All Chapters of Too Big to Fit.: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

Sydney Instead of answering, Tyler reached forward and pushed a button beside the steering wheel.The rear lights brightened.I turned almost immediately, my eyes catching a black car sitting behind, partially hidden around the bend.I hadn’t even noticed it at all.“Ben’s in there somewhere.” He explained.“Wow,” was all I could manage, the whole thing truthfully blowing my mind. And when I turned back to Tyler, he was watching me again.I stared back. “Your Mom means well.”“Yeah, but it gets exhausting.” He rubbed his forehead. “It’s been years since he died and nothing has happened. But she still keeps looking over both our shoulders.”“She’s trying to keep you safe, Tyler.” I said quietly. “That’s all.”He turned his head and looked at me for a second. Then he groaned, letting his head fall back against the headrest. “God, you sound just like her.”A laugh slipped out before I could stop it. “That’s a good thing…right?”“Yeah.” The corner of his mouth lifted, then the smile disa

SydneyIt took about ten extra minutes on the drive home and another two sitting in the driveway trying to make sure my face wasn’t still bright red before I finally got out of the car.It was pointless.Because the second I walked into the house and caught sight of Brooklyn in the kitchen, I knew there was no hiding it.“God!” I sighed, staring at myself in the bathroom mirror.Because yep.I looked like one of Maeve’s grandma’s prize winning tomatoes.I splashed some water over my face and stared at my reflection again, trying desperately not to replay everything that had happened in the car.The things Tyler had told me, the warmth of his hand lingering on my face the entire drive home.The way he’d kissed me without seeming to think twice about it. Even how he’d watched me till I shut the front door after me.“Stop it, Sydney.” I groaned, pulling my blanket further over my head that night.Because yes, Tyler had kissed me the second time, and I already replayed it all the way unti

SydneyMy brain stalled for a second. Then I blinked. “What?”“It’s this thing where all the guys meet up before a big game. Basically a way to get everyone hyped.” He shrugged. “And then we—”“I know what it is.” I finally found my voice. His shoulders relax slightly. “But isn’t it just a friendly game?”He scoffed. “No game is ever friendly, Sydney.”Still, I hesitated, my brain still not knowing what to do with the fact that Tyler was asking me to go out with him.Like not go out-go out. But still…go out.With him.‘Breathe, Sydney.’I tucked my hair behind my ear, “Okay, but I thought it’s for the boys only.”“True.” He shifted slightly, never breaking eye contact. “But I make the rules. And eventually, anyone who can will come with whoever they want to bring.”“And…you want me to come with you.”He nodded without hesitation. “Yeah. I mean, last year I went with Brooklyn and Micheal. But I’m not even sure Micheal will show up at all.”Right. Brooklyn and Micheal.Brooklyn.I star

SydneyFriday evening came faster than I wanted, leaving me with two very important conclusions. One, the universe had a twisted sense of timing. And two, I’d never been this nervous in my entire life.I mean, I’d given this huge presentation in front of the entire junior class back in Newston, I’d taken that exam that put me a class ahead of my classmates.I’d even sat in a twelve-hour flight wondering whether Mom would be happy to see me for the first time after more than a decade.But somehow, none of that came nowhere close to what I felt seeing Tyler’s name light up my phone.“Pick you up at eight.” That was it.Five words.But somehow, that was enough to make my stomach forget how to function. And it took Maeve snatching the phone out of my hand for me to stop staring at the screen.“Breathe, Sydney.” Maeve reminded me like every six minutes when she finally got me to stand in front of my mirror.And I tried.I took deep breaths, repeating her words from yesterday over and over

SydneyWrong.Now, if you’re wondering why running into Mom at the stairs sent a chill down my spine…I wasn’t sure she’d be so thrilled to see me with Tyler.Why?Because there was no way she didn’t know Brooklyn didn’t look at Tyler as just her friend.Brooklyn told her everything.At least to an extent.And honestly, I expected something from Mom. Maybe questions, or a stare. Something to tell me that going to the kickback with Tyler was a terrible idea.Instead, she’d pulled me close, patted my hair, and let me walk out the door.“Have fun,” She’d called after me.And somehow I managed to shove those two words into an accessible part of my mind as the car moved smoothly down the road.Tyler’s phone lit up on the console. Then again and again. All with pictures and messages that had his name attached to them.Probably about the kickback.Probably not.But honestly? Maybe I shouldn’t have brushed it aside so quickly. Along with that feeling in my chest.Because when the car finally