“Maybe disgusting was the wrong word. Weird. But . . . good I guess. Tyler’s a good guy.”
“How many tattoos does he have?” Lia was instantly embarrassed she’d asked the question. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”
Caleb stared at her for a moment, one eyebrow raised. “I don’t even know how many. A lot.”
She just nodded. Caleb’s father had lots of tattoos. Several on his arms and back. They’d always seemed frightening to her, even though she now knew it was just the man beneath them who made them scary. It was silly for her to associate tattoos with anything, but sometimes it was hard not to as ingrained in her as it was.
Obviously now intrigued by the idea, Caleb went on. “I think a lot of his are from the military. One’s a flag. But some . . . they definitely look like gang tattoos. He’s had kind of a rough life.”
“Yeah, obviously. He mentioned some of it today.”
“So, you guys were really getting to know each other?”
“Not really, he didn’t elaborate.” Now she was a liar. Way to be a hypocrite, Lia.
“I know he likes you. Maybe just consider the fact that he was trying to keep a promise to me. Is that really so bad?”
Before she could turn and look at her brother, the door quietly clicked shut.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“So, let me get this straight,” Reeve Miller said, after dodging one of Tyler’s right hooks and then spitting out his mouth guard. “She works, literally, a quick walk away from here, and you haven’t gone and apologized?”
Reeve was one of Tyler’s closest friends, and fellow Guardsman, so he’d shared a good bit of Caleb’s story as it had progressed over the past few months. Ever since the kid started coming in all moody and secretive at the beginning of the spring. Reeve had seen Caleb a few times at the gym, but now after zip-lining together, Tyler knew that his friend felt even more invested in the teen and his situation.
Tyler spit out his own mouthpiece. “I told you, I already apologized. She wasn’t having it.”
“She was never going to accept your first apology. You know she was pissed. And you know you deserved that shit. You must do some groveling. She’s probably wondering what’s taking you so long. In fact, your chance might have passed.”
“Nah, I don’t think I ever had one after that. She’s kind of a no-nonsense kind of chick. I think I blew it.”
Reeve gave him a long look. “The Tyler I know doesn’t give up that easily. I saw you with that girl. You like her. What the hell you afraid of?”
Good question. The entire situation was unprecedented for him. And while they still barely knew each other, Reeve was right. Tyler liked this woman. Right before the shit hit the fan last week, he was feeling a little cocky about their potential. And now here he was sulking and unsure of what to do next.
So, what was he afraid of? This. This desire for someone who had no interest in reciprocating. He really hadn’t ever had a serious relationship. He’d dated women, sure. But there’d been no one worth taking home to meet Mom. No one who’d inspired commitment, or love, or even a Christmas gift.
Damn, what was wrong with him?
Despite his lack of relationships, he wasn’t one of those guys who had set out to be a lifetime bachelor. He always sort of thought he’d settle down. The opportunity had just never presented itself. So, this feeling, this . . . confusion on how to move forward, it was just weird. Normally he would have felt like he had nothing to lose with a woman by seeking her out after a misunderstanding. Hell, not even that was accurate, because never before had he been inclined to seek someone out after things went sour.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered going down to Liquid Wisdom. He’d contemplated it several times each day for the past week. But he hesitated every time because he didn’t want to do permanent damage. Ruin all his chances if he said the wrong thing. Secretly he just kept hoping he’d see her walk in the front door of his gym.
That had yet to happen.
“So, does Uncle Reeve need to walk you down there like a big boy so you can make up with the pretty girl?”
Tyler glared at his chuckling friend and simultaneously flipped him the bird. They sparred in the cage at least once a week for fun and exercise. Earlier in the year Reeve had started seeing his girlfriend Emily, and not even that had impeded on their ritual, which Tyler appreciated.
“You know what I think?” Reeve asked.
“I don’t give a shit what you think anymore,” Tyler said, although there wasn’t any bite to his words.
“I think this one’s different,” Reeve said as he followed Tyler out of the cage. “You’re scared of saying the wrong thing because you like her too much.”
Had Reeve been reading his thoughts? “Maybe.”
They headed into the main gym and toward Tyler’s office. When they were both inside, Tyler pulled a water bottle out for each of them and sat down in his desk chair at the same time Reeve tossed a towel over the sofa cushion and sat.
“So, I’m right,” Reeve said after taking a long drink.
“You may be onto something. I’ll give you that, but I won’t ever say the words ‘you’re right.’ ”
This time it was Reeve’s turn to give the finger while his other hand held the water bottle up to his mouth. Tyler just grinned.
If he was being that predictable, it might be time to man up. Maybe he was in the mood for some fancy coffee today. It had been a week since they’d spoken. Maybe she’d cooled down and would be willing to talk to him. Was it even possible that Reeve was right and she was wondering why he hadn’t come in?
* * *
“I can’t believe he still hasn’t come in and apologized,” Abbie said as she stocked the bakery case at Liquid Wisdom. They’d just had their morning rush and were able to take a breather.
“I told you, he already apologized. I see no reason for him to come in and do it again.” But that was lie. Every time the bell on the coffee shop door rang for the past week, Lia had glanced up with hope and longing. That’s how pathetic she was.
“Everyone knows the first apology is never going to cut it. Right or wrong, making the other person earn forgiveness is part of Relationships 101.” Abbie shrugged. “Second chances are not just handed out all willy-nilly.”
Lia considered that. “I’m still mad about what he did. Maybe I don’t want to give him a second chance.”
“You can tell yourself that, but I’ve seen you eyeballing that door.”
“Maybe a few times,” Lia muttered as she picked up a clean towel and the sanitizing spray so she could go clean up all the dirty tables left vacant after the rush.
“Well, looky here. It appears as if we’ve conjured up the devil himself.”
Lia’s heart stopped in her chest. Sucking in a breath, she slowly turned toward the man entering the coffee shop. And sure enough, Abbie was right. He did look like the devil. Tall, dark, and handsome enough to make her weak. In fact, she was certain she’d never ever been drawn to a man the way she was to this one.
It was both alarming and exciting and, as their eyes met and held, she knew for certain that this thing between them was not only about helping her brother.
Lia muttered to Abbie. “What do I do?”
“Make him beg,” her best friend whispered.
Lia gave her a quick elbow jab, but neither one of them took their eyes off the man walking toward the counter in well-fitted jeans and a black tee. A bit of stubble shadowed his angular jaw.
“Lia,” he said in greeting. His voice low.
“Tyler.”
He looked at her best friend. “Nice to see you again, Abbie.”
“Hey, same. Also, good timing. Lia was just getting ready to go on her break.”
Lia nearly rolled her eyes as she watched Tyler’s gaze drop to the spray bottle and towel in her hands, his lips quirking. They usually didn’t even take breaks. Too much to do most days.
“That is good timing. I’d love to tal
k with you a moment, Lia.”
There was no getting out of it, and honestly, she didn’t want to. She owed Abbie for that one and they both knew it. Without comment she turned around to put her cleaning supplies down and then turned back to him. “Would you like something to drink?”
He hesitated. “Maybe just some black coffee.”
“I’ll bring it out,” Abbie interjected. “You two go ahead and have a seat.”
Her friend gave Lia a wink as she removed her apron and walked around the counter.
“We can sit over here.” Lia led Tyler to a small table in the corner. Only a handful of customers were currently seated in the dining area, all of them immersed in either reading material or laptops.
As soon as Lia sat, she folded her hands in front of her. Inside, her heart and her mind were racing. Tyler looked so incredibly handsome. With the short-sleeved shirt on, she could see that his right arm had nearly a full sleeve of tattoos. A faded American flag peeked out about mid bicep.
“I was nervous that you might not be happy to see me,” he said with an awkward smile.
“Well, I don’t recall saying I was happy.”
He nodded. “True. But you’re sitting here. That’s a start.”
“I’m not an unreasonable person, Tyler.”
“I didn’t think you were.”
Stuffing her hands into her lap, she met his eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m being rude. I was not at all unhappy to see you.”
He stared at her silently for a moment, almost as if her turn of attitude had shocked him and he was trying to decide if he should trust it.
Before he could answer, Abbie sat down a cup of coffee in front of him. “Cream or sugar?”
Tyler smiled up at her. “No, this is fine. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” Abbie smiled at them both and then walked back to the counter.
He took a small sip of the steaming liquid and Lia watched in fascination as he sucked his bottom lip in with his tongue the slightest bit. Her eyes darted back to his when she felt him watching her.
“First things first,” he started, setting the cup down. “I want to apologize, again, for keeping Caleb’s training from you. It was wrong. I should have just told you the truth when you came to my office. I knew better.”
Lia watched his eyes, and finding genuine regret in them, she sighed. “I appreciate you saying so. Again, since you already apologized, so that wasn’t entirely necessary. But I . . . well, just seeing you together that day after we’d just talked . . . I wasn’t in a place to really listen to the reason why you kept it from me. I was just so angry. And I . . . well, I understand that you were put in a bad position to remain loyal to my brother. He’s the person you know better.”
“For now, yes. But I think you realize that I’d really like to explore the possibility of changing that. I want to know you better. And I did owe you another apology. I owe you as many as it takes until you believe how sorry I am for lying to you and making you feel less important.”
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach at his admission. She wasn’t sure what to say. This very well might be the most mature conversation she’d ever had with a man. Who was she kidding? This was really the only important conversation she’d had with a man, let alone one she truly felt attracted to. Was it a bad sign that he was already apologizing and nothing had really even happened between them?
“The most important question is do you want that?” he asked. “Because if the answer is no, I’ll back off right now and it won’t come up again.”
Did she want that? Her head and her heart couldn’t seem to agree. “Maybe.”
His shoulders visibly relaxed and he laid his joined hands on the table. How did he manage to even have sexy fingers?
Tyler nodded. Looking down at the table, lips parted, he seemed to be considering what he’d say next. Finally, he looked up at her. “What if we tried again? No pressure. Just you, me, dinner, and more conversation not about Caleb.”
No pressure. She wasn’t so sure about that. Everything about this man felt like pressure, because she had absolutely no experience with a man like this. She’d dated . . . occasionally, and always guys who had “this is never going anywhere” written all over them. What she felt around Tyler . . . it was intense. Dangerous, because Lia had been living her life over the past few years with a solid plan, and nowhere had she left any room for a relationship. Abbie’s advice would most definitely be “Plans were made to be changed.”
But how did she feel?
One thing Lia kept coming back to was how she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Maybe if she spent a little more time with Tyler she would realize he was no different than any other man. Then she could get back to moving forward with her plan. “Okay. I can do that,” she heard herself saying.
He smiled. “How about tonight?”
“Actually, I have to work tonight.”
He nodded, and then continued. “Where else do you work?”
It was an innocent enough question, for most people. But for Lia, it was a landmine, and in light of their current conversation about honesty, the mines seemed to be even bigger. “I’m a bar waitress over near Junction City. It sucks, but I make okay money. As soon as I graduate in December I can finally get a full-time day job. That’s my intention, anyway.”
And then no more secrets or shame. God, it could not happen soon enough.
“Sounds like a good plan. What are you majoring in?”
“Marketing and leadership.”
His eyes widened. “Wow. That’s impressive. You gonna stay here in Manhattan to get a job?”
“Yes. I don’t really have a choice. My mother is here in a nursing home.” Wow, that was quite a leap for her to share something so personal, but it had felt natural.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is she elderly? You’re not that old.”
“No. She suffered a stroke three years ago. She and Caleb lived in Wichita at the time. I moved them here because I didn’t want to quit school. Now it seems I’m stuck here.”
He seemed to consider her comment. “Couldn’t you move her?”
“I could. But applying for Medicaid through the state was a nightmare I don’t want to repeat. I also really like the home she’s in. I don’t know. Doing something that major just feels like more trouble than it’s worth.”
“I get it. And it’s not too bad here.”
“I’m surprised you think so after growing up in L.A.” She couldn’t imagine living somewhere so vibrant and then moving to Kansas.
“Obviously, there are things I miss. The ocean. Good Mexican food. But I visit, and there are things I like here. This would be a nice place to raise a family.”
She stared at him in shock and then shook her head. “Yeah . . . that’s way off my radar. I don’t even know if I want that.”
He looked taken back by her statement. “How can you be certain? You’re still young.”
“I’m twenty-seven.”
He chuckled. “Young.”
“Yes, but many women my age are already married. Especially around here.” A lot of the college girls in her classes were sporting engagement rings. Not that she was ever jealous. “How old are you?”
“A bit older.”
“As in . . .”
“I’m thirty-one.”
She nodded. “So, if you are so old, why don’t you have a family? Or do you not want one?”
He took another drink of his coffee before answering. “I’m pretty certain I do. Eventually.” Setting down his drink slowly, he gave her an amused look. “Why are we having this conversation, again?”
“I have no idea. I think you started it,” she said on an awkward laugh. For them to begin with his apology and end up on children put this encounter firmly in the bizarre zone.
“I think you might be right. I did. Interesting.” He raised his eyebrow, his smile on the naughty side. His hands slid a bit closer to her on the table and she couldn’t help thinking about the way he’d
touched her that day in his office. It had seemed so natural, and she hadn’t minded it. Not at all. She wanted his touch, more than she would have expected, which had her questioning how far she might be willing for this all to go, because for some reason Tyler didn’t strike her as the kind of guy to take things slow. Whereas Lia had never taking things . . . anywhere. With anyone.
She cleared her throat. “About dinner . . .”
“What night works for you?” he asked. “Saturday I’m free, but you probably already have plans—”
“Saturday is perfect.” It was her night off also.
“Okay. Great. I’ll pick you up at six.”
“That sounds great. I’m looking forward to it,” she said, realizing she meant it as she watched him grin at her.
As soon as he stepped out of the coffee shop a few moments later, Abbie rushed over as Lia began to make her way back to the counter.
“Sooo, what did he say?”
Lia picked up her cleaning supplies once more. “Well, we’re going out tomorrow night.”
“Nice. So, you forgave him. I’m proud of you.”
“I’m not a cold-hearted bitch, Ab.”
“I know you’re not. But you do put up walls. I get it, and sometimes boundaries are healthy, but your walls are the default.”
Lia shrugged. “Most people assume a new person is good until they prove themselves bad. I have to be convinced they’re good.”
“And as your best friend, I know that that life philosophy is not going to get you laid. Just saying.”
Lia sighed. Abbie was right, and although her experience was nil, it wasn’t because she had some big moral dilemma, or was sporting a promise ring. The only promise she made to herself was that no asshole would get the better of her. If she was ever going to allow a man to get close, it would be because she found him worthy of her time and attention. Because he was a good guy.
Lia’s experience with the opposite sex had never been ideal. Long ago, there were times in her life where she’d tried trusting, but every time she lowered her barriers, even just a little bit, some man took another little piece of her soul. There was only so much left.
Along Came Us (Man Enough) Page 8