Katie
I woke up at... yeah you already know, 5:00 a.m.

After I ride Titan I get a phone call from my dad.

"Hey Katie, I just wanted to tell you we're going to Claires tonight for dinner."

"Oh okay. What's the special occasion?"

"Nothing!" His voice comes out high-pitched.

"Okay? Can Wyatt come?"

"Yeah. I'll see you tonight!"

"Bye."

But, my dad hangs up before I finish.

Wonder why he seemed so weird.

I park beside Wyatt's Jeep so I can catch him before school starts. I know he always brings his gym bag to his car before class.

I'm sitting on my truck bed scrolling through TikTok when I hear, "Kate, is that you?"

I look up and see Wyatt walking towards me in white wash jeans and a snug blue shirt.

His hair is still damp making it even more curly.

How come he always looked like a freaking Vogue model? It must come naturally to him.

"No, it's Stacy," I respond sarcastically.

Wyatt smiles his knee-weakening smile and picks me off the back of my truck.

"I knew it wasn't Stacy because I didn't smell her nose-hair-burning perfume," Wyatt says against my hair.

"I know, why is it so strong," I say as he puts me down.

"What's up? You never wait for me after practice." Wyatt asks as he slams his trunk shut.

"My family is going to Claire's tonight for dinner. Care to join?" I ask smiling sweetly.

Wyatt's eyes harden a fraction and his hands clench into a fist. Things I only noticed since I've mesmerized all Wyatt's physical expressions.

"Sure, I'll go."

I tilt my head to the side. "Wyatt, what's wrong?"

He forces a smile. "Nothing, nothing. What time are we getting there?"

I stare into his eyes trying to read what emotions are swirling around.

"Probably around 5:00."

"Alright, I'll pick you up," Wyatt says as he wraps his arm around me.

"Kat, seriously it wasn't me that was poking you," Tyler argues with me.

I turn around to glare at him. "Mmhm, sure it wasn't."

Tyler smirks. He switched classes and had last period with me where he decided to poke me with a pencil the entire time. I really don't know how Izzy dates that man.

"What time are you getting to my house?" Tyler asks.

"Around five," I say opening my locker.

"I think my mom is dating someone." Tyler blurts out.

I hit my head against my locker door. "Shit!"

I rub my head. "Why do you think that?"

"Every time I see her with her phone she has this little grin. This morning she was super weird. I think she might announce it tonight." Tyler says with one hundred percent seriousness. Which never happens.

I slam my locker shut. "I'm sure it's nothing."

I quirk an eyebrow. "Would you be okay with her dating someone?"

Tyler leans his shoulder against a locker. "Yes, as long as he doesn't treat her like her last husband."

Tyler hates his father. I understand why, his father abused his mom emotionally and made his life a living hell.

I lean my head against my locker and give Tyler a grin. "You might even get some step-siblings."

Tyler fakes a scared face. "Oh lord, I don't know what I would do. Dealing with you is hard enough."

I roll my eyes and I hear someone run up behind me. Before I can see who it is they grab my arm and pull me to their chest. Which is very hard and firm.

Figured I would put that out there.

"I have to take my mom to work, I'll see you later, baby," Wyatt says against my temple. He places a quick kiss on my forehead and takes off running down the hall.

I stare at him with a stupid smile.

Tyler bumps my shoulder. "So, this is what you look like when you like someone."

I feel my face blush. "Shut up!" I say pushing his chest.

"I will not," Tyler says, in a high-pitched, sassy voice.

"Unlike your girlfriend, I don't have to put up with you so, bye," I say as I walk away from Tyler.

"Jackass!" Tyler yells.

After school, I go to the barn to ride Sammy and Ripley. Today will be my last ride before the endurance ride.

I unlock the front door and I'm greeted by a very excited Logan. "Hi, buddy," I say in a baby voice.

I walk to the kitchen and see a note taped to the fridge.

Already at Clair's see you there sweetie!"
-Dad

I take a shower and dry my hair.

My stomach growls. Digging through a closet for clothes must burn some calories.

I settle on a red wrap-around crop top and a black loose skirt that almost reaches my knees.

The doorbell rings and I open the door. Wyatt is standing in jeans and a polo shirt.

His hair is a perfect amount of messy and styled. I want to run my fingers through it.

I gesture for him to come in. "I'm almost done getting ready."

"No problem."

He follows me to my room and I drag a pair of pastel tie-dye vans out from under my bed.

"Hold up, you have shoes that aren't boots?" Wyatt asks astonished.

I glare at him. "Yes Muriel, I own lots of shoes."

He frowns while sitting on the edge of my bed.

I slip on my shoes and move to my mirror to put in earrings.

I fluff my hair and fidget with my clothes. Something I do when I'm anxious.

"Katie baby, you look amazing stop messing," Wyatt says standing behind me.

I turn around to look at him. "You sure?"

"Yes, let's go." He draws out.

It's a quick drive to Tyler's. Wyatt parks his car in between Tyler's Jeep Cherokee and Ava's car.

I look at Tyler's house. I remember when they moved here, it was right after his parents split up.

It is a one-story, two-bedroom, and one-bath house with a huge tree and rope swing in the backyard.

Wyatt opens my door and I slide out with a scowl plastered on my face.

"Baby, get over it," Wyatt says slinging an arm around me.

We walk inside and all the guys are in the living room watching tv.

"Girls are in the kitchen," Tyler informs me.

I nod my head and turn towards the kitchen.

I notice Wyatt standing there looking like a  lost puppy.

Three weeks ago I would have left him standing there, but now that I've come to care for him my heart has softened.

I take his hand and drag him to the kitchen with me.

"I told you The Last of Us is good," Izzy tells Ava as she checks the oven.

I slide onto a barstool and Wyatt leans against the counter. "What she's not telling you is the only reason she watches The Last of Us is because of Pedro Pascal," I add making my presence known.

Izzy sighs and Clair laughs as she closes the pantry. "Hi Katie, how are you?"

"Im great, besides the fact that your son took it upon himself to bruise my side with a pencil."

Clair shakes her head with an amused smile. "Y'all two are something else."

"I know, imagine how I feel having to play mother between them. It's a full-time job." Izzy
complains as she takes a lasagna out of the oven.

Clair hands Wyatt a knife. "Here sugar, help Katie butter some bread."

"Awe Clair, I thought since I got here late I wouldn't have to help," I whine.

Izzy scoffs and Wyatt pokes my hand with a knife telling me to help.

Ava turns from the sink to look at me. "Now that's a good idea right there."

"Alright, Guys dinners ready!" Clair yells.

Everyone sits down and Tyler pulls a chair out beside me. "Well, look who I have the pleasure of sitting beside."

I give him a tired look. "I swear if any of your appendages touch me I'm telling your mom about the time you and Derek bought edibles from some random guy at Walmart."

"You better not." Tyler hisses.

I smirk. "Don't test me."

Dinner goes by very pleasantly and Tyler unfortunately doesn't give me reason to snitch on him.

Since the girls cooked we made the guys do dishes. Wyatt got out of it since he, 'slaved his ass off buttering bread' his words, not mine.

"Clair, I'm going to eat some of your Ice cream," I yell from the kitchen.

"Alright!"

I glance over my shoulder to see Wyatt already looking at me from the bar stool. "You want some, sweetie?"

Izzy wiggles her eyebrows when I call Wyatt 'sweetie'.

I didn't even think twice it slipped out.

"I would love some. Preferably Tyler's favorite." Wyatt says grinning.

Tyler gasps. "You will not eat my salted caramel, Ice cream!"

"Kat, you have turned him against me!"

Ava scoffs from behind her phone. "Ty, you did that yourself."

I take out a carton of salted caramel Icecream and scope some into two bowls.

Tyler is drying dishes that Derek washes. My dad was helping till he ran to the bathroom and never came back.

I sit on Wyatt's knee to eat my Ice cream. Wyatt wraps an arm around me and eats his.

"Hey Kiddos, when you're done join us in here," Clair yells from the living room.

We all share a confused look. (Tyler, Derek, Izzy, and I). "Since when did my mom call us Kiddos?"

Cliffhanger!!! 😝