Meeting The Unpredictable

by Riann C. Miller

  “Fine by me,” Brandon growls before grabbing his wife’s arm and walking out of the room.

  “And before you invite anymore guests over, Tyler, I suggest you talk to them beforehand about proper manners,” Marie adds.

  “You invited her, Mom,” Tyler replies. “You insisted that she come, and you failed to mention that you had invited the whole family. Maybe if you had I would have informed Lennie about what she was walking into.”

  “That’s just it, sweetheart. There was nothing to inform her of.” Tyler laughs without humor.

  “I get that you were in a hard spot, but you’ve never had my back. I went off to college and my own brother started sleeping with my fiancée, and from day one you’ve demanded that I accept that.” Marie’s face falls. “I’m not in love with Amber, and I haven’t been for a long time, but that doesn’t mean coming here and watching her with my brother...watching her with kids that could have been mine isn’t painful. I suck it up because that’s what you want me to do, so don’t come down on Lennie who was only—in her own weird way—protecting me.” Tyler looks down at me. “Let’s get out of here.”

  I nod my head and follow him out the door. Once we’re in his SUV, he looks over at me. “You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” His voice is harsh.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  Anger boils to the surface. “Okay, you’re right. I’m not sorry.” Tyler huffs and starts his vehicle. “No wonder you haven’t moved on. You’re not still hung up on the girl. You’re hung up on how your own brother could betray you.” Tyler looks away without saying anything. “And your family just expects you to accept them.”

  Tyler rubs the bridge of his nose. “It happened a long time ago. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

  I reach over and grab his hand. “If it hurts you then it still matters.”

  Tyler gives me a small smile before putting the vehicle in drive. The entire trip back to the apartment is made in silence. When the two of us make it to Tyler’s door, he pauses. “I think I’d like to be alone.” Alone is the last thing he needs, but I won’t fight him. Tomorrow he’ll wake up and realize that I’m the only person who’s stood up for him, or he’ll wake up hating me. The second option has my stomach turning.

  “For years you’ve sat in your apartment and counted the days. But lately, you’ve made the days count. Promise me, whatever happens, you won’t stop living your life.” His eyes flare seconds before I give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “You’re an amazing man, Tyler Brooker, and one day soon, you’re going to find your own happiness.” I give him another smile, one I’m hoping won’t be my last, before I turn around and unlock Jodi’s door.

  “Where have you been?” Jodi questions from her couch.

  “Oh, I was out wreaking havoc on people’s lives.” A coy smile plays on my lips.

  “I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Jodi chuckles before patting the spot next to her.

  “What are we watching?”

  Jodi hands me the remote. “Anything you want.”

  I curl in next to Jodi and force my head to stop thinking about the man across the hall.

  WHEN AMBER TOLD ME SHE couldn’t marry me because she was in love with someone else, she failed to mention that person was my brother. While her confession turned my world upside down, I know I would have recovered. The details surrounding that time are hazy at best, but I remember confiding in Brandon. As the oldest Brooker child, I went to him for advice. The memory is almost as sickening as his betrayal. The only thing that made the situation worse was learning that at some point my mother discovered their web of lies and didn’t tell me.

  I’m not sure if she found out one year or one day before I did. All I know is she chose to keep their secret.

  Amber and I started dating when we were just kids, and I was supposed to suck it up and be the better person. My mother practically demanded I snap out of my funk and be happy for my brother, who only months later asked Amber to marry him. That’s when I found that life was easier the less I interacted with people. Even though Chad convinced me to move in with him, I managed to keep to myself. My days and nights bled into months, which turned into years, but until Lennie Jacobs managed to turn my world upside down for the second time, I didn’t realize how much life I was missing out on.

  I can’t go back...I won’t go back to the person I was, even without Lennie around, but for reasons I’m not ready to admit yet, I want to keep her around.

  ***

  THE NEXT DAY, I WAITED for Lennie to barge through the door and demand I do something ridiculous, but she never did. I guess on some level I should be pissed at her, but I’m not. Lennie behaved exactly how I’d expect, and after the last six years, it’s nice to be reminded that not everyone is fake. When I came to terms that she wasn’t going to come to me, I knock on Jodi’s door. A few seconds later, Chad answers. My eyes widen with shock. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  Chad gives me a shit-eating grin. “Hanging out with Jodi.”

  “Good for you.”

  “Chad, who’s here?” I have no idea when Chad moved past barely knowing Jodi to spending time with her in her apartment. For the last few weeks, my mind has been so consumed by Lennie that I didn’t notice anything else. “Tyler’s here.”

  “Oh,” Jodi says with surprise when she sees me. “Lennie’s not here. I think she’s at the animal shelter.”

  “Great. Thank you. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your evening.”

  Chad smirks. “It’s okay. I’m sure Lennie would like to see you.”

  I nod my head before rushing to my vehicle. The need to see Lennie is stronger than ever. The drive seems to take forever. When I make my way inside, the same lady is behind the counter.

  “Mr. Beefcake has returned.” She chuckles, causing me to grin.

  “Is Lennie here?”

  “Yes, she’s out back walking the dogs.” I glance at the hall Lennie used last time. “Go ahead. I’m sure she’ll be fine with you surprising her.”

  “Thanks.” I start to walk away when she grabs my hand.

  “When life delivers something rare, you have to reach out and grab ahold of it.” She pats my hand. “That girl is beyond special, but I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.”

  My heart starts racing. “She is special. I’m lucky to have her as a friend.” I stressed the word friend. Instead of replying, she gives me a knowing smile and walks away.

  I walk down the hall and past the barking dogs then out the back door. Immediately, I spot Lennie lying in the grass, petting a dog’s belly. I take a few steps before I stop in my tracks.

  “It’s okay, baby,” she whispers to the dog. “I know exactly how you feel.” She sniffles. “I wish I could stay here with you forever...but I can’t.”

  My chest tightens as my heart starts to race. I feel like I’m intruding on a moment, but in reality it’s Lennie’s words that send my heart into overdrive. “If I could take you with me, I would, buddy.”

  Why does this woman feel the need to run? I don’t doubt for a moment that Lennie has a gift that deserves to be shared with the world, but she’s running and I want to know why.

  “Maybe one day soon...sooner than either of us are ready for, we’ll see each other again.” Lennie wipes her eyes and instantly I take a step back before she sees me because suddenly I know I’m intruding.

  ***

  MY DOOR FLIES OPEN AS Lennie storms in. “Carla told me you came down to the shelter. Why did you leave without seeing me?”

  “I saw you. You were spending time with a dog, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

  Her eyes narrow. “That’s the whole purpose of going to the animal shelter. To spend time with the animals. You knew that when you went down there so tell me the real reason you left.”

  She taps her foot on the floor, waiting for an answer. “You looked peaceful and I didn’t want to ruin the moment.” Her sh
oulders sag.

  “Are you mad at me?”

  “What? Why?”

  She frowns. “For last night at your parents.”

  I take a deep breath. “No.” Lennie arches a brow. “I should be, but I know your heart was in the right place.”

  Her lip twitches. “Good. I thought my family was awful, but yours trumps mine.”

  I shrug. “I get along well with my dad and my other brothers. I can’t hold anything against them. They were victims of a bad situation.” Our eyes latch and I want to press her for more information about her past, but my nerves won’t let me. I don’t have a doubt in my mind that if I push she’ll run.

  “I understand. I sometimes think the same thing about Jodi. There are times when I blamed her for a lot of shit that’s happened, but deep down I know she’s just a victim of a bad circumstance.” A wrinkle forms on her forehead. “But that’s not the case with Brandon. He stole something that belonged to you.”

  I raise my chin. “I don’t think Amber ever really belonged to me. I decided I should be thankful. He saved me from living a miserable life.”

  A look of wonder crosses her eyes. “You’re an incredible person, Tyler Brooker.”

  “Lennie.” Her name came out as a plea. “Stay with me.” I’m unable to keep the desperation out of my voice, and I think we both know I’m asking her to stay more than just tonight.

  Lennie closes the distance between us before she places her hands on my face. “I’ll stay for as long as I can.” Her voice is serious, something that doesn’t often happen.

  For now, I have to accept whatever she’s offering. I can only hope when the time comes for her to leave that I might have given her a reason to stay.

  “THAT MAN IS FALLING FOR you.” I look over my coffee mug at Jodi.

  “No he’s not.” I fail to sound convincing but it doesn’t matter. We both know I’m lying.

  “Have you told him anything about your past?” My body coils tight with tension as I shake my head no.

  Last night I felt my relationship with Tyler shift. We didn’t just have sex, we shared a part of ourselves, and for the first time in ten years, I wished I had more to offer someone.

  Since returning to Dallas, something in me has changed, and Tyler is the only possible cause, no matter how much I want to deny it.

  “Lennie, your past doesn’t have to predict your future, but the things you went through could impact the person you choose to spend your life with. If you think that person could end up being Tyler, then he deserves to know.”

  Tears fill my eyes. “Maybe I should take off for a while. I still have almost three weeks left.”

  “Don’t you dare.” Her sharp tone causes me to pause. “I know what you’re doing. I’ve always known. That’s why I don’t take anything you do to heart.” Her eyes become glassy. I don’t ever remember seeing my sister cry, and she’s doing her best to make sure that doesn’t happen now.

  “Do you think for one minute that the ending will hurt less because you avoid me? Because you deprived me of time I can’t get back? Deprived all of us time with you?”

  Tears flood my cheeks. “Stop running, Lennie. Stop depriving yourself of the life you deserve and give this guy a chance.”

  My eyes drift shut with regret because I haven’t been honest with my sister. My hand starts shaking when I force myself to look at her. “A future with me isn’t something I can offer anyone. You know that.”

  “No, Lennie, I don’t. That’s your fear talking. Your life can be anything you want it to be. You just have to stop running.”

  If Hank hadn’t pushed me for more, I’d still be in New Orleans for at least another week. Instead, I’m crashing in my sister’s apartment. And still, weeks later, I’m not being honest. When the truth finally comes out, I can only hope she can forgive me.

  “I need to get going.” Jodi’s face falls, but once again, she doesn’t push the issue.

  ***

  “WHERE ARE WE GOING?”

  Tyler smiles. “I’m taking you out for dinner.”

  My nose scrunches. “Really? The last time you asked me out for dinner I ended up starting a family war between you and your brother.”

  Tyler chuckles. “No, you didn’t. You only placed a spotlight on a problem that existed long before you came into my life. My mom would love nothing more than to attack someone else for Brandon’s actions, but I’m not about to let you take the blame.”

  My face turns up in a smile. “Okay. Where are we going to dinner?”

  “I figured I would be wasting my money if I took you to a fancy restaurant so I decided not to bother and take you to the only place I knew for a fact that you’d love.”

  I arch a brow. “You’re not going to tell me?”

  A deep grumble comes from his chest. “Nope. You’re just going to have to wait.” I hate surprises, and the closer we get to downtown, the more I’m at a loss.

  Tyler parks his vehicle and walks around to my door. Once he laces his hand with mine, he gives it a tug. “This way.” After we walk a few blocks, he points to a sign.

  “The Barking Café”

  “Yep, it’s a restaurant that not only allows you to bring your dog with you, they encourage it.”

  My mouth drops open. “How is that even possible?”

  Tyler laughs again. “I don’t know but it is.”

  “But I don’t have a dog.” The corner of Tyler’s mouth turns up as he points back towards the restaurant. When I follow his stare, I see Carla standing with the dog that I’ve fallen in love with.

  “Have you named him?” My eyes water.

  “No,” I squeak, trying my best to avoid crying.

  “Why not?” I shrug instead of answering him. For starters, the dog isn’t mine and never will be, but it’s more than that. I’m doing the same thing with him that I do with everyone. I’m safeguarding my heart for the day that he’s either adopted or put down.

  “Well, tonight he’s all yours.” I somehow force my feet to move until I’m standing in front of Carla.

  “Thank you.”

  “Oh, sweetie, no thanks needed. This little guy was more than happy to get out of his pen for the night.”

  “I know but you didn’t have to bring him down here.”

  “Anything for you.” Carla squeezes my hand and hands me the leash. “Enjoy your beefcake.” She giggles in my ear.

  “I will.” I look over my shoulder at Tyler, who’s smiling at me in a way that I can feel all the way down to my toes.

  “Let’s get this little guy inside. I think they have some fancy choices for him to pick from.” We step inside and instantly I feel a peace take over.

  “Welcome to The Barking Café. How many tonight?”

  “Umm, three?”

  “This way.” The hostess—who has her own dog on a leash—shows us to our table.

  “I can only imagine how many dog fights break out in here.” I laugh.

  “I’m sure it happens. I was told when I made our reservation that if our guest wasn’t on his best behavior we’d need to take our meal out to the park.” I look around the restaurant at all the different dogs with their owners and I can’t help the smile that breaks out on my face. I look over at the fur ball next to me and kiss him on his ear.

  “I remember Brandon telling our parents one year that we all wanted to chip in at Christmas and get a family dog, but my mom wouldn’t even consider the idea. She told me that dogs take too much time and work and we were already too busy.”

  I nod my head. “My parents said the same thing, but we traveled a lot when I was little. I don’t usually give my parents much credit but I think having a dog would have been difficult.”

  “So you’ve always been a traveler?” He smirks, causing me to laugh.

  “My dad inherited his father’s company. A couple of years later, he figured out a way to take the company to the next level, but he needed investors. Since we were little, my parents thought it was a good idea t
o pack us up and drag us everywhere they went.”

  “Wow, what did you say your dad does?”

  I clear my throat. “I didn’t.” His eyes narrow. I don’t want to keep this from him but I don’t necessarily like talking about it. “My dad is the primary owner of Capital Energy.”

  His eyes widen. “Wow,” he breathlessly says.

  “My father’s side of the family has owned hundreds of miles of pipeline in Texas since the beginning of time, but my father figured out a way to become even richer by capitalizing on a company that was already making money.”

  “And everyone is looking for safer ways to provide energy.”

  I nod. “Yes, but this was almost twenty years ago. People in general weren’t as worried about the environment back then. Being a smart businessman, my father was able to see the bigger picture.”

  The waitress returns with a bowl of food for my friend.

  “Thank you.”

  “That’s...impressive,” Tyler says with a look of wonder in his eyes. And he’s not wrong. While most pipeline owners were worried about making their millions, my father was spending millions to ensure he was the first in line to offer a cleaner, safer way to provide fuel.

  “My father has very good business skills.”

  “But?” he immediately questions.

  “But...he’s not necessarily the best at personal relationships.”

  “Ah. Maybe we should introduce him to my mom.”

  “No way. Those two would spend hours talking about how I’ve tainted my body with ink and how I’m not capable of holding a job.”

  “Maybe if you stick around this time and find something you love doing you can prove him wrong.”

  “My dad made his mind up about me the second I told him I wasn’t going to college. As far as he’s concerned, if I’m not like Jodi, then I’m a failure.” I shrug. “I’ve come to terms with it.”

  “Why didn’t you want to go to college?”

  I breathe out a long sigh. “Because it wasn’t for me. I had a hard enough time paying attention in high school that I knew college wasn’t in the cards. My grandparents left me a sizeable trust fund that I had access to when I turned eighteen, so I left town.”