Chapter Twenty-One
GEMMA
My weekend was spent going over wedding details with Winnie, who wouldn’t stop calling and texting me. I’m sure Robert paid her double or something because she was relentless and unavoidable.
While I haven’t made an official decision about moving the date yet, time is running out, and I’ll have to decide soon.
I’m not sure how much longer he’ll wait for my answer, but I think I’m going to tell him I’d feel more comfortable keeping the date as it is.
Just thinking about it causes anxiety and unnecessary stress.
Monday morning comes quickly, and I wake up earlier than usual.
I spend my extra time drinking coffee and can hear the birds singing outside.
As I sit at the kitchen island, I notice the way the early morning sunshine peeks through the kitchen window and splashes across the cottage floor.
I try to soak in every detail, fully understanding that living here will eventually be nothing more than a memory.
The thought saddens me, but I push it to the side.
After I get dressed, I check the time, then grab my purse. On the way out, my phone buzzes, and I look at it when I climb inside my car.
Robert
Don’t forget about letting me know about dinner tonight! Have a great day. Love you!
I’m relieved how much better things have been since we had a long discussion the other night.
I came clean about my insecurities and what I expect out of our relationship.
He apologized again for suggesting I quit my job and for acting so possessive around Tyler.
He only wants the best for me and believes deep down he can provide that.
Talking without an audience or interruption was a relief, and I think we’re finally on the same page.
Yesterday, he explained he has a meeting planned with a new female client tonight at Fancie’s Restaurant and asked me to go so no one speculated he was cheating.
While I would never jump to that conclusion, I respect that he told me.
Marriage needs to be about compromise and doing things that make Robert happy, even if it makes me uncomfortable.
As long as there’s give and take, our relationship will be stronger.
The bottom line is, I’m trying because I deserve to be happy.
The drive to the garage isn’t anything special. By the time I arrive, Dad’s already started his task list for the day.
“Morning!” Dad yells when I walk into the garage. I can only see his legs poking out from under a car.
“Need anything?” I move closer, looking around to see if Tyler’s here yet.
“Nah, I’m good,” he says, and I hear him tightening something.
“Alrighty. Donuts should be here any minute.”
“Sounds good. I’ll come grab one soon.”
I go back into the lobby and power on the computer. Right on time, Mrs. Wright enters with a box of donuts and bear claws. We talk about the weather and the cold front that’s supposed to move through this weekend before she’s on her way.
After I make a cup of coffee, Mrs. Zelda comes in with the keys to her Camaro, and before long, the lobby is full of customers who didn’t have appointments. Once I’ve gotten them all taken care of, I go back to the garage and notice Tyler isn’t around.
“Dad, we just had six cars pull up for oil changes. Is Tyler here?”
He looks at me. “No. Said he needed off.”
“For what?” I ask as he wipes his greasy hands on a cloth.
“Not quite sure. He mentioned needin’ to leave town for something important and would be back on Wednesday. I told him it was fine.” He tilts his head at me when my nostrils flare. “You okay?”
Frustrated doesn’t explain what I am right now. “That would’ve been great information to have before I told everyone their vehicles would be ready for pick up this afternoon.”
He waves it off like it’s not a big deal. “It’ll be alright. I handled all of this before Tyler started helping out, and I can do it again for two days.”
My eyes soften. “I know, Daddy. I just don’t want you to overwork yourself. That’s all.”
“It keeps me young, sweetie. Everyone’s vehicles will be ready before close. And if not, go home and change during lunch and help me out. I mean, if you still remember how to remove an oil pan and change a filter.”
I snort. “Dad, I could do it in my sleep.”
“That’s my girl,” he says, then gets back to what he was doing because there’s no extra time for chitchat. “If people don’t want to wait, tell them to come back later this week.”
I nod and return to the lobby where my mind races.
Tyler never mentioned going out of town, and a small part of me thinks he’s planning to leave Lawton Ridge again, regardless of whether he said he wasn’t.
Deep inside, I know I’ve pushed him away.
The guilt comes in full force, but so does the jealousy.
Seeing him with that woman again is slowly eating away at me.
All weekend, I’ve tried to ignore how happy Ruby looked when she saw him or how her voice changed an octave.
I shouldn’t care that the man I first loved is moving on with his life because I have.
When I get a little break, I text Everleigh and ask if she’d like to grab a quick lunch.
She’s been so busy at the boutique with all the fall sales and decorating for Halloween that it’s been hard to get together, but she agrees to meet me.
As soon as noon rolls around, Dad and I leave the garage at the same time and go our separate ways.
It takes me a couple of minutes to walk to the deli where Everleigh’s happily waiting in a booth by the big windows.
She waves at me with her million-dollar smile, and I hurry inside.
Once I sit, we order our chicken ranch wraps and sweet teas.
“So, what’s new?” She grins, raising her eyebrows. It’s the first time we’ve been face-to-face since I slept over after Robert and I had that big fight three weeks ago.
I bite my lip. “Nothing much. Did wedding shit all weekend. Winnie is like a cracked-out wedding junkie,” I tell her.
“Really? Need any help deciding on anything? Like who your maid of honor will be?” She waggles her brows, and I laugh at her obvious tone. I don’t want to have to pick between her and Katie, so I’ve pushed it off.
I shake my head. “Nah. I just randomly picked things. Honestly, Robert would be better off doing all this since he’s so meticulous about the colors, cake, and the song for our first dance.” I quickly change the subject, hoping she takes the bait. “How’s the boutique?”
She grabs a pack of crackers from the caddy and opens them. “Great. Super busy. You sure you don’t want a weekend job?” she asks around a mouthful, probably hoping I’ll say yes this time. “I can’t even guilt Tyler into helping me anymore since he got a job at the gym.”
My cheeks heat at the mention of Tyler and how I had no idea he was employed there too. No wonder he’s not having any problems moving on from our heated make-out session.
Swallowing hard, I push the images of that night out of my head.
“Girl, you should put an ad in the paper. I’m sure you’d have a handful of teenagers dying to be at your beck and call for an employee discount,” I tease.
“I wish I had the time, but between the garage and wedding planning, there’d be no extra time. ” I groan.
She playfully rolls her eyes. “I guess that’s a good enough reason, but if you change your mind, hit me up,” she sing-songs.
As I think about my next words, my heart begins to race. “Tyler didn’t show up today. Is…everything okay?” I can’t help the hesitation in my voice.
“I think so. All he told me was he had something to do in Vegas. I drove him to the airport yesterday afternoon, and I’ll pick him up late Tuesday night.
He didn’t give me much info, regardless of how hard I tried.
Honestly, I thought you knew since he was approved to be off work.
Sorry, I would’ve mentioned it otherwise.
It’s suspicious that no one knows what he’s doing in Vegas, right? ”
“It is.”
I think about him leaving again and moving back to Sin City, but then I think about Ruby. Would he leave her too?
“What?” She watches me, noticing my mood change.
“Does Tyler have a girlfriend?”
Everleigh’s in stitches over my question, but I don’t think it’s funny. “A girlfriend?” She snorts.
It’s obvious she has no idea about Ruby, but I won’t be the one to tell her because it’s not my business to do so.
“He’s never had a girlfriend—other than you, of course—and he probably won’t start now.
It’s not in our blood to be in relationships.
” There’s a sadness in her tone when she talks, and I figure it’s because of how they grew up.
The only healthy marriage they witnessed was their grandparents’.
Everleigh shows me her ringless finger and wiggles her hand.
“I suppose. Though, if it’s any consolation, any man would be lucky to be with you. Assuming he could wrangle you down.” I laugh, and she throws a piece of her cracker at me.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. What do you know that you’re not telling me?” she asks as our food is set in front of us, and we thank the waitress.
I lower my eyes, looking at the plate. “Nothing at all.”
“You’re such a bad liar!” she scolds, and I meet her stare. “Is my brother dating someone?” She arches a brow, waiting for me to answer.
One thing is for certain—Everleigh won’t let this die and will probably confront Tyler as soon as he’s home. Tucking my lips inside my mouth, I pretend as if I’m zipping them up and tossing the key.
“Did you forget who you’re talkin’ to? You can’t change the subject that easily,” she continues, then takes a big bite of her wrap, but I’ve lost my appetite. “Who is she?”