Lady in Red

Chapter 5

A/N: YAY! Finally its up! Took me long enough! Hope you enjoy getting to know Tyler a bit more!

Dedication to @tennyc for her awesome cover! Thanks heaps love!

Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Monique trudged her way home, the hard cement was rough under her bare feet. She held her shoes in one hand; they had begun to ache increasingly more as the night progressed. The frigid wind blew across her face and through her long dark tendrils. She took a deep breath and felt the heavy spices of Tyler’s after shave that had clung to her hair swirl through her nostrils, filling her lungs with blissful warmth. A smile touched her lips as she remembered his warm breath down her neck as they danced, his gentle caress on her lower back as he lead her to and from the bar. The throatiness of his chuckled when she would say something stupid, or spill her drink on the counter top after one too many tequila slammers.

Monique felt her heart slump at thought of never seeing him again, she had no phone number to give him and there was absolutely no way her was giving him her address, that would only make him scream and run. Especially if he had the not so pleasurable experience of meeting her father. A heavy sigh left her lips, and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself.

The soft golden glow on the horizon indicated the presence of dawn. Usually Monique would just be crawling out of the bed this time of morning, not dragging herself home after a blissful evening. Her cleavage held the profits of the night’s dealings. She had managed to slip out of Tyler’s grasp just enough times to sell all five bags; the one hundred and fifty dollars she had made would definitely come in handy.

Monique pondered what she would spend her hard earned cash on as she wondered home. She could see her house come steadily into view as she turned the last corner. A feeling of concern settled in her stomach as she got closer. It was a lot later than when she normally stumbled home after a night out, there could be a possibility that her father would be home. There was no guarantee he would be awake but she still couldn’t help but worry, when he was awake and high, that was when he did the most damage, all his restraint would fly out the window.

As she approached the worn wooden door, Monique took a deep breath and reached for the brass door handle. Turning as quietly as she could, she heard the latch click and the squeak from the hinges. Easing the door open slowly, she tip toed her way into the entrance way, closing the door quietly behind her. The light gave the hallway a dull glow; Monique didn’t remember leaving that on. A shudder of fear slipped down her spine as she listened closely for any noise or movement.

Monique crept silently toward her bedroom, stopping briefly at her father’s door to listen. Her ears picked up rustling from inside the room, followed by gentle moans. A sigh left her lips in relief. Daddy was home, but he was preoccupied with yet another floozy. Relieved that she could move a little more relaxed, Monique headed toward her bedroom, the thought of sleep making her head feel heavy.  

Closing her door in silence, Monique shrugged off her dress and put on a pair of old track suit pants and an over sized t-shirt. She climbed in to bed, letting the pressing exhaustion take hold.

Bounce, bounce, bounce. “Cut it out!” Tyler snapped as his little sister persisted to try and force him out of bed, he’d only been asleep for two hours, and it was a Saturday! “Get out of bed sleepy head!” Kelsey’s high shrill hurt his tired ears. “Come on Tyler Bear,” She groaned, “I wanna playyyyyy!” Tyler was quickly losing his patience with the tiny girl, she was only six but she knew exactly how to push his buttons. Tyler groaned as he sat up, his head began to spin, an obvious sign the alcohol from last night still swirled in his system. A girly giggle came from the end of the bed, cautiously opening his eyes, feeling the sting of the harsh light. He looked down to his baby sister, her blonde curls pulled back into a braid at the back of her head, her bright blue eyes, identical to his mothers, sparkled as she watched him.

“Seriously Squirt, it too early for this.” Kelsey pouted and fluttered her eyelashes, earning another sigh from Tyler. “Please Tyler Bear,” She pleaded. “Fine,” Tyler groaned as her threw the blankets off his legs, yelps of celebration came from the little girl as she headed down the hallways toward the kitchen. “At least let me have a shower first,” Tyler yelled after her as he unsteadily rose to his feet. Running his hands over his unshaven face and threw his messy hair that no doubt would be sticking up at all ends.

Grabbing his thick blue towel and a fresh pair of jeans, Tyler made his way slowly to the bathroom to take a quick shower that would hopefully make him feel more alive. The hot stream of water instantly making him feel a million time better, even considering the lack of sleep. Quickly drying himself off and slipping on his jeans, not even bothering with a shirt, he made his way toward the kitchen. A greasy fry up would go down nicely, he thought as he stepped into the brightly lit room.

Kelsey sat at the breakfast bar with her bowl of cereal, she sent him a bit toothy grin as he walked to the fridge, pulling out the bottle of milk and lifting it to his lips. “Tyler Daniel York! How many times do I have to tell you! That is what a glass is for!” Tyler sent a sheepish smile to his mother who stood in the door way with her hands on her hips. “Sorry Mum,” reaching for a glass off the sink he poured himself a glass and sat on the stool next to Kelsey.

“I didn’t hear you come home last night,” Grace looked at her son, she had tried her hardest to raise her kids the best she could without her husband’s support, sometimes she had a feeling she had failed with her only son. “I got in about six,” Tyler shrugged, earning a disproving look from his mother. “At least you were quiet this time,” She muttered as she put two pieces of toast into the toaster. Grace pulled her dressing gown closer around her body as she waited for the toast to pop. “Mummy,” Kelsey’s sings song voice always brought a smile to her tired face. “Yes sweetie,” Grace responded as she buttered Tyler’s toast. “Is Daddy coming home today?” A stab of guilt attacked Grace’s stomach at her little girl’s seemly innocent question. Tyler watched his mother carefully; he wasn’t sure how she would cope with this question. He knew it hurt her as much as it hurt them that his father wasn’t around much.

Grace turned on a forced a smile, “No honey, he’s not,” she walked around and dropped to the little girl’s level. “He’s still in Hong Kong, but he told me he’ll be back for Tyler Bear’s birthday,” she watched as the little girls face dropped, a pout formed on her tiny lips, “But that’s ages away,” she moaned. Grace sighed, quickly looking to Tyler for help. He smile softly at his mother’s dulling blue grey eyes and turned Kelsey to him, “It’s not that far away Squirt, its only two weeks!” he couldn’t help but laugh at her pout, two weeks must seem like such a long time for a six year old. Hoping to distract her, Tyler picked her up and placed her on his hip, “Now,” he began, “I think we should go wake up the other two sleepy heads, what do you think?” A bright smile came over Kelsey’s face as she tried to wiggle from his grip. Placing her on the floor, Tyler looked up and smiled at his mother, a worried expression etched into her pretty face. “He will be home,” he whispered and placed a kiss on her soft cheek. Grace forced a smile, “Of cause he will Ty, now go, I have a feeling Meg and Jazzy will be peeved to be woken up this early on a Saturday.” She laughed as she watched her baby boy chase after his littlest sister and into the other bedroom. Maybe she hadn’t failed with him after all.