Chapter Twenty-Two
Tyler
Everything had happened so quickly that I hadn’t had the chance to ask Bethany what it was that my dad said to her that made her make the initial call. It didn’t even fully occur to me that she’d mentioned him saying something that set her off until after I’d returned to the hospital and assured my mom that it was a lovely place.
My dad was still groggy, and we’d decided not to mention anything about the temporary nursing home until we knew for sure.
But it was Monday afternoon, and I was extremely exhausted. Instead of transporting my dad to his next physical therapy appointment, I tried to guess which items to pack for my mom.
Truthfully, once my mom saw the apartment last night, she never uttered another word about returning to Marigold.
I’d found a recliner at a local furniture store, hauled it in the back of my rental truck, and moved it to my parents’ new apartment last night with Mae’s help.
I couldn’t have done it without her.
My mom slept in the recliner, and we ordered a new bed and mattress online that should arrive sometime this week.
Even though I kept offering to bring some of her furniture to the new place, she refused, which was fine with me. Maybe this fresh start would help make her kind.
I chuckled to myself and shook my head.
No. That was pushing it.
As I zipped up a bag for my mom, I looked around their home and knew why the medics had reported the place. It was as if someone had been on a rampage, the place imploding with just… stuff.
I didn’t know what to think about this place as I walked to the front door. I looked around and shook my head, knowing Paul and I could deal with it later once the dust settled.
Closing the door behind me, I smiled at how good the new porch looked. The fresh paint on the house made the home look great. It was amazing how a few little tweaks could help the appearance. It was just a shame that once a person opened the front door, it looked like an avalanche of junk.
But as I climbed into my truck, my heart sank because I still wasn’t sure about Marigold or being only a ferry ride away from my mom and dad. It took everything I had not to come unglued when my mom slung insults left and right at Mae. All I wanted to do was protect Mae and shield her from the nastiness, but I was the one bringing that cruelty to her life.
It didn’t sit well with me.
I’d tried so hard over the years to be better and do better, but the moment the viciousness came out of my parents’ mouths, it was like it threw me right back to where I didn’t want to be.
Guilt by association.
Mae continuously laughed off the comments, but it wasn’t right. She should never have had to deal with that stuff.
Ever.
I let out a defeated sigh and placed the bag for my mom on the passenger seat. The next ferry didn’t come for an hour, and I planned on killing some time at Mae’s, grabbing some coffee for the road.
As I turned on the engine and slowly backed out of the driveway, I wondered why I would ever consider staying.
Even though we managed to make the exterior look great, it still felt like I was suffocating merely by being near my house.
My mind worked overtime trying to block out all the bad memories, fights, and one-liners meant to hurt.
I should be thrilled that this chapter might be over—that my parents had other people checking in on them now and again in a city close to medical care.
Gripping the steering wheel, I tapped my fingers to the beat of a song replaying in my head, but it did little to calm me down.
When I pulled in front of Mae’s coffee shop, I couldn’t help but feel better. It was like emotional whiplash on this island.
I stopped the truck and got out, slowly going to the coffee shop. The aroma of freshly ground beans drifted over when I opened the door. I spotted Mae, and she lit up, giving me a smile as she helped a customer.
Brad walked through the door and frowned as he made his way over.
“I see that chat we had in the park didn’t do anything,” he said under his breath as he stood beside me.
I nodded, holding my hands in front of me. “No, it did. It really did.”
He chuckled. “Well, Audrey said she caught you two fully making out in Mae’s coffee shop, but I don’t believe it. There’s no way Mae would risk a health inspector violation.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I doubt that would happen.”
“But listen, promise me you won’t hurt my sister.”
I nodded in agreement. “I’ll do my best.”
Brad let out a sigh and stared at his sister. “Sorry about your dad.”
“He’s getting good care, and it might be for the best. He’s getting out of the hospital a day earlier than expected and will be doing rehab at a nursing home.”
Brad nodded. “Mae mentioned that they won’t return to the island.”
“As far as I know.”
Brad eyed me. “Does that change things?”
I turned to face my best friend and shook my head. “I don’t know, Brad. Everything is up in the air, not to mention I still have a business to run. It’s just been the craziest week I’ve encountered in a long time.”
Brad laughed. “Has it only been a week? It feels like a year since you got back.”
“Tell me about it.”
Mae ushered us to the counter to order.
“How’s it going?” she asked, refilling Brad’s cup with coffee.
“Okay. I’ll drop off some stuff in Seattle for my mom, and then I plan to return to my hotel to decompress.”
“Do you want any company?” Mae asked, handing her brother back his coffee.
Brad laughed and started reciting gibberish as he walked away. “I can’t hear anything. La-la-la.”
“Is he always that immature?” I joked.
“Always.” She smiled, and I instantly felt like only Mae and I were in this world.
Nothing else mattered when her eyes focused on mine. It caused me to believe that maybe there was hope for us here.
“You know, I’d really like that. I’m in some weird Twilight Zone where I feel like my entire life just took a detour.”
She nodded. “It kind of did. Just call me when you get back to Marigold, and I’ll stop by the hotel. I’ll have Audrey take Dottie.”
“You sure? I just feel like you’ve already endured enough being around me.”
Her eyes widened, and she slowly shook her head, reaching for my hands. “Just when you think life is going in one direction, something always seems to swoop in and turn you around.”
“I’m so sorry for the stuff my mom said. It was uncalled for.”
“She’s got a lot of hate in her heart, and I don’t know why. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I can’t figure it out.” She kept her eyes on mine. “But the one thing I know more than anything is the kind heart you have, and that’s all that matters. You responded precisely as you should have. No apologies necessary.”
“I knew it would have worsened things if I started yelling back at her. Both my parents thrive off that. It’s like refilling their tanks.”
She shuddered at the thought. “It definitely wasn’t the time or place. Honestly, it would have been awful if you gave any of the comments the time of day. Gives them too much power.”
“Agreed.”
She dropped her gaze. “Would you like an iced Americano for the road?”
“How’d you guess?”
“It’s what I do.” She smiled, reaching for a large cup and filling it with ice before she pulled the espresso shots.
I reached for my wallet, and she shook her head. “It’s on the house.”
“I can’t let you keep doing this.”
“Then buy me drinks tonight.” Her eyes stayed on mine for an extra beat, and I felt that familiar charge run through me.
She handed me the drink. “And promise me you won’t overthink things and overanalyze stuff. You aren’t your parents. Your parents aren’t you. Tyler, you’re an amazing guy.”
I took a sip and smiled. “I don’t feel quite so amazing at the moment, but give me a few hours, and I’ll try to rally.”
Mae chuckled as I tapped my fingers on the counter. Her gaze fell to my hands.
“You’ve always done that when you’re nervous. Nonstop.” She kept her eyes on mine. “But you don’t usually ever do it around me.”
I took in Mae’s delicate features, the concern in her eyes. She looked hopeful and at peace—the exact opposite of what I felt.
I’d always been aware of my flaws or those of my parents and couldn’t quite figure out my place in the world. Maybe that was why I had to have two homes. I just didn’t feel like I fully belonged anywhere.
But that changed last week when I ran into Mae. It felt like all the pieces to some mysterious puzzle had started slotting themselves, all because I’d found her. I even toyed with the idea of moving to Marigold and somehow avoiding my parents—all daydreams.
I just didn’t want to let her down, and I knew somehow, the version she had constructed of me over the years didn’t exist.
I would undoubtedly let her down.
And now that my parents might not be living back on Marigold in the foreseeable future, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my world was about to crash down around me.
The adrenaline pumping and nerves on edge, all for what? I didn’t know. It felt like things should be improving, freeing me up to dive into the possibilities with Mae.
She was right. I couldn’t help fidgeting right now because it felt like so much was on the line. We hadn’t crossed that physical boundary, but I knew from the kisses we shared that there’d be no turning back when we did.
I didn’t want to do that to her. She deserved better, and I didn’t want to hold her back. Mae experienced only a sliver of what it was like around my parents, and she shouldn’t have to bite her tongue or feel bad for defending herself.
Because she should never be put in a position to do so.
She deserved so much more.
“Just a lot on my mind, I guess.” I smiled at Mae. “I didn’t know you noticed that trait about me. I never even know when I’m doing it.”
She chuckled and pushed some hair behind her ear. “I’ve noticed everything I could about you, Tyler Grant.” Mae laughed. “But as long as it’s not me making you antsy, I’m fine.”
“Never.” I glanced at the clock on the wall behind her and frowned. “I should probably get going so I don’t miss the ferry.”
Mae nodded, smiling as her eyes fell to my lips.
And in that moment, I wanted to push all my worries away. None of it mattered if I had Mae.
Right?
Just having Mae was enough.
Mae leaned over the counter at the same time I did. Our lips met tenderly as I kissed her, and she kissed me back. I could feel her mouth smile as it pressed against mine.
I just couldn’t believe how she could make me feel so alive and cherished.
My hope was that I could do the same for her, but I wasn’t sure that was possible.
Her lips broke from mine, and she opened her eyes, looking as dopey as I felt.
“You’re a good kisser,” she said, smiling. “I just can’t get enough.”
She touched her earrings and sucked on her bottom lip for a brief second.
“You nervous about something?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I tap my fingers, and you touch your earrings.”
She chuckled. “Aren’t we a pair?”
I nodded silently and turned around to leave. “I hope so. I really do.”