Folding Hearts (Mitchell Family #2)(40)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Miranda, are you in ………OH MY GOD!” She turned her eyes away from us. “Jesus, what did I just walk in to? Holy shit!”

“Just let us get dressed and we can explain,” I begged as I tried to stand up without dessert toppings running all over the floor. Ty just stood there in front of me. In the midst of being caught by his ex, a potential snitch to our secret romance, he leaned over and kissed me, then took my hand and led me into the bedroom.

I tried to towel off the stickiness, but I knew I would have to shower. Ty got dressed and waited for me without saying a single word. A part of me worried that maybe he would regret our relationship now that she knew about us. I was so afraid to face her, especially since Ty and I had been lying to her for a month.

He took my hand and walked into the living room. She stood over us and paced back and forth. “How long has this been going on?”

“Does it really matter?” Ty said rudely.

“How could you two get involved knowing what it would do to the family? Do you have any idea how pissed they are going to be? This is exactly what Conner was afraid of. You two can’t have casual sex and think it will be okay.”

“There is nothing casual about this.” Ty was confidant and he never let go of my hand. Van stopped pacing and looked at both of us.

“What are you saying? You are in some kind of relationship? Now isn’t that a joke.” She started laughing.

Ty squeezed my hand and I knew he was getting pissed. “It ain’t a joke. Miranda and I are together, like for real together and I am in love with her.”

Van’s eyes got really big and she looked from Ty then back to me. I was still speechless. Her and I were friends, but she was also his ex.

“That is impossible. I know you Ty. You can’t be in a relationship.”

“Well things change Van. The past year has been Hell for me. I lost everything. Do you have any idea how many nights I sat alone wishing I could just end my life? The only thing that put a smile on my face was Isabella. Miranda and I had become good friends and after the last visit, when you all sent me away, I knew there was something between us. When she showed up at my door and we were forced to be alone I couldn’t fight my feelings for her anymore. Once I knew she felt the same way, we never looked back. We have been living together for the past month. “

Van finally sat down. I don’t know if she could see it in my eyes, or the fact that it all made sense, but she just sat there. She turned back to Ty. “How do you know you love her? You told me the same thing for years. I think you are confusing sex for love.”

He gave me a smile before answering Van. “Look Van, I am not trying to hurt you, but what you and I had was just a puppy kind of love. I cared about you and I wanted to believe that you would be the one for me, but be honest, you and I both know it wasn’t real love.” He looked over to me and winked. “When Miranda walks into the room, my heart skips a beat. She’s beautiful and confident and knows how to make me laugh. She is the best mother and always puts her daughter before anything. I love her smile and to be there for her when she needs to cry. When we are apart, I feel lost, like a part of me is missing. I’ve never felt this way in my life and there is no doubt in my mind that it is real.”

Van started to tear up. She wiped her eyes and looked over at me. “Congratulations you tamed Ty. Now tell me how the hell you two are going to handle this when everyone else finds out? I won’t have this ruin my wedding.”

“Van, Ty and I are adults. Frankly it is none of their business. I don’t understand why I am not allowed to be happy. Why is it so bad that I found someone that loves me and my daughter?”

“Because it’s Ty.” She started rubbing her temples.

“This is why we didn’t tell you,” I explained.

“Well I would have rather found out on the phone then walking in on Ty with his face between your legs.”

“We are celebrating our one month anniversary actually. If you don’t believe me you can check out the bedroom,” Ty said sarcastically.

“No thank you! Jesus, this is not at all how I saw tonight going.”

“Why are you here? Did they send you here for her, because she isn’t leaving.”

“No dumbass. I am trying to plan a wedding and since my mother, Brina, and now Miranda are all here, I flew in to go dress shopping. I left a message for Miranda this morning explaining everything. Obviously someone didn’t check their messages.”

I don’t think Ty liked her attitude. He stood up and walked over to Van. “You really are being a bitch about this. It pisses me off that you get to be happy but we can’t; like we aren’t good enough to have happiness.”

“Screw you Ty. I just think Miranda should know how you promised to love me forever while you had your dick in other girls.”

I put my hands on my face and tried to block the two of them out.

“I f**ked other girls because I was never satisfied with you. Get off your high horse and take some responsibility. You’re the one who screwed my cousin in my f**king bed while I lay in the hospital.”

“You were in the hospital because you got caught screwing Heather and stole a car when you were drunk. It was your fault.”

I stood up and screamed. “STOP IT!” Ty and Van looked over at me. “We all know what happened. It isn’t necessary to rehash things. Van is marrying Colt because she loves him and she deserves to be happy. We aren’t going to let anyone know about us until after the wedding. You don’t have to worry about it. And as far as Ty’s cheating goes, well, I have to believe that he loves me enough to not do it. If it happens then he knows he loses me and Bella. I trust him, more than I trust anyone. He has never given me any reason not to. I’ve actually met Heather and I am pretty sure that little bitch knows he is taken.”

Ty started laughing. “She thought Bella was my kid and it was part of the reason you left me.”

Van put her hands over her face and shook her head. “This is so f**ked up.”

“Just spend time with us. I promise you will change your mind,” Ty suggested.

Van stood up and grabbed her purse. “Brina dropped me off so I could get my car. She wanted me to invite you out tonight, but obviously I interrupted you. Just give me my keys and I will come back tomorrow when I know you will be dressed.”

I walked her toward the door and handed her the car keys. “I have to grab the car seat.”