Beta

Tyler sat in his condo surrounded by the people he now called family. Audrey and Shea had gotten there just minutes ago and were currently in a conversation with Alex about her latest photo shoot. Jamie was getting himself and Alex a drink out of the refrigerator and saw Tyler looking at him. He walked over to Tyler. “Where’s Savannah?” he asked.

“She had a meeting with someone at work,” Tyler replied. Jamie looked at him curiously. “She may be changing positions there.”
“Her choice or theirs?” Jamie inquired.

Tyler took a sip out of his beer can. “Both, I guess,” he answered. He had really been hoping she’d get this change in job. For a lot of reasons. Of course selfishly, he’d prefer her to be more behind the desk rather than out on the front line. But, he also knew Savannah was hoping for this job as well. Even if she kept saying she wouldn’t care either way.

The front door opened and Savannah walked in. “Well, guess you get your answer now,” Jamie said, nodding in her direction.

Tyler’s eyes went to his girlfriend, but she was too good at keeping a neutral face, not giving away anything. She walked over to Shea and Alex, and Tyler inwardly groaned since she didn’t even give him a hint as to what the verdict was. Though, he could almost guarantee that she would tell those two before she told him.

He watched as she chatted with them, and it seemed like they were just having an ordinary conversation. Tyler walked over to them, joining the group. Savannah glanced over at him. “I need a drink,” she stated without even a greeting towards him.

Tyler laughed. “Is that your way of asking me to get you a drink?” he asked.

“Nah,” Savannah shook her head. “I’m capable of getting my own drink. You just better have the goods,” she told him as she headed towards the bar. He watched as she expertly made herself a Jack and Diet Coke, adding a little more Jack than she normally did. It made him wonder if her meeting today didn’t go according to plan.

She came back, taking a long sip, before giving a slight smile to the group. “So?” Shea asked Savannah, giving her a look.

“So what?” Savannah played dumb. Tyler wondered if Shea had the same question he did.
“Oh come on, Van,” Shea put a hand on her hip. “You had a meeting with Dawson. What happened?” she asked directly.

Savannah finished off her drink with one long gulp. This wasn’t going to be a good answer. “Well, I’m not getting Dominic’s job, if that’s what you’re asking,” Savannah told them.
Tyler’s eyes went wide, while both Shea and Alex cried out. “What? Why?” they questioned loudly.

“Well, Dominic was in the field a lot, and I’m just not up to that right now,” she said. Her eyes flickered towards Tyler, but only for a split second. He didn’t say anything and let her continue. “So, it just wasn’t a good fit,” she shrugged her shoulders.

Shea’s eyes narrowed at her sister. “There’s more you’re not telling us,” she accused.

Alex pointed a finger at her. “Shea’s right. What aren’t you telling us?” Tyler snickered at the fact they were calling her out. But, he also wanted to know the whole truth.

“Well,” she began. “They’re creating a new position of sorts,” she told them. “I won’t have the same title as Dominic, but I will be making a move upwards. And, I’ll mainly be inside, kinda directing traffic.” She wasn’t looking at Tyler, but he tried to hide his grin anyways.
“How do you feel about that?” Alex asked her.

Savannah inhaled and let the breath out slowly. “Good,” she stated. She saw everyone focus on her, almost questioning her answer, and she laughed. “Really, I do feel good,” she assured them. “I’ll report directly to Dawson, and we’ll be hiring at least one, maybe two more people that will report to me. Liam technically reports to me, but he’s also going to really head up the tech side of things. While still going out on missions when needed.”

“Well, congratulations,” Audrey told her with a big smile.

“Yes! Congrats!” both Shea and Alex chimed in. Jamie also gave her a hug, and when Tyler’s dogs saw all the commotion, they ran over to jump in as well.

Tyler put his arm around her and leaned down, kissing her cheek. “Congrats,” he said softly. She looked up at him with a small smile, and he knew there was more she wanted to say but not in front of everyone. He was curious, but didn’t push it. Instead, he let everyone enjoy some laid back time with a few drinks and casual conversation.

A few hours later, everyone started leaving, and eventually it was just Tyler and Savannah left. His dogs were passed out outside, leaving the two of them alone. “How do you really feel about the job?” he asked her.

“I like it,” she told him.

“There’s more to it, isn’t there?”

“Damn. You’re starting to get as good as Shea and Alex,” she shook her head, while Tyler grinned. “Don’t take that as a compliment,” she joked, hitting him lightly in the chest.

He lightly gripped her wrist and pulled her to the couch with him. “So, what else is going on?”

“It’ll just be weird. I mean, I love the chase, you know that. It’ll just take some time to get used to. But, I do get more responsibility, get to make the decisions now. And, that’ll be fun. And I’ll do the interrogation, just not the physical chases.” She seemed to think it over. “Actually, it will be a good change,” she said matter-of-factly, and Tyler wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince herself of that now or what. “Get a raise too. Just wait, I’ll be making big bucks like you soon,” she winked. He knew her salary was going to be nowhere near the millions he made, even if her job of capturing criminals was way more important than playing hockey.

“Good, means you can start paying rent here,” he joked with her.“I haven’t moved in permanently,” she pointed out.

“Yet,” he added.

Savannah rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you just move into my place if you want to live with me so badly?” she asked.

“Because you have a tiny one bedroom, and my dogs wouldn’t even fit in there, let alone me,” he spoke logically. He could see she wanted to argue with him but had nothing. “Next question?” he lifted an eyebrow at her.

“How about a deal?”

“I’m listening…”

She smiled. “I’ll move in here if you let me have that closet in your room.”

Tyler knew the closet she was referring to. It held all of his clothes, including all the Stars gear he’d accumulated on top of the free items from Adidas and various other places as part of his contracts with them. He wasn’t about to give up that closet, he didn’t have room anywhere else for all of his clothes and shoes. “Counter offer,” he said, and she looked at him, intrigued. “Half my closet and you can take Cash to work with you for a day.” He knew Savannah loved his dogs as much as he did, and that would sweeten the offer.

She was mulling it over, biting her lip. “Half the closet and I get to take all three dogs with me to work,” she stated as she extended a hand.

“Best deal I’ve ever made,” he shook her hand, accepting her newest proposition.

“Better than that 78 million dollar extension?”

“Like I said,” he began, pulling her into him so her back was pressed against his chest. He pressed his mouth just below her ear and whispered, “Best deal I’ve ever made.”

Notes

So sorry for the wait, but hopefully the end of Beta was worth it! If you're still interested in these characters' lives, check out Gamma!