Slammin' Screen Doors {Tyler}

[TYLER CARTER]

The corners of Tyler's mouth turned upwards, hearing Pickle's opinion of the girl who used to have his attention. He quite agreed with her.

Turning his head, he watched her lay down beside him. Her face turned to his and it took a few seconds to realize she was speaking. The sight of Pickle so close, under the stars, was electric.

He continued to look at her, even when her head was turned away. The places where the moonlight hit her hair turned it to silver and her eyes were dark and intense, a change from the bright sparkles in the barn.

"I wasted too much time on her. But that's over now."

He threw Pickle a little smile.

"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault she's a bitch. You had every right to react the you did. Actually, you were more poised about it than she was. Did you see her face after? She was practically fuming."

He chuckled and, with a little effort, slipped his arm under her and hugged her for a moment. He let his arm stay there, however, cushioning her head. They were closer now, their bodies about an incha away and Tyler could smell something warm and sweet. It took a couple seconds to register that it was Pickle herself that smelled so delightful.

"I don't have anything to hide from you, Pickle. I can share whatever you want."

Smiling softly, he turned his head to look at her. If Pickle turned to look at him, they would be only a few centimeters away. Tyler felt heat creep up his cheeks. What a relief that it was dark.

[PICKLE ABREY]

Tyler was simply comfort, just being close to him felt safe. "We all have people that we end up wasting time on, but we learn." She murmured softly, her eyes going wide for a moment before she realized that Tyler's arm was snaking under her, resulting in pulling her in closer as well. A small laugh came up from her throat, "No, I didn't see it. I was afraid she'd turn into Medusa and freeze me to the spot." Pickle grinned, feeling somewhat giddy. Not only was someone jealous of her, the warm comfort of Tyler was adding fuel to the fire of a good mood.

She shifted in the bed of the truck, settling herself against Tyler's side, before she felt eyes on her. She lifted her head, coming almost nose to nose with him. Sure enough, heat and color crept into her cheeks as well--honestly she should have drawn back. Given the boy a little space, but it was the first time she was that close to someone. This personal. And because it was Tyler, it made it even harder to pull away.

Her lips closed for a moment, before she did manage to break the closeness. Just for a moment, just to prop herself up somewhat, so she was leaning over Tyler. This was it. Tucking blonde curls behind her ear, she leaned in--though there wasn't much to lean in, for the simple fact she hadn't dared to break the closeness too much. Her blonde hair frothed down her shoulders, pushed out of the way and managing to disguise some of the goosebumps erupting on her pale skin.

Her lips finally lowered to meet Tyler's, a soft, barely there kiss. Innocent and sweet as Pickle herself. She drew back slightly, still close. Now that she was this close, she wasn't sure that she was entirely ready to go back to being so far away. "I don't have anything to hide from you either." She murmured, her soft words causing her lips to brush against his. She lifted her head enough to get a better look at his face, almost nervous. "I trust you more than anyone I've ever met."

--

Outfit

[TYLER CARTER]

The weight of Pickle's head disappeared from his bicep and Tyler sighed, already prepared for that talk. He'd heard it enough to know what it might contain.
I like you, but not that way - You're really sweet but I just don't see us together - I don't want a relationship right now - You'll find another girl who will love you so good..

What he was not expecting was for Pickle to lean into him. The swooping in his stomach was comparable to if the earth suddenly fell out of space. He drew in a shocked breath as Pickle's lips touched his. Well, that was possibly the best surprised he'd ever gotten!

The tension in his muscles released. He couldn't even think for the time that it took her to speak. Opening his eyes, he was gifted with an amazing view of Pickle's. Slowly, a genuinely lovely smile spread across his face.

One arm lifted from his side and went to her small waist, slinking around and tightening a bit, to bring her closer. His other hand went to her face, stroking her cheek tenderly with his thumb before kissing her again. If he could just never let her go, that would be great, thanks, bye.

Distracted as he was, Tyler didn't notice the snickering coming from the front end of his truck. Until, of course, Gavin slammed his hands loudly on the hood. Tyler jumped, sitting straight up. Gavin and Travis positively cackled while Jesse stood by, smoking a cig, looking faintly amused by their antics.

"Oops. Sorry Ty. Didn't know you were getting cozy yet. Isn't it a little early? You only danced twice and it ain't even midnight yet!"

Gavin's voice was shaking with laughter and Tyler's face burned with embarrassment and anger.

Flopping back down, Tyler covered his face with his hands, muttering profanities.

"This cannot be happening.."

"Hey, Tyler, you know, Jesse was right. The hayloft is warmer, so-" Whatever Travis was about to suggest was never heard because Tyler had had about enough of his buddies for the night. Jetting to his feet in one swift movement, Tyler jumped down from the truck, grabbing hold of Travis.

Still nearly doubled over in laughter, Travis was unable to defend himself as Tyler pushed him straight into the lake. This made Gavin and Jesse howl, but they were cut off by Tyler's glare.

"I swear to God, I'll get you back for this. I will get even with you someday and it will not be pretty."

Tyler stepped up onto one of the back tires to look at Pickle. His face was flushed.

"If you wanna- I mean.. We don't have to st- I don't know if you'd rather leave or just stick around.."

Thanks to his friends, he was now reduced back to his stuttering self. What a downgrade..

[PICKLE ABREY]

Pickle didn't think for a second that Tyler would stop her--which was strange in itself. Pickle was almost perpetually prepared to be rejected. But being with Tyler was so easy. When his arm went back around her waist, it drew a content sigh from her lips, happily accepting the second kiss that he brought to her. Her slender muscles shifted under his arm, about to press just a little harder into the kiss until the thundering boom of hands on the truck caused her to jerk away from Tyler in surprise.

Her own face burned, and she shifted slightly, hiding her face in his shoulder and a curtain of blonde curls. She was trying not to laugh, the embarrassment finally taking its toll. She pulled away as Tyler leaped from his truck, and despite her heels--she was easily able to stand up in the bed, to peer over the cabin and watch the antics. A grin was on her face as she watched the boys tussle. Her hands clamped over her mouth as Travis was shoved into the lake, still trying to muffle the giggles, even as Gavin and Jesse went quiet. She moved from the cabin to greet Tyler as he came up on the tires.

Grinning at him, she leaned in again--despite the three boys still nearby, her lips pressed into Tyler's. Not as long and not as deep as before, but enough to make a point. "We can stick around if you want, they're just jealous. After all, I'm pretty sure each one of them cut in to dance with me." Pickle's voice carried enough for at least Gavin and Jesse to hear. Her large eyes glanced to the side at them, raising a brow--a mischievous little smile gracing her lips again. Again she looked back at Tyler, her shoulders bouncing playfully as she braced herself on the edge of the truck. "I'm pretty sure Jesse was even blushing a bit when he came to dance with me."

Pickle, shy as she may be--Tyler was comfortable. Tyler allowed her to be herself. And unfortunately for the boys within the vicinity, a comfortable Pickle meant a confident Pickle. And due to Christian's help back in New York, Pickle knew exactly how to contort her face. Shift her body. Force the heads to turn and look at her. And with that at her disposal, she could play just as dirty as the others. Her voice dropped for Tyler's ears, "If you wanna go, we can. It's up to you. I wouldn't want you bruising the poor things."

--

Outfit

[TYLER CARTER]

Pickle gave him a shiny smile and another kiss right there in front of his friends. Tyler chuckled when Gavin wolf whistled from his place on the ground.

He and his friends were a tad bit surprised by the obvious confidence in Pickle's voice. Tyler normally expected the quiet, shy Pickle. Of course, this one seemed like quite a lot of fun too. He smirked down at his friends. The guys would have to find a new target, because neither she, nor Tyler were really bothered anymore.

Jesse and Travis managed to look sheepish enough, the latter dripping wet from his recent dip in the lake. Gavin merely grinned.

"If you boys will excuse us, Pickle and I have got some dancing to do. Maybe y'all should find your own partners."

Tyler flashed a smile at his friends and lifted Pickle down from the truck bed as if she was light as a couch cushion. Taking her by the hand, he led the way to the brightly lit barn.

Jenny glared from across the room but Tyler took no notice of her. He pulled Pickle into his arms, planting a gentle kiss on her lips before twirling her around.

Nearby, it seemed that the boys had actually taken Tyler's advice and even too-cool-for-school Jesse was smiling and dancing with a pretty blonde girl named Sara.

Dancing with Pickle was one of the most fun things he had done in a long time. He couldn't help smiling and singing along with the music as they spun and dipped and swayed. If this night never ended, that would be perfect.

The Song They're Dancing To Now

[PICKLE ABREY]

She grinned wider when Tyler picked up on her confidence, until he himself didn't seem bothered by his friends antics. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she balanced herself as he lifted her from the truck, and set her back down on her feet. Typically, Pickle wasn't thrilled about being picked up. But she somehow felt comfortable with Tyler doing it. Without thinking on it much, she laced her fingers with his as he lead her back to the barn.

Unlike when she first walked into the barn, she was all but glowing. She did catch Jenny's eye--and maybe one of Pickle's bright blue eyes winked in her direction. Before entirely wrapping herself in Tyler's attention, grinning against his lips when he leaned down to kiss her. Again her skirt twirled about her knees, her feet moving across the straw that was strewn about the floor.

Earlier, she hadn't felt any connection with a single boy who's hands she landed in, though she had fun. She felt the same excitement being with Tyler, except she was more thrilled that he didn't spin her off into a different pair of hands.

But as all things do, the night came to an end. And Pickle was exhausted, but her fingers remained laced with Tyler's during the ride back home. Even when they gave his family a little low-down on the night, skipping certain...parts of the evening. And when they wandered into the hallway to go to their bedrooms--Pickle managed to steal another kiss before dipping into the bedroom and managing to pass out before her head hit the pillow.

------

The next morning, Pickle's internal alarm clock woke her up, and she started on her way to the shower. On her way--she had been ambushed by Tyler's mother, telling her that Tyler was going over to Gavin's farm to work. Large blue eyes looked a little started, but she happily volunteered to go--if Tyler would let her.
The shower was fast, rushed by her excitement before she managed to yank her clothes on, her wet hair hanging down to the curve of her lower back. A black shirt that clung tight to her tiny frame, and a pair of worn shorts from the years that sat a little too big on her tiny hips. It was secured with a brown belt, and she stuffed her feet into a pair of boots that had been a gift from Christian before she left.

Once dressed, she deposited her dirty clothes into her room, passed a towel through her wet locks, and bounded down the stairs. Pausing for a moment, she glanced out of the window. Sunny. With a grin, she lifted a hat off the rack--one she had picked up on a trip to the store with Tyler when she had arrived, and plopped it down onto her head as she came out of the front of her house, hand on the top of her hat as she glanced around for Tyler.

Last night...had been interesting, special. But she wasn't entirely sure what it meant for today. Maybe her excitement to see Tyler was to see what today would be made out of. The same idea fell into the more nervous spectrum, and she felt somewhat sick. Taking a large gulp of air to steady herself, she crunched down on her way towards Tyler's truck.

--

Cowgirl in the making.