18. About to go down!

The earlier, the better.

Tyler's mind hasn't stopped repeating this mantra since last night. Even as he walks back to the house from the park___ a place that has become his refuge for clearing his mind, the words keep echoing.

When he steps into the living room, he finds Rachael and Joe seated there, chatting.

"There you are," Joe says, acknowledging Tyler's presence.

"Hey, Mom. Dad," Tyler responds quietly, heading straight upstairs without another word.

Rachael calls after him, "Honey, do you need me to bring you breakfast in your room?" She's hoping for a chance to sit him down for a serious talk.

Something has been off about him lately, and it's worrying her.

"No, thanks, Mom. I already ate something out," Tyler lies without hesitation, brushing off her concern.

"I really miss my silly boy," Rachael laments softly. "When are you going to come back to yourself—"

"Who knows?" Tyler cuts her off mid-sentence. His tone is indifferent, almost cold. "Maybe my days of being silly are long gone."

Joe tries to intervene gently. "Tyler, it's not the end of the world. People love and separate. It's—"

"Guys, not now, please," he interrupts again, his voice firm. "Besides, I told you, I'm over that already."

Rachael presses, "If that's true, then why—"

"Good day," Tyler mutters abruptly, ending the conversation as he climbs the stairs.

°

Reaching Tay's room, he finds it empty. Just as he steps out into the hallway, he sees her emerging from Tanner's room.

"Thief!" Tay exclaims playfully when she sees Tyler coming out of her space.

"What could I possibly steal from you? Domineering CEO novels?" Tyler retorts with a smirk, masking his internal turmoil with humor.

"Fuck you! My project! I know you haven't done yours yet, and we're reopening soon," she teases, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Who are you kidding? Everyone knows I'm way better than you in that sector," he quips, though his chuckle carries a sad undertone.

The weight of what he's about to do threatens to crush him, but he knows there's no turning back.

He needs to face this. "Can we talk for a moment?" he asks, his voice steady despite the fear clutching at him.

"Sure, why not? Although, for real, I don't like the way you've been acting lately. Seriously, Tyler, how bad is it? If it's really bothering you that much, why not talk to Lexy? Tell her how you feel. Maybe you two could try long distance—visit each other once in a while. If you managed to keep someone like Tanner with long distance, then why not Lexy?"

Tyler remains silent, her words stabbing at him. Instead of responding, he opens the door to his room and steps inside, gesturing for Tayler to follow. Once inside, he heads straight for the bathroom and pulls out his phone to text Tanner.

Tyler: We can't tell her.

Tanner: Didn't we already decide? No matter what, we were going to tell her. It's your choice, though. Just let me know what you've decided. Today is the last day.

Tyler: Why does it seem like you don't care? Either way, you're fine!

Tanner: That's because I don't want to pressure you. Just do what feels right for you. But, Tyler, I wish we could end up together because I really like you. You spending just one night in my arms made me want to spend the rest of my life with you.

The message strikes Tyler like a lightning bolt, dissolving all his doubts and fears. Taking a deep breath, he exits the bathroom and finds Tayler sprawled out on his bed, looking relaxed but curious.

"So... what's up?" she asks casually.

"I have bad news," Tyler begins, his voice tight with emotion.

"Bad news?" Her playful demeanor shifts to concern.

"Yeah. I don't want to beat around the bush, so I'll just say it. But first…" He pauses, his hands trembling. "Taylor, I'm terribly sorry in advance. I don't know if, after this, you'll ever forgive me. I don't know if you'll even listen when I tell you how truly sorry I am. But, sis, I love you. I would never intentionally hurt you. Never."

"What is it? You're scaring me! I want to think this is one of your pranks, but the way you're talking…" Her voice trails off, laced with unease.

Tyler steels himself, knowing there's no way to soften the blow. There's no point in struggling with words. No matter how he say it, the outcome will still be the same.

"Taylor, I don't know how to say this, but… it seems Tanner and I fell for each other from the start. I… I love him. I fell for him. For real."

Her laughter breaks the heavy silence. "Ha! For some reason, I knew it was a prank! I knew it! And so it is! Bad luck for you because today, I'm way ahead of you."

"Tay, I'm not pranking you," Tyler interrupts, his voice unwavering. "I wish I were, but I'm not."

Her laughter fades instantly. "What do you mean you wish? Come on, drop the act with the serious face. I don't like this."

"I've tried to get rid of these feelings for him, but it's not working. Tay, I swear, I would never hurt you intentionally."

"What are you trying to say, Tyler? I don't get it. Not even a little bit. I'm sorry, but say it again."

"I fell in love with Tanner. And not just now—back when I started talking to him."

She shakes her head in disbelief. "Ha… No, that can't be true. If it were, why did you ask me to be his girlfriend? Do you know what I think this is about...? I think You're just jealous because your relationship with Lexy failed, and now you want to ruin mine!

For once, I thought you cared about me. Turns out you're as selfish as you always are.

If you fell for Tanner for real, back then , then when you asked me to be his girlfriend...you were just using me , again!

But anyway, it still doesn't make sense, what explains this is your failed relationship and you wanting to ruin mine!

Didn't you have a girlfriend when you were talking to Tanner? And now you're pretending you fell for him a long time ago?"

"I didn't realize it until he was here. I've also realized I didn't love Lexy—I just liked how she is. I didn't really pay attention to her at all while we were dating. You can ask her if you want."

"What about yesterday? When you stormed out because she broke up with you?"

"She wasn't the reason I left the house. This was."

"You're not gay. How can you love him?"

"I don't know. Maybe I'm bisexual and just never realized it."

"If you were bisexual, you would have known by now. Seriously, you've gone 21 years without being attracted to a guy? And it's just Tanner? Well, I'm sorry to hear that because Tanner and I love each other, and he's not gay. So you're out of luck."

"Are you sure about that?" Tyler challenges softly.

She stares at him, anger building. "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying he doesn't feel the same way, Taylor. He's in love with me, too."

"Did he tell you that?! Huh?! Did he say it to you?!" She asks , now yelling.

Tyler nods reluctantly.

"Why don't he say that to my face!" Fuming, she storms out, heading for Tanner's room.

Tyler follows, his heart pounding , when he gets to the hallway, he sees Tanner approaches them.

This is out of hand, Tyler thinks.