The Boyfriend Deal Read Online Free Page B

pulled me into the house.
    “I’ve been worried sick about you!” Her hands coasted over my hair, shoulders, and down my arms, stopping at the hand that was still linked with Tyler’s.
    “I’m sorry, Mom. I should have called or something. We decided to grab some ice cream on the way home.”
    Mom was eyeing Tyler with narrowed eyes. “And just who are you?” she demanded, making me wince.
    He held out the hand I wasn’t gripping like a lifeline. “I’m Tyler. I’m sorry if I had Hadley out too late. It’s my fault. She said she needed to get home, but I talked her into ice cream. Not as an official date or anything, but just to spend some more time with her.”
    Mom looked from Tyler to me and back again. “And will you be asking her on an official date?”
    “There’s a party after the football game on Friday. I was hoping she’d agree to go with me.”
    Mom pursed her lips and I could tell she was going to say no. I’d seldom attended parties with Hunter, and look how that had turned out. To say I wanted to go was an understatement. Besides, a party with Tyler? Yeah, that had to be fun. Well, assuming I could get past the girls trying to steal him away, and the whispers as we passed. I hadn’t really experienced much of that, but when you dated the most popular guy at school, it was bound to happen. If someone had stolen Hunter from me, there was no doubt someone would try to steal Tyler.
    “Please, Mom?” I asked. “I’d really like to go.”
    “I can bring her home, and I swear I won’t drink anything stronger than soda or water.”
    Wow. Tyler was giving up alcohol for me? I hoped the grin on my face didn’t look as goofy as it felt. Not even Hunter had offered to give up beer on the few occasions I’d gone to a party with him, not that I’d ever told my mom he’d been drinking and driving. She’d have locked me in my room until graduation.
    I could tell Mom was going to cave, and I tightened my grip on Tyler’s hand. If it bothered him, he didn’t show it. We both waited patiently for her to make a decision, and when she finally sighed and gave a nod, I squealed and jumped up and down. Not my coolest moment, and my cheeks flushed the moment I realize Tyler had just witnessed me acting like a kid.
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    “Would you care to stay for dinner, Tyler?” Mom asked.
    “If you’re sure it’s no trouble, I’d love to.”
    My heart pounded in my chest. I led Tyler into the living room and claimed a spot on the sofa. He sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I couldn’t stop myself from snuggling closer. Snatching the remote, I flipped channels until I found the sports channel. I’d never really watched it before, but I figured Tyler probably liked it.
    “We can watch something else, Hadley. You can’t honestly tell me you care anything about the scores of the teams playing today.”
    “No, but I thought you might like it.”
    Something flashed in his eyes, a spark that was gone almost as quick as it had appeared. He tipped my chin up. “Thank you for thinking of me, but I want you to find something you enjoy. Okay?”
    I nodded and he gently pressed his lips to mine. It was a brief kiss, but it was enough to make me tingle from head to toe. Flipping the TV over to Netflix, I put my favorite movie on and snuggled into Tyler. If he had a problem with us watching a romantic comedy, he never said a peep. When dinner was ready, Mom made him sit across from me, which was both a blessing and a curse. I wouldn’t be tempted to touch him if he sat over there, but he could watch me eat. I hoped I wouldn’t embarrass myself.
    “We aren’t waiting for Mr. Ryan?” Tyler asked, eyeing Dad’s empty chair.
    “Hadley’s father is a police officer, and he’s working second shift today. I’ll warm something up for him when he gets home later.” Mom smiled at him. “What do your parents do, Tyler?”
    “Mom is a stay-at-home mom and Dad is an architect.”
    “An