Chapter 10
Tyler
“Tyler, answer the door!”
Scowling over my shoulder in the direction of the shouted demand, I close the remaining foot between me and the door and grip the doorknob tightly. “I already was, you dick,” I mumble under my breath before pulling the door open.
A tendril of familiarity slips into my mind. The handsome but dodgy man I saw meeting with Joe at the restaurant a week ago stands on the front doorstep. He removes his sunglasses and gives me a smile that has me feeling somewhat uneasy.
“Hi, kid. I’m here to see Mr. Bassham.”
My teeth grit at his greeting. Considering I have about six inches and maybe fifty pounds of muscles on this weasel of a man, I find it even more infuriating. I step back to let him pass by. “Of course, he’s in his office. I believe he’s expecting you.”
His cologne is pungent as he enters and walks away, obviously familiar with the layout of the house.
I narrow my eyes as he disappears down the dim hall.
I don’t have any proof that Joe is a shady-as-fuck businessman, but I certainly have my suspicions.
And clearly, so did the police, since he was charged with racketeering a number of years ago, but the charges were dropped.
I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he makes that difficult.
All I can hope is that this job wraps up sooner rather than later, before we get dragged into a situation none of us wants for Nash Security. I need to figure out who Joe’s meeting with. Perhaps that would help us decide whether we want to continue with this job or not.
I’m walking back into the kitchen to join Matt when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, and the grin that crosses my face is automatic. Matt eyes me curiously as I pass by him and walk outside.
Audrey: Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Any chance you’re free tomorrow night? There’s this new restaurant that just opened, and I’ve been dying to go.
My heart thumps in excitement. I double-check my schedule before I reply.
Me: Tomorrow night works great. What time do you want me to pick you up?
Audrey: You don’t have to pick me up again since I’m pretty sure that’s going out of your way. I can meet you there at maybe seven?
I frown at my phone. I would drive across the state if I meant getting to treat her the way she should be treated—like she’s special and important to me. Which, admittedly, is insane, because we’ve only been on one date, but I really don’t care.
Me: Audrey. I’ll pick you up at 6:30.
Audrey: Okay…do you even want to know what kind of food it is?
I smirk and type out my reply.
Me: Nope. Couldn’t care less if it means I get to spend time with you.
Dots appear, then disappear a few times, before a text finally comes through.
Audrey: I’ll see you tomorrow, Tyler.
Anticipation lightens my shoulders. I deeply regret not kissing her last night, but besides that, our date was absolute perfection. We had so much fun, and I was desperate to do it all over again before the night was even over.
But it won’t be long now. A little over twenty-four hours, and I can see Audrey again.
Voices carry through the house as I walk toward the kitchen. What we started calling our Nash Family Dinners rotates among houses, and tonight, it’s at my mom’s. I have no idea who will be here tonight, but it’s always a good time.
I step into the kitchen, and a cacophony of greetings and my name being called rings through the air. My mom rushes across the kitchen and throws her arms around my shoulders, yanking me down so I’m partially bent over as she aggressively hugs me.
“Damn, Mom. Can you chill out? I saw you two days ago.”
She affectionately swats my chest when she releases me and resumes her dinner prep. “I don’t care if it was five days ago. I’m still going to want to hug my baby.”
Grimacing, I head over to the fridge and pull a beer out. Jack and Ella are seated at the kitchen table. Through the window behind them, I can see Tim outside grilling. Olive and Nate are sitting at the island as Olive helps chop some vegetables.
I join Jack and Ella at the table. “Is anyone else coming tonight?”
Ella nods. “Yeah, Maggie and Ian should be here soon. I think Pamela and her kids are coming, but her husband won’t be here because he is out of town on business.” She glances over her shoulder at Nate. “Are Lori and Brian coming, Nate?”
Pamela and Lori are Nate’s older sisters. Not only have they been friends with my mom for years, but they’ve also gotten close with Ella, Olive, and Maggie.
“Nope, they’re in Hawaii.”
Ella lets out a sound of jealousy. “I forgot that was this week.” She turns back in her chair. “Jack, can we go to Hawaii?”
Jack’s arm around the back of her chair moves to her shoulder and pulls Ella into him. He kisses the top of her head. “We can go wherever you want. Just tell me when, and I’ll make it happen.”
The contented smile she wears as she stares up at him has me thinking how nice it would be to have a certain someone look at me just like that.
My gaze moves through the room, taking in the group surrounding me.
Reflecting on the last few years, it’s remarkable to consider how the dynamic of this group has evolved.
Growing up, it was mostly me, my mom, my grandma, and Jack when he was home from the military.
Then, my mom met Tim. And then my grandma passed away.
Even though it was still just four of us, Jack and my mom were always inviting random friends over who didn’t have anywhere else to go.
I remember holidays and parties were always interesting because you never knew who was going to show up.
Most of the time, I never knew the majority of the people, and it was always a revolving door, so the same people didn’t keep coming around.
Then, when Jack moved to Nashville for good, the group started to become more permanent.
First, it was Nate and his sisters with their families.
Then it was Ian and Alice, Nash Security’s old office manager, who retired a few years ago.
We don’t see Alice as often as she used to since she and her husband are constantly traveling, but whenever she’s in town, she makes it a point to see us.
Each of us has our own story about why being a part of this makeshift family is important to us, but I can confidently speak for all of us that this group means the world to us, and we’re fiercely protective of it.
Thoughts of how Audrey would fit in carry me through the evening.
A couple of hours later, we’re sitting outside, enjoying the cool spring evening when my mom leans over to me and says, “Tyler, can you come inside for a few minutes? Jack and I want to talk to you about something.”
Something in her tone has all the food I ate at dinner feeling like a boulder in my stomach. “Okay, sure.”
My mom glances over at Jack and gives him a slight nod. They both stand, and Jack tells the group that we’ll be right back. Confused stares from only the women tell me that Nate and Ian already know what this is about. It can’t be good if they felt the need to tell the guys before they told me.
I follow them into the living room and take a seat on the couch. My mom takes the spot next to me, and Jack sits in the chair to my right.
My eyes move between the two, noticing the cautious looks on each of their faces. I level my stare at my mom. “Okay, spit it out. I’m having flashbacks to when you told me my hamster died while I was staying the night at my friend’s house.”
She huffs out a laugh and gives me a weak smile. “Sorry, I just hate that I even have to tell you this.” Taking a deep inhale, she continues. “Your dad got in contact with Jack. He wants to see you.”
My head rears back as I process her announcement.
My mom got pregnant when she was a senior in high school.
My dad barely stuck around until graduation before he left the state and didn’t return until I was five.
I remember when my mom told me that he wanted to meet me.
She gave me the choice, even if I was too young to really understand all my feelings about my absent father.
This was before Tim came into our lives, because I think if Tim had already been my stepfather, I would’ve told my mom I didn’t want to see my biological dad.
But I didn’t say that. I agreed to see him.
The meeting was bad. He barely spoke to me and spent most of the time trying to convince my mom to take him back.
Which she not-so-politely declined. It wasn’t long after that that he was arrested for armed robbery, which he ultimately ended up being convicted of, along with some other charges related to some fraud he committed.
“I didn’t know he was out. Did you?” My voice sounds harsh, but my ire isn’t directed at my mother, who’s done everything for me, but toward the man who couldn’t be bothered by my existence.
She nods. “Jack’s been keeping tabs on him for us. He let me know a couple of weeks ago that he had been released. I didn’t tell you because I honestly didn’t think he would want anything to do with either of us.”
“Why didn’t he contact me directly?” Not that I would’ve wanted him to, but I’m no longer a child. He could’ve asked me himself.
My mom wrings her hands. “We never told you this, but when Jack got you a number through Nash Security’s account, he put some extra protections on it to make it harder to find. He did the same for mine and Tim’s. Your dad contacted Jack because his information was all he could find.”
I rub my hand over my lips in thought and glance over at Jack. The look he gives me is sympathetic and reassuring.
“No matter what you decide, we support you,” he tells me.
My mom adds, “Yes, and even Tim said he wants you to do what you think is right for you.”
Tim’s the best thing to happen to me and my mom. He took on a role he didn’t have to and never looked back. He is my dad, as far as I’m concerned.
“When does he want to know my answer by?”
My mom lets out an annoyed sound. “That man doesn’t get to make demands. You decide when you’re ready. Tomorrow. Five years from now. Never. Quite frankly, I don’t care. And you shouldn’t either.”
I nod, lost in thought. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll give it some thought.”
Pushing to stand, my mom does the same and wraps her arms around my waist. Our hug speaks volumes, even though neither of us says a word. She releases me and pats my cheek lovingly.
“I think I’m going to get going,” I tell them, suddenly feeling less inclined to stay and socialize.
“Okay, let me know if you want to talk.” My mom’s expression makes me furious that she has to deal with this. I know how much she hates my biological father, so this can’t be easy for her either.
Jack’s hand lands on my shoulder. “I’ll walk you out.”
When we get to my car, I shove my hands in my pockets. Jack leans against my truck and crosses his arms.
We’re silent for a few moments before Jack tilts his head to catch my eye. “What are you thinking?”
I breathe out an exasperated sigh. “I’m annoyed as fuck. I don’t want to deal with this right now. I also don’t understand what he wants. Because I highly doubt it’s to be the father he never was.”
A humorless laugh leaves Jack. “You aren’t wrong there. I’m also very skeptical about his motivation. Especially so soon after getting out of jail.”
A growly noise escapes me before I tell him, “I appreciate you helping with all of this. It makes me feel better that even Mom and Tim are harder for him to find.”
Jack gives a quick nod. “I would do anything for all of you.” He pauses but keeps his contemplative stare on me. “That man should be deeply disappointed he can’t take any credit for the amazing man you’ve become. Don’t you ever forget that you don’t owe him anything just because you share DNA.”
Emotions tighten my chest, and I swallow hard. “Thanks, Jack. That means a lot.”
Jack squeezes my shoulder before leaving me and walking back inside.
I drop my head back for a moment, then shake the negativity from my mind and climb into my truck. Pushing thoughts of my father aside, I focus on the one thing that brings me light.
Audrey.