Love Will Find You Page 16

  Sarah nearly spilled her tea. “Oh, I know her. She’s evil. Pure evil.”

  That surprised Katie. She hadn’t expected praise for Tyson’s ex-girlfriend, but the obvious dislike was unexpected. Had she overreacted? Did she just throw something away because of what Anita said, a person nobody really liked? Was this her stupid newspaper article mistake all over again?

  “She put a lot of effort into getting into Oliver’s bed,” Sarah continued. “Once she found out there’s no money or fame in baseball in Australia, she dropped him like a hot rock and moved on to Tyson. He was blindly in love, the poor bugger.”

  Katie took another sip as she listened to every word her friend was saying. Soaking in the information, she doubted her sanity as well as her decision to leave Tyson. Everything inside her tightened unbearably, almost to the point she became nauseous.

  “Best thing that could’ve happened to Tyson was for her to leave. Worst thing was for her to return and make his life a misery.” She met Katie’s eyes. “Please don’t tell me she’s part of the reason you’re here?”

  Katie nodded, not able to say a word without bursting into tears again.

  “Darling. Whatever she said, I’m convinced it was a lie. She wants him badly. Chances for him tomorrow are massive. She wants to be with him in the limelight.”

  Exhaling a massive sigh, Katie stood and walked over to the window. Her heart ached so much, she held her hand to her chest, too afraid it would shatter. Afraid it would stop.

  “She told me Tyson went to her for consolation after his father died,” she finally muttered barely above a whisper.

  “Ha,” Sarah exclaimed. “If someone else had said that, I’d say it was a rumour, because I know from Markus how much he was hung up on you since he’d met you last year. But since it came from her, I know it’s a lie! Don’t listen to her, darlin’.” Sarah stood as well and came to the window. “She’s evil. Honestly.”

  With a hiccup and a sob, she asked, “Why didn’t he deny it, Sarah?”

  The question seemed to surprise her friend. “I don’t know. But please do not believe a word that woman is saying.” She placed a hand on Katie’s shoulder. “Would you like me to give Marky a call?”

  Katie shook her head. “Thanks, but no thanks. I think there are too many people involved already.” She turned to look at her. “Do you mind if I sleep here tonight?”

  “No problem at all. You stay as long as you want.”

  Katie’s phone buzzed, and she checked the messages. There were a few. She quickly called Teagan to give her an update on the situation. She gave Tyson’s mother and grandmother a call as well, telling them not to worry. Last, she read Tyson’s message: No need to think abt a move to melb if u really think I slept with her.

  Her legs gave way underneath her, and she sank into the chair. She wondered if the stress of the last few days played with her common sense so much she’d forgotten what was right and what was wrong.

  It was like a knife in her heart, digging a little deeper with each thought about her mistaken judgment.

  Chapter Twelve

  Tyson woke with a hangover. The previous night was one he decided to add to the non-memorable hours in his life. Hopefully a soon to be forgotten night.

  Markus and Oliver had come over with beer. Markus had a fair idea of what had happened earlier that day, because of Sarah. Ty hadn’t heard from Katie yet, but deep inside was glad she’d gone to Sarah, and as much as he disliked the idea of other people being involved in his private life, he was relieved Katie had found a friend to talk to. She was still in Melbourne, but he doubted she’d come that night. Actually, he was sure of it. His mother had rung to inform him that Katie had asked her to step in and accompany him to the event.

  He checked his phone for the thousandth time, but there was no reply to his message. Tyson’s heart sunk, and the beer in his body played havoc with his stomach. Desperate to get rid of the alcohol in his blood, he needed a big mug of coffee. Yet, whatever he did, he wasn’t able to get his heavy frame out of bed. This was going to be one very long day. A very painful day.

  Closing his eyes for a moment, his other senses took over. He swore he could already smell coffee. And he heard voices. He threw back the duvet, holding his head, cursing the jackhammer behind his eyes, and finally got up. He wasn’t sure how, but he made it into the kitchen at last, where he found his two mates. Markus stood there with a cup of coffee for him in his hand.

  Bless them.

  “You look like shit, Ty,” Oliver greeted him.

  Ty raked a hand through his short hair. “Fuck off.”

  The guys laughed in unison, and Ty shot them a look. With a sigh, he grabbed the coffee and sat down. “This is going to be one fucking long day.”

  “Easy on the lingo, mate,” Markus reminded him.

  Ty just shook his head. “What’s the time?”

  “Just after eleven. I’ve made you bacon and eggs,” Markus said. “I think you need to be at the place to get ready by three. Gives you a couple of hours. Your mum will meet you there.”

  Lifting an eyebrow, Tyson stared at him. “Since when are you organising my life?”

  Oliver laughed. “He’s been organising your life since you left school.”

  Which deserved him a smack over the head by Mark.

  “I’m not organising your life, but considering that I’m the one who filled you with half a slab of beer, I feel obligated to give you a hand this morning.”

  Ty grinned. “Obligated?”

  “Bugger off,” Mark replied.

  “If you feel obligated, how about you get that girl of mine into her dress and ready for tonight.”

  Mark didn’t reply. His face spoke for him. A grim look Tyson didn’t need that morning.

  “Fuckin’ hell.” Ty rubbed his face with his hands. “I’m sure I can think about a hundred ways to make Anita’s life miserable.”

  Oliver set a plate in front of him, but Ty didn’t move. There was no way he could eat without throwing it up.

  “Eat!”

  “Feeling obligated as well?”

  Oliver choked back a chuckle. “Nope, but sick and tired of your pathetic face. Eat! Get this night over and done with and then work on a plan to get your girl back. Leave Anita to me.”

  Tyson frowned.

  “You don’t want to know,” Oliver added. “Now eat.”

  Tyson picked up the fork when his phone buzzed.

  A message from Katie.

  I don’t believe u!

  ***

  Send.

  It had taken Katie more than half an hour to write the message. Four words. Four tiny words which felt like a colossal weight on her heart. Four words which could’ve been read either way.

  I don’t believe you mean what you were saying about moving to Melbourne or I don’t believe you slept with Anita or…

  Well, there wasn’t a third option. The third option was the question of why hadn’t he denied it straight away. Why was she so crazy and impulsive to get twisted around Anita’s fingers without noticing it? And why had she ruined something so wonderful?

  Whichever way she turned the whys, though, she wasn’t able to get past the fact that he hadn’t said a clear no to the accusations.

  Katie didn’t feel like getting up. All she wanted was to stay in bed all day. Sarah had been wonderful the previous night. Listened, without judging, although the more they’d talked the more Katie believed she’d been in the wrong. She turned in bed and stared out of the window. It was September, but the sky made it look more like June. It was a threatening black, and in the distance, she heard the sound of thunder. Mother Nature felt the same.

  She was startled by the knock at the door.

  “Katie? Are you awake?” Sarah asked in a hushed voice.

  Katie stood to open the door. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning. It’s about eleven o’clock. I only wanted to make sure you’re all right.”

  Katie nodded, no
t able to start a conversation so soon after waking.

  “Care for some breakfast?”

  “I’d love it. May I invite you for brunch as a thanks?”

  Sarah’s eyes lit up. “Fantastic idea. Let me have a shower, and I’ll be ready in half an hour.”

  Katie went back to the bed, grabbed her phone, and checked for messages. Nothing. Then she gave Teagan a quick call and listened to her ranting that she was wrong by packing up and not waiting until this whole Medal stress event was over.

  “Please don’t rub it in, Teagan,” Katie said.

  “I’m not rubbing it in, honey, but honestly, I’m sure you both overreacted. I know you. I know how stubborn you can be. Remember the whole newspaper situation. It’s like that all over again.”

  She paused, but Katie didn’t know what to say.

  “I should’ve stayed. I’m glad Sarah’s there for you.”

  “I’m all right. Honestly. Anyway, we’re about to head out for breakfast. I’ll call you later. I’ll probably be home late tomorrow.”

  “Be good, honey. And don’t rush coming home. Fix this damn problem!”

  Katie disconnected, checked again for messages, and went into the bathroom. She should’ve written something different.

  Sorry or Did you or didn’t you or Good grief, I miss you.

  She let out a long sigh as she walked into the guest bathroom. Stepping into the shower, she enjoyed the warm water caressing her skin. As she soaped the washcloth and ran it over her skin, each move made her wish it was Ty’s hands on her. She closed her eyes and a flash of loneliness stabbed through her.

  Despite her emotional turmoil, Katie’s afternoon with Sarah in Melbourne was pleasant and enjoyable. After their late morning breakfast, they strolled along the streets of the city and did some shopping in the small boutiques. Katie had a good time, and after dinner at a fancy restaurant with Markus, they finally made it back to Sarah’s late that evening. Katie had enjoyed Mark’s company and appreciated the fact that he hadn’t made her feel like a fool about her stupid accusation. All he’d said when he’d left was, “For what it’s worth, Ty is not the bad guy in this story.”

  Despair tore at her heart, and she just nodded.

  Both women were silent on their way back until Sarah switched the radio on. They listened to some music, shared a laugh when Sarah started to sing along, but the silence returned when the news started on the full hour. The sports report came on, and Sarah turned it up a notch. Glued to the words, they took in the information about the Brownlow Medal. It was the occasion of the day, and they reported in detail about the red carpet, players and wives, frocks and styles, the good and the bad, and—the winner.

  Katie turned to Sarah. “Oh. My. God.”

  Sarah laughed. “It was an open secret. Honestly. Half of Victoria expected it.”

  Katie was stunned. Her mouth hung open.

  “Your chance. Send him a text.”

  “Like what?” Katie asked, still too stunned by the news.

  Parking the car into the driveway, Sarah shook her head in amusement. “Something like, let me think, oh, how about congratulations.”

  Katie bit her lip. Congratulations?

  Sarah got out of the car and stepped into the house, ignoring Katie, who was still pondering the idea. Congratulations?

  Well done?

  Congratulations. She couldn’t believe it. The whole medal thing had been such a pain in her backside for the last few weeks and now…Tyson had won. He’d won this infamous Brownlow Medal. Still in the car, she ignored the first drops of rain and slouched back into the seat. In a quick move, she glanced in the rear view mirror and saw her own image. Her green eyes looked tired and dark. She shook her head, adjusted the mirror, and got out of the car to follow Sarah.

  “They’d have that on the telly, right?”

  Sarah nodded and reached for the remote control.

  Within only a few seconds they’d found the right channel. It didn’t take long to see a repeat of the voting result. Strangely, Katie’s eyes initially focused on Caroline, Ty’s mother.

  “She looks beautiful,” she whispered more to herself than to Sarah.

  “Yup, looks run in the family.” Sarah met her eyes. “Did you send that text, yet?”

  “Right.” Katie grabbed her bag, rummaged for the phone, and sat down to write the one important word. One word. Congratulations. She added a smiley as well for good measure.

  Send.

  ***

  Tyson looked at his mother. A few minutes earlier, he’d been on stage accepting the Brownlow Medal and with that the title of best and fairest AFL player of the season. He should be jubilant. Or feel like celebrating. And even though he’d winked at the sexy woman across the other table in that stunning shimmering silver evening gown, nothing made him feel anywhere near happy. Placing the beer back on the table, he met his mother’s gaze.

  “What are you doing, Ty?” she asked again.

  “I have no idea.” With a heavy sigh, he added, “I miss her, Mum.”

  She placed a hand on his and gave him a smile that said she understood. “She’s with Sarah. Go and talk to her. Tell her the truth and don’t leave until she understands,” she said against the background noise of the all the guests.

  He nodded as her words sank in and then leaned in to place a kiss on his mother’s cheek. When he sat back, he tried to listen to the announcements again, but his mind had different ideas. The image of Katie in his bed, laying underneath him, returned. His mother was right, he needed to sort this. Soon.

  Exhausted and weary, he sat through the next hour until the end was near. Tyson’s mind was made up. He’d get out of here as soon as possible, take Caroline home, and drive straight to Sarah’s. He’d do a few interviews, but ignore the parties afterwards.

  Hurtled back to earth by his phone buzzing, he checked the message and nearly dropped it when he saw Katie’s name.

  Congratulations!

  As well as a smiley. A rush of emotions went through him. An indefinable feeling of confidence and certainty. He showed the text to Caroline, who exchanged a smile with him. Every minute he sat there amongst the crowd was torture to him. Every minute he had to wait, he worried it might be too late.

  It was late into the night when he was finally able to park his car in front of Sarah’s house. His management hadn’t been happy about his quick disappearance, but he promised them he’d be available all of the next day, from as early as they needed him. But he needed to do this.

  The lights were all turned off and doubt crept up in him. Waking Katie in the middle of the night might not be a good idea, especially knowing how cranky she could get. Sitting in the dark car, Tyson’s hand gripped the steering wheel with his heart thumping madly as he noticed the hall lights come on and his phone rang at the same time.

  It was Sarah. “Will you come in or not?”

  He choked back a chuckle. “I woke you?”

  “Your lights are lighting up my room like a football stadium.”

  Ty apologised, hung up and, as he took a deep breath, he got out of the car. He walked towards the front door, which was already open. Except there was no sign of Sarah so he stepped right in.

  “She’s in the far back room,” he heard Sarah call out.

  “Thanks!”

  Quietly, he walked to the back and slowly opened the door to the guest room. Katie was in a deep sleep so he didn’t feel guilty for not having knocked first.

  Ty sat on the edge of the bed and touched her face with his finger. “Katie?” he whispered.

  She stirred, but didn’t wake. He could’ve looked at her sleeping the whole night.

  “Katie?” He tried again.

  She stirred again, but then the heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks flew up and she stared at him wordlessly.

  A muscle ticked in his jaw and with a great deal of trepidation he said, “I did not sleep with Anita. Never have since she left for the U.S.” He paused and took her hand
into his. “I love you, Katie, and I want you to marry me.”

  ***

  Katie was still half-asleep and groggy from being woken from her dreams. She stared at the ceiling and then around the room until she heard Ty’s voice. Confused, she looked around and saw his face. The clock told her in bright, illuminating red colour it was two forty-six in the middle of the night. Her gaze moved to the window. The curtains weren’t shut, revealing the darkness outside. When she finally looked into Tyson’s chocolate brown eyes again, the flutter in her tummy became a sprint as the silence between them thickened.

  “Ty?”

  He cocked a brow as he asked her in a low and composed voice, “Sweetheart, did you hear me?”

  Katie rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and, as she sat up, she shivered with chill and fatigue. Tyson was still sitting on her bed.

  “I’m awake, right?”

  A smile spread over his handsome face. And there was the medal around his neck. Katie touched it lightly with her finger when he curved his hand around her neck and with a little pressure applied by his thumb on her chin he tilted her up and kissed her.

  She broke the kiss after a moment. “Bugger, I think I’m still asleep.”

  “You’re not sleeping,” he replied. “Could you please get in charge of your faculties, so you can reply to my question?”

  She’d heard him, but her mind wasn’t processing it. It had different ideas.

  “I’m terribly sorry, Ty, but I was so hurt and scared. I reckon mixed with the tension because of going to the medal thingy, I didn’t think clearly. I can’t believe how stupid I was to believe what she told me.”

  She sighed and watched him, but it wasn’t the reaction she had expected. Moving away from her, he rubbed his hands over his face. Did she screw it up? Did she say the wrong thing? She closed her eyes as a sensation of intense emotions and misery swept over her. New anguish nearly broke her heart.

  “Tyson?”

  In one smooth motion, he stood and walked out of the room. “Stay there,” he said.