by Kennedy Fox
On my way home, I decide to call Everleigh because I need someone to talk to before I go crazy, and she’s always a great listener.
“Hey,” I quickly say as soon as she answers.
“Uh-oh.” She pauses, hearing my sniffles. “What’s wrong?”
“Robert and I had a huge fight, like the biggest we’ve ever had.”
The music in the background tells me she’s still at the boutique. She typically doesn’t leave until dark during the summer, and every Monday, she has a mystery sale to move old inventory. “Shit, babe. I’m sorry. If you give me like ten to fifteen minutes, I’ll be home. And don’t worry, Tyler’s busy so he won’t be there.”
Just the sound of his name has my heart thumping harder, and while I want to know what he’s doing, it’s not my business nor should I want to ask.
“Okay, deal,” I tell her and take the backroads to give her time to get home. Considering Robert lives on the outskirts of town, I arrive well after Everleigh. She opens the door before I can even knock and immediately wraps me in a hug.
“Come in. I gotta let Sassy out real quick.” I watch as the dog follows her to the back door, and Everleigh lets her out. Moments later, they both return, and we walk to the kitchen.
“I picked up margarita mix because they’re your favorite.”
“You’re the best.” I grin, taking a seat at the breakfast bar. “Make mine a double.”
“Already on it.” She winks and begins mixing it all together.
Once they’re finished, she sits down on the stool next to me. “You hungry?”
I shake my head. “Robert cooked before our big blowout.”
“Alright, well since I don’t have to offer you a gourmet meal, I’m eating a sandwich quickly before the alcohol goes right to my head.”
I giggle, knowing how true that is. Everleigh isn’t a lightweight, but she doesn’t tend to eat a lot when she’s busy at work all day. The booze would most definitely get her drunk faster on an empty stomach. Everleigh grabs the ingredients, then lays it all out on a plate in front of me. I stare in disgust as she piles pickles, olives, and mustard on top of the turkey.
“Don’t judge me.” She points at me with the butter knife and chuckles. “So tell me what happened. From the beginning.”
“Well, there was the awkward double date from hell, he apologized yesterday, then he invited me over for dinner tonight. Something felt off, but I wasn’t sure what it was until he just unleashed on me out of the blue.”
“What’d he say?”
“That I needed to quit my job and how Tyler is bad news, so he doesn’t want me around him.”
Everleigh nearly drops her sandwich on the floor as her eyes widen in shock. Sassy’s eagerly waiting at her feet for any spare crumbs. Everleigh sets it on the plate and stares at me. “What the fuck?”
“Exactly! Completely pulled the rug out from under me. I’ve never seen Robert this mad before. There was no reasoning with him, so I just got the hell out of there.”
She huffs. “What’s wrong with him?”
I look down at the two-carat diamond ring on my finger. Right now, it feels more like a symbol of prison than love. It’s not supposed to be like this.
“He said Tyler is a criminal and that he no longer respects my dad for hiring him.” I force my eyes closed as the anger builds again.
“Fuck him,” she snaps. “My brother may have gone to prison, but he’s not a criminal. It’s jackasses like Robert who believe all those dumbass rumors instead of his side of the story. That’s a part of the reason Tyler didn’t want to come home in the first place. I’ve seen the way people look at him. It’s ridiculous.”
“I know.” My voice is nearly a whisper. “I’m sorry.”
“What’re you gonna do?” Everleigh picks up her sandwich, and Sassy walks away, defeated.
“What do you mean?”
“Are you gonna quit? Robert doesn’t seem like the type who’s just going to let you go to work if he doesn’t agree.”
I grit my teeth. “I’m not quitting. He acts like I’m just supposed to blindly agree with whatever he says, but I’m putting my foot down on this. Then he bitched me out for standing up for Tyler at the bar when Robert was commenting on why he went to prison.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “Sounds like he’s jealous and threatened, maybe even worried that Tyler’s going to steal you away from him.” An evil grin spreads across her face.
“That’s dumb.” I sip my margarita that’s so strong it tastes like pure tequila.
“Is it, though?” she questions.
Considering where Tyler and I stand at the moment, it seems like a non-issue. Has everyone lost their minds? “Yeah, it is. So was Robert asking me if I’m sleeping with Tyler behind his back.”
This makes Everleigh snort. “Flirting…maybe. Anything else, I don’t see that happening.”
“We don’t flirt. We hardly speak to each other. He said he saw the way Tyler and I looked at each other, which is crazy. What does that even mean?”
Everleigh gets up and grabs a bag of chips. “It sounds like he’s insecure that you won’t move in with him, so he’s looking for a fight. Probably hoping it’ll get you to change your mind. But I mean, I kinda get it. My brother’s good-looking, closer to your age than him, and has a lot to offer any woman. Plus, most people associate him with being mysterious because he’s typically on the quiet side and keeps to himself. With that being said, I don’t think Tyler’s looking at you any differently than how he always has.” I lay my head on the bar top and let out a groan. “This is so confusing.”
“What is?” she asks.
I lift my head and look at her, then follow her to the couch. “Everything. Tyler working at the garage. Robert demanding I quit and marry him ASAP, which he brought up again. Knowing my dad couldn’t run the shop without me nor do I want him to. He’d be heartbroken if I left and so would I. I don’t want to have to choose between Robert and my dad, but if it comes to that, my family will always come first. Always.”
“As it should. Him saying that about your dad makes me so fucking mad. Out of everyone in your life, he’s been Team Robert since day one.”
“He’s Team Tyler too,” I say. As the words leave my mouth, the door swings open, and Tyler enters, wearing a T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. It shows off his muscular biceps and the shorts that hang low on his hips leave nothing to the imagination.
“Who’s Team Tyler?” he asks with a boyish grin. He’s drenched with sweat, and I assume he’s been at the gym.
Sassy perks up, and her tail wags when she sees him. He walks over, pets her head, then looks at me. “Well?”
My words are stuck in my throat. “My dad,” I croak out.
My body is burning from the inside out.
Tyler chuckles. “I’m Team Jerry. He’s a good guy. Really appreciate everything he’s done for me.” The room falls silent. “Anyway, I’m gonna jump in the shower.”
When he walks away, I can smell the hint of his cologne mixed with sweat. I watch until he’s out of sight, then turn to see Everleigh grinning.
“What?”
She shakes her head with a wide smile.
“You better tell me!” I let out a huff.
“If Robert saw you look at Tyler the way I just did, I can understand why he’s pissed. That’s all.” She shrugs.
My mouth falls open. “Like what? I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”
Everleigh glances at me. “Are you sure, like one-million percent sure, that you want to marry Robert? And I’m only asking because you’re my best friend, and I love you. You deserve to be happy.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about marrying him. I do have doubts, especially now that he’s being extra pushy about moving the date. On top of it, leaving my mother’s cabin so quickly feels wrong. And now he wants me to quit my job just because he doesn’t like one of the employees? It feels like a lot of change at once that I’m n
ot ready for, and instead of giving me time and space, he’s become more demanding and pushier.”
“If that’s any indication of how things are now, it won’t get easier being married, Gemma.” She keeps her voice low, and I hope Tyler can’t hear our conversation over the water running.
“That’s what concerns me the most. What if I learn too late that he’s super possessive, or he gives me an ultimatum that forces me to quit working at the garage? I’ll work there until I physically can’t, or he decides he wants to retire and sells the place, but he’s already told me it’s mine. It’s literally my family's legacy in this town. My grandfather and father both spent their entire lives there. I’m shocked Robert has the audacity to even demand it. A part of me wonders if he’s doing this so I’ll tell my dad to fire him instead, then Robert gets what he wants either way.”
She lets out a calm breath. “Sounds like he’s manipulating you. On top of that, he’s controlling. I don’t remember you guys ever fighting this much before.”
“The only thing we argued about mostly was how much he worked, wanting to spend more time with him, and him wanting to set a date and moving in together. Now it’s like he wants to argue about everything until I agree with him.”
“And we both know you can’t keep going back and forth like that. Random question, but how does Robert feel about me?” she asks.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, does he know my brother lives here? I’m kinda thinking not because if so, he’d probably tell you to stop hanging out with me. He’s too jealous not to. I just don’t want his insecurities to come between us, Gemma. It would break my heart. You’re my best friend in the whole world.”
Her words have me smiling. “You’re family, Everleigh. I’d tell him to fuck off.” Though I don’t know if Robert realizes Tyler lives here or not. He hasn’t asked, and I’ve never told him, though it only makes sense, considering Tyler needs help getting back on his feet.
She laughs. “Yeah, right.”
“I would, trust me. No one will ever come between my dad and me or you and me. It’s like he wants to take me away from everyone who means anything to me so he can have me all to himself. But even if he had all my time, he’s too busy to give me any of his. I think he means well, and he has a big heart. It’s what made me fall for him in the first place. But something’s different with him lately, and I have a feeling it’s not going to get better if we can’t work through all these issues before the wedding. I’m not getting married just to get a divorce.”
“I don’t think anyone plans for that but imagine how much more difficult it’d be to get out when you have kids. Women stay with their abusive husbands because they don’t want their kids growing up in a broken home.”
“Robert would never hit me,” I say confidently.
“If he’s manipulating you, Gemma, then he’s emotionally abusing you. It’s not a stretch to think things could turn to verbal and physical abuse too.”
Her words make me sick to my stomach because she’s right. While I could never see Robert hurting me, he’s definitely hurt me in other ways.
The water stops, and I can almost hear blood pumping through my veins. The bathroom door opens, and I catch a glimpse of Tyler with wet hair and a towel wrapped low around his waist, showing off his ripped body. I hurry and turn away before I get caught.
“Well, you need to talk to him.”
“Who?” I ask, my mind on someone else.
“Robert,” she clarifies. “Put your foot down now so he knows where you stand. Make it crystal clear how you feel about his behavior and that you aren’t quitting just because he’s uncomfortable with who else works there. He should trust you no matter what anyway.”
I nod, knowing it’s what I have to do. If we’re going to be together, there needs to be mutual respect. Robert and I have a good time when it’s just the two of us alone, but those moments are few and far between lately.
“If you still want to marry him, try to work things out so you two can get back to a happy place. Perhaps he needs to work on his own issues first if he’s acting this way about my brother. What happens when another single man moves to town? Is he gonna think you’re screwing him, too?”
I snort, then look around, hoping Tyler isn’t eavesdropping. “We barely speak to each other at work, and when we do, it’s quick and to the point. Tyler and I are a non-issue. I don’t even know why he’s built it up into his head to be more.”
“Tell Robert that, not me, and if he can’t accept your decision, then drop his ass like a bad habit. I mean, is it too much to ask for my brother to marry my best friend so then you can officially be my sister? Then you two can have a million babies and make me the happiest auntie in the world.”
“Yes,” I hear Tyler say from behind the couch, which makes me tense. “It’s entirely too much to ask.”
He sounds pissed, and his voice comes out like a growl. “Everleigh, you’re gonna have to stop with this shit. Gemma’s engaged. She’s getting married. End of story.”
I can’t read her expression as she looks at him with her head tilted. It’s as if she’s aware of something I’m not, but I can’t ask her while Tyler is close.
“Yeah, well, her fiancé told her to quit working at the garage because of you and—”
“Everleigh,” I interrupt.
“What? Why?” Tyler snaps, glaring.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it,” I rush out, then give Everleigh a death stare.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “Tequila made me do it.”
I shake my head. “Stupid margaritas. Stupid Robert. Stupid everything. I’m just having a shitty day.”
Tyler sits in the recliner across from us. I look up at him and swallow hard, needing air or an escape.
“Be right back.” I excuse myself and walk to the bathroom. I can’t think clearly with him near, especially with alcohol in my system, and everything that happened with Robert tonight just makes it worse.
When did things get so complicated?
Chapter Fifteen
TYLER
When Gemma disappears down the hallway, Everleigh looks over at me.
“She and Robert got into a huge fight tonight. I’m just trying to calm her down.”
“Over me?” I shake my head in disbelief.
“Well…sorta.”
My hands ball into fists. “He has nothing to worry about. I’m sure it’s because of what happened Saturday night. He nearly dragged her out of the place after she spoke up for me when he ran his mouth about why I was in prison.”
“He’s jealous and intimidated, so he gave her an ultimatum. She’s pretty upset about all of it.”
“And she has every right to be. She deserves better than him,” I whisper-hiss. Men like Robert think they can buy anything they want and treat women like property.
When the bathroom door opens, I get up and walk to my room. Gemma passes me in the hallway, and we briefly make eye contact. Before she gets too far, I gently grab her elbow, and she looks up at me. Her chest rises and falls with shallow breaths.
“You okay?” I ask, keeping my tone soft even though I’m seething inside.
She nods. “I’ll be fine,” she claims, her voice just above a whisper.
I drop my hand, and we share a moment before she walks away. Her silence speaks louder than her words could as I stared at her. Gemma’s been crying, and she’s not herself. Once in my room, I sit on the edge of my bed and brush my hands over my face.
Maybe coming back home was a mistake after all. The last thing I ever wanted to do was affect Gemma’s relationship or screw things up for her. It’s one reason I’ve kept my distance. While I want to tune out everything they’re saying, I can’t. They continue talking about the fight, and this time, they are loud enough that I can hear every word. It’s so hard for me to keep my opinions to myself, but I’m going to try really fucking hard because this isn’t my business.
Robert acts like I’m
trying to swoop in and steal his woman, but there’s nothing between us except our past.
When I hear Gemma talk about her dad and what Robert said, I’m half-tempted to tell her to call him so we can fight this out like men. Jerry’s kindhearted and doesn’t deserve the belittling. He knows the truth about me and so does Gemma.
Fuck Robert. When I first met him, I got a bad vibe. Now, I know it was warranted.
I shouldn’t be listening.
I should leave, go for a walk, try to blow off the steam that’s somehow returned, but I don’t.
“Let me see,” Everleigh says. “Wow, he grabbed you hard.”
What the fuck? He touched her.
I stand and pace the room. It’s not my place to get involved, but if he lays a hand on her again, I will break every one of his fingers. Maybe Gemma isn’t mine, but I won’t allow Robert—or anyone—to hurt her.
“You should stay over tonight,” Everleigh suggests. “There’s no reason to be alone, plus you’ve been drinking. Just get up a little early and run home for a shower before work.”
“That’s a good idea. Might as well fill my glass to the top then.” Gemma laughs.
I hear Everleigh’s feet pad against the floor. A cabinet opens and closes, then moments later, the blender starts. After a few minutes, it’s silent, and I imagine them on the couch with strong margaritas so they can continue their conversation.
What I appreciate about Everleigh is she asks the right questions, the ones that make you think past your own biases so you can figure shit out for yourself—even to her closest friends.
I lie down with my arms crossed behind my head and stare at the ceiling for over thirty minutes. When my stomach growls, I decide to make myself something to eat since I haven’t eaten dinner.
As soon as my door opens, their conversation stops, which I’m grateful for. Too much anger streamed through me as I listened to how Robert treated Gemma.