On our way to the door, we happened upon Alex talking to Jace in very close proximity. They sprang apart when they saw us approach. Ty and I gave each other knowing side looks. After we said our goodbyes, we were suddenly alone in the glass elevator deescalating down the side of the Space Needle. Ty reached over and took my hand, playing with my fingers, but kept his eyes gazing out the window, staring at the ground as it rushed up to meet us.
A couple of burly bodyguards, including Ty’s security guard, were posted at the bottom, and I was surprised to see a huge crowd outside waiting to get a glimpse of anyone in the band. It was so weird for me to reconcile the Ty I knew as a teenager, with the Ty rock star that I trolled on social media from afar, to the Ty Foundation owner I had reconnected with, to this Ty. A real, live celebrity.
“I was hoping you might come back to my house to hang out, and well, talk some more?” Ty kept a grip on my hand while we waited for security to get us to his car.
“I’m not sure, I’m still processing all of this. I want to, but—” I tried to explain.
“Yeah, it’s okay if you’re not ready.” Ty squeezed my hand kindly. “I can bring you home.”
“No, I’m ready, I think. Ty. I’ve never stopped—” I bit my lip, stopping myself from saying it. It would make me too vulnerable.
“Me either.” He bent down and kissed me reassuringly.
“It’s just a lot to take in.” I gestured between us, truly floored at the turn of events. I didn’t know what to think. What to hope for.
“I’ve never been able to play it cool with you, butterfly.” Ty put his arms around my shoulders protectively, the way he always had.
“Don’t sell yourself short, big guy.” I smiled at him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I came to this show thinking we were just friends, and now there’s been kissing. And songs.”
“Zoey, I’m not trying to be creepy. I’d take you somewhere public, but there will be no privacy. I know you’re not into social media stuff, and we had precautions in place up at the event to make sure no one took our picture, but if we go out something will get posted.” Ty was still so considerate. “I want to keep you to myself until you feel comfortable about what’s going on between us.”
“Umm. Okay?”
“Z, seriously. There’s no pressure. Let’s just hang out, catch up, and maybe make out a bit?” God, he was intoxicating. His innocent grin got me every time.
“Okay,” I agreed more definitively, my smile wide. Confident Ty was phenomenal.
“Okay.” His smile lit up his face.
Navigating out of the Space Needle and the Seattle Center downtown area was a bit challenging because there were more fans waiting for a glimpse of the band than Ty had expected. Luckily, Sirius brought out more security, and the rest of LTZ distracted the crowd by signing a few autographs, which allowed a driver to pull up and whisk us away through downtown over to his house.
We pulled up to a beautiful steel gate that opened into a long, wooded driveway surrounded by tall shrubbery and a fence. The sprawling three-story glass-and-wood structure was stunning, and almost melded into the beautiful foliage of the Pacific Northwest where the garage was, but you could see the expansive view of the sound from the driveway.
“Wow, this is a big fortress, but so worth it! Look at that view,” I marveled.
“When we first hit it big, I bought this house and there was no gate, no security. We were on the road for months and months at a time, and fans were camping out here. It got a bit scary. I sublet a condo downtown in between tours while the contractors worked on it. Our lawyers moved the deed out of my name into a trust, so now it’s harder to figure out that I own it,” he explained.
“You’ve come a long way from that run-down apartment, Tyson Rainier.” I beamed, proud of him as we walked through the grand entryway into the open-plan living/dining/kitchen revealing a wall of glass overlooking the entire city skyline including the landmark we had spent the evening in. “Wow, just wow!”
“I guess so.” Ty seemed a little reserved about the house. “Are you thirsty? I don’t drink anymore, but I probably have some wine somewhere.”
“No, I’d rather have some tea if you have it.” I sat at a stool at the expansive granite island in his pristine chef’s kitchen, and my stomach growled embarrassingly loud.
“What’s a singer without tea?” He laughed and put the kettle on. “You’re hungry. I’ll cook something for us.”
“No, I’m fine.” My stomach protested with another growl and Ty arched a brow.
“Let me put my line cook skills to the test, I can make us grilled cheese sandwiches.” Ty opened the double-sized fridge and took out some cheese and pulled a loaf of bread out of a drawer.
“I guess my belly can’t say no to a hot guy cooking.” I nervously tried to cover up my anxiousness with sass.
“I’ll just be a minute. Please go sit down and make yourself comfortable, that couch is fucking amazing and the view is something I never get tired of.” Ty busied himself with the sandwiches as he waved me over to the living area.
I crossed over to the living room, taking in the dark hardwood floors, plush, oversized gray couch, and the gold and platinum records decorating the walls. Sinking into the cushions, I looked out at the city, my mouth watering at the smell of melting cheese. God, was I really here alone with Ty at his house? My heart had been beating fast all night with adrenaline,
