Wildest Dreams

It was the end of finals week for Meredith and she was at work. Most of her friends had gone home for winter break but she stayed in Denton for work. Tyler had been texting her on and off throughout the week not expecting many replies since he knew Meredith was studying. Now that it was the end of the week and she was done for the semester, he decided to call her. Meredith’s phone rang.

Meredith: Hello?
Tyler: Hey! Have a few minutes to talk?
Meredith: I have exactly 5 minutes until I need to get my things together and head into a meeting.
Tyler: I’ll take what I can get. What’s your meeting about?
Meredith: How to keep up with the clients coming in during the holidays and new ways to reach new clients.
Tyler: Sounds boring. You should skip it.
Meredith: I can’t, I’m the one running the meeting.
Tyler: You know, you tell me you have to work a lot but you’ve never told me what you do.
Meredith: I run my dad’s Flower Mound location. He owns Change Up. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard about it.
Tyler: No I haven’t but I assume it has something to do with baseball?
Meredith: It’s a sports training and strength building facility. We mainly work with baseball, softball and football athletes but we also work with basketball and other sports for strength and agility.
Tyler: Any hockey athletes?
Meredith: We have a few but we don’t have private lessons for it like baseball and football.
Tyler: Why not hockey?
Meredith: Do you want a smartass remark or a smartass remark?
Tyler: I think I’ll take a smartass remark.
Meredith: Because this is Texas and there aren’t a lot of hockey players.
Tyler: I know about 50 hockey players in Texas right now.
Meredith: Any Stars don’t count, and yes we have leagues here, but not enough for us to keep a specialist on hand here. We have one at the Dallas/Frisco location and one at the Fort Worth, but not in Flower Mound.
Tyler: How many locations do you have?
Meredith: Currently 3, but my dad has been working on getting one started in Austin. It should open in the spring. We work a lot with college athletes so Austin will be huge for us.
Tyler: Oh yeah, definitely with the University of Texas.
Meredith: Hook ‘em Horns!
Tyler: Are you allowed to say that? I thought North Texas was the eagles or something?
Meredith: My dad went to UT and brainwashed me to be a Longhorn. I will forever say Hook ‘em Horns no matter what school I actually attend. Don’t say you’re an Aggie… or a Sooner. I can deal with a Red Raider, that’s where my sister is going to school next year, but I can’t deal with an Aggie or Sooner. We have enough of them running around this building.

Tyler softly laughed at Meredith.

Tyler: No, I’m not an Aggie or Sooner or Red Raider. I’m a Star.
Meredith: Did you really just say that? That doesn’t count.
Tyler: But I am a Star. On the ice and off, you just didn’t give me the chance to show you.
Meredith: I think I’ve heard enough. I have to go to my meeting.
Tyler: Wait before you go!
Meredith: What?
Tyler: What time do you get off?
Meredith: After my meeting.
Tyler: How long will that be?
Meredith: Usually around 45 minutes to an hour. I should be off around 8. Why?
Tyler: I want to talk to you some more.
Meredith: I’m sorry but I really need to hang up. I’m going to be late. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.
Tyler: Bye.

After hanging up with Meredith, Tyler realized that talking on the phone wasn’t enough and that he wanted to see Meredith in person. He looked up the address to Meredith’s work and saw that he could make it there within an hour. Tyler quickly headed towards his car and got in, driving straight to Change Up to surprise Meredith.

On the way to see Meredith, Tyler got a call from Jamie.

Tyler: Hello?
Jamie: Where are you? I’m at your house and you’re not.
Tyler: I’m on my way to Flower Mound.
Jamie: What the hell is in Flower Mound?
Tyler: Did you say you’re at my house?
Jamie: Yeah, but that doesn’t answer my question.
Tyler: I forgot the dogs! Will you let Marshall and Cash in from the backyard and give them a treat for me please?
Jamie: How did you forget your dogs? You live and breathe for them.
Tyler: I just did, okay.
Jamie: I see what this is about.
Tyler: What about?
Jamie: This is about mystery girl.
Tyler: Just let that fucking go.
Jamie: I’m right! It is about her!
Tyler: Why are you at my house?
Jamie: Why are you changing the subject?
Tyler: I’m not. Why are you at my house? That’s what started this call.
Jamie: Some of the guys and I are going out. It’s a Friday night.
Tyler: Exactly, so why would I be at home on a Friday night?
Jamie: You are all hell bent out of shape for this girl. What’s her name?
Tyler: It doesn’t matter because it’s none of your damn business.
Jamie: I’m just going to call her mystery girl until you tell me.
Tyler: You’ve been bugging the shit out of me all week about this girl. Just let it be.
Jamie: No, the other day in Chicago you got emotional over her like a little girl so I’m going to be irritating as shit until you tell me who she is and what her name is.
Tyler: Did you let the dogs in?
Jamie: Yeah.
Tyler: Good. I’ll catch up you guys tonight, eh?
Jamie: You’re just trying to make this not about mystery girl. Guess you’re not spending the night with her again? Or are you going to bring her?
Tyler: I’m not even with her and who said I was going to see her tonight? I haven’t been able to get her to agree to see me since I met her. And she lives in Denton. Not Flower Mound.
Jamie: This is about her! I was right.
Tyler: I just said she doesn’t live in Flower Mound. There are other things out there.
Jamie: Well the guys and I are going to Jumping Jacks, maybe she’ll be there again.
Tyler: Are you done harassing me?
Jamie: Never.
Tyler: I’ll talk to you later.

Tyler hung up the phone and pulled into the parking lot at Change Up. He went inside to a huge warehouse looking space and asked the girl at the front desk where he could find Meredith. Meredith was still there but the meeting was over and she was on the phone in her office talking to her mom.

Meredith: Any news?... Are we ever going to hear good news again?... Ugh. How much longer?... This is the worst possible time for this… Yeah, I’m fine… I’m dealing with it, Mom… Mom, I don’t want to talk about this… I want to see him but I don’t… I don’t want to see him like this but I’m going to regret it if I don’t…

Meredith’s office door was open and she could hear a muffled conversation that Lindsey, the girl working at the desk, was having.

Tyler: Hi, I’m looking for Meredith James. Is she still here?
Lindsey: She is. Her office just down the hall and the second one to the right.
Tyler: Thank you.

Meredith continued talking on the phone and had her back towards the door.

Meredith: But what did they say? Did they say it could get better?... I know, its not a surprise, I know, I know.

Tyler lightly knocked on the door even though it was open, wondering what Meredith would say when she saw him and hearing a little bit of her conversation with the person on the phone. Meredith turned around and saw Tyler. Her eyes grew wide and she waved him into her office. Tyler took a few steps in and waited for her to get off the phone.

Meredith: Mom… Mom… can I call you back?... Yes I’m going to see him. I’m going to see him tomorrow… Mom... Mom! Can I please call you back later? I don’t want to deal with this anymore tonight and I have someone in my office. This isn’t a good time. I’ll call you tomorrow… Love you, bye.

Meredith hung up the phone and looked at Tyler.

Meredith: Sorry about that. What are you doing here?
Tyler: I didn’t get to talk to you enough earlier and you always have an excuse to why I can’t see you so I decided to just drive out here. Is everything okay with your mom?
Meredith: Yeah, everything is fine. Fine. Great actually, it’s great.
Tyler: It didn’t sound like that…
Meredith: I think I regret telling you where I work. Do you just randomly show up at every girl’s work that you tried to hook up with?
Tyler: Do you remember the first thing you asked me after I got you to go on a walk with me?
Meredith: Yeah, I asked if you were going to rape or kill me.
Tyler: You left something out. You didn’t ask if I was going to kidnap you.
Meredith: You drove all the way out here to tell me that? You could have just texted me that.
Tyler: No, I drove all the way out here to kidnap you.
Meredith: You know you’re not supposed to tell someone when you’re going to kidnap them, right? Especially when you’re in their office and there’s plenty of staff still here for me to tell.
Tyler: I’m not kidnapping you forever; I’m just kidnapping you for a few hours.
Meredith: Why are you doing this?
Tyler: Because I want to spend time with you.
Meredith: Why?
Tyler: You ask too many questions. Come on.

Meredith reluctantly agreed, grabbed her belongings, locked her office and followed Tyler to his car. When they got in the car Tyler asked Meredith what kind of music she listened to.

Meredith: Country.
Tyler: Ugh. You’re one of those girls.
Meredith: Stop using my words against me. And if you’re going to kidnap someone, you should at least listen to the music they choose.

Tyler grinned at Meredith and changed the station to 96.3 KSCS.

Tyler: Even if I didn’t kidnap you I would still listen to whatever you want to listen to.

Meredith rolled her eyes at him and smiled.

Meredith: Where are we going?
Tyler: You’ll see.
Meredith: Did you really have to bring a Ferrari? Trying to impress me or show off?
Tyler: Neither. The things I need for tonight were already in here so I brought this car.
Meredith: Oh my God, tonight is the night you’re going to rape and kill me.
Tyler: You’re dramatic, you know?
Meredith: And you’re a speed demon who is about to get pulled over because there are always speed traps right here.
Tyler: Noted.

After driving for thirty minutes Tyler stopped the car at a big empty field and got out to get blankets from the trunk of the car. Meredith got out and followed him.

Meredith: Yep, you’re going to kill me and leave me out here for the wild animals to eat and I’m currently that girl in the movies that the audience is screaming at not to do it because I just got out of the car and I’m following you into this giant field. Dead girl walking right here.
Tyler: Shut up and help me lay out these blankets. I figured you needed a night to not do anything but stare up at the stars and relax after finals and that conversation with your mom. I’m not going to kill you. Maybe just with my looks though.
Meredith: You are so full of yourself. You know that? You’re very arrogant.
Tyler: You could kill me with your looks too, you know.
Meredith: So is this a silent star gaze or…
Tyler: I’m gonna make you talk to me.
Meredith: We’ll see.

Meredith and Tyler lied on the blankets he had set out along with a few pillows. They laid there silent for a little bit until Tyler started talking.

Tyler: Tell me about your family.
Meredith: My mom is from New York and my dad is from Austin. My dad started Change Up five years ago and now we’re looking at opening our fourth location which I was telling you about earlier. I grew up privileged. I’ve been very lucky that my parents have never had to tell me no when I need or want something, unless I’m being utterly stupid and over the top with my requests. They taught me that you have to work hard to get what you want and you should never stop until you get there. I grew up with a lot of things but it was never just handed to me. I have a younger sister who is a senior in high school and is going to play softball at Texas Tech in the fall. She worked hard to get there and I’m kinda shocked she got into such a big D1 school to play, but at the same time, I’m not. I also have an adopted brother who is a Junior in high school and plays baseball and has verbally committed to going to TCU. I’m really close to my family. My mom is my best friend and my dad is my dad, mentor, friend, boss and my Daddy. What about your family?
Tyler: My parents are divorced, but I’m still close to both of them. I’m a big momma’s boy. I have two sisters. One is your age and the other is 17 and also a senior in high school. My oldest younger sister is going to college in Vermont and my other sister hasn’t decided where she’s going in the fall yet. They both play hockey and love it almost as much as me. I call my mom everyday, even if it’s just for two seconds and I talk to my dad all the time. I’ve been on my own for a while now so I talk to them as much as possible and have the family tree on my arm. I take them with me everywhere I go. They’re also coming in town for Christmas and I’m really excited for that.
Meredith: That will be exciting. Have they ever been here before?
Tyler: My mom once, but the rest of them, no. It’s their first time. They’re upset it won’t be a white Christmas.
Meredith: Yeah, that rarely happens around here. We do get ice though! Just in January or February or when the Super Bowl is hosted here.
Tyler: I remember that was all over the news! So big Cowboys fan?

Meredith laughed.

Meredith: No. New York Giants all the way.
Tyler: Well, time to pack this all up. It was nice knowing you.
Meredith: Who do you like?
Tyler: Patriots.
Meredith: That’s okay. Giants beat them twice in the Super Bowl. At least they still have some fans after that.
Tyler: You think you’re cute, don’t you.
Meredith: You told me I was…

Tyler stood up.

Meredith: What are you doing?
Tyler: Hold on.

Tyler went to his car and started it. Meredith turned around and watched him to make sure he wasn’t going to leave her. He leaned in the car and turned the volume dial up so they could hear the music. Tyler walked back to Meredith and held out his hand.

Tyler: Dance with me.
Meredith: I don’t dance.
Tyler: Funny how that’s the song that is playing right now. And you’re dancing with me.

Meredith smiled and gave in. She took Tyler’s hand and stood up. Tyler brought her in close and they slowed danced to the song and Tyler twirled her around under the stars. When the song changed to an upbeat one, they continued slow dancing and started laughing at themselves. They spent the next few hours dancing and talking and laughing until they realized that it was almost three in the morning and they should get back to the city. They packed everything up and Tyler took Meredith back to Change Up so she could get her car. Tyler parked right next to her car and Meredith thanked him for the night.

Meredith: Thank you for tonight. I had a really good time.
Tyler: Of course, I just hope you had as much fun as I did.
Meredith: I did. I really needed that.

Tyler took a deep breath and looked at Meredith, almost with pity and sorrow in his eyes.

Tyler: What is going on in that pretty head of yours.

Meredith opened the car door and turned back to Tyler forcing a slight smile.

Meredith: Nothing you need to worry about. Thanks again for tonight.

Meredith stepped out of the car.

Tyler: Text me when you get home so I know you’re safe.
Meredith: I will.

Meredith got in her car and drove off. Tyler waited until she was in her car and moving before he put his in drive and headed home for the night, wondering what was going on with Meredith and why she didn’t want to say.

Notes

This chapter is based off of We Owned the Night by Lady Antebellum.

Questions, comments, concerns would be greatly appreciated. I'll be traveling soon so I won't be able to update as much as I have, but I will continue to write every chance I get!