Valentine's Surprise

HADLEY

Fuck, I hate Valentine’s Day! It’s so overrated and fucked up.

Valentine’s Day was tomorrow, and I was not too fond of it.

Yes, I’m single, but that’s beside the point.

For the last few hours, I have been busy watching couples hold hands and kiss for the last few days, which is making me sick.

Leaning back slightly, I sip my coffee as I wait in the café for my male best friend to come. I let out sigh and watch the door open for the fifth time, when another couple walks in.

I couldn’t help but groan and roll my eyes.

This was getting so old fast for me. I didn’t want to anywhere other than my place. I sipped more coffee and placed the mug down when someone cleared their throat which made me glance up, and my eyes widen.

There standing in all his glory was my best friend, Tyson. I couldn’t help but check him out. He looked hot as fuck. My eyes trailed all over him till I met his eyes.His eyes bore down at me, but my cheeks flamed as soon as the realisation kicked in—he had seen me check him out.

Fuck.

“Are you done eye fucking me, Hadley,” he murmured, his mischievous grin forming.

I cleared my throat and looked away.

Damn him and his sexiness.

Tyson pulled the chair near me out and took the seat as I watched his every move till he was sitting down. His eyes were on me, but before we could talk, a waitress came over with a beaming smile and asked him what he wanted. He gave his order without even looking at her, which didn’t go over too well with her when she huffed out and walked away.

I couldn’t help but look at how she was staring at him.

A pang of jealousy hit me. There was no secret that I had feelings for Tyson, but he never seemed to notice. I had to watch him be with others, which was hard to stomach, especially as some of his past girlfriends went out of their way to make me feel uncomfortable.

We sat in silence for a few moments till the waitress came back with his coffee and a folded napkin. My eyes stayed on the napkin when I soon realised, she must have given him her name and number.

Tyson cleared his throat, which made me look up and notice he was smiling, not even looking at the napkin under his coffee mug as he scrunched it up in his hand.

Why would he do that?

I frowned.

“I think you were meant to keep that,” I said, glancing at the waitress, who looked slightly hurt by what he did.

The waitress looked at me, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and turned away.

Well, that was ladylike.

Looking back at my friend, Tyson smiled. “I knew what she had given me,” he said, leaning back in his chair while his eyes roamed my face. “She has been giving me her number for the last few months. I have told her no, but she doesn’t seem to get the hint.”

I didn’t say anything. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, which he makes me feel sometimes. I looked toward the door to get my thoughts back in order before I could look back at him. Once I was ready, I let out a sigh. “So,” I said, looking back at him, “why did you want to meet?”

Tyson looked at me and shook his head. “Not yet,” he said, taking a sip of coffee and putting his mug back down before he spoke again. “I wanted to know how you have been; it seems like ages since I last saw you.”

I frowned.

“I’ve been fine,” I said, trying to convince him. Knowing exactly, he would know I wasn’t. The damn man knew me all too well.

Tyson looked at me, but I could tell he didn’t believe me.

“Hadley,” he spoke, “come on, you haven’t been around for ages, and I’ve missed you. What have you been doing with yourself?”

I stared at him. There was no way I could tell him, which was, I had been avoiding him lately. It was to do with all the crap over the last few days; his ex-girlfriend seemed to think they were back together when they weren’t. I got caught up in it and thought it was best to stay away from Tyson. I wouldn’t say I liked confrontation at the best time.

“I’ve been busy with work,” I said, placing my hand around my mug. “I took on more shifts. You know I hate this time of year with all the romance and shit.”

Tyson stared at me; his face blank.

I felt weird with the way he was looking at me.

“You still hate Valentine’s Day?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.

I nod.

His eyes bore into mine, but he leaned back in his seat; his eyes never left mine.

“How long have you been single?” he asked.

I frowned.

“What question is that to ask?” I asked, sounding weird at why he would ask. “You know the answer.”

Tyson stared as a smile appeared on his face, “I know, but I want to oppose something to you.”

I stared at him, raising my eyebrows.

“What?” I asked.

“Well, I want to take you out,” he said, which made my stomach fluttered at the statement, but I didn’t say anything while he continued. “I want to show you that Valentine’s Day is something to look forward to.”

I frowned. Why the hell would he want to take me out?

“You want to take me out,” I said, keeping my face neutral while a storm was building up inside. “As in what, a date? Or a pity thing?”

Tyson shook his head. “Never pity,” he murmured but smiled. “Date, sure.”

I stared, but my eyes widened.

“We are friends, won’t it be weird,” I said, trying to keep my voice in check, but my heart was beating faster.

Tyson stared at me with an amused look.

“You think this would affect our friendship,” he said, “It won’t, I promise.”

I stared at him, but a question kept filling my head.

“Why?” I asked, leaning further back in seat. “I thought you and Gemma were back together.”

Tyson stared at me but frowned.

“Fuck, no,” he groaned, “I had a restraining order placed on her. She wouldn’t leave me alone. I didn’t want anything to do with her.”

I felt somewhat relieved by that. Gemma was crazy, and she had this weird obsession with Tyson.

“I want to take my best friend out on a date,” he said, pulling me back from my thoughts. I looked at him, and his eyes were on me.

Every fibre of my being was telling me to do it. I have had this stupid crush on him. Maybe doing this would be a perfect way of letting it go and not only that, but it could also be fun. But there was another part of me that was scared that my feelings would show and scare him off. I would rather be friends and have Tyson in my life than not.

I stared at him but sighed.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I said.

Tyson leaned back in his chair and smirked. “Scared that you may fall in love with me,” he said, sounding amused, “Or you too chicken to go out with your friend to experience a romantic evening.”

My eyes widened.

“I...” I start to say, but I stop myself.

Tyson wants to take me out.

“When?” I asked.

Tyson smiled.

“Tomorrow evening, obviously,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“I can’t do tomorrow,” I said, feeling slightly annoyed now. “I took an extra shift at the bar and won’t be able to finish till eight in the evening.”

Tyson shrugged.

“I could still take you out after work,” he said, looking at me.

I stared at him, trying to figure out if I had any other excuse to throw at him, but I didn’t. I wanted to go, but part of me was scared to agree.

“I don’t...” I start to say, but Tyson shakes his head and moves close to me, placing his hand in mine, which takes me by surprise.

“No,” he said, his eyes locking on mine. “I will pick you up from work if I have to. You finish at eight, and I will be waiting outside your work when you finish. I want to take you out, no exceptions.”

I could feel Tyson’s fingers rub the back of my hand, which sent shivers right through me.

Tyson’s eyes bore into mine more, but I sighed and gave in.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

Tyson moved my hand to his mouth and kissed it, sending my core into a throbbing mess. Damn it, why did he have to do this?

“Great,” he said with a smile.

“What do I have to wear?” I asked, feeling slightly nervous.

Tyson shook his head. “Just wear whatever you want. I won’t be doing anything big for you; I just want to show you that Valentine’s night can be special whatever you do.”

I felt a pang of disappointment hit me. I guess it was something. I never thought Tyson would see me as anything other than a friend. We have known each other for years, ever since college. We became friends and never looked back.

“Okay,” was all I could say.

I might try to get out of it, even if I ask my boss to keep me working.

I looked at Tyson. “So, was that all you wanted to talk about?”

Tyson nodded. “Mainly,” he said and let out a sigh. “And also, the part of missing being with you. Let’s walk by the lake and catch up on everything that’s been happening with us.”

I nodded. “That sounds like a plan,” I said with a smile.

I drank the rest of my coffee, and so did Tyson.

We both got up and left the cafe.

My thoughts were everywhere, especially about tomorrow evening. My head was in two minds, while my heart was having trouble deciding whether it was the right move. I needed to think soon and come up with something, or I would go out tomorrow with my crush and best friend.

Eek... that sounded scary to think about; I had to keep my mind clearer for now, or I will end up doing something stupid.