Chapter Thirteen
TYLER
Robert pulls Gemma through the bar, possessively dragging her out the door.
My jaw tightens as I replay the last ten minutes. Robert was a dick for embarrassing Gemma in a public place while also making Katie uncomfortable. I’m not pissed he put me on the spot, but I wasn’t going to be compliant either. I know I got under his skin, and now we’re even.
It’s obvious that Gemma’s more conflicted about marrying Robert than I originally thought.
I’m not trying to make things harder for her, and I actually try to stay out of her way as much as possible.
Maybe she was content before I arrived, but it’s clear as day that she’s not one hundred percent positive she wants to marry him.
“Is he always that rude?” I ask Katie after they leave.
“He’s got a hard exterior, but he treats Gemma like a queen.
Always buying her expensive things, spoils her like crazy, and constantly begs her to move in with him.
He’s also open about starting a family and wanting kids right away too.
Wouldn’t surprise me if she ended up being a stay-at-home wife and mom. Robert’s very traditional.”
“Buying someone stuff doesn’t always mean treating them well,” I counter, grabbing my almost empty beer. “Does she want all that?”
“I’m not sure, but when she gets pregnant, she’ll stay home with the baby. He’s been very pushy about that, so she might not have a choice.”
There’s no doubt Robert Hawkley could give her a dream life, but I don’t understand what she sees in him as a person. Is it all about wealth and status? Gemma isn’t that superficial, but then again, there’s a lot I don’t know about her anymore.
“Wanna grab another drink?” I offer, needing to escape this conversation.
“Sure. Just one more, though.”
“So I have to be transparent with you,” I tell her after we grab some beers and sit in the booth.
At the last minute, we decided to order fries to help soak up the alcohol.
My stomach is in knots over what I’m about to say.
“I know Jerry had good intentions telling Gemma to plan a double date, but I don’t want to lead you on.
While I think you’re beautiful and a lot of fun, I don’t think—”
“You don’t even have to finish.” She pats my hand.
My shoulders relax when she nods. “I’m sure Jerry’s heart was in the right place, but I’ve realized I’m not in the right mindset to be dating right now.
Owen’s my priority at the moment. Plus, I’m trying to buy a house and stay focused at work because I want a promotion. ”
“Whew, okay.” I chuckle. “I was nervous since I haven’t gone on a date in…well, since before I went to prison.”
“Really? No fan mail in prison or conjugal visits?” Katie smirks before taking a sip.
“Oh, there’s always stalker mail, but dating has been the last thing on my mind.”
“How long exactly?” She narrows her eyes, resting her arms on the table.
“How long has it been since I’ve dated or had sex?”
“Well, now that you brought it up, both.”
I laugh at her boldness. “Let’s just say, it’s been a very long time since I’ve dated or had sex. It’s been well over five years.”
“Me too. Sometimes I think I’m okay with being alone. I’m set in my ways, and raising Owen is a full-time job on its own. Then I remember what it felt like to have a partner, someone to come home to after a long shift at work. That’s what I miss the most—companionship.”
I frown, remembering what happened between her husband and Noah. Though I wasn’t living in Lawton Ridge at the time, Everleigh told me all about it and how distraught she was. Katie lost her husband and her best friend at the same time.
“From what I’ve heard, you’ve done an amazing job raising Owen and being on your own. Whoever you end up with will be a very lucky man.”
“That might be a while…it’s slim pickings in this town. My options range from the jobless just graduated college guys who get their parents to co-sign loans for them or the old church-goer widowers. There’s literally no in-between.”
I bark out a laugh. “Well, let’s weigh the pros and cons here…
” I hold out my hands and rock them back and forth.
“The younger guys are active enough to play and keep up with Owen. The flip side is you’ll probably have to teach them how to be an adult and do things like balancing a bank account, saving money, and paying bills on time. ”
Katie throws a fry at me, chuckling. “Wow, thanks. If I wanted to take care of a man-child, I’d just get pregnant again and teach one from birth.”
“Pros of dating an old guy is getting a senior discount at restaurants.” I shrug, reaching for a couple of fries before shoving them into my mouth. “Plus, Viagra means you can go all night long. Personally, older sounds better, so you should start going to church.”
“You give out the best advice! It’s a wonder you’re single!”
We’re both laughing when the waitress asks if we’d like refills. We pass and finish our basket of fries.
“I wrote Noah in prison,” she says softly, looking down. “For years, actually.”
“Did he write back?”
“Never. Doesn’t let me visit him either.”
I tilt my head, studying her sad expression. I can tell how much it hurts her. “Do you know why?”
Katie shrugs as she quickly brushes a tear off her cheek. “No. I wish I did, though. Everleigh and Gemma think I’m holding out for his return, but the minute I see him, I plan to cuss his ass out, then slap him.”
“Has anyone else talked to him? Maybe they can ask—”
“Only Jerry and Gemma. He says it’s complicated.”
I furrow my brows, trying to think of a reasonable explanation as to why Noah would push his best friend away. Gemma swears Noah’s been in love with Katie for years, even before Gabe asked her out.
“He’s probably embarrassed and distraught over what happened and can’t face you.”
“I thought that too, but it’s been years now! I haven’t seen or talked to him since the day of the accident. I never got to say goodbye.”
“Prison’s an ugly place, and I’m sure he doesn’t want you to see him like that.”
“Why can’t he just lift a damn pen and write me back?”
“Because he’s a coward?” I shrug. “I wish I had a better answer for you.”
Defeated, she slumps against the booth. “I only want answers from him, but it seems like it won’t ever happen. I was heartbroken over losing Gabe even though he was cheating, but not having Noah in my life broke me in other ways.”
“I hope for your sake he comes back and fixes his mistakes. I’ll tell you, though, life after prison isn’t easy. Especially with how long he’ll be in there.” Noah got twelve years, but Gemma told me it’s looking more like ten with his good behavior.
“I’m not welcoming him back with open arms, if that’s your suggestion.”
I chuckle at the way she scoffs. “Nope. Not at all. He’s got a lot of explaining to do—and not only to you.”
Katie smiles and finally releases a soft laugh. “Thanks, Tyler. I really appreciate you talking to me.”
“What’re awkward first dates for?” I beam, and we finish off the rest of the fries.
“Good mornin’,” I greet Gemma Monday morning with a wide grin when I walk inside the lobby.
She looks up at me from the computer. “Morning. My dad’s looking for you.”
“Uh-oh. Am I in trouble?” I pretend to pout, then walk over to fill a cup with coffee.
“Doubtful. He adores you.”
Stepping toward her, I lean one arm against the counter. “And you?”
“What? No!” Her forehead creases. “I mean, wait…do I what?”
Before I can respond, Jerry enters the lobby in a chipper mood. “Tyler! Good to see ya, son.”
He cheerfully pats my shoulder, then gets himself a cup of coffee too.
“Hope you’ve recovered from your hot date because we have a jam-packed day.”
“Yes, sir.” I chuckle, then flash Gemma a wink, and she narrows her eyes. “A little sore, but nothing I can’t handle.”
I don’t mention it’s from working out all weekend and bruising my knuckles on the punching bag. It’s clear Gemma has no idea that Katie and I decided to just be friends or her nostrils wouldn’t be flaring with jealousy.
“Good, good.” Jerry walks past me with his coffee in hand. “If you and Katie get real hot and heavy, y’all might even beat Gemma and Robert to the altar with how long they’ve been waiting.”
I nearly choke on the hot liquid as Gemma’s cheeks burn red.
Jerry chuckles as he opens the shop door. “See ya out there.”
“Since we had a double date, maybe we should have a double wedding too? Whatcha think?” I rest an elbow on the counter.
“Why are you enjoying this so much?”
“Enjoying life? Could be the fact that I’m no longer behind bars. What’s not to enjoy, Gemma?”
She rolls her eyes with a huff. “I don’t have time for your childish games, so go do your job so I can do mine.”
I stand tall and salute her. “Yes, ma’am.”
Smirking at her displeased groan, I enter the shop and start my first assignment.
“You’re a fuckin’ asshole,” Gemma snaps the moment we’re alone in the break room. She marched inside as soon as I grabbed my lunch from the fridge.
“Excuse me?”
“I just spoke to Katie and she told me exactly how your date ended.”
“Did she now?” I muse. “Did she explain it thoroughly enough or would you like a demonstration?”
She crosses her arms over her chest, glaring. “Cut the shit, Tyler. I know y’all decided to just be friends and shared a basket of fries.”
“Best damn fries in town.” I set down my food and take a seat.
Gemma slams her palm on the table. “Why do you insist on driving me crazy?”
“How am I driving you crazy? I’m sitting here and trying to eat. So either join me or go back to your fiancé.”
“Is that what your damn problem is? You left, and years later, I finally moved on and found a man who loves me. Now you’re hell-bent on…what exactly?” She throws up her arms, flustered. “Making me jealous? What was I supposed to do, wait for you forever? You barrel back into town and—”
“And what?” I snap. Pushing to my feet, I walk until I’m standing in front of her.
“I’m not trying to make you jealous. Katie and I decided to be only friends, but I never said otherwise because you didn’t ask.
But if you’re second-guessing your loyalty to your fiancé, then that’s on you and was happening way before I came back.
So, think about that instead of accusing me of being the problem. ”
“I never said you were the problem…” she mutters.
“So there’s a problem?” I ask. “Does he always act like he did Saturday night?”
She lowers her gaze. “No. I mean, not really. He doesn’t have a bad temper, but he’d been drinking and was frustrated.”
I step back slightly and cross my arms to stop myself from reaching out and touching her. “Over what?”
Gemma shakes her head and attempts to walk away, but I grab her arm and gently pull her back. “Tell me.”
“He wants to move the wedding to November instead of March.”
I swallow hard as the vein in my throat threatens to burst. “How come?”
“He thinks we’ve been engaged long enough and doesn’t want to wait anymore.”
Closing the gap between us, I tilt her chin up until her eyes lock with mine. “And what do you want?”
“I thought I knew, but now I’m second-guessing myself.” Her voice sounds so broken that I’m tempted to lower my mouth to hers and take away the pain. But I know that’d only cause more harm than good.
“Follow your heart, Gemma. You can’t go wrong then. Whatever your gut is telling you, believe it.” Cupping her face, I press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Then I do the hardest thing I’ve done in years and walk away so I don’t do anything stupid.
Slowly but surely, Gemma’s weaving herself back into my heart as if no time ever separated us, except she’s not mine to have anymore. I gave her up, and now we’re both paying the price of the heartache.
After work, Gemma’s nowhere to be found, which is a good thing. With what happened during lunch, we both need the reminder that she’s engaged to another man.
Even worse, I don’t have time to lose myself working out because I have a conference call with Serena, Eric, and the prosecutor to discuss the deposition. Serena agreed to be on the call to help me make an educated decision.
When I’m finished showering, my phone dings with a text from Serena.
Serena
Ready? They’re supposed to call in ten minutes.
Tyler
Ready as I’ll ever be.
Serena
Good. Let me do the talking so you don’t unintentionally spill any information he doesn’t need, just to be safe.
Tyler
Got it.
Then I send her a zipped-lip emoji, and she sends a laughing one in return.
Thankfully, Everleigh isn’t home, so I can have some privacy. I don’t want her knowing the details of what’s going on just yet.
Right on time, I get on the call and introduce myself and Serena to the prosecutor.
Eric chimes in and re-explains the situation for Serena’s sake, and the prosecutor confirms everything he says.
As Serena grills them about the risks, I stay quiet and listen.
She knows more about agreeing to this than I do and drills them for thirty minutes straight.
They answer everything without hesitation.
“When would you need me to come there?” I ask. I’ll need to request a day or two off work to fly there and back.
“These things take time, so about a month. I’d like to get a few more on board before we commit to a date, but as soon as I find out, I’ll send you the final paperwork if you’re in,” the prosecutor explains.
“Alright, I should be able to do that. Gives me enough time to tell my boss. How long do I have to decide?”
“We’ll need to know as soon as possible, but if you and Serena need to discuss, then I’d just ask that you let me or Eric know within forty-eight hours.”
“Alright, I can do that.”
“Please understand that this is a long process, and it’s gonna be a while before everything is in motion, but this is one step toward justice,” he explains.
“I’ll never stop fighting for justice for Amara,” Eric grinds out. “So you’d really be helping me out.”
“I understand, man. I’ll let you know soon.”
Once the conference call is over, Serena calls me and tells me her thoughts. She explains the cons—getting involved with anything that has to do with the O’Learys again could always lead to backlash—and the pros—helping that bitch get what she finally deserves.
“It’s settled then,” I confirm. “I’m gonna text Eric and tell him I’m in.”