Tyler (HC Heroes #12)

Chapter One

I f it wasn’t for Tyler Bryson’s older brother with his can-do-will-do, get-it-done attitude, Ty would be in California staring at the sky, wishing he was back in the cockpit of an F-35C Lightning II. Instead, he was in Texas watching a bunch of former military guys working out while wishing he was back in the cockpit of an F-35C Lightning II.

Three months ago, Ty had arrived in Harland County a bitter and bent man, with a broken shoulder and injured eye. Hell, he was lucky he wasn’t blind, although, he might as well be, since the Navy required their aviators to possess 20/20 vision, and under special circumstances up to 20/70, and he wasn’t one of them.

Last October, in the space of two seconds, he’d gone from Top Gun status to grounded.

Permanently.

His Wings of Gold were useless now.

And the worst part was that he hadn’t even been in a cockpit when he was injured. He’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time while at base in California, participating in required training updates when a freak accident had caused an explosion. Thankfully, there hadn’t been any fatalities…except for his Naval career.

The next day while at the hospital, Ty had heard scuttlebutt about being offered a training position, something he’d expected to do in the distant future when his reaction time inevitably started to deteriorate, but not at thirty-two, in his damn prime.

Just thinking about it caused heat to prickle across his shoulders as his ire ramped up. No way would he have gone from flying successful sorties to teaching a bunch of damn kids how to do it…hell, not when he should still be flying them.

It wasn’t right. It sucked.

Big time.

The only positive thing that had come out of this nightmare had been discovering his ex-fiancée’s true colors, although at the time, it hurt like hell.

Ty had been hooked to an IV, his shoulder, head, and eye aching like a son-of-a-bitch as he counted ceiling tiles with his good eye, his damn life in a tailspin when Erika had entered the room. God, he’d been so happy to see her. He’d needed to feel his fiancée’s arms around him and hear her reassurances that everything would be fine.

But the woman’s visit hadn’t been out of concern or to comfort. She’d been there to return the ring he’d given her earlier that year on Valentine’s Day. A massive ring she’d picked out that had cost him more than three months’ pay.

He didn’t know what had hurt worse—his broken shoulder, busted eye, the loss of his Naval career, or his shredded heart.

“Sorry, Ty,” Erika had said, setting the ring on the table by his bed. “I was meant to be the wife of a Navy officer. I hope you understand.”

Before he could even reply, she’d left his room.

Understand?

He’d understood, all right. In fact, even with his reduced vision, he’d seen Erika clearly for the first time in their two-year relationship. She’d never loved him, that much was now obvious. What she’d loved had been his status—his Wings of Gold—and even if he had been offered and had accepted that training position, she still would’ve left him. That spiel about becoming a Navy officer’s wife had been bullshit. Erika had wanted to be the wife of a Navy fighter pilot…a fact she’d proven a month later.

Ty still communicated with a few of the guys from his squadron, and back in November, they’d informed him that Erika had hooked up with a nugget—a first tour aviator. So, if she had truly been interested in just an officer, she wouldn’t have chosen another guy in the flight program.

Plain and simple, she wanted a Top Gun husband.

Surprisingly, Ty was no longer gutted by their break-up. In fact, he was grateful to be rid of the calculating woman and actually felt sorry for her new mark.

Poor bastard.

At least Ty had put that part of his life into better perspective. Now he just needed to pull the rest of it out of a spiraling nosedive. But how could he?

He was no longer a pilot.

Never again could he watch the sunrise from the solitude of his cockpit or feel the force of five Gs pinning him to his seat as he gripped the pole and flew missions that safeguarded the country. His days of catapulting off a carrier at 170 mph in the best strike fighter on the planet and landing on a moving runway only 300 feet long were over.

With a sharp inhale through his nose, he clenched his jaw to keep from spouting the expletives running rampant through his head.

He wouldn’t—couldn’t feel truly alive ever again—not if he was stuck on the damn ground.

His earlier thoughts returned. It sucked.

Life sucked.

Life…

Ty stilled and closed his eyes for a moment.

What was wrong with him? How long was he going to allow those negative thoughts to hold his mind hostage?

He opened his eyes and straightened his spine.

What he needed to feel was grateful to still be alive, and he was grateful, but his zest, inspiration, motivation, joy—all of it was gone. He was just going through the motions now but occasionally managed to smile and laugh around his sister and older brother. Rylee and Gabe were the reason he was in Texas.

Once Ty was discharged from the hospital, Gabe had shown up and whisked him to Harland County, where he also set up a consultation for Ty with a local, well-renowned ophthalmologist. Two surgeries later, and with the help of a pair of prescription glasses, he could see out of his injured eye…just not adequately enough for the Navy.

So now he lived in Texas with two of his three siblings and had to admit it was great to be near family again. He especially loved spending time with his young nephew and seeing his sister so happy as a mother and wife. It was also fun to watch his big, tough, stubborn brother reduced to mush around his wife, a feat Ty had never thought he’d live to see.

God, it was entertaining as hell.

Several years ago, after leaving the SEALs, his tough-as-nails older brother had moved to Texas to work for a military buddy who had opened a private security company, but somehow, Gabe had ended up becoming the local sheriff instead. Ty wasn’t surprised, though. After all, Gabe had been a cop before joining the Navy.

Their sister, Rylee, on the other hand, was working for ESI—Eagle Security and Investigation—and had talked Ty into working there, too. Most days, it kept his mind occupied, and he liked the rest of his coworkers. Seven were former Delta Force and three were former SEALs that had served with Gabe.

He could tell by the shadows that sometimes invaded the guys’ expressions that they’d all seen and experienced some shit. Miraculously though, they each had a healthy attitude, and at the end of the day, they went home to someone who loved them.

Envy strangled Ty’s heart. He wasn’t so na?ve as to assume working here and living in Harland County would bring him the same results, especially since things still felt off. Life here was good, but not exactly a good fit for him.

“Give it some time.” Dean dropped down next to him on the bench, gaining Ty’s attention.

He blinked and gripped his dumbbell as his surroundings came back into focus. Several of the guys were still sparring on the mats, a few were pumping iron in the corner, one was beating the shit out of a heavy bag, while another tried like hell to steady it, and his sister and her husband were using the leg machines.

“Yeah, Ty,” RJ agreed, grabbing a set of dumbbells from the rack before sitting on Dean’s other side. “Give it more time.”

If it were any of his other coworkers, Ty would’ve said something non-committal and moved to a different part of the room. But both SEALs had been Navy lifers like him, and just like him, they’d been medically discharged and tossed into civilian life against their will.

They understood him probably better than he did.

Using his knee to support his elbow, Ty resumed his arm curls. “Is it that obvious, or do you two read minds now?”

“It’s not mind reading,” RJ answered. “Just experience.”

Dean nodded. “We’ve been in your boots. Lost. Floundering.”

“Wondering why life is so unfair,” RJ added.

Shit.

Yeah. “That about sums it up.”

Ty never would’ve admitted that to anyone. Hell, not even to his own brother, but these men got it. They knew and understood because they’d lived it too. Both SEALs had been injured in a helicopter crash that had claimed the lives of three of their friends. RJ had broken his back, and Dean’s arm had nearly been severed, but both had overcome their injuries and regained their lives.

He was nowhere near that type of progress.

“Like we said, it takes time,” Dean said. “Don’t get discouraged.”

Since Ty wanted to drop the subject, he didn’t respond, just concentrated on his dumbbell routine, and soon the others followed suit.

Ten minutes later, he stood and put away his weights, feeling slightly better.

“It didn’t happen overnight for us though.” RJ said, racking his weights too.

Ty inwardly sighed. He’d thought they’d dropped the subject.

“That’s for damn sure.” Dean nodded, returning his dumbbell. “It took time, hard work, and the love of a good woman.”

RJ slapped Dean on the back. “Amen, brother.”

“Well, two out of three will have to do for me.” He scowled. “Not looking for a woman. My ex kind of soured me on that front.”

Big time. It was going to take a long time to trust again…if ever.

“Sorry, man,” RJ said, with a shake of his head. “That’s because she was the wrong woman.”

Dean turned to face him, his gaze serious, wise, intense. “We’re talking about the right woman. Trust me, they make all the difference.”

Ty snorted. “Yeah, well, doubt I’d know the right one even if she plowed me down.”

“Oh, damn…” RJ frowned. “You just opened up the door for fate to step in.”

He snorted again. “Aw, man, you don’t really believe that bullshit, do you?”

“Not only do I believe it, I’ve lived it.” RJ’s frown flipped into a wide grin.

“So have I,” Dean admitted.

Ty glanced from one smiling idiot to the other. “I’m going to give you both a pass on that, since I can see you’re too lovestruck to think straight.”

Poor bastards. Hopefully, their wives weren’t an Erika in disguise.

“Exactly our point.” Dean’s gaze turned serious again.

RJ set a hand on Ty’s uninjured shoulder. “Lovestruck is where you want to be, my friend.”

No. Where he wanted to be was back on base, or in a cockpit, pulling five Gs.

But you’re not , his mind reminded. So get over it already.

He blew out a breath and nodded.

“Good. Glad you agree,” RJ said, releasing Ty’s shoulder.

Wait…what?

Shit. The guy mistook his nod as an agreement for that lovesick crap.

“Hey, are you three planning to fetch the donuts for this morning’s meeting?” his sister Rylee asked, walking toward them with her husband, Dex, at her side. “If you are, can you grab my box for the girls?”

Bless his sis. She just busted up the conversation he was afraid would never end. “Sure, we can do that.”

“No problem,” Dean agreed.

RJ grinned. “Absolutely. I never pass up an excuse to see my wife.”

“I heard that,” Dex said, slipping his arm around Ty’s sister.

Ty’s shoulders relaxed a little as the warmth of their happiness seeped into him. It was so great to see his sister this happy and with a man who’d move heaven and earth to make it happen. Lord knew she deserved it.

“Dex.” She laughed. “You don’t need an excuse. We work together.”

“And we do it very well,” her husband replied.

The guy’s gaze turned a little too suggestive for Ty’s stomach to handle, so he grabbed his coat off a nearby hook and slipped it on. “We’ll be back shortly.”

“Yeah, give Ty a break,” RJ said with an apologetic grin that was more grin than apology as he and Dean donned their coats, too.

Once they stepped outside into the alley that separated their ESI headquarters from a small, four-store, strip mall next door, Ty inhaled deeply, allowing the cool air to rejuvenate his senses.

“So, anyone caught your eye yet?” RJ asked as they walked down the alley toward the sidewalk.

He stopped and frowned at the guys while pointing toward the back of the strip mall. “Aren’t we going the wrong way?”

Dean’s wife, Loni, and RJ’s wife, Lori, were sisters and co-owners of Champion Bakery located in the strip mall. Ty usually saw the men use the back door.

“No, we’re going the right way,” Dean replied, motioning toward the front of the building as he began walking down the alley in that direction. “This isn’t a personal visit, so we’ll use the customer entrance of the bakery.”

RJ fell into step on one side of Dean while Ty walked on the other side. “We’re trying to be respectable.”

Dean snickered. “You try, RJ. I succeed.”

Ty laughed, enjoying their comradery. It reminded him of his squadron. An invisible vise squeezed his chest. They weren’t his squad anymore, he needed to remember that.

“So, have you given it any thought?” RJ asked.

He frowned, glancing at the guy as they walked. “Given what any thought?”

His old buddies? New ones? Life without Mach speed?

“Any of the locals who’ve piqued your interest,” RJ answered.

Shit. That again? He’d thought they’d left that damn conversation inside.

“No, and I’m not looking,” he repeated as firmly as possible.

But if he had been, then he would’ve knocked on the door of his new neighbor and introduced himself instead of avoiding the beauty with light brown hair and a ready smile. Several brief glimpses of her from inside his cottage were sufficient enough. Tyler didn’t need to know her name, the exact color of her light eyes, or her history to know she was trouble to his senses. He barely had a grasp on them. The last thing he needed was the newcomer to knock them loose.

“That’s what’s amazing about this place,” RJ stated. “You don’t need to do anything here. Fate has you covered.”

Dean’s brows rose. “Yeah, and she works fast.”

“True. What was it for you?” RJ asked Dean.

“A couple of weeks.” Dean scratched the bridge of his nose, and the smile returned to his lips. “But for you, it was what? A few hours?”

RJ chuckled. “Yep. Less than two.”

Damn.

“Seriously?” Ty’s brows rose too.

“Yeah,” RJ replied. “I met Lori at Coop’s wedding, and the rest is history.”

Less than two hours?

That had to be a record.

“Damn, that was fast,” he acknowledged. “But I’m pretty sure fate knows enough to leave me alone.” He wasn’t interested in a relationship. Hell, no. He was still trying to figure out how to plant his feet on terra firma.

Besides, after Erika, he wasn’t sure he could trust a woman again.

“Oh, you’re really pushing it.” RJ laughed. “Fate’s going to do you dirty.”

Dean nodded, rubbing his jaw. “You might want to watch what you say, because you are tempting her but good.”

Whatever.

He didn’t give a damn.

“Well, she can just move on to the next guy, because my ass isn’t available,” he said. Fate had dealt him enough blows lately.

“That’s cute, isn’t it, Dean?” RJ chuckled. “Poor guy thinks he has a say in it.”

Dean shook his head. “Not hardly. We’re given two choices. Either ignore the circumstance until it snowballs out of control, or face it head on and take control.”

Exactly how Ty had treated any situation that arose on his missions. Only this wasn’t a mission, it was a stupid conversation.

Irritation prickled his spine again. He knew the guys meant well, but they were starting to tug on his last nerve.

“Fate’s already had enough fun with me,” he said. “She’s made too many visits lately. I’m full up of circumstances.”

He increased his pace and pulled slightly ahead of the guys, more than ready to leave that conversation behind.

As he neared the sidewalk, he heard tires screeching, a horn blaring, and a woman screaming a half second before someone rounded the corner and plowed straight into him. Hard. The force of the connection and velocity of the smashing body slammed him backward. Unable to counteract the momentum, Ty lost his footing and fell onto the ground…with his arms full of the smasher .

It took a moment to assess the situation. Surprisingly, he only had the wind knocked out of him and wasn’t injured, and he’d done his best to keep the smasher from hitting her head against the nearby building. And it was most definitely a she. The curves wiggling against him were unmistakably feminine and deliciously ample.

“Oh my God. Are you okay?” Light eyes full of concern frowned down at him as two soft hands lightly cupped his face. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you. I just jumped into the alley to get away from the oncoming car.”

“It’s okay. I’m fine,” he reassured. “How about you? Are you hurt?”

“Me? No.” She blinked her beautiful gray eyes that were perhaps a very pale blue. Either way, they mesmerized, drew him in, and damn, he couldn’t look away.

Shit. Maybe he had hit his head and was concussed.

That had to be it. Ty started to roll to the side to get them to their feet when his friends rushed over and lent a hand.

“Are you two okay?” Dean asked, assisting the woman while RJ helped him to stand.

It was crazy, but Ty found he didn’t want to release her. He did, of course. He wasn’t a complete idiot.

He nodded because he had no idea what had happened to his voice. It was gone. Nonexistent. Ty cleared his throat while he fixed his shirt and jacket that had gotten twisted.

“Yes,” she replied a little breathless. “I’m fine.”

A huge understatement. The woman was more than fine. Her hair fell past her shoulders in a mass of deep, caramel-colored waves. A slight flush filled her pretty face, and it deepened the gray in her eyes that were fringed by dark lashes. Her coat was open, revealing a slate-gray sweater that hugged her sweet curves to perfection.

He’d known his neighbor was beautiful but seeing her up close stole his breath.

That was new.

RJ released him with a big smirk on his face. “What was that you were saying about fate?”