by Dee Burks
Nolea turned on Tyler. “You bastard.”
“We are not.” Tyler rose to his own defense. “She’s my ex and showed up one day trying to take this place away from me. Not that it’s any of your business.” He tried to keep his voice down and his eye on Krista.
“It is my business where Serena’s involved. That reporter has been chasing her around for two weeks trying to prove “Lone Star Love Affair” is a fake, and here you are helping the enemy.” She paused. “Make that, you and your honey helping the enemy.”
Now Tyler remembered where he’d heard the reporter’s name. Serena had complained about her some time ago. He couldn’t believe he didn’t put it together. This had to look bad.
Will stepped in front of him and poked a finger in Tyler’s chest. “What kind of game are you playing here?”
Tyler glared at the little man, desperately wanting to break that finger in two. He didn’t have time for this. He had to get Krista out of here and explain this mess to Serena before Nolea beat him to it. He had a good idea that Nolea’s version of the current circumstances would ruin any chance of him having another night, or anything else, with Serena.
Nolea pushed Will away from Tyler. “Down, Skippy. It’s not like it matters anyway. Serena will be gone soon and you,” she pointed at Tyler, “will be history.”
“Gone where?”
“New York. She has a job offer, and I’m here to see she doesn’t blow it by staying behind with some loser.”
A job offer? Serena had never even hinted that she had plans to leave. Nolea could be lying. He watched her closely. “What makes you think she’ll take the job? She’s editor-in-chief at the paper now and “Lone Star Love Affair” is going great.”
Nolea glanced at the reporter again. “No thanks to you apparently. She finally got the opportunity she’s been waiting for her whole life. Do you really think she’d give that up to be head of some podunky little paper in Texas?”
Tyler didn’t have an answer. In fact, he was speechless. Had Serena been stringing him along all this time? If that was the case, then what was last night about? His gaze went back to Krista. He had to deal with the reporter and get rid of Nolea and Will so he could sort things out. And talk to Serena. “Are you done?”
Nolea gave a satisfied smile. “No, but you are. You know, a real man would step out of the picture, don’t you think, Will?”
“I sure do.” He started to give Tyler one last poke, but the look from Tyler made him think better of it.
Tyler watched the pair leave, then realized the reporter had slipped out too.
Krista gathered her things and flashed a grin. “Don’t look so worried, I handled everything.” She gave him a quick wave and almost ran toward the door.
He beat her there, knocking over two chairs in the process. Jerking the door shut, he saw something that almost looked like fear cross her face. “I don’t know what exactly you and your little lawyer are up to, but I’m warning you,” he leaned in. “You step foot in this place again and they will never find your body.”
Krista hesitated, the smile gone. She believed him, he could see it. Shit, he almost believed it himself.
Tyler leaned back as she scrambled out the door and ran to her little sports car. He watched her speed away from the curb. He’d allowed women to push him and push him, and today, one had almost pushed him to physical violence. Problem was, he didn’t know which one.
Krista made no secret that she was out to steal his business, then disappear, and he had every intention of protecting himself. But Serena threatened to steal his heart, and he had no idea how to stop her.
Chapter 25
“He’s been flat out lying to you.” Nolea’s stare dared Serena to deny it.
“You don’t know that.” A cold chill raced through Serena. She didn’t believe Tyler could be involved with someone else. He’d never given any hint to that effect. Had he?
“I saw her. So did Will.”
“He told me an old business partner resurfaced. We didn’t get into details.” Serena watched the message light on the phone blink. Her mounting work load was stressful enough without worrying about what Tyler was doing or with whom. Why did this have to come up right now? “I’m sure it’s no big deal. Just an oversight.”
“He hid it from you, Serena. That’s the same as lying.” Nolea yanked her feet off the edge of Serena’s desk and banged her green spiked heels into the floor. They coordinated perfectly with the green silk suit and white blouse, although Nolea’s red face did nothing for her outfit. “When are you going to get a clue that this guy is taking you for a ride? What about that reporter? What business could she possibly have there except to blow the lid off “Lone Star Love Affair?” Nolea leaned against the desk. “How humiliated do you need to be to call it quits?”
Serena’s temper coiled like a snake ready to strike. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”
“I’m trying to help you,” Nolea insisted.
“Help me what? End up alone?” Serena lowered her voice. “I’ve tried to figure out why you hate Tyler so much. The only thing that I can come up with is that you don’t believe there is a ‘right guy’ out there for anyone, including you.”
“That is not it.” The atmosphere in Serena’s office electrified as Nolea fumed.
Serena knew she’d hit a nerve. Did Nolea really believe that no man was good enough, or was she afraid to find out? Maybe that was the one thing the two women had in common all these years.
Nolea glared. “My point is, that you wouldn’t know the right guy if you tripped over him.”
“Well you’ve tripped over plenty and don’t seem to have done any better.” Serena grabbed the receiver from its base and pushed the voicemail button, eager to end this conversation. “I have work to do, and so do you.”
“Yes, ma’am, Miss Finley.” Nolea gave a sarcastic salute. “Right away, Miss Finley.” She marched from the office.
Serena slammed the receiver back on the hook and blew out a long breath. She hated arguing with Nolea; they’d been best friends for years and close allies in the political jungle of the newspaper business. But, damn it, Serena was tired of defending herself and angry at the thought that Nolea might be right about Tyler. How could he lie to her like that? Well, maybe not lie, but leave out certain very pertinent details. Was she ignoring Tyler’s obvious faults and hoping for the best? Or was she allowing every comment and innuendo to be blown out of proportion?
Serena hated feeling insecure. Normally it wasn’t an issue. But lately every relationship she had seemed to be shifting, changing into something new and different before she had a chance to catch her breath and figure it all out.
The job of acting editor-in-chief threatened to overwhelm her these days. She feared her feelings for Tyler already had. What if he disappeared from her life without a word? How would she handle it? Could she handle it? And for God’s sake, when would she handle it?
Glancing at the clock, Serena grabbed her purse and headed past the newsroom desks to the back door. Tessa, her new assistant, tagged behind, a pile of messages in her hand. “These are the urgent ones, and these . . .”
Serena stopped and held up a hand. “I’m sorry, Tessa, something’s come up.” She glanced at the small stack of paper. “Pass those out to the senior staff and have them return the calls. I have something to take care of.”
The girl’s eyes widened. “How will I know which ones to give to which staff member?”
“Use your own judgment. I trust you.” She left, refusing even to worry about it for once. Nolea had been right about one thing. It was time to delegate.
Serena arrived home at four o’clock. Tyler’s Jeep sat by the curb. She wasn’t ready to talk to him. Fearing she’d come across like a screaming banshee, Serena had hoped for a few more hours to get her thoughts together before confronting him. Justin’s truck pulled in the drive as she opened the front door. Their conversation from this morning flashed through her
thoughts. She’d planned to talk to Justin this afternoon, but given her state of mind, and having no idea where her relationship with Tyler stood, it was probably a good idea to wait.
“Hey.” She smiled at his ruffled hair and half tucked T-shirt. It looked like his day had gone about as well as hers. “How was school?”
“People suck,” he grumbled.
She laughed as they walked in together. “Why’s that?”
“Lots of crap to do. Mrs. Miller gave me this big attitude speech.”
“Did you deserve it?” She raised a brow as he plopped down on the couch, his backpack hitting the wood floor with a thud.
“Probably. Just ready to be done and gone from there.”
She nodded. Senoritis at its worst. Not that she blamed him. It was early May already, only a few more weeks until graduation. “So what did you want to talk to me about?” she asked.
He sat up a little straighter. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I asked first.”
“I asked second.”
“I’m the mom.” Serena grinned forcing herself to relax, hoping to keep the conversation casual and not confrontational.
Justin squirmed on the couch. “Well, I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but I didn’t know how to bring it up.” He met her gaze, then looked at the floor. “Promise you won’t freak out.”
Serena clenched her teeth and tried to remain calm, fearing the worst. Had she waited too long? Was the damage already done? She mentally kicked herself for not talking to him the first day she found the condoms. She watched him closely and tried not to convey her dread. Maybe it was something else altogether. Maybe he wanted to join the Army. Backpack across Europe. Or get a motorcycle. Oh my god! Didn’t he know that the only way to get her to panic was to insist she not freak out? She gave him a small smile. “Okay, shoot.”
“I’ve been thinking about the college thing.”
“Good.” And it was. College? Was that all he wanted to talk about? Surely not. Maybe he wanted to ease into the discussion with a positive subject.
“No, not good.”
“Why not?”
He tapped a toe against the backpack, stalling for a few seconds. “I’ve decided to go to culinary school instead.”
Serena stared at him, stunned. Culinary school? Was this a joke? She hoped for a sign to that effect, but he seemed serious. Her heart pounded in her chest. After all the years of saving, planning, and working toward college, he’d decided to learn to chop veggies and flip burgers? An angry surge of emotion rose within her.
“Now, just hear me out.” He scooted to the edge of the couch.
She forced herself to listen, trying desperately not to panic.
“I really like the restaurant business, and I think I’d make a great chef.” He glanced up at her, “Tyler says he can help me get into one of the top schools and…”
“Tyler says?” That did it. Panic moved to all outrage. “Why are you all of the sudden listening to what he says? He shows up for a few weeks, and you’re his disciple now? What about the plans we made?” She stood and paced. Tyler was responsible for this. That figured. Justin had elevated the man to some kind of hero status. She should have seen this coming. “What about all the hard work you put into getting good grades? How do you expect to make a living without an education?”
“I will have an education. These schools give out fouryear degrees. It’s not some six-month cooking course.”
“And then what?”
He grinned at her. “Then I’ll get a job just like I would if I got an accounting degree. I’ll work my way up and get experience and maybe someday have my own business.”
“You don’t get it, Justin.” She shook her head. “Your education will affect the rest of your life. This restaurant thing may only be a phase you’re going through.”
Justin refused to look at her. He didn’t even seem upset. Certainly not as upset as she was, anyway. “What if you decide you hate it? What then?”
“I won’t hate it. And I thought the goal was for me to become independent, own a business or something, and make my own mark on the world.”
She gave an exasperated huff. “Like that’s going to happen with a restaurant. You won’t get anything but long hours, low pay, and no life. Not to mention having to deal with rotten customers day in and day out.”
“But Tyler says…”
“Let’s talk about Tyler for a minute. Do you want to end up at forty with no money, no family, no life, and a business that’s not worth dirt, just like he has?”
Justin clamped his teeth together. His face glowed red.
“Is that the kind of life you always dreamed about?”
“I thought you loved him.”
“Love doesn’t pay the bills, Justin.” Serena’s breath caught in her throat. When had she become so heartless and jaded?
“You don’t know beans about being in love anyway. Writing a pretend column doesn’t mean you know what it feels like.”
Justin knew her better than anyone. He’d attacked the only area that would hurt. She didn’t know beans about being in love.
“I’ve thought about this a long time, and it’s what I want to do.” He stood and grabbed one strap of the backpack.
“Well you’re just now springing it on me, and I don’t agree with it one bit. I did not work and save for almost twenty years so you could blow your college money learning to flip burgers.” Serena followed him to the door. She only had his best interest at heart. Couldn’t he see that?
“It’s what I want.” He turned a sad expression toward her. “And you can keep your money. If you won’t help me, I’ll figure out a way to do it myself.” The front door slammed behind him.
Serena stood paralyzed. Why was he doing this? Justin was never the type of kid to wake up one day and turn their lives upside down. She watched his truck speed off, and the idea came to her he might not come back. They’d had shouting matches before, but Justin got over it very quickly. This felt different. The sadness in his face, the resignation in his voice, the determination to go it alone if he had too. All signs that she was losing him. That fear reverberated through her mind. She was losing her son.
Arlene cleared her throat.
Serena’s head snapped around at the sound.
“It’s none of my business,” Arlene started.
Serena cut her off. “No, it’s not.” She went to the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cabinet, then banged it shut. She needed time to think, not get her mother’s two cents worth of critique on her parenting skills. Not that Arlene even had two cents worth.
“But,” Arlene’s voice rose a notch.
Movement on the deck caught Serena’s attention. Tyler sat in the swing right next to the open kitchen window. Had he heard everything? Guilt slammed through her heart. Probably. He brought it on himself, convincing Justin to turn away from his college dreams and throw his life into the restaurant business. What did he expect? That she’d be thrilled? After all the evenings Tyler sat in that very swing telling her how hard it was to run a restaurant? Why would she want that for her son? Why would anyone? Serena tried to convince her heart, but it stubbornly refused to listen. She’d sounded bitter and mean. Just like Nolea.
Arlene cleared her throat again. Serena turned and faced the woman whose face now glowed a bright cherry red.
“You are handling this all wrong.”
“As if you’re any kind of expert.” Serena’d had enough of keeping her mouth shut and trying to endure her mother. “Stay out of it.”
“I think you’re trying to make him into something he’s not. Like I did you. We both know from experience that’s a dangerous path.”
Emotions tumbled through Serena’s chest. “How dare you compare me to you. I love my son.”
“Not enough to let him try to do what he really wants. Not enough to let him go. That’s the real problem isn’t it, Serena?”
“You have no idea w
hat you’re talking about, and I really don’t care to listen.” She walked to the hall. Where did this woman get off? Serena had worked very hard to make sure she was nothing like Arlene. The thought that she may have failed burned like acid tossed onto her heart.
“Tough snot.”
Tough snot? Serena stopped in her tracks. That was as close to a curse word as she’d ever heard Arlene utter.
“Serena, I’m tired of this anger and resentment. I have endured your cold shoulder and sorry attitude for years now. I’ve tried to make the best of it and keep my distance. But I will not stand by and let you ruin your relationship with your son, no matter how badly you’ve treated me.”
“How I’ve treated you?” Serena spoke through clenched teeth. “You abandoned your child when things got tough. That’s not how I do things. As far as I’m concerned, you could never suffer enough.”
Arlene’s jaw dropped. “Serena, is that what you think?” Her eyes watered. “What you’ve thought all this time?
“It’s what I know. I’m a better parent than you ever were, so save your advice.” Serena took a deep breath.
“Don’t you remember the cross I sent you? With the inscription?”
How could she forget, the only object that remained from the idyllic life she’d once known. “I remember, you couldn’t wait to get rid of anything that reminded you of me or my father.” She’d dreamed about doing this, but hadn’t worked up the nerve. Now was the time. “I’d like you gone from my house before dark.”
Arlene struggled to regain control of her emotions. After a few minutes, she spoke, her voice strong and unwavering. “I’ll go, Serena, but I want you to know you were never abandoned. I knew you could never have any kind of life and raise your son with all the small town rumors and innuendo.” She paused, allowing her words to penetrate Serena’s anger. “I loved you enough to let you go. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I refuse to apologize for it anymore. I hope one day you can love your child enough to give him his freedom, too.”
Arlene walked past and softly closed the door to her room as hot tears flowed down Serena’s cheeks.