"Come on, let me help you." Tanner says but Tyler remains quiet, saying nothing.
He has not choice but to brace himself and act normal as Tanner starts his treatment.
When Tyler doesn't say anything for some time, Tanner decides to speak again. "Does it still hur..." He raises his head, but his words get stuck as his eyes meet Tyler's, which are staring back at him intently.
He wants to look away, but it's as if something is holding him right there. He wants to say something, but no words leave his mouth.
Tyler is losing himself, leaning toward Tanner unconsciously. Tanner sees it happening but remains glued in place, drawn in by those beautiful blue eyes, which he's just now realizing are breathtaking.
"What are you doing?" Tanner finally whispers, words barely leaving his mouth.
"I don't know," Tyler answers in a whisper too, still lost in himself.
Why am I asking him what he's doing instead of just moving away from him? Tanner wonders.
His eyes drift to Tyler's inviting, reddish lips. For a moment, Tanner is unaware of where he is or what he is doing.
All he can see are those red, inviting lips and those drowning blue eyes as he unconsciously leans closer too.
"Honey, are you in here?" Rachel's voice cuts through the moment, throwing their heads apart suddenly as she enters the room.
Neither of them answers her.
"I've been looking for you two everywhere. Tay told me you were here doing first aid. Let me see. Where did you get hurt? What were you doing in here, Tyler? Oh right, jumping through the window. How many times have I told you not to jump through this window?"
"Mom, stop nagging. It's nothing. I need to go take a shower."
Tyler stands up, struggling slightly. Rachel tries to help him, but he refuses. Tanner stands aside, his body and mind unable to process anything.
"Tanner, can you please help him to his room?" Rachael says.
"No. I can manage. I'm fine; I don't need him to help me," Tyler refuses sharply.
He walks out of the room.
Rachel sighs. "This boy... Why is he getting weirder and more stubborn every single day? But I'm glad you two are at least getting along now."
"Uh... yeah, me too," Tanner answers.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to my family. But be warned, there are so many people down there." Rachael says smiling at him lightly.
"That's okay. I mean, the more, the merrier," Tanner answers, surprising even himself. He hates crowds, but since he's not himself anymore, why not explore this new side of himself?
"How did you change this much? You never liked having many people around you, and now you even smile and laugh. I can't believe I used to fear you—silly kid," Rachel chuckles.
"Hey, you better not forget who I am," Tanner says, trying to focus his mind on her.
"I had long forgotten that, my dear," Rachel says with a teasing smile as they approach the living room.
The noise and murmurs die, and all attention turns to Tanner.
Tanner couldn't believe his eyes. All these people are family?! he wonders.
All the young ladies and even older women start drooling over him the moment they lay their eyes on him. They gasp. Tay's reaction to that is dangerous. She walks and stands beside Tanner.
"I was about to ask for your attention, but it seems like I don't need to anymore because I already have it," Rachel says, putting her hand over Tanner's shoulder.
"I have something to say to you—something my husband and I have been hiding for so long." Joe looks at her as if wondering what she's talking about.
Curiosity is written all over everyone's faces. "This is Tanner—our firstborn. We had him when we were in college and have been hiding him until now."
Others gasp, while some laugh, clearly not buying it.
"Hey, don't get heart attacks. He's our CEO but family too," Rachel clarifies laughing too.
Everyone starts talking at once, introducing themselves to him and asking endless questions.
○
"Oh, Lexy, you made it!" Joe calls a name that has become so familiar in Tanner's ears, though he hasn't met its owner. He can't help but look at Tyler's girlfriend, who has just arrived.
"Hey, everyone, I know this is not my place, but since the owner isn't here, I'll take his place. Meet Lexy, Tyler's girlfriend." The air fills with greetings of "Hi Lexy," "Nice to meet you," and "So beautiful."
"Uh, babe, should we tell them now?" Tay asks Tanner.
"Hey, Taylor. Hi, Tanner. Uh, Taylor, I'm looking for Tyler. Where can I find him?" Lexy cuts Taylor off with her question.
"He's in his room," Taylor answers.
"Thanks. I'll check on him there." Lexy says making her way to Tyler's room.
That hits Tanner differently. He looks at her, his face screaming, What? She wants to go to his room? as if it's something magical.
"He's taking a shower. Why don't you just wait for him here? He'll be out in a few minutes," Tanner opposes absentmindedly.
Taylor raises an eyebrow. "She's his girlfriend, so what's the big deal? Besides, it's not like it's her first time going in there. Go on, Lexy."
"But he..." Tanner starts, but Taylor cuts him off. "Leave them alone. Why don't we tell everyone now?"
Tanner isn't listening. His mind is upstairs, wondering what will happen if Lexy finds Tyler naked.
"Hey, what's your problem?" Taylor snaps her fingers in front of his face. "You seem distant. Let's tel—"
"Hey, there you are. Don't you remember what we planned last Thanksgiving dinner? Hi, Tanner. Can I please borrow Taylor for just a minute? It's really important," a girl interrupts.
"No problem," Tanner says, angering Taylor.
She leaves hesitantly.
"Isn't Tyler done yet? We're about to have dinner in a few minutes. Let me look for him," Rachel says, standing up.
Tanner stops her. "Let me call him."
"Okay, thanks." Rachael says sitting back.
Finally, Tanner has a reason to go upstairs. He couldn't be more relieved. As he's about to knock, he hears Tyler's voice, which stops him.
"I'm sorry. I promise I'll be a better boyfriend from now on," Tyler says.
"You always say that but never actually do it. Is there someone else in your mind or what?" Lexy asks.
"What?! No. You know you're the only person I've ever loved, Lexy."
Relieved that they aren't doing what he thought, Tanner sighs softly and knocks.
"Tyler, you guys are needed in the dining room," he says.
"Just, uh..." Tyler stutters after hearing Tanner's voice , which makes Tanner conclude that what he's experiencing around Tyler, Tyler is experiencing too around him.
"Why are you stuttering? We'll be there in a minute. Thanks, Tanner," Lexy replies, clearly displeased.
"Sure." Tanner says his going back down stairs.
○
At dinner, everyone is cheerful, and Tay keeps pressuring Tanner to announce their relationship.
Tanner doesn't know what to do. He's still trying to figure out what's going on with him and Tyler__ who is doing his best to avoid Tanner's eyes right now.
"Tanner, you don't drink?" Charlie—Tyler's uncle—asks.
"Uh, actu..." Tanner starts, but his words choke in his throat when he sees Tyler holding a glass for Lexy to drink from.
Unconsciously, Tanner grabs the glass next to him—Taylor's—and downs it in one gulp.
The burn sears his throat, spreading fire through his veins, and his composure slips.
His chair scrapes as he leans back, blinking rapidly. "Oh no," he murmurs , his voice softer than usual.
His cheeks flush a deeper red than the cranberry sauce on the table. Then he passes out immediately.