tick of the clock counting the passing seconds, the shrill of the bell signaling the start and end of each class, even the whispers of turning pages during study hall were infuriating.

The lights were too bright, and the laughter of his classmates had him scowling.

Not far from where he walked, a girl slammed her locker and Tyler caught himself growling in irritation. Power stirred in his veins at the detection of simmering anger and begged for release, his preferred outlet lately. Just the thought had his heart racing in anticipation. He was hurrying toward the front of the school when someone called his name.

Tyler turned to see Pogue, his shoulder length hair pulled back and a bag in hand.

"Where you going?" Pogue asked. "We've got practice, remember? Coach will have your ass swimming laps if you're late again."

Tyler hesitated, still feeling the pull of Power. The last thing he wanted to do was spend the next two hours with his teammates but he had already skipped several practices over the last few weeks. Deciding it may be a good distraction from his constant anger and urge to Use, Tyler headed back the way he came.

By the time they made it to the west side of the school building, Tyler's irritation had eased a bit. The beginning of practice was minutes away and most of the swim team stood at the edge of the pool, waiting to get started. Caleb and Reid were among them, swim caps on and goggles in hand.

As Pogue led the way to the locker room, Tyler remembered back to the party on school grounds where he accidently caused a blackout. He had lost control, and his instability caused the lights overhead to burst from sudden surge of power. Alex had followed him and Tyler had confessed her presence was torture…

Tyler was pulled from the memory to see Aaron pulling his jammers on, fully exposed and not caring at all.

"Dude, do you mind?" Pogue rolled his eyes as he moved to his own locker.

Aaron, now dressed for practice, rolled his shoulders to warm up. "You're just jealous, Parry."

As Pogue laughed loudly, Tyler gave a chuckle, gaining Aaron's attention. His teammate turned to him with narrowed eyes.

"Something funny, Simms?"

Tyler's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, you. You're a joke."

Aaron blinked, surprised by the usual docile Son's rebuttal, but quickly puffed his chest.

"You want to say that again?"

Tyler clenched his fists at his sides, Power once again stirring in anticipation of release. Rage rolled in his stomach, sending heat to his neck and cheeks as Aaron got in Tyler's face. Without hesitation, Tyler swung and knocked Aaron to the ground.

Aaron rolled to his side, holding his jaw and spat blood on the floor. He pushed himself up and glared at the youngest Son of Ipswich but didn't retaliate. Instead, Tyler advanced on him but didn't get far before Pogue grabbed his arms and jerked him back.

A whistle blaring echoed into the locker room, signaling the start of practice. After a pointed look from Pogue, Aaron headed out of the room, scowling back at Tyler as he went.

"What the hell was that?"

Tyler pulled himself from Pogue's grip, glaring. "He deserves worse."

Aaron was a bully. And Tyler was tired of hearing him run his mouth about everyone and everything.

Pogue blinked in disbelief but didn't argue as Tyler brushed by, flexing his hands at his sides.

Alex brushed the hair from her face as she lifted her gaze from the book in her lap. Just outside the room, she heard rushing footsteps coming down the hallway and blinked in surprise as Sarah appeared in the doorway.

Her blonde hair was pulled loosely into a ponytail and a thick red scarf hid her neck. Her blue eyes were wide in distress as she said, "Your birthday!"

"What about it?" Alex asked, snapping the book shut.

Sarah moved further into the room, nearly frantic. "We missed it! We didn't celebrate!"

Alex's birthday had been weeks ago— she had treated herself to a coffee and breakfast at Carl's Café then spent majority of her day lounging at home watching movies. Blair had made her dinner that night and gifted Alex with a day at the spa for whenever she chose. It was how she had wanted to spend her 18th birthday—alone and at home.

Alex smiled to herself and pulled her legs out from under her. "I didn't want it to be a huge thing anyway."

"You're eighteen now!" Sarah replied. "You're an adult, you can vote now! You can buy a lottery ticket and cigarettes, if you wanted!"

"You know I don't smoke," Alex said with a smirk.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "I know that, I just- we're celebrating! Right now. Go get dressed."

Alex opened her mouth to reply, to tell Sarah she didn't feel like celebrating but at the same time it would be nice to get out of the house. It had been weeks since she had gone out on the weekend.

"Fine," she said, setting the book aside. "Where to?"

Sarah grinned as she turned and peered over her shoulder. "You'll see."

The Dells was out in the middle of a forest. Through town and down some country back roads before the paved blacktop turned into several dirt paths. From the passenger seat, Alex peered out the window. The bare branches of the trees reached toward the sky where the moon shone full and bright.

"I thought you said people don't go to the Dells anymore?" Alex sat back in her seat and turned to Sarah.

"They don't," Kate answered from the backseat. "Well, they didn't. Until tonight."

Sarah shrugged in the driver's seat. "We thought it was time to get things in Ipswich back to normal."

Normal. Alex wanted to laugh. Tyler and Reid still weren't speaking, and since Caleb blamed Alex for that failed friendship, the tension among the group was high. Not willing to be a part of any more drama, she only kept Sarah and Kate close.

"Wait," Alex said suddenly. "'We'?"

Sarah slowed the car to a stop. "Yes, Caleb and the guys are throwing a party."

After the car was parked, the three climbed from the car. Through the trees, a distance away, Alex could see light from a fire and hear voices. Lots of voices.

Alex raised her eyebrows as she fell into step with Kate and Sarah. "Is the whole school here?"

"Probably," Kate laughed. "The party wasn't a secret, and no one wants to miss a party thrown by the Sons of Ipswich."

A slight chill hung in the air; the spring night not yet embracing the warmer weather of the changing seasons. Alex's leather jacket was cold to the touch as she wrapped her arms around her waist for a bit more warmth.

"All of the Sons?" she asked.

Kate and Sarah shared quick glance that wasn't missed by Alex.

"Tyler, um, may be here," Sarah smiled sheepishly and linked her arm into her friend's.

Alex let out a huff of breath. Being around Tyler wasn't easy and it was hard to ignore his constant stare, but as they pushed through the last of the trees, she realized steering clear of the youngest Son wouldn't be a problem.

They stood on the edge of an open dell, the dirt and twigs breaking way to pebbles and sand. Down the way, over the chatter and laughter, waves crashed, though she couldn't see passed the darkness and throng of people. Indeed, it seemed as if the entire school had shown up. Three large bonfires roared a dozen yards from each other, throwing heat off and creating a bubble of warmth for the partygoers. Alex and the girls melted into the crowd, unnoticed by most until Kate broke from them and bounded towards Pogue who approached with a grin.

"Hey, baby," he murmured against her lips. "What took so long?"

Kate shrugged with a smile. "Had to look good for a certain host of the party."

"You look good no matter what," Pogue replied.

Alex averted her eyes as the couple entwined in an embrace and their mouths collided in intense passion.

"And that's my cue to leave," she said. "I'm going to grab a drink and mingle."

Sarah nodded and waved as Alex turned and moved deeper into the crowd. She smiled at familiar faces, stopping every so often to chat, and eventually ended up where to drinks were said to be. About a dozen kegs sat in the sand and hundreds of red plastic cups littered the folding table next to them. Alex shook her head, still floored at how easily it was for anyone underage in Ipswich to get ahold of alcohol.

Cup now in hand she looked back to her friends to see Caleb had appeared, his arms now wrapped around Sarah. Not wanting to be a fifth wheel to the heavily affectionate couples, Alex continued to wander.

She hadn't gone far before she came upon Aaron and his group of friends. Kira stood with them, her gaze locked on Aaron as if he would stray if she looked elsewhere. And while she watched him like a hawk stalking pray, his gaze found Alex. A smirk lifted the corner of his mouth and he sent her a slow wink, the twinkle in his eye more creepy than playful as intended. It was easy to ignore him and the death glare from Kira as she moved by the group and melted into the shadows thrown by the fire. She glanced over her shoulder and found Aaron staring after her with a hungry expression. Alex lifted her hand and offered him her middle finger, annoyed by his continuous attempts no matter how many times she blocked his advances. Her gesture seemed to only encourage him as he attempted to break from the group but Kira grabbed him, her hand like a claw on his arm.

Alex rolled her eyes, feeling a mix of gratitude and pity for the girl. For whatever reason Kira was so hung up on Aaron that even his wandering eye or clear unfaithfulness couldn't her turn her away. But she didn't have time to wonder why Kira Snider was the way she was because as her gaze swept her surroundings, someone caught her eye.

Tyler.

He stood close to the fire, staring into the flames as if lost in them. People moved around him, talking loudly and drunkenly laughing louder but his attention held strong.

"You should go talk to him."

Alex jumped and cursed as she turned to Reid who had appeared without her noticing. She narrowed her gaze on him, ignoring the way his green hoodie made his blue eyes stand out.

"Why don't you go talk to him?"

Reid laughed once humorlessly and ran a fingerless gloved hand through his hair. "Our conversations almost always end up in physical blows lately." He ducked his head and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "He's not ready to forgive me yet."

"Well, he's made it clear he doesn't want any kind of friendship with me either." She spoke matter-of-factly and took a large gulp of her drink.

"He's just hurt."

His reply sent a dull thud of pain in her stomach. "And who's fault is that?"

"Mine." Reid admitted quickly. "If it weren't for me, he would still be happy. You both would."

Alex shifted her stance, surprised by his confession. He took a deep breath and let it out forcefully.

"You should try and talk with him," he continued. "Maybe you two can work things out."

She laughed, though she found no humor in his words. "What is this? A blessing on my relationship with Tyler?"

Reid licked his lips. "I'm just trying to make things right."

Alex's chest felt heavy. "Well, it's a little late for that, Garwin."

"It doesn't have to be."

It was too much—the back and forth, the drama, the feelings. She had been looking forward to a night free of that but she allowed Sarah's insistence to sway her. Feeling old emotions start to rise, Alex finished her drink in several gulps before turning from the blonde Son to head back to the kegs. She refilled her cup, drained its contents, then refilled it for a third time. She hadn't eaten dinner so the alcohol's effects worked quickly. Soon she was on her fourth beer and a light buzz numbed her mind and body. Her lips tingled and her sight was blurry as she meandered through the large crowd, lost to the alcohol.

Talking to Tyler was pointless. The youngest Son was so lost in his resentment and anger that nothing Reid said or did seemed to make anything better. He had confessed his wrongdoings, apologized, offered amends a number of times but Tyler had only brushed it all aside. So, the blonde had given up on trying, allowing his own frustration to overrule his desire to mend the friendship. He had grown tired of Tyler's moping and said as much at Nicky's one night, almost resulting in yet another brawl between the pair. But it was more than anger he saw in his friends gaze that night. There was a feeling of raw fury, something Reid had never seen in his friend ever before. It was the first time he sensed something was really wrong with Tyler.

Since then, Reid had watched Tyler closely. The youngest Son was struggling—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Dark circles always rimmed his eyes and his cheekbones stood out a little more than usual. Reid had grown worried when he witnessed Tyler sit through an entire class without writing a single thing down, and even more so, after eavesdropping in on a conversation between Tyler and one of the professors who said his usual proficient work was suffering.

Guilt-ridden, Reid changed his tactics. If he couldn't reach Tyler, maybe Alex could. Over the last week he had tried to find a way to approach her, but his moment didn't come until now.

The party at the Dells was his idea. He suggested it as celebration of spring, yet he hoped it would be a way to get Alex to come around. Like Tyler, she seemed to keep to her distance lately, so he was relieved when he saw her standing by the kegs. Her dark jeans hugged her curves and she wore a white lowcut shirt under a black leather jacket. Her blonde hair fell into her face as she grabbed a cup from the table next to the kegs and filled it. Though she looked beautiful, there was no hitch of breath or leap in his stomach at the sight of her, only a dull ache in his chest.

He got the same aching feeling looking at Tyler. In his desire for Alex, in the thrill of the chase, hell, even before then, Reid had always put himself first. He was selfish and looking back, he always had been. He had allowed the sting of Alex choosing Tyler over him to turn to anger and ignored his friend's admittance of love for her. He had been so caught up in his own feelings, his shattered pride that he hadn't realized how his selfishness would ruin everything.

He had to make things right, yet his attempt to with Alex hadn't gone well.

Catching her staring at Tyler, he approached her and suggested she talk to him. As usual, the conversation didn't go well and ended up with Alex back at the kegs filling up her third or fourth cup, he had lost track.

The alcohol was a good distraction but in the pit of her stomach she still felt the tug of emotions.

Her gaze drifted slowly back to Tyler. It had been over an hour but he still stood by the fire with his hands deep in his pockets, and before she could talk herself out of it, she headed toward him. With each step, the heat of the flames grew warmer, causing her cheeks to flush. Or at least that what she told herself as Tyler's gaze was drawn to her and her heart squeezed.

"Hey," she said.

One side of his mouth lifted, his eyes soft and hesitant as his smile.

Tyler's eyebrows furrowed suddenly and his gaze hardened as it moved to a spot over her shoulder. Alex looked over her shoulder to see Aaron approaching. She barely had time to sigh in annoyance before he was standing in front of them.

"What's up, Simms? Still feeling scrappy?" Aaron sneered as he slapped his bruised jaw. "Or are you only a tough guy when you've got back up?"

While the few friends who had followed Aaron snickered, Tyler crossed his arms over his chest and offered only a brash smirk in reply. "Says the guy who's trying to pick a fight flanked by three guys."

Aaron's smirk fell from his face. "I don't need them to knock you on your ass, Simms."

"Is that so?" Tyler's arms dropped to his sides and clenched his fists as he took a step forward.

Though she was drunk and slightly unsteady on her feet, Alex blocked Tyler's path and glared at Aaron. "You should leave. Now."

Aaron looked Alex up and down openly, not thrown by Tyler's scowl as he did so. "Tell you what, I'll leave him alone if," he paused, reaching for her waist, "you come home with me. I can show you what a real man is like in bed."

A mixture of disgust and fury churned her stomach and before she could shove him away, Tyler dove at Aaron, tackling him to the ground.

"Tyler!"

Alex shouted for both of them to stop but fists flew and a crowd quickly gathered. As the brawl continued, limbs flying and blood dripping, a head of blonde hair tore from the crowd. Reid threw himself at the pair, catching an elbow to the lip as he roughly dragged Aaron off Tyler.

Aaron righted himself and wiped at his busted lip with his forearm. "Stay out of this, Garwin!"

Pogue appeared to help Reid deal with Aaron and his buddies, while Caleb shoved a thrashing Tyler off to the side, with Sarah following closely.

Alex watched the crowd disperse just as fast as it formed—the music never stopped and the drinking continued. A few faces in the crowd seemed disappointed the fight hadn't gone further, but Alex paid no mind to them as she cut across the crowd toward Tyler.

Caleb was muttering to him low under his breath when Alex rushed by him, ignoring his disapproving look as she approached Tyler.

His right cheekbone was marked with an angry bruise, his right eye swollen. He held his side gingerly where a bruised rib would surely be.

"Oh my God, Tyler." Her hands fluttered hesitantly in the air, unsure of where to touch him or if she even should. "Are you okay?"

Tyler's eyes were narrowed, his eyebrows furrowed deeply. "I'd be better if everyone just left me the fuck alone."

"Tyler," Caleb snapped, reaching to stop him but Tyler dodged him and disappeared through the line of trees and into the forest of the Dells.

Sarah put a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Maybe give him a few minutes to cool down?"

"Yeah, okay," she replied, staring after the youngest Son. Then with a shake of her head, Alex turned on her heels. "I need another drink."

Sarah watched her go for a moment before turning back to her boyfriend who made a move to follow Tyler. Sarah caught him by the hand. "Let him go."

Caleb's gaze snapped up to the spot where Tyler had disappeared. "Something is wrong with him, Sarah. He's not himself. I sense…I don't know. I can't get him to open up and talk to me."

He ran a hand roughly over his face, his tell-tale sign of feeling stressed and out of control.

"Let me try," she replied, squeezing his hand. "I'll be right back."

Sarah's hand slide from his as she moved toward the trees. She didn't know exactly where the youngest Son was headed but by the sounds of the snapping branches and squelching of wet ground, she guessed he was headed to the cliffs. The forest was dark, and without the flames from the fires at the party, she quickly grew cold. By the time she found Tyler, her hands were numb and her cheeks burned from the chill of the night.

He stood with his back to her looking out over the water.

"You okay?"

Tyler's shoulders stiffened. "Leave me alone, Sarah."

"I will," she said a she wrapped her arms around herself. The breeze was stronger here and whipped her hair from her ponytail. "If you tell me what's going on with you."

When he gave no sign of replying, Sarah moved closer to him. "I know the break-up with Alex has been hard on you. And everything with Reid-"

"It's not just them." His interruption was hasty, his words cutting like they were difficult to get out.

Sarah peered up at him. His gaze was on the horizon, his focus strained, but he didn't elaborate even as the minutes ticked by.

"What else is going on, Ty?"

Tyler's gaze moved to her. "I-I feel like…" His mouth opened and closed before his eyes narrowed and his voice hardened. "It's nothing. Never mind."

"What? No, clearly something else is bothering you." She placed a hand on his back, hoping to comfort him, instead, he tensed under her touch.

"Just leave me be." He spoke between gritted teeth and moved away from her.

Sarah matched his steps, concern putting a crease between her brows. "If it's not just things with Alex and Reid than what else?"

"I said leave me alone." Tyler's entire body was stiff as he closed his eyes. His breathing was ragged. "Please."

She had never seen him like this. So conflicted, so clearly lost. Her heart sank at the thought of not seeing that he was struggling so much until now. "Talk to me, Ty. What's going on?"

"Sarah, stop-"

"But maybe if you talk about it out with me, you'll feel better-"

Tyler spun on her; fire flashed across his blue eyes as he opened them. "I said stop!"

A scream ripped from her throat as a wave of energy hit her. She was thrown backwards, landing hard on the ground feet from where she stood seconds ago. Sarah gasped for air, trying to catch the breath that was knocked out of her lungs.

A voice in his head purred along with the high from the release of Power. But that euphoric feeling was short-lived as Sarah landed on the ground with a wet thud. Horror replaced the exhilaration, anger, frustration he felt before had gone. He grew numb with fear and panic as he looked down at his now shaking hands.

"Oh my god…"

Nausea rolled his stomach as he took a hesitant step forward. What have I done?

You just fucked everything up, the voice replied.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you HapaDoll, Chef75 for your reviews, as well as the guest who took time to review this chapter! Hope you all enjoyed it. REVIEW :)