Chapter 38
Tyler
One week later
“Tyler, are those copies done?” Jack bellows across the office at me.
I pop my chair up from how I was leaning back, staring at the ceiling in boredom. “Yep, they’re in the conference room, ready for your meeting.”
Jack stares at me for a beat before giving a curt nod and retreating into his office. I let out an exasperated huff as I slump forward with my elbows on my desk.
“Don’t worry, buddy. You’ll probably be off desk duty soon,” Matt says to cheer me up.
My glare whips to him. His desk is next to mine, and he’s lounging back in his desk chair with a smirk on his stupid face.
“Easy for you to say since you only got one week of desk duty,” I retort.
He shrugs. “Yeah, but that was because I was only guilty by association with your dumb ass.”
I grumble in response because he isn’t wrong. Even in my contrived series of events, he didn’t do anything wrong. I tried to argue with the guys not to give him any punishment at all, but they felt he should’ve known what was happening.
“Tyler, come in here,” Jack calls out for me once again from his office door.
I roll my chair back and stand, moving as carefully as possible to not aggravate my still-healing wound. I steel myself for whatever this conversation will be about, hoping that it isn’t one where he and the guys decided to fire me instead of just giving me desk duty for the next six months.
I step into his office and close the door behind me, lowering myself into the chair in front of his desk. Resting my arms on the armrests, I drum my fingers nervously as he stares at me, his fingers steepled in front of his mouth.
After another minute of grating silence, I snap, “Did you call me in here just to look at me? Because I could’ve just sent you a selfie.”
He drops his hands and gives me a perturbed glare. “I talked to your mom.”
I swallow hard, but don’t respond. I was planning on talking to Jack before this happened, but I shouldn’t have underestimated my mom.
“She told me what you told her about Audrey. That she was really Joe’s daughter and got the job to get money out of her dad.”
It wasn’t a question, but I nod my confirmation. I’ll never tell anyone her true involvement in the incident, but I needed to come clean about some details so that when we’re back together, it won’t be awkward.
And we’ll be back together. There’s no doubt in my mind.
“Did you know this while you were seeing her?”
I clasp my hands tight in my lap to keep them steady. “I didn’t know until I was at the hospital.”
“Right. When you shot yourself.”
Sweat dots the hairline on the back of my neck under his scrutiny. “Yep, after I did that.”
He huffs a laugh, and let’s out a muttered, “Dumbass.” After a sigh, he asks, “Do you trust her?”
I don’t hesitate. “Absolutely. She needed to help her mom who has cancer. We all know Joe is a corrupt asshole who doesn’t deserve a penny, especially when he abandoned his daughter and the mother of his child.”
He studies me for a moment before asking, “Was that who the money was for?”
“Yes, it’s for the treatment. Her insurance didn’t cover it. I’m not sure she’ll make it without this treatment.” My heart hurts just thinking about that. Not only is her mom incredibly kind, but knowing how sad that’ll make Audrey tears me apart.
Another sigh. “You’re a good man, Tyler. I trust your judgement.”
I hold in a laugh. That makes one of us.
While I wouldn’t change what I’ve done, I don’t think anyone could claim me or Audrey have excelled at our decision-making skills. Maybe we really are meant to be.
“Your mom also said she was a doctor and not a librarian?”
“Yep, she is.” Pride floods me. Not only is she the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, but she’s got to be the smartest too.
Jack shakes his head. “Part of me wants to smack the shit out of you, because I know you’re leaving something out of this. Or maybe just fire you.” My stomach drops. He holds up a finger to halt my panic. “But I know you wouldn’t do anything like this if there wasn’t a good reason.”
I lick my lips. “You might be onto something.”
“I’m trusting you, Tyler. Don’t make me regret it. Again.”
I grimace at the dig. I know my cousin loves me, but he always tells me like it is. “You won’t, I promise. Once everyone gets to know her, everyone will love her just as much as I do.”
His eyebrows jump in surprise. “Love? That’s serious.”
This is the first time admitting this to anyone, and it feels pretty damn good. I smile. “It’s serious.”
Jack returns my smile. “I’m happy for you, kid.”
I roll my eyes and stand but decide not to argue. I deserve to be called a kid. “Thanks, Jack.”
His smile drops. “Don’t do this shit again.”
I laugh. “You got it, boss.”
When I make it back to my desk, my phone vibrates in my pocket. The relief and happiness that inundate my system has a smile spreading wider as I read the text.
Jennifer: Just got off the phone with Audrey. Her mom’s starting the treatment in a few days.
I take a shaky breath of emotion, even with my smile in place. This moment is worth everything we’ve been through.
Me: Thank you for the update, Jennifer. And thank you for everything over the last few weeks.
The response is immediate.
Jennifer: You can thank me by going to talk to her so you two can have your happily ever after like you’re supposed too. Like, yesterday.
I huff a laugh and text one last response.
Me: On it.
Nerves and excitement light up my system.
I sent Audrey a few texts that went unanswered.
Jennifer told me Audrey said it was because of how guilty she felt.
I held off pursuing her more, wanting to give her time.
But now that I’m fully recovered and back at work and her mom is officially starting treatment, there’s only one thing left.
Time to get my soulmate back.