Trying to... - 6. Trying to Pretend

Her laugh broke the silence. It had stretched for... minutes... hours probably? Scott couldn’t bring himself to say even “Hello” when faced with those wide shocked eyes of Tyler.

‘Dad, are you going to ever let him in?’ A blond head appeared from behind Tyler, the voice drawing Scott’s eyes away.

‘No,’ Tyler shook his head, smiling at the girl. Turing to the man still standing on the doorway, he gave a small smile. ‘Come in, Scott.’

‘Scott?’ The girl smiled; the bright eyes and the happy smile almost seemed to light up the dark. Scott found himself smiling at her.

‘Hi,’ he said, extending a hand to that she promptly shook. ‘And you are?’

‘This is Eleonora,’ Scott could hear the pride Tyler’s voice as he made introductions, ‘my daughter.’

‘Eli, DAD!’ She shot her father an exasperated look and turned back to Scott with a smile. ‘No one calls me Eleonora.’

They moved to the drawing room, where the awkward silence seemed to engulf them once again.

‘Can I get you anything to drink?’

‘No thanks, Eli.’

‘Okay then, Dad, I’m leaving now.’ Eli moved towards Tyler who was standing in the entrance of the room still, as far as he could without actually being out of the room.

Tyler nodded, ‘You have your phone with you?’

‘Yes, Dad!’ She stood on tiptoe and kissed her father and turned to wave at Scott. ‘See you later, Scott.’ And with that, she was gone.

Scott didn’t know where to begin, as a matter of fact, he had no idea what was it that he wanted to begin talking about. His mind was screaming “why” over and over.

Why did he hide the fact that he has a daughter?

Why did he say he can’t?

Why can’t he?

Why won’t he talk to me?

Why does he have to look so fucking adorable even when confused?

He watched Tyler shift from foot to foot, still perched under the archway; not moving. The way he was nibbling at his bottom lip brought up a fierce protectiveness in Scott.

‘Why are you torturing the poor thing?’ Scott shocked both of them as he thought out loud.

Tyler’s eyes widened, ‘What?’

‘Uh,’ Scott broke eye contact and looked around the room trying to buy some time. ‘Please, come sit here, Ty. I just have a few things to…’ he trailed off as he turned; Tyler was closer than he’d thought, ‘…know.’

‘I know,’ Tyler nodded, taking a seat as far from Scott as possible. He looked down at the coffee table and shrugged. ‘What would you want to know?’

‘Why?’ Scott’s voice was low.

‘Haven’t you figured it out already?’

The look on Tyler’s face propelled Scott to move from his seat on the sofa and kneel next to the recliner, beside Ty. The whispered words but broke his heart.

‘Ty, there are a lot of things I’d like to know besides the obvious!’ He placed his hand on Tyler’s knee and squeezed gently. Tyler moved his head to look at it. ‘Look at me, please?’ A slight movement of the head, something between a shake and a nod; Scott didn’t know what to make of it. So, he just hooked his finger under Tyler’s chin and turned his face so that they were looking in the other’s eye.

Scared, sad and apprehensive brown eyes met the sad yet hopeful green ones of Scott; searching, trying to communicate. Scott was at a loss of words at the sight of those expressive eyes glistening.

‘Ty?’ It was more of a croak than a word; Scott cleared his throat and sat back down on his knees, distancing himself a little. At Tyler’s nod, he continued, ‘Is it just because of Eli, or is there something…’ he saw Tyler stiffen and he almost choked, but he needed to know. Scott took a deep breath and took the plunge, ‘someone I need to know about?’

‘What?’ Tyler jerked back, his eyes wide, shaking his head. ‘No, no!’

‘Why, then?’ no matter how hard he tried, Scott couldn’t quite get rid of the frown; did Tyler really think…

‘Scott, it’s been over twelve years,’ Tyler’s voice was barely a whisper; Scott could see the silent plea in his eyes. ‘I haven’t…’ He looked away, but a soft squeeze on the knee and his eyes returned to the hand that hadn’t left its perch and then back to its owner. He took a deep breath, ‘I haven’t dated anyone since Eli was born; I have no idea what to do. I have been just a father for far too long, Scott. I don’t know how to be anyone else. I don’t want to be…’

‘Shhhhh,’ Scott wrapped his arms around the trembling figure on the recliner, effectively stopping his babble mid-way. When he pulled away, he knew what he had to do for now; no matter how much his heart cried out directions otherwise.

‘Ty, I like you,’ He smiled, looking into the taller man’s eyes. ‘I mean, it’s quite obvious that I do. And I’m really hoping to keep you in my life.’ That got him a reaction from Tyler when the downcast eyes shot up to his. ‘If you’re not sure about the dating part, what do you say we forget the whole “kiss” incident?’ He chuckled, albeit ruefully. ‘Blame it on the crazy November rain or something. Please… don’t just cut me out of your life. I miss you, so does Mel.’

Scott hoped his voice was gentle and that his hurt didn’t show much. He didn’t want the gentle Ty to suffer guilt on top of the confusion; he had enough on his plate already.

Tyler looked at Scott for a long moment and finally nodded; smiling tentatively. ‘I’ll introduce you to Eli properly the next time. She has given me quite a bit of grief for not having called you back.’

‘Smart girl!’

‘Somewhat like Mel. Tell me, how is your sister?’

Tell me what you think.