TYSON CAINE: Book 1 in the Brothers in Arms Series (Brothers in Arms Book 1) (18 page)

“More photo opportunities,” Cassie broadcasts as we look her way and smile.

“You too, Thomas,” I call out to Tom waving him over as he obliges and jumps in. I don’t even feel like I’ve faked one smile; it’s never a chore with Tyson and both our families around.

I catch a glimpse of Jake walking up the driveway. He looks damn fine in his charcoal grey tux with black tie.
He really is a great looking guy.

“Hope you don’t mind, I thought we could all go together,” Tyson tells me, and I nod and smile. Jake is Tyson’s best friend like Cassie is mine, so both are always welcome.

“Hey, dude,” he says as he and Tyson high five.

“You look stunning, Brooklyn,” he tells me kissing my cheek. Such a sweetheart.

“You look stunning too, Cas,” he proclaims to Cassie making her smile and unsure of where to look.
Have I missed something there?
Tyson looks in my direction and raises his eyebrows.

Dad is letting us take his car tonight because it’s more spacious and classy. Hiring a limo or flash car is out of our league and price range.

“Okay, we have to get going,” Cassie shouts. I guess she is in charge of the night. We nod and wave and say our good-byes, and finally, we are on our way.

“Why do I feel nervous?” I say out loud. I hate this unnerving feeling. I mean I dance on a stage in front of hundreds of people yet this makes me nervous.

“You look gorgeous, and that is all that matters,” Tyson tells me making me smile and warming my heart.

As we enter our senior prom, the hall looks freaking amazing. The committee did a fantastic job. The theme is ‘Afterglow’ and it is breathtaking. The room is glowing with illuminated fairy lights and columns with LED lights wrapped in procession.

Cobalt blue balloons are bunched perfectly in every corner; there is a smoky fountain and water feature with more LED lights reflecting outward. Shimmering moon and stars are hanging from the ceiling, and every table has silver metallic table runners and the starburst and diamond centerpieces are the belles of the ball.
So fantastic!

“Wow, this looks awesome,” I declare as I enter hand in hand with my man.

Cassie and Luke enter behind us. The trip was relaxed with the way they get along and chat like old friends.
They both had a flask and were swapping drinks. Hopefully, that isn’t regretted later.

We decide to sit at one of the back tables. Tyson’s friends from football are at the next table along, so there are plenty of high fives and handshakes. Cassie and I place our purses on the table. Cas loaned me a silver bag that fits everything perfectly.

There are cobalt blue heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and a bow in front of each seat for us to keep.
Cute idea.
I must tell Suzie, who runs the prom committee, that everything is perfect.

Tyson doesn’t leave my side for long. After he has socialized with his team, he grabs my hand and pulls me toward the dance floor.
He is full of surprises tonight.

“I didn’t think you like to dance, Mr. Caine,” I say cheekily to him.

“Dancing with you is something I like,” he replies as he pulls me flush to his body. Dancing in the fabricated moonlight with this special guy is so extraordinary. Once, my best friend, and now, he is so much more.
My lover, soul mate, and my forever.

Mom would be so happy we are together. We are the perfect fit. If only we realized earlier it was impossible to spoil our friendship, as our love has only made it stronger.
Strong as steel. 

Tyson kisses me, and I’m totally lost in the moment. It’s not until Tyson nudges me that I look at what is unfolding on the dance floor. Jake has asked Cassie to dance, and she accepted. Squeal.

“Oh my God,” I whisper to Tyson smiling.

I can’t believe I never noticed they have feelings for each other before. Now, it’s so evident.
They dance together, laugh, and at one point, I see them stare into each other’s eyes. They look so cute together. It’s all very innocent so far, but now, I have great plans for the both of them. The night has actually been fun, and the music has been a mixture of old and new, which I love.

I have glanced Chelsea’s way a couple of times, and her dress is totally over the top. It’s a hot pink halter neck with her boobs pushed up; the middle material of her dress is sheer that she covers with a sash when the teachers are around. The length is bordering too short for prom, but with her mom on the committee, she would get away with murder. As if she can tell just how badly I don’t want to be near her, Chelsea comes up to me right as Tyson heads to get us a drink.

“Don’t get any ideas about being prom queen. It’s my title,” she declares to me in her usual rude voice.

“What makes you think I would want that title?” I question her. I couldn’t think of anything worse.

“Every girl wants to be prom queen,” she says.

“No, you are wrong. This girl is not remotely interested in becoming a fake queen with a plastic crown and having a herd of people following me around,” I announce to her feeling frustrated that she is accusing me of something so ridiculous.

“You are just jealous. The only thing that follows you around are the flies.”

“Go screw yourself, Chelsea,” I almost scream, completely pissed off with Barbie.

“Why would I do that when I have Tyler to screw me?” she replies sarcastically.

“Ha-ha, well, he screws anything with a pulse, so that says a lot about you,” I state kind of wishing I hadn’t stooped to her level with the insults.

“You bitch,” she screams, and her hand reaches out to slap my face. Thank God for fast reflexes. I block her hand and manage to slap it away.

She runs at me this time, but two of her pack grab her. “Chelsea, stop or you will get kicked out,” they say to her reminding her of the rules.

She exhales a deep breath and storms off, with her pack of sheep trailing after her.
Good riddance.

“Did she really try to slap you?” Tyson asks me as he places our drinks on the table and wraps his arms around me.

“Yep, my ninja skills saved me,” I joke to him, but it’s kind of true.

He chuckles, yet I see his eyebrow rise. I’m sure he is wondering if I provoked her or antagonized her a little.
I’m not going to sugarcoat her slutty reputation just to stop a catfight.

“How ‘bout we get out of here? I’ve been a good sportsman and showed my face, but now, I want to make out with you, baby,” he states giving me a wink.

“Best thing I’ve heard all night. I’ll ask Cassie and Jake if they are ready to leave,” I reply as we screen the room for the two of them.

I send my BFF a text message.

Where are you, ho?

“Let’s check outside,” I say as we make our way out the door.

As we glance around trying to find our two besties, I feel my mouth drop open. They are both up against a brick wall, Jake is flush against Cas, and they are kissing frantically, totally all over each other in a heated passion. Her hands are in his hair, and God knows where his hands are.

I wolf whistle. I just can’t help myself. Jake pulls back looking breathless, and Cassie peeks her head around his shoulder.
They both chuckle and laugh when they see Tyson and me.

“Busted,” I say to them both as we walk closer.

They are both speechless.

“We are getting out of here. You two coming?” Tyson declares smiling at the situation.

“Yep, definitely, let’s go,” Jake answers, and Cassie nods smiling widely at me. We walk to the car as Tyson grabs my hand. He always needs to touch me, and I feel the need just as much.

I glance behind and see Jake reach out and take Cassie’s hand.

“You two are so fucking cute,” I state to them and then giggle into Tyson’s shoulder.

Senior prom wasn’t as bad as I thought.
I got to spend a fun night dancing with my favorite people, and now, as I leave with those same people, I realize just how lucky I am to have love and amazing friendships.

“I’m so sorry, Tyson. I just have to go away just for a few weeks,” Mom tells me when I’m home from my afternoon shift at Monroe’s. “I can’t keep pretending things are great. I’m feeling lost and confused more and more lately. Work has become a chore, and I’m struggling now that your father is gone,” she confesses to me, and I have noticed her demeanor is sad and morbid.

“The worst part is that I feel a little relief now that we are all free from Jimmy, which makes me sick. I’m a selfish, disgusting person for thinking that,” she says looking pained. “He hurt us all, Ty, more than I ever admitted to you boys. I should have walked away years ago,” she admits to me trying to justify her leaving.

“Oh Mom, it’s okay. We can deal with everything together. Stay with us. We have each other, and we can work it out,” I plead with her. Walking away is not the answer.

“I’m always here for you, baby, but right now, I need out,” she declares. “I need out of this town, away from this house, and away from his memory. I just need some space to clear my head. You understand don’t you, Ty?” she questions me. “I’m not leaving you boys, just getting the old me back so I can be the best mother I can be,” she confesses hoping to make more sense of her choice.

“Right now, I’m no good to anyone,” she adds. “I will only be gone a couple of weeks, and then we can get on with our lives,” she tells me hugging me tightly.

I know what she means by needing to get away, but it still hurts like hell.

No matter her excuses, she was walking out on us—abandoning us when we need her most.

But I wouldn’t beg her to stay. If she needed this, I would abide by her request and hopefully, help her heal in the process. 

Life would be more complex until she returns. Thomas will no doubt take it the hardest.
Can’t she see that?
He just lost his father, why does his mother want to leave now too?

I will do my best to make sure he never thinks any of this is his fault.

Life is cruel. Shit happens, but you gotta keep soldiering on because what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

****

Mom left Friday afternoon for her space and time away. She left us two weeks’ worth of chicken soup, casserole, beef stew, and spaghetti and meatballs, so I can just heat it up each night.

Just as I assumed, Thomas has shut down. Either he goes straight to bed after dinner, or he’s unruly and gives attitude. The last straw for me is the next weekend when I find him at a house party drunk as a skunk.

“Come on, Tom, you know better, bro,” I say to him as I drive him home.
Thank God, Jay called me
to tell me he was there and was having trouble standing up
. I stop my truck twice for him to throw up—I see that as punishment enough. For now.

Tomorrow is Sunday. I let him stay in bed and sleep it off, and then make him greasy bacon and eggs for lunch. I’ve left two pills on his side table with a glass of water for his head.

“I’m sorry, Tyson,” he says to me as finally he comes out of our room.

“It’s okay, Tom. I know what you’re going through is hard, and you were letting off steam,” I respond—we all feel a little abandoned right now.

We discuss everything and hug it out. “I need to go back to bed before I throw up again,” Tom declares, and I chuckle.
Hair of the dog … That’s the best remedy, but maybe not when you are fourteen.

Hang on, that just gave me the best idea—Thomas needs a dog. A dog will love him unconditionally, and it will take his mind off all of the whacked-out events of the last few weeks. I can’t wait to put Operation: Hair of the Dog into action.

I make a few calls on Monday at lunchtime. I saw a couple of puppies on the shelter’s website. I like the idea of saving a dog from a shelter—everyone deserves a chance at life.

So after my work shift, I drive to check out the five terrier puppies they have there for adoption. They are all very cute—tan, tan and white, dark brown, black—but I’m totally drawn to the black and white guy with the big eyes.
That is the one without a doubt.

I sign the papers and pick up Tom’s new four-legged friend. He is adorable, only twelve weeks old, and he has one white patch over his left eye. He sits next to me in the truck, behaving himself the whole way home. So far so good.

Tommy should be working on his homework; it’s after eight, so I sneak in the front door and cover the puppy with my jacket.

“Tom, are you home?” I call out to him.

“Of course. There are no parties going on tonight,” he calls back sarcastically.

“Can you help me with something?” I yell back, as I kneel down and place the little guy on the carpet.

“What do you need help with?” he asks me looking puzzled.

It’s like it was meant to be when the puppy gallops toward Tom so happy and excited to see him.

Tom’s face lights up, and his eyes go wide.

“Hello there,” he says in his puppy dog voice.
What is it with kids and animals that make humans talk differently?

“Meet your new friend,” I say to him while smiling.

“You bought me a dog, Tyson?” he questions me smirking widely.

“Well, as long as you feed him and take care of him, he is all yours,” I respond. “A customer at work brought him in, and I thought of you,” I lie, but it’s a little white lie this time.

As the puppy licks Tommy’s face, I see him smile a real happy smile, and it’s such a milestone for him I needed to see.

“You got it, Ty. Thanks, bro,” he tells me as he pats and cuddles the puppy.

“What are you going to call him?” I ask him.

“He looks like a pirate or patch with that white over his eye,” Tom says staring at his new friend.

“What do you think?” he asks me.

“I think Patch is a perfect name,” I tell him truthfully.

“Yay. You have a name. Welcome to the family, Patch,” Tom declares, and tears well in my eyes.

This really was a great move. Hopefully, Patch can help heal some of the pain Tom is feeling. Well, hell, he might brighten all of our lives.