Hey guys before we start I just wanted to dedicate this chapter to

Jdoglover and intro31

I always see your comments on the chapters and it makes me happy that even tho i suck at updating, there are still readers who are as patience as u guys<3

Thank you and I hope you love this chapter.

𝘡𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘗𝘖𝘝

"Are you ready radish?" Tyrone asked, glancing at me.

We were now on the last step of the stairs and I could feel the nerves coming back like a punch in the gut.

I met his mom and sister but his dad was on a whole other level. He was the freaking sherrif for raisin's sake!

I mean, I heard good things from him but I haven't really gotten a glimpse of him in person except the picture that I saw earlier but he was a few years younger.

I let out a deep sigh,"Ready as I'll ever be carrot," I replied and nodded to myself.

The first thing that greeted me is the amazing smell of food and second, an almost exact replica of the boy who had me cornered in his freaking desk not a few minutes ago was laughing lightly at a blushing Addy.

"Mama! There they are! Roro's here!" Emma screeched, squirming excitedly in her seat.

Tyrone made his way towards his little sister and began tickling her resorting on her busting in laughter while I stood there shyly from his parents gaze.

The urged to put Tyrone in a headlock was strong considering he just left me standing there.

Tyrone's Dad stood up from his seat and I couldn't help but gulp at his intimidating frame.

Tyrone stood around 6'3 but his dad was just massive.

yeah, what I just said

I shouldn't be surprised though considering he was a sheriff for a reason. At his age, He still pulled off the rugged look and had the same features like Tyrone.

What surprised me though was the shade of his eyes, it was the same like Emma's Ocean Eyes.

I could bet on my left nip that many people were jealous of the beautiful genes that ran in their family.

Who wouldn't though?

"Hello, you must be Zoe Smith. I'm Stefan Adler." He politely greeted, offering me his hand to shake.

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Adler. Uh, I heard a lot about you," I nervously said, giving his hand a firm shake before letting go.

He gave me an approving nod at my grip and nodded to Tyrone,"Nice things I suppose? and I approve," He said, a smirk present on his lips.

I couldn't help but gape at his words. Tyrone looked at me with complete amusement while his mom bursted out laughing. Emma only wore a confused expression on her cute face.

"N-no sir, we aren't dating! We're just f-friends!" I squeaked out, my face turning beet red.

Tyrone let out a snort at my words,"Yeah, continue telling that to yourself radish," He said, chuckling slightly.

I turned to him with a glare,"Did I ask for your opinion? No, so you better shut your mouth," I retorted, my temper flaring lightly.

Tyrone's chuckled immediately halted and he raised his hands up in a surrender way before zipping his mouth up, locking it, and l threw the key.

I turned to glance back at his dad and was greeted with his amused expression at our interaction. I cleared my throat before offering him a smile.

"You can call me Stefan dear,

No need for such formalities. Right honey?" He asked, turning to glance at Addy.

She nodded,"Completely, formalities reminds him of his old age," She said, her nose wrinkling slightly.

"Hey! That's mean! I'm not that old," Stefan defensively said, making his was back to his chair.

I nodded amusingly,"What's for dinner Addy? It smells wonderful," I complimented and it was true.

A heavenly aroma filled around the kitchen and I felt my stomach grumble, not too loud thankfully that it caught their attention.

"She made wasanya and cupcakes!" Emma exclaimed, junping in her seat.

Addy laughed before ushering us to take our seats. Tyrone sat on my left but not before pulling the chair for me which definitely didn't go unnoticed by his parents. Stefan sat at the end of the table and Addy and Emma was on the opposite of us.

"Emma, honey, can you lead the grace?" Addy asked, her hands already clasped unto Emma's and her husband.

Emma nodded enthusiastically. We bowed our head, Tyrone taking a hold of my hand and I internally cursed when I felt my heart rate pick up.

"Amen!" Emma finished off, giving a quick peck to her mom's cheek.

They all each took a chunk of the goody yumness and dug in, making heartily talks and laughing. I was a shy eater so I took a small portion of it whilst occasionally answering the questions that were thrown my way.

Stefan started to drink his whiskey and Addy even offered me a glass of her white wine which I, politely declined.

"What are you doing?" I asked, eyeing Tyrone who was putting another chunk of lasagna on my plate.

"You need to eat more radish. Don't worry, they're not health addicts that would criticize you," He said lowly so his parents wouldn't hear.

I smiled softly,"Thank you carrot," Taking a spoonful of it and shoving it in my mouth.

He nodded before taking the pitcher and pouring more water on my half-filled glass.

"Do you want some mashed potatoes?" He asked, already putting some on my plate.

I felt the elephants stomping wildly at his kind gestures. Tyrone wasn't usually the type to fuss over something but seeing him try to make me feel at ease made me smile warmly at him.

"You're gonna make me bloated," I giggled, bumping my shoulders playfully at him.

He rolled his eyes while chewing,"Then we're gonna be bloated together then," He shrugged, taking another spoonful of the yummy goodness.

"So, what are your plans after high school Zoe?" Stefan asked, pouring more whiskey on his glass.

"Oh, I was gonna take up something in the medicine field. I'm not sure what though." I replied, placing the spoon back on my plate.

He nodded," A smart one aren't you? How about sports? Do you play any?" He asked, taking a huge gulp of his drink.

I couldn't help but become cautious when I felt Tyrone tense up beside me.

I shook my head,"I'm unluckily clusmy as it can get but I do like the sports basketball though." I answered truthfully, glancing at Tyrone.

Something about seeing boys compete against one other for a ball completely amuses me and because of the thrill that you get on whose team would get the next shot or what.

"Did you know Tyrone plays basketball before?" He asked, glancing at his blank-faced son.

I gulped,"I did, it was mentioned before." I couldn't help but look down in discomfort.

Judging from Tyrone's tense frame and white knuckles that was due to holding the utensils hard, it was a topic that he didn't want me to indulge in or talk about.

"Ah, so he shared his sob story to you then?" He nodded approvingly, his ocean eyes suddenly seemed so icy and cold.

Addy gasped at his words,"Stefan," She warned, narrowing her eyes at him.

"My son here had everything you know? He had his friends, his trophies and his fame. He was a very good basketball player." He continued ignoring Addy, his forefinger rubbing at the top of the glass.

"Stop," Tyrone gruffly said, his eyes glaring at his dad.

"He had dozens of opportunities that would've given him a free ride to college for his sports and what does he do?" He took a hold of his glass and stood up.

Addy immediately whispered something to Emma whom nodded confusingly before making her way out of the kitchen.

Addy then stood up and turned to her husband with a harsh glare.

"That's enough Stefan," She bit out, taking the bottle of whiskey away from his grasp.

He chuckled drunkenly,"You know what pisses me off the most Zoe? It's because of a zorra who wasn't even loyal at him is the reason why he gave up doing the thing that he loved the most." He harshly said and I felt myself pale at how threatening he looked.

Tyrone stood up from his seat and slammed his hand unto the table. I saw a glimpse of the blank-face carrot and I started to panic knowing that he was seething inside.

"It was my decision and you have no right to throw my fucking sob story around like its yours," Tyrone sneered, his hands forming into fist.

Stefan saw this and raise a brow, taking a threatening step towards him. Addy seemed to know his intentions and immediately took a step towards her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist preventing him taking from taking another one.

"Then I could gladly say that I have the right to say that your decision was motherfucking stupid." Stefan glared, his arm wrapping drunkenly around Addy's petite frame.

"How about we all calm down?" I stood up, took a hold of Tyrone and started to pull him away from table.

Keyword 'tried' considering Tyrone wouldn't budge. I wrapped my arm around his back, fisting his shirt before taking a hold of his hand.

"Let's go get some fresh air yea?" I lowly said, looking at him.

A few moments passed and I felt his shoulders sag, letting himself pulled by me. We were half way out when I heard his father say something.

"No offense Zoe but I really do hope that you ain't like that puta," Before I could even blink Tyrone slipped away from my grasp and threw a punch at his Father.

Because of his drunkenness, he fell to ground while Tyrone straddled him and landed another punch.

I stood in complete shock before Addy gave me a pleading look. Snapping out of my place, I took quick strides towards his form and bravely placed my hands ontop of Tyrone's eyes.

"Hey carrot, the sun is far too gone but the moon's quite beautiful tonight. Wanna watch it with me?" I softly whispered, my lips gracing slighty at the shell of his ear.

I felt his hand latched unto mine before he turned around, a scowl on his face and his eyes dark with anger.

I simply smiled and felt him take a sharp breath, a few seconds kayer he let me pull him up.

Addy immediately came to his husband's aid but not before smacking him on the chest and saying something to him in spanish making him grimace.

He gave a sharp glare at his dad,"Don't you dare mention that niña and her name in the same sentence. Ella es diferente." He snapped before pulling me out of the kitchen and out of his house.

Our hands were completely joined as we walked farther away from his house.

I could still feel his brooding aura so I kept quiet, occasionally stealing glances from him.

"Go on, ask me why I did it." He gruffly said, turning to meet my stare.

I raised a brow,"I could still feel your 'brooding aura' so I know that you don't even want to answer that but I do want to ask you if you'd like to eat ice cream?" I asked, nervously breaking eye contact with him.

I was pulled back slightly by our joined hands. I turned to look at him with a confused expression as he suddenly stopped walking.

"Are you okay?" I asked, swinging our hands slightly.

He just stared at me with his usual blank face before a smile graced his lips and pulled me harshly to him.

I yelped slightly, my hand placing on his upper chest to prevent me from completely slamming into him as his free hand wound itself around the back of my waist.

"What do you think you're doing carrot?" I gulped, my hand on his chest falling back to my side.

He ignored my question and pulled me to him even tighter, bending down slightly to nestle his head on the crook of my neck.

We stood like that for a few moments before he pulled away. An expression I couldn't quite read was plastered on his face.

"Let's go eat ice cream yeah?" He suddenly said, pulling me to walk with him.

"Okay carrot," I answered quite hazy, not believing that he just hugged me.

The rest of the walk was completely quiet. I knew Tyrone had a lot in my mind and so did I.

I can't still reel in my mind that Tyrone not only threw a punch at his dad but he almost beat him up.

Today's event was a confirmation that he and his dad didn't have the best son-father relationship.

I could tell his dad wasn't a bad person though despite the fact that he's having doubts wether I'm a sincere girl or a 'puta' as what he says.

I could tell that Addy and Emma completely adore him from the way their interaction was earlier. The only mistake he did was pointing out something that wasn't his to tell.

Maybe he has his reasons for setting that on the table? Despite those reasons, Tyrone was right when he told him it wasn't his story to tell.

Sometimes, the people that only want to help us could be the one to make the situation worse.

Not all help are helpful, sometimes you have to let it resolve on its own.

My thoughts were halted when the familiar chime of the bell was heard; it took me a minute to realize that it was us entering the ice cream shop.

"Hey, what are you gonna order?" Tyrone asked, turning to look at me.

My mouth watered at the variety of ice cream flavor on the menu.

Hmm, vanilla? No, cookies and cream! Wait there's a matcha flavored ice cream? OoOooh a malteser toppings!

Tyrone chuckled,"I'm just gonna order first." He said before telling the guy his ice cream flavor.

"Chocolate? Really?" I deadpanned, eyeing a cheekily grinning Tyrone.

"I'm gonna have three scoops of cookies and cream in cup with malteser toppings please," I politely said, giving a small smile to the guy.

"Hey! Chocolate is yummy." He protested, licking his ice cream.

"I'm guessing so are you?"

I gasped at my words before realizing I didn't really say it loud. Tyrone looked at me in confusion and I hastily turned back to the guy to accept my ice cream.

Tyrone procedeed to pay for us both to which I protested considering I was the one to offer but he simply gave me a glare to which I rolled my eyes.

"Why did you gasp?" He asked once we were both settled on the booth.

It was around 8 at night but the ice cream shop was filled with customers. There was an old couple at the far corner laughing lightly to one another, a guy with his younger sister were playing thumb restling while occasionally licking their own ice cream. The rest were groups of people that thankfully didn't attend our school hanging out and joking with one another.

The ice cream shop was cute with its pastel yellow and pink theme. There were a few hanged framed pictures of motivational quotes on the wall and the tables were round with comfy chairs and a few booths like we were sitting in. There was music playing and a few people were bobbing their heads to it.

For an ice cream shop, it sure did feel lively.

"You're purposely checking out the interior design to avoid the question, aren't you?"

At the sound of Tyrone's voice, my gaze snapped back to his.

"This ice cream shop is nice, way better than the one near mine and no, I'm not avoiding your question. I'm simply choosing to ignore your question. That's two different things." I shrugged, taking a spoonful of my ice cream.

An amused expression flitted on his face,"Is that so? Fine, you win on this." He replied.

"You know what? We're in an ice cream shop which is basically a typical place to play the game '20 questions' So let's play." I suggested, a grin on my lips.

"Game," He answered, taking a lick of his ice cream.

I almost got distracted but thankfully stopped myself from oggling him and simply cleared my throat, thinking of a question.

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" I asked, my curiousity burning in me.

He suddenly laughed,"Damn Radish, you don't beat around the bush." A few chuckles still escaping his mouth.

I glared at him,"Just answer the dang question," I snapped, ignoring how warm my face felt.

He gave a mock nod,"That's a tough question but hopefully happily working with my chosen career and in love with the girl of my dreams." He answered, his gaze completely on me.

At his words, I choked; the malteser going down completely the wrong way. I slammed my hand unto the table ligthly as I coughed a few more times and grasped my throat. Tyrone was about to stand up but I raised a hand to tell him stop, a few seconds and I was still alive.

"Are you okay?" He asked, a worried expression on his face.

"I-I'm fine. T-that was a good answer." I croaked out, taking a lungful of air.

He wore an unsure expression on his face at my words. I gave a few more cough before smiling at him as if I weren't choking on a freaking malteser a few seconds ago.

How can someone choke on a freaking malteser?!

"It's quite cute how you want to settle at such a young age," I pointed out, ignoring the urge to wrap myself with a bubble wrap and live on it for the rest of my life in complete embarrassment.

He snorted,"Age is just a number that count your years of existence but time? It defines the life you live through every second and having no complete knowledge when yours stop ticking is enough reason why fooling around is a complete waste of time," A shrug of his shoulders and a tinge of pink on his cheeks that earned a wide toothy grin from me.

"My turn, why'd you try to be friends with me despite being an asshle?" He asked, leaning back slightly in his seat.

I fell silent for a moment, not expecting him to ask me that.

"It's because I knew you were more than the asshole that you keep on portraying," I replied honestly, my eyes meeting his.

A genuine smile fell on his face and mothernicklepickle I'd do anything to make that smile stay on his lips.

"Does your hand hurt?" My gaze falling to his red knuckles.

It wasn't bruised nor did it had any cuts but it was red and seemed to be slightly swollen.

He waved his hand,"Stop worrying, it doesn't hurt. What's your favorite color?" He wondered, resting his face on the back of his hand.

I fidgeted slightly, his stare making the weird stomping on my stomach grew wilder,"It's brown, chocolate brown to be specific." I replied automatically, not even batting an eyelash.

Give me a second. I need to get my story straight. My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State.

"I know this song!" I exclaimed, squirming in my seat in the world excitement.

A few cheers got my attention and I couldn't help but grin when I saw the old couple standing up and dancing to the song playing. A few people joined in and laughter rang around the ice cream shop from one another.

My lover she's waiting for me just across the bar.

My seat's been taken by some sunglasses asking about a scar.

I turned back to look at Tyrone to see him already looking at me, a smile graced his lips and his chocolate orbs twinkled in what seemed like happiness. Gone was the blank-emotionless facade and infront of me was the genuine Tyrone.

I know I gave it to you months ago. I know you're trying to forget but between the drinks and subtle things. The holes in my apologies, you know I'm trying hard to take it back.