Semua Bab 15 Days Babysitting For My Star Quarterback Bully: Bab 121 - Bab 130

Tyler’s POVI never imagined balloons could feel depressing.Blue and silver ones still float lazily against the ceiling from where Lila, the twins, and Mom decorated yesterday. The handmade banner hangs slightly crooked over the fireplace because Sophie insisted it looked “more artistic” that way, and the birthday cake is still sitting untouched in the refrigerator.Everything is ready, except for the birthday girl.We’d all woken up this morning, ready to wish Mom a happy birthday, only for her to be rushed to the hospital when Dad tried to wake her and she wouldn’t budge. It was a scary ordeal, but she’s stable now, according to Dad.Speaking of, he rushes back into the living room with his car keys and a duffel bag. “They’re admitting her overnight.”I look up from the couch. “Seriously? It’s just the flu.”His jaw tightens for the briefest second before he forces a smile – something I still find strange even though he’s been doing it a lot more lately. “They just want to keep an

Tyler’s POV“It smells weird,” Lucas says, wrinkling his nose the second we step out of the elevator.“That’s because it’s a hospital,” Sophie replies, rolling her eyes.“It smells like old people.”Mom snorts from inside her room. “I can hear you; you know.”Lucas grins sheepishly before darting through the doorway first. “Mommy!”Mom is sitting upright in bed with a book resting in her lap. She looks much better than she did yesterday. Color has returned to her cheeks, or maybe I’m just seeing what I want to see.She smiles the moment she sees us, her arms outstretched for the twins to launch into them. “My favorite people.”“Dad’s downstairs getting coffee,” I tell her as I walk in carrying a bouquet of white lilies. “He said not to let you bully the nurses while he’s gone.”“I would never.”The nurse attending to her laughs. “She already tried bribing us with your homemade cookies,” she tells me.Mom shrugs unapologetically. “He makes excellent cookies.”“I absolutely do not.”She

CHAPTER 125I stare at Tyler’s name on my phone for almost a full minute before I finally press Call.He answers before the first ring finishes. “Hey, beautiful.”The nickname makes my chest ache. “Hi.”He knows me well enough to hear the difference in my tone immediately. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing.” I close my eyes. “I just… I don’t think I can make it for our date tonight.”A long pause drags on the phone before he finally replies. “Oh.”“I’m sorry.”“Are you okay?”“Yeah. I’m just… tired.”“Your parents?”“They’re fine.”He’s quiet for a few seconds. “Do you want me to come over anyway?”“No.” I answer too quickly. “I mean, I think I just need a night to myself.”He hums thoughtfully. “I don’t like how many nights to yourself you’ve been needing lately.”Guilt settles heavily in my stomach. “I know.”“Did I do something wrong, Lila?”I grip my bedsheet tighter. I hate this; I hate lying to him so much. “No, of course not.”He exhales softly. “Okay.” The disappointment in his voice i

Tyler’s POVSomething is wrong with Lila.For the past two weeks, she’s been smiling with her mouth instead of her eyes. She’s quieter, distracted, and keeps pulling away. I’ve asked more than once, and every answer has been the same.“I’m okay.”She’s lying, but I just don’t know why.So, instead of asking and getting the same answer again, I decide to do something about it. I pull up outside Lila’s house, immediately smiling when she walks out carrying her backpack. Even though classes are technically over, she’s still planning to show up to school like a responsible student.The moment she sees all five of us crammed into the car, she laughs in confusion. “What are you all doing here?”“Kidnapping you,” Alex announces proudly.She stops walking. “Excuse me?”“Relax, it’s friendly kidnapping.” Jake says. “Very consensual.”“I don’t think that’s how kidnapping works.”Maya opens the passenger door. “Get in.”“We have senior’s meeting...”Alex checks his watch, then looks back at her.

I have never hated a beautiful day more.The sun shines so brightly that it seems determined to convince everyone the world is exactly as it should be. The sky is impossibly blue, without a single cloud daring to interrupt it. Even the breeze feels warm as Tyler’s car pulls into the parking lot of the Grand Montrose Hall.The building’s cream-colored stone glows beneath strings of fairy lights, and elegant flower arrangements frame the entrance, with a banner that reads: Happy Birthday, Mabel.No one else knows they’re walking into a goodbye disguised as a birthday.I clutch my clutch purse a little tighter.“You okay?” Tyler reaches over the center console and squeezes my hand.He’s wearing a tailored black tuxedo that makes him look more like the man he’ll become than the boy I’ve fallen in love with.I force myself to smile. “I’m fine.”He leans over and kisses my forehead. “Tonight’s supposed to be fun. So, let’s have fun.”I nod because