Beautiful Creatures Series

Given his rent was paid through the end of the month, Tyler took his time moving. Each day after work, he and Aster would go back to his place and pack up as much as their cars would carry, then take it back to Aster’s house, where they would unpack. By the end of the week, they had cleared out all his personal property from his appointment. The limited furniture he had was placed in a storage unit. He wanted to hang on to it in case things didn’t work out and he was forced to move out. Though he wanted to be with Aster, she was unpredictable, and he wasn’t feeling secure in the relationship.

Tyler knew that Aster cared for him, but there was no way for him to know if she would take one day tire of him and if she did just when it might happen. It could be a week or a lifetime. There was just no way to know.

Once he was moved in, things seemed brighter. For a month, they lived as though they were married, and Tyler enjoyed it very much. He had stayed by Aster’s side for ten uneventful days. If Dennis was looking to strike, he sure was taking his sweet time. After a while, Aster insisted nothing would happen and that he ought to go back to work. Reluctantly Tyler went to work with Darrell.

It didn’t take Tyler long to notice Darrell often worked in a tight sleeveless undershirt or topless. He claimed the heat bothered him, but Tyler always saw the homeowners (Single women, wives, and teenage daughters) gawking. One day on the drive home, Darrell confessed that he made more money when he worked topless. The women liked to look at him and would often tip him and always referred him to their friends for renovations.

“You’re a good-looking man,” Darrell said as they drove. “You should use it to your advantage.”

“Whore myself?”

“It’s harmless. They just look, they don’t touch, and it’s not like you sleep with them. You just put a smile on their face and give them something to fantasize about.” He supposed it wouldn’t hurt, and he could use the extra work if not the tips. “So, how are you settling in?”

“Well.” He said quietly.

“Why do I sense there is more to that answer?”

Tyler sighed. “I asked Aster to marry me a month ago. She turned me down.” He confessed.

“And you moved in with her anyway? Wow, I don’t know if I could stay with someone that refused to marry me. I mean, there’s no future in that.”

Didn’t he know it? Still, Tyler refused to give up on Aster.

***

Aster hugged her father hello. “You’re looking good.” She said as they took their seats at the visiting room table.

“Thank you. I’ve been spending a lot of time working out. It’s a great way to pass the time, build the body, and scare the living shit out of the right people. Nobody dares to jump the guy that can bench press six hundred pounds without a spotter.”

Aster laughed. “Showing off, are you?”

“Maybe a little.”

Mackenzie come up to see

in the conjugal

kind of news?”

that comes with a white

did he

seemed confused. “Did

always knew what was going on. “He

leaned forward and braced his arms on the table. “Why? You seem

“It’s marriage.”

“What’s that mean?”

marriage is ridiculous. I’m not going to further the dysfunctional

father said, looking down, “I see what the problem is. This is

has nothing to do with you.”

every marriage is like that. I should have stood up for myself. I should have left her long before I did, and I should have taken you with me. It is my fault that your life was so violent. Please don’t limit your life because I made a mess of mine. Be happy, take chances,

did you become a

of experience,

Aster liked to talk to her father. He always had a way of making her see the light. He was a

***

carpooled each morning. His day started early, but that was fine with him because Aster’s day started early. It gave them the opportunity to have breakfast together each morning and a little fun in the shower before they started their days. Darrell would bring his wife with him, and Katelyn would ride with

headed into Aspin. They had a job building a three-level deck outside a large house near one of the famous ski lodges. It was hard work in the

his truck. Some had keyed the side of his cherry truck, leaving a message. I haven’t forgotten about you.

to mind, and Tyler felt his heart skip a beat.

***

it to the reception hall by one before the guest arrived. They were moving extremely slowly and carefully; the cake was topsy-turvy, and twice they had almost dropped it. Once it was in the back of the van Katelyn, drove and

her work she hadn’t noticed she had forgotten her purse back at the bakery. Oh well,

it from the trolly to the lovely table designated for the cake.

Aster had forgotten her purse, Katelyn paid. They went to the best little burger joint in town. The place had fifties memorabilia all over the walls, and all the excellently

her