Keep You This Time

Prologue

TYLER

As soon as I get out of my rental car, the Alabama heat smacks me in the face.

Though I’m used to it and have been in worse conditions, it’s still a shock after being in air-conditioning for hours.

I haven’t been home to Lawton Ridge in four years, and now that I have my discharge papers from the Army, I’ll stay here until I decide my next move. I’m hoping to figure it out within the next few months because this small town doesn’t have much for me.

Most people I went to high school with either work for their family’s business, left for college and never returned, or got married and settled down. Truthfully, none of those options had any appeal, especially with an addict for a mother and a father who abandoned my little sister and me.

Everleigh’s the only reason I hesitated to enlist. I was worried as hell to leave her, and going to boot camp was harder than I ever imagined it would be.

I’ve looked after her, making sure she was at school on time, ate three meals a day, and did her homework. My grandparents reassured me they’d take good care of Everleigh while I was away.

They kept their word, and tonight, she’s graduating from high school four years after I did. I’m so damn proud of her for getting good grades and mostly staying out of trouble. She’s loudmouthed and tells it like it is, but I love her to death.

I wasn’t sure I’d make it on time with my flight delays, but I did.

I rush through the crowd until I see my grandparents who saved me a seat.

Mimi cries the second her eyes meet mine, and Pops pulls me into a tight hug.

Over the years, we’ve spoken on the phone and video called a few times, but it’s not the same as seeing them in person.

It’s a quick reunion because moments later, the commencement ceremony begins.

After an hour of speeches and a slideshow of the students’ baby photos, my sister finally walks across the stage. She glances around, and I know she’s wondering if I’m here.

As soon as the administrator announces her name, I stand and cup my mouth. “Go, Everleigh! Woo!”

Her eyes widen, and she smiles before glaring at me for making an obnoxious scene. I laugh and continue applauding as she grabs her diploma and shakes hands with her principal.

“She’s gonna kill you for that.” Mimi chuckles.

Moments later, I recognize another name—Gemma Reid.

Although she sent me photos over the past four years, they did nothing to capture her true beauty. She’s beyond stunning. A gorgeous goddess with dark brown hair and flawless skin.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about her daily. We were acquaintances when I left after graduation, but for the past four years, we’ve exchanged letters, and it’s turned into…more.

The first letter she sent was so random that I almost tossed it without realizing it was from her.

At the time, she was only fourteen, and it was harmless.

She asked how I liked traveling around the world, if I missed being home, and hoped I stayed safe.

I replied and gave her as many details as I was allowed.

As time went on, I found myself looking forward to hearing from her.

Her last letter, though—that one nearly stopped my heart.

Not that I hadn’t expected some of it, since she’s hinted at her feelings before, but Gemma was always the quiet one out of my sister’s friends.

After a while, she shared personal things, and we grew closer.

I spilled more to her than anyone else, and for whatever reason, I felt like I could trust her more with each secret I revealed.

Dear Tyler,

I hope this letter gets to you before you leave. If I don’t say this now, I might chicken out when I finally see you.

The way I feel for you has grown over the past four years. It’s not just a stupid crush I had in middle school. It’s much more than that. A month ago, I told you I wanted you to be my first, and I still mean it, but I have to ask one thing.

If you don’t feel the same way, if I’ve fabricated this whole thing between us, please tell me to my face.

If you see me as only your sister’s best friend, don’t lead me on.

I’ve shared more with you than I probably should’ve, but it’s because you’d never judge me.

You’ve always given me great advice when I had problems, and with you, I have a safe space to vent.

It’s something I’ll always cherish, even if it can’t be more than a friendship.

To be honest, I’m going to miss writing to you.

I’ve looked forward to hearing from you each week, but seeing you in person is all I can think about right now.

I’m anxious and excited, but my nerves are getting the best of me.

I’m second-guessing everything, and I’m worried you’ll break my heart.

So please don’t. If you tell me my feelings are one-sided, I’ll understand.

But if they’re not, show me.

Love, Gemma

I hate that I didn’t reply before I left, but she wouldn’t have gotten it in time due to where I was stationed.

I’m glad to be able to tell her how I feel in person instead.

I want to ease her nerves as much as I can.

Thinking about Gemma got me through the long ass days and nights.

I’ve felt guilty because of her age and because she’s Everleigh’s best friend, but I didn’t plan this.

These feelings developed over time and grew stronger over the past year.

Knowing she feels the same makes me want to make her mine, and now I can’t stand the idea of not being with her.

Gemma glides across the stage, smiling wide as her dad stands and claps. Her brother, Noah, is next to him cheering loudly. He’s a year older than her, and I didn’t know him well in high school, but Gemma’s told me so much about him that it feels like I do.

He’s in love with her other best friend, Katie Walker, but never told her. According to Gemma, by the time she talked Noah into confessing his feelings, their cousin Gabe had moved to town and asked Katie out first. That was two years ago and they’re still together.

I’ve learned more about the people from Lawton Ridge while being away than I did living there for eighteen years. Though I didn’t mind hearing the gossip from Gemma because it meant her letters continued.

As Gemma walks off stage, she finds me. There’s no doubt she heard and saw me earlier, and the smile that spreads across her face confirms she did.

I shoot her a wink, making her blush before she walks back to her seat.

Once the ceremony’s over, Everleigh leaps into my arms.

“You made it!”

I tighten my grip. “With a few minutes to spare.”

She looks me over from head to toe. “No broken bones or bruises?”

“A few bruises from training.” I shrug. “Nothin’ major.”

“Thank God.”

Though I was honored to serve my country, I’m ready to experience life outside of the military.

Mimi and Pops take turns hugging Everleigh, then we discuss dinner plans. Of course, Mimi already prepared a home-cooked meal.

“After we eat, I wanna take Tyler to a party,” Everleigh tells them. She continues talking as she takes off her cap and shakes out her dark hair.

I’m only half-listening as I scan the area for Gemma. She’s probably with her family, but I’m dying to see her.

“A party?” I furrow my brows and shove my hands into my pockets. “I’m twenty-two. I’m too old for high school parties.”

Everleigh scoffs, then swats my chest. “Nonsense. We’re technically not in high school anymore, so there.”

I snort. “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot that you’re a full-ass adult now.”

“Language, Tyler,” Mimi scolds.

I quickly apologize, and Everleigh snickers.

“Trust me, you wanna go. Gemma will be there.” She waggles her brows. Lord knows what Gemma’s told her or what she knows about our…friendship.

“Gemma Reid? Are y’all dating?” Mimi asks.

“Yes,” Everleigh says at the same time I respond, “No.”

Pops chuckles. “Let’s feed you crazy kids so you can go celebrate.”

Everleigh rides with me and talks my ear off about some guy she’s kinda seeing. After five minutes, I already want to punch his face in or turn the radio up, so I don’t have to hear about it anymore.

Once we arrive at our grandparents’ house, Mimi serves chicken fried steak with white gravy, cornbread, and mashed potatoes. She even made a pecan pie, and it’s still warm when she slices it.

It was a good old-fashioned Southern meal—something I haven’t eaten in years—and just what I needed to feel at home.

I’ll be staying in my old bedroom, but it’s only temporary.

Before I arrived, I told them I wouldn’t be staying in town, but they spent the better part of dinner trying to talk me out of it.

“I’m gonna get ready for the party, then we’ll go!” Everleigh says, skipping toward the staircase.

“You only want me to go so I can drive you there and back.”

“Well, duh!”

Over an hour later, she finally comes down all dressed up, but her skirt is too damn short.

“That’s what you’re wearing?” I raise my brows, waiting for Mimi or Pops to say something.

She moved out of our mother’s house the year I left and visits sparingly. I don’t blame Everleigh for not wanting to live with her, considering I have no intention of seeing our mom at all.

While I was away, she never wrote, called, or reached out to me in any way. She couldn’t care less that I’m home, so I’m not wasting my time.

“You look adorable, Everleigh!” Mimi praises, and I stand in shock.

Everleigh sticks her tongue out at me, then grabs her purse.

Inhaling sharply, I walk toward the door with my keys in hand. “Alright, let’s go then.”

The party is at her friends’ backyards. I bet it takes all of thirty seconds before one of the neighbors calls the cops. When I was in high school, we always brought booze we stole from our parents and snuck it into our red Solo cups. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re doing the same thing.

“Gemma, Katie, Gabe, and Noah are there already,” Everleigh says as we turn onto Main Street. “You’ll be okay if I wander off or do you need supervision?”