Nick choked on his beer, and Tyler gave him a good smack on the back to make sure he was okay. Once Nick recovered, he glared at Tyler with light brown eyes. “That’s a bit harsh. Hilarious but harsh.”
“And it’s funny because you know I’m right.”
“You did have a crush on her.”
“Back when we were like fourteen and she was nice.” Brooke hadn’t been that girl in a very long time.
Nick shrugged. “She’s been through a lot of shit. I lost my dad a couple years ago, and it wrecked me. She was only a kid when her mom died in that accident.”
It had been a town tragedy that rippled through the streets and affected every home. Tyler still remembered the moment his mom found out and how her hand went to her mouth, eyes wide in shock. How a single tear slipped from her lid and coasted down her cheek. She’d been friendly with Brooke’s mom through PTA meetings and other school functions.
“I’m sure beneath the hard exterior there’s a girl who is hurting,” Nick said.
“Well, I don’t want to be the guy to help her figure all that crap out.”
Nick’s head snapped back. “Tell me how you really feel.”
Tyler took a sip of his beer. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be that guy; he couldn’t be that guy. He had enough of his own issues he couldn’t seem to figure out; he would be absolutely no help to Brooke. Not that she’d give him the time of day anyway.
They tolerated each other at best. They may have been friends for years, but it was only because their best friends were dating. And after Daisy left Nick and took off to New York, Brooke was one of the few people who hadn’t left Red Maple Falls. It was rare for them not to bump into each other at least once a day. She was just always there, and though he couldn’t imagine a life without Brooke Marshall in it, he also couldn’t imagine a life where Brooke Marshall dropped her wall and let him in.
He glanced across the brewery, and his eyes immediately found her, hand in Terry’s as they danced together on an invisible dance floor. A rare smile spread across her face, giving her the look of innocence, but Tyler knew damn well that Brooke was anything but innocent.
It was moments like these, though very few and far between, when Brooke appeared to drop her tough exterior and let herself be free, that made him see a different side of her. A side he imagined, like Nick said, was beat down time and time again and because of that she kept it hidden. When she was like this, carefree and smiling, it reminded him of the girl he once had a crush on.
In mid spin, her eyes landed on him and that rare smile vanished. Her eyes narrowed, lips pursed and her body tightened. Tyler turned back to the bar just happy he got to catch a glimpse of the other Brooke, even if it was for only a moment.
“It’ll never happen,” he said again to Nick as he took another sip of beer.
“I heard you the first time,” Nick said, patting him on the back then turning to catch Daisy in his arms.
Daisy and Nick got lost in their own world, and Tyler snuck another glance at Brooke. Her long brown hair was pushed off her shoulders, and her gray eyes were focused on Terry and Betty who were trying to learn a dance move from Louise.
A smile cracked through her pout, lighting up her whole face, and he couldn’t help but wonder if that side of her came out more often than he thought, he just never took the time to realize. The thought stuck with him for the rest of the night.
***
Brooke waved goodbye to Layla who was off to do an overnight shift at the nursing home and headed to her car. The brewery was closing and the parking lot was pretty much emptied out. Brooke didn’t mean to stay until closing, but between Louise teaching Terry and Betty to dance and Daisy talking about getting started on wedding planning, she’d lost track of time.
She opened the door of her ancient Toyota Corolla, tossed her bag into the passenger seat, and plopped down behind the wheel. The car was a heap, but she’d had it since senior year of high school after saving for an entire year, and while it had its many problems, it still managed to get her from point A to point B.
She put the key into the ignition and turned it over, but the car didn’t start. She tried it again and nothing. “You have got to be kidding me,” she said, slamming her hand into the steering wheel. Every nice thought she had about the car she took back. It was officially the biggest heap of crap she’d ever owned.
By the time she looked over her shoulder to scan the parking lot for help, Layla was gone as was pretty much everyone else. There were a couple cars still left in the parking lot, including Nick’s. Brooke undid her seatbelt and got out of the car just as Tyler walked out of the brewery.
Her eyes rolled on their own accord as he strutted his arrogant ass toward her. “Car trouble?” he asked, that smug look settling on his face.
“I’m just going to go inside and call my brother,” she said, refusing to ask for help from Tyler. It was an invitation for him to gloat and it was the last thing she felt like hearing.
“I thought Chase was out of town at that firemen’s convention.”
Small town life was going to be the death of her. She couldn’t even go to the bathroom without the whole town knowing. Privacy didn’t exist within the town limits, and it drove Brooke crazy to her very core.
“I meant sister. Layla just left. She shouldn’t be far.”
“She’s on her way to work. Why bother her?”
Brooke ignored him and went to walk around him when his hand settled on her upper arm. She shot him a look, and he dropped her arm, holding his hands up in front of him.
“And why are you heading inside? Cell dead?”
“Why are you asking so many questions?”
“Just trying to get to the bottom of things.”
“There is nothing to get to the bottom of. My car won’t start. I’m calling for help. End of story.”
“I’ll help you,” he said.
“I’m just going to call my sister.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Pop the hood.”
“I’m not some damsel in distress. I can handle this on my own, thank you very much.”
“I know it’s probably killing you inside to think that I’m going to be the one who helps you, but get past that before the sun comes up, and neither of us get home tonight.”
She let out a loud sigh and hopped back into her driver seat, reaching for the lever to pop the hood.
“Okay, turn the key,” Tyler said. She did and while it made noise, nothing happened. “Give me a second,” he said then headed to his truck.
He came back a few moments later, holding a hammer.
“What the hell do you plan on doing with that?” As far as Brooke knew hammers were for hanging pictures and building houses, not for fixing cars.
He pinned her with his deep blue stare. “Trust me.”
“Never,” she said.
He rolled his eyes. “Just turn the key when I tell you to.”
“Fine.”
He walked back to the front of the car and bent over. She could see his bottom half, on the side of the car, the slight sliver of tanned skin that stuck out between his shirt and pants. “Okay, turn the key.”
She snapped her eyes away from Tyler’s bare skin and did as he said. She heard a faint bang from the front of the car and suddenly the engine turned over.
Unable to control herself, Brooke clapped. “It started!”
Tyler straightened and shut the hood with one hand, the hammer hanging at his side in the other. “Told you to trust me.”
“What did you do?”
“You need a new starter,” he said. “Sometimes giving it a tap helps get it going.” He held out the hammer to her. “Here.”
“What am I supposed to do with that?”
“Keep it in the car in case it happens again. I can guarantee it will.”
“I’m not going to take your hammer.”
She didn’t like taking handouts. Ever since her mom died, people treated her differently. No
w as an adult that feeling followed her. She didn’t want people to do her any favors; she was capable of handling her own.
“Just take the damn hammer, Brooke. I have plenty more. Trust me, I won’t miss it.”
She ignored the outstretched hammer, and he reached around her in the car. “What the hell are you doing?” she demanded. He popped the lock for the back door, opened it, and tossed the hammer onto the seat.
“If you don’t want to keep it, think of it as a lender until you get your own.”
There was nothing wrong with borrowing. She would go out tomorrow and buy her own hammer, or see if Chase had an extra one lying around the house somewhere. “Fine.”
“You’re all set, then,” Tyler said, tapping the roof of the car.
Brooke swallowed her pride and met Tyler’s eyes. “Thank you.”
He grabbed his chest and stumbled backward. “Did Brooke Marshall just say thank you?”
“Don’t be an ass.”
“Quick, get the camera because pigs are about to fly!”
“Just when I start to think you’re not such a jerk you go ahead and prove me wrong. Thanks for the reminder.”
“Is that a second thank you?” He clawed at his chest. “Stop; you’re killing me.”
“Can you please go die over there so I don’t hit you?” she said, motioning him away.
“It’s always a pleasure, Brooke.”
“Wish I could say the same, Tyler.” She rolled her window up and pulled out of the parking lot, trying to shake Tyler from her head, but that would never happen. It’d been over a decade since she started trying. Unfortunately for her, Tyler Carrington had taken up a permanent residence in her mind.
Chapter 3
Tyler sat in his dad’s office, waiting for the man to get off the phone. Tyler had spent most of his life waiting on his dad who was always dealing with something that was more important than him. As a kid he didn’t understand it, he’d patiently wait until his little legs could barely hold him up anymore. When his dad would finally grant a glance in his direction, he’d tell him he was too busy and to go ask his mother. As an adult, he understood all too well. It was simple really—his dad’s job would always come before him.
He drummed his fingers against his knee and looked around the office. Some dads had pictures of their families proudly displayed, but not his father. The only thing Dad had covering his walls were certificates, awards, and pictures of his many accomplishments.
Heat and sweat clammed up his hands as Dad continued his phone conversation, the high black leather of his chair the only thing Tyler could see. His voice, however, boomed through the room like it was on surround sound—loud, distinct, and meant to be heard.
Knots wound tight in his stomach, and he let out a perturbed breath. He hated that he was a twenty-four-year-old man, yet his father still could make him feel like a scared child. Tyler swore his father thrived on that shit, too. He could never throw Tyler a bone, tell him he was proud of him, or respected his decisions to try to get his own business started. No, all he knew how to do was knock Tyler down every chance he got. It was a wonder Tyler wasn’t permanently messed up.
“Thanks, Jim. I’ll be in touch soon.” His father spun around in his chair and dropped the phone into place. He crossed his hands and rested them on the desk, his icy blue eyes sending a chill down Tyler’s spine. “I’m glad you could make it in,” he said, not like Tyler had a choice. He still didn’t have complete access to his trust fund, and he wouldn’t put it past his father to pull some strings to make sure he never got it.
“You said it was important,” Tyler said.
“As you know I’ve split the business into two sections.” How could he forget? Two years ago, Dad decided to delve into residential construction as well as commercial, giving Tyler’s older brother, and favorite child, complete control over the residential end of the business. His father had tried endlessly to get Tyler to join Troy, but Tyler refused. The last thing he wanted was to work underneath his brother. Troy had been bossing Tyler around since the day he was born, and there was no way in hell Tyler would deliberately subject himself to it.
“I’m aware,” Tyler said, hoping his dad would just get on with it already. Tyler had things to do and didn’t want to waste his afternoon any more than he had to.
“Your brother has grown the residential side exceptionally. He surpassed even my wildest dreams.”
Of course he did. Troy can do no wrong. He’s perfect.
“As I’m sure you’ve heard he’s building Bex Shepard’s new home on the northside of town. It’s a multi-million-dollar deal and will take this company to the next level.”
Basically, it would put more money into Dad’s pocket.
“We want to start expanding out of state, and I need a team who I can trust. I’d like you to join us.”
Tyler’s ears burned and tension tugged tight across his shoulder blades. He could literally feel his blood pressure rising. He’d been offered many positions within this company and had turned down every one. After working for his dad and brother for three months he realized it would never work. He hated the constant judgment, the disappointment in his father’s eyes every time Tyler didn’t exceed his expectations. He’d never work with family again. He was sick of living in Troy’s shadow. He had his own dreams, and they didn’t involve cutting down trees and destroying forests.
“Thank you for the offer but I have to decline.”
Dad let out a loud sigh and reclined in his chair, a total look of annoyed disappointment spreading across his face. “Why do you have to be so difficult?”
“I’m not trying to be difficult.”
Dad’s hand came down on his desk, a loud bang reverberated through the office. “Then what the hell do you call it?”
He was used to his dad’s disappointment and anger. It rolled off Tyler like raindrops on a tarp. “I just started my business; I’m not going to desert it just because you think you have a better offer for me.”
“I do have a better offer! What you’re doing can’t even be called a business.”
Anger boiled beneath the surface, and Tyler did everything in his power to suppress it. Past incidents were proof that allowing his temper to get the best of him never turned out well. But this was typical of his father. No matter what he did, it was never good enough. Tyler swore if his dad gave him credit for anything it would damn near kill him.
So what if his vacation rental business had been off to a rough start? There was the possibility there for him to grow and make it into something that would continuously guarantee him a solid income. Once he got it up and running in Red Maple Falls, he would look to expand to other locations. His father always said real estate was a great investment, so Tyler had no idea why his father was suddenly against it. Probably because it wasn’t his idea. God forbid someone else have success without his help.
Having enough of this conversation, Tyler pushed up from the chair. “I’m going to be successful on my own terms, and when I do, you’ll finally have to see that not everyone needs you to get ahead in life. Troy might, but I sure as hell don’t.”
“You’re making a mistake.”
“No, I’m not.”
His dad put his hands behind his head and smiled. “You’ll be back. It’s only a matter of time before you run out of money and you need me to bail you out.”
“Not this time, Dad.”
“Don’t be foolish, Tyler.”
“For the first time in my life I don’t think I am.” Tyler walked out of the office, feeling lighter and more determined than ever to make his business a complete success.
***
It was another dreadfully boring day waiting tables at Calhoun’s, but it was expected. Every day was dreadfully boring in the small town of Red Maple Falls where Brooke Marshall was destined to live the rest of her uneventful life.
She was a lifer as the locals who never left referred to themselves. The only difference was it wasn’t h
er choice to lock herself into a life where the closest mall was an hour away and any sign of excitement was watching Old Man Simpson drive his tractor drunk down Main Street. Unluckily for Brooke, Old Man Simpson stopped drinking his moonshine and started selling it, so those incidents were few and far between these days.
Now she didn’t have much to look forward to unless she created her own drama. Because of that, some people got the wrong idea about her. Then again, maybe they weren’t that off. She wasn’t exactly the easiest person to get along with. After a life of disappointment, it helped to keep people at a reasonable distance. Jax and Dad left and Mom well… she was gone too and Brooke was done dealing with disappointment, and if that slapped her with an unlikeable patch, she would gladly wear it.
The door opened, and Nick and Tyler strolled in. She rolled her eyes when Tyler caught her gaze then she went and grabbed menus even though the two men spent more time in Calhoun’s than she did.
As they took their usual seat at the high top in the corner, she made her way over and handed them the menus. “Hi loser,” Tyler said, and she narrowed her eyes.
“Wait till next Thursday; we’ll steal the title back again.”
“Sure, you will.”
“Ty, don’t be too mean. I don’t want her spitting in my burger,” Nick said.
“I would never do that to you.” She swung her gaze to Tyler. “Can’t say the same for you, though.” He narrowed his eyes and she let out a perturbed sigh. “Getting your usuals?” she asked.
“Please,” Nick said.
Tyler put his menu down. “Why the hell not?”
“Drinks, too?”
“Definitely,” Tyler said
Brooke sauntered away and placed the order in the kitchen then walked over to the bar to get the drinks. Declan, her boss and owner of Calhoun’s, was at the other end of the bar talking to a group of out of towners. The great thing about Calhoun’s was that it was on the outskirts of Red Maple Falls, close enough to bring in people that Brooke hadn’t known her entire life. It still hadn’t done a thing for her dating life though.
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