I am so incredibly sorry! Please forgive me and read!

Chapter 4: The Reason

Tyler wasn't one for awkward. He did encounter a lot of awkward but he still didn't exactly enjoy it, or handle it well. A perfect example was now. He, Hunter (being the oh-so-perfect person he is) and his mum are sitting around the table. Maybe Hunter and Jane aren't awkward, they're chatting away like old friends, ignoring the fact that Tyler is quiet and hasn't said a word for a good five minutes. No, it's awkward for Tyler because less then two hours ago he'd been kissing his ex and now he was here beside his current boyfriend who had no idea of the ex's existence or what Tyler had done.

Tyler wasn't sure he could handle all this bubbling guilt.

"Tyler should introduce you to Caleb," Jane says. "You'll like him, he's wonderful, much better then Tyler's other friends." She gives Tyler a look that he instinctively rolls his eyes at.

"I'd like to meet Ty's friends," Hunter said, also giving Tyler a look he doesn't roll his eyes at.

"You could go now," Jane suggests, standing up and taking their empty cups. "I'm sure they're hanging out at that bar Tyler likes so much."

Hunter gave Tyler an amused look. "You hang out at a bar?"

"Yea, come on." He didn't feel like talking out it. He hadn't gone to a bar since he left town, mainly because he hated the thought of going without Reid and also because he could never substitute Nicky's.

He had a plan as he and Hunter climbed into his Hummer, Tyler driving of course. Reid would see Hunter then realize that Tyler wasn't going to come running back he'd back down, perfect, right? God, he hoped so.

The ride was filled with small chatter. Apparently Hunter's family had decided to go to LA for the holidays and Hunter had opted for just going to see Tyler.

When they pulled up outside Nicky's Tyler had to remind himself to breathe.

It was only twilight hours so the place was only half packed. Music was playing from the jukebox and some teenagers had already started a game of pool. Tyler pulled Hunter through the throng of people and to their usual tables where Caleb, Sara, Kate and Pouge were already waiting.

Kate, who was closest to Tyler, got up to hug him, looking curiously at Hunter. Tyler made the necessary introductions. He noticed that Caleb was seizing Hunter up; they were only inches within each others height. When Caleb had figured Hunter not to be too bad of a threat he backed off.

"So you go to college together?" Kate asked. "How long have you been dating?"

"About four months," Tyler explained.

Hunter excused himself to get drinks and left them to talk amongst themselves. At the bar he was served by a blonde with baby blue eyes. After he'd placed his order the bartender nodded. "I'll bring 'em up."

Hunter told him which table he was at and went back down to sit. A few minutes later the blonde followed with his order. The other around him grinned and Pouge said loudly, "working hard there, Reid?"

"Bit me," Reid snapped.

"Oh leave him alone," Kate said, nudging Pouge.

It may have been the lighting or Hunter's eyes playing tricks on him, but for a brief second he could have sworn that the baby blues had flashed cold onyx, just as Pouge's chair gave out under him, sending him sprawled out on his ass. Tyler and Caleb both turned heated looks on Reid who shrugged innocently and walked away without a word.

"You know him?" Hunter asked Tyler quietly.

Tyler nodded, a little hesitantly. "He's an old friend."

Hunter knew there was more to be said but let it slide. He brushed off the brief flash of onyx, putting it down to a simple trick of the eyes. "You wonna get going?" He asked Tyler, who had gone suddenly quiet and hadn't touched his drink in a long time.

Tyler looked up and nodded. "Um, yep, hang on, I wonna do something first. Meet you outside." And he was gone before Hunter could agree.

While Hunter wondered outside Tyler had gone looking for Reid. As his search looked fruitless he went to Nicky, only to be told Reid had left. Annoyed Tyler returned to Hunter, his mind still on Reid.

"You ready?" Hunter asked.

"No. I've gotta go, I'll see you later though." And he had vanished.

"How does he do that?" Hunter muttered to himself.

Tyler was now hell bent on finding Reid. He wanted to yell at him, to do something to clear his head.

The lights were still on Inside Reid's house and there was a blue car parked in the driveway. He could hear the low tunes of a playing song as he reached the front door and his palms started to sweat as he knocked. Did Reid have someone else over? The thought made his blood run like ice.

There was shuffling and then the door was thrown open and light spilled out onto Tyler and instead of Reid looking at him it was his mother. She had Reid's blood hair but that was where their similarities ended. She was dressed in designer clothes, her hair cut in a bob and she continually had the sour look of someone who had swallowed a lemon. Tyler could never tell if she'd warmed to him or not.

"Tyler, I heard you'd come back home." Her tone was brisk and sharp with no trace of warmth.

"Uh, yea. Nice to see you again Mrs. Garwin," He said, trying to sound polite and not at all afraid.

"Reid," Mrs. Garwin called out. "Tyler is here."

She cast the brunette another look before walking back inside. Reid appeared in her place. He leant against the doorframe. "Ty, you OK?"

"Why'd you break up with me?" Tyler blurted.

Reid looked taken aback by the blunt question. "What?"

"Why did you break up with me then kiss me? Why'd you do it if you still like me?" He tried not to falter or to shout but it was difficult to keep his emotions in check.

"You came all the way here," Reid glanced over Tyler's shoulder, "Walked all the way here?"

"Yea. I wonna know."

"Man, if you're that desperate then I guess I should put you out of your misery." Reid pushed off the door and gestured for Tyler to follow.

Reid was bare foot so he made no sound as he crossed the kitchen, but Tyler's shoes made a soft treading sound. Mrs. Garwin was sitting at the small dinning room table, a half empty glass of wine before her. She watched them as they passed.

Reid led Tyler to the closed off room, the one that Tyler hadn't seen. Reid pressed a finger briefly to his lips before reaching out and pushing the door open to reveal a small blue nursery, soft music playing from a mobile above an occupied crib.

-TBC-

Because I'm terribly evil I'm ending it here. Thanks to:

Ladylookslikeadude, empath89, Soleil Mar, :-D, HerInfernalMajesty220, emeyers, unknown, VandySkyXBridge, Evil lady X, loves harry, RoxasIsReal13, lfjsfosdgfosngdsf, Dark Angel's Blue Fire, Storm, evilangel3326, DaRk-HoPeLsS-rOmAnTiC, coco's underpants, Lanaktty, LorinJames, Sakurabound, xXx, stitchpotter626, cajun-beauty, guardian music angel, Iamwiththewolf, Marcus1233, sparkley-tangerine & Absolutly Redonculas.

The next chapter will be up soon!

Sneak peak:

"Oh God, Reid, please don't tell me your kidnapping children," Tyler whispered.

Till next time!