by Kennedy Fox
He’s reminded me every day since Tuesday to plan the double date, so yesterday, I finally did just to get him off my back. But seeing Tyler and Katie together is making me regret it. When the two of them smile at each other, my temperature rises, and I just want to disappear.
I love Katie and want her to be happy—she deserves it after the hell she’s been through—but Tyler and I have a history. If I told Katie it made me feel uneasy, she’d back away and understand, especially since she knows all about our past. But I don’t want to be that person.
I’ll never be the type of woman who can’t have a guy but doesn’t want anyone else to have him either. It’s not fair to either of them since I’m marrying Robert.
“Yeah, definitely! Owen’s gonna have a sleepover at my parents' tonight, so I’ll have the whole evening,” Katie says happily.
I lock my arms behind my back and try to act normal. By the tone of her voice, she’s implying she’ll have time after the date to be with Tyler. The hard pounding of my heart tells me I’m losing control of my emotions.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I cannot be jealous. I’m engaged, planning a wedding, and moving out. Robert and I are in love, and we’re going to have a happy life together. A blast from the past won’t change that.
It can’t. Or at least that’s what I’m trying to convince myself.
“Where are y’all goin’ tonight?” Daddy asks.
“The pub,” I tell him. “For some drinks and pool.”
“The pub?” My dad scrunches his face. “For a date?”
“Daddy, it’s a relaxed get-to-know-you kinda thing. Nothing serious.”
“We’ll save the wining and dining for our first official date,” Tyler chimes in, flicking his eyes to mine with a devilish look. He knows exactly what he’s doing, hoping to get a reaction from me in front of everyone. Over the past two weeks, I’ve noticed he enjoys doing that. Tyler tests me during every conversation we have, and I don’t know if it’s because he enjoys the chase or he loves to watch me squirm. Either way, it grates on my last nerve.
“Ah, that’s my boy.” My dad chuckles.
“Where’s Robert?” Tyler asks smugly.
“He’s working.” I glare at him.
“Must suck that he works so much.” The corner of his lips perks up. “You sure he’ll make it tonight?”
“Yes. He’ll be there.”
“Great. Looking forward to it.” Tyler smirks, then turns to Katie. “I have to run, but I’ll see you later.”
“Yep, can’t wait.” She beams.
Tyler waves to everyone as he walks toward the open door, and when I glance over my shoulder at him, he flashes me a wink, then chuckles.
Asshole.
“Hey.” Katie pulls me aside. “Everything okay?”
I tilt my head and furrow my brows. “Yeah, why?”
“You seem off. I just want to make sure this date won’t be too much or awkward with Robert and Tyler together.”
Too much is the understatement of the century.
“It’ll be totally fine. You two will be chatting mostly anyway, and Robert and I will shoot pool or play darts to give y’all some privacy.” I smile wide, hoping to convince her, though I genuinely want her to have a good time.
“Okay, because it’s not too late to cancel if you’ve changed your mind. I just thought with your history and everything—”
“Katie.” I suck in a breath. “I’m engaged to Robert. Tyler and I dated years ago for three months. It’s ancient history at this point.”
“Alright, as long as you’re not uncomfortable because I could see myself liking him after we get to know each other a little better.”
My jaw nearly snaps off as my heart pounds rapidly in my chest. “Really?”
“Well, based on what I’ve seen or know about him. I wouldn’t normally introduce a man to Owen so soon, but the moment Tyler started talking about football, Owen lit up.”
“Then I hope it works out, Katie. Honestly. Tyler’s a nice guy.”
The moment Robert and I walk into the pub, I immediately need a drink. Tyler and Katie are already in a booth with theirs. We’re only a few minutes late, but it looks like they’ve been here a while.
“Hey,” I greet when we walk up.
“Hey!” Katie stands and wraps her arms around me. “We were just talking about you.”
“Hopefully all good,” I tease, unable to look at Tyler.
“Of course. It’s always good,” Tyler says, and when I glance at him, I instantly regret it. His brown eyes are warm and inviting, and I hate that they send chills down my body.
“Pinot Noir, darling?” Robert grasps my shoulders and squeezes lightly.
Though Tyler isn’t watching us, I see him tighten his grip on the neck of his beer and grin at the wine Robert suggested. Wine won’t get me drunk enough to get through this night, getting sick tomorrow be damned.
“No, I’d like a Jack and Coke and four shots of vodka to get this night started!”
Robert tilts his head, studying me, and I give him a sweet smile. “It’s been a long week.”
“Of course, sweetheart. Be right back.” He presses his lips to my cheek, and I smile before he walks off.
“Here, I’ll sit next to Tyler so you and Robert can sit together.” Katie moves and scoots close to him. He rests his arm on the back of the booth, and she happily notices.
Those drinks need to get here stat.
Katie and Tyler continue chatting while I wait for Robert to return. They talk about high school and his time in the military. It’s not hard to eavesdrop, but as soon as Robert sits down next to me with our drinks, they stop.
“Shots!” I say, passing around the vodka. The four of us take them, and I slam my glass on the table before grabbing my Jack and Coke.
“Whoa.” Katie chuckles. “Save room for the margaritas.”
“Oh, you know I will.” I wink.
After a while, Robert and I excuse ourselves to play a round of pool. When we first started dating, he taught me all the rules and always kicks my ass. Tonight, I don’t care about winning, I just want to let loose.
“You’re actually getting better,” he teases.
“Or maybe you’re getting worse?” I mock.
“I highly doubt that.” He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his chest.
“You could be a gentleman and let me win once in a while.” I smile up at him, the alcohol streaming through my veins, and cup his face. Our lips crash together roughly, but before things get too heated, he puts space between us.
“Gemma, we’re in public in a bar,” he hisses and releases me, then walks around the pool table to call his shot. He doesn’t like PDA because it’s not “professional,” but why can’t he relax for just one night? It’s not like I’m some random chick. I’m his fiancée.
Needing a refill, I head to the bar and order two strawberry margaritas, then bring one back to Katie, who’s laughing at something Tyler said. She thanks me, then I return to Robert and grab my pool stick.
Fuck it. I’m bored and don’t care about this game and purposely sink his ball into the pocket. “Whoopsies.” I shrug, then take down a quarter of my drink, wanting it to take hold quicker.
“Good thing you excel at other things,” Robert says, then takes his turn until he clears the table. His tone isn’t harsh but rather condescending.
Robert continues drinking Grey Goose and Perrier as I sip my margarita. Once our game is over, we go back to the booth and catch up with Katie and Tyler.
“We were just gonna play a round of darts,” Katie tells me as she stands. “Should we play teams?”
I bite down on my lower lip and hesitate before Robert answers. “I’m in. But darling, maybe you should sit this one out?”
Turning, I look at Robert and see he’s serious. What the hell? “I’m fine. I think I can throw a dart.”
He shrugs casually. “Alright, let’s play then.”
> We grab the darts and set our drinks on a high top table. Katie goes first, and I watch Tyler stand close to her, whispering in her ear and giving her pointers. She does as he says and throws a bull’s-eye on the first try.
Her arms go up, and she squeals, then Tyler gives her a high-five. I go next and line up my shot with Robert on my right and Tyler on my left. Either the alcohol is hitting me harder or I’m imagining things, but the air is so tense I can almost feel the thickness against my hand as I throw the dart.
I don’t hit the center, but I don’t miss either, so I call that a win. I throw two more, then move so Tyler can take his turn. As we pass, his arm brushes mine. When he’s in place, he glances over at me, smirking.
Tyler narrows in on the target and hits the inner circle perfectly with his second dart. Katie squeals, and they give each other a hug. As he prepares to throw his third, Robert clears his throat and steps closer. “So Tyler. What’d you do to get yourself five years in prison?”
My head nearly explodes at his bluntness. I snap my attention to him and glare. “Robert!” I hiss, wishing he’d stop.
Tyler acts unfazed and continues playing, hitting the ring outside the center.
“Nah, it’s okay. I figured he’d ask eventually since we work together every day, all day.” The corner of Tyler’s lips tilts up in a smug, cocky grin.
Robert continues drinking, then scoops the darts off the table and gets ready to play.
“I got caught up with a mafia family,” Tyler says as Robert puffs his chest out and flicks his wrist forward. The dart lands on the edge of the board.
Robert faces Tyler who acts unaffected, but I feel as if I’m dying inside. Without content, this story sounds worse than it is. “The official charges were for having illegal guns and tons of drugs.”
Tyler lets him gnaw on that piece of information for a minute. Katie and I exchange looks, and I can tell she’s just as uncomfortable as I am.
“I was set up by the mob boss's daughter for betraying her. After my friend put a gun to her boyfriend’s head, she decided to cough up some cash and pay the judge to give me a lesser sentence.” Tyler glowers.
Robert turns and looks at me incredulously. I lower my gaze, knowing he’ll say something to me later.
“You’re lucky your sister talked Jerry into hiring you. If it were up to me, a criminal wouldn’t be anywhere near that garage.” Robert’s crass words have my heart racing. What the fuck?
“Well, fortunately that’s not up to you,” Tyler retorts, staring at Robert while taking a swig of beer.
“He’s not a criminal. He was framed,” I explain.
Robert glares at me with disapproval in his expression as if he’s my goddamn father. “Did you not hear the part where he worked for a mafia family? He’s far from innocent.”
I swallow hard, the tension nearly smothering me. “Well, you don’t know the whole story,” I say.
“Why are you defending him? He’s probably murdered people and robbed people.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks as his words fuel my anger. “What? Don’t be insane! You’re making him sound like a monster when you don’t even know him.”
“Gemma.” Tyler says my name gently, and there’s too much rage burning inside me as I stare at Robert, but Tyler continues as our gazes lock. “It’s okay. You don’t have to argue on my behalf.” His eyes soften, and I feel awful about all of this.
Katie sucks in a deep breath as Tyler turns back to Robert.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was undercover to help out my friend. When his girlfriend was kidnapped, I infiltrated the mob and got hired as a bodyguard so I could help her escape. The mafia princess got even with me for betraying her. And I don’t fucking regret it.”
I smile but then quickly suppress it so Robert doesn’t catch me. He’ll never admit he was wrong for jumping to conclusions because in Robert’s world, he’s always right. He doesn’t say another word as he slams the darts on the table, then walks to the bar. I’m so infuriated and humiliated, but I can’t even hide it because my face is red hot.
“I’m so sorry,” I say to Tyler and Katie. “He doesn’t usually drink this much and—”
Tyler wraps an arm around Katie but keeps his eyes locked on me. “Nothing I can’t handle. Been dealing with assholes like him for most of my life.” He shrugs. A small part of me hoped they would’ve gotten along.
“He’s not usually an asshole,” I say. “The stress from work is getting to him.”
By the way his jaw clenches, I know Tyler doesn’t believe me. I’m making excuses for Robert when he should be the one apologizing to everyone.
“Well, anyway…” I wipe my palms down my dress. “You two have fun. We’re gonna head out.”
I give Katie a hug, and she squeezes me tight. Her demeanor changes, and she becomes more upbeat than she was just moments ago. I flash her a smile in return, and whisper in her ear, “Hope you guys hit it off.”
“Thank you.”
I pull away from her, then turn. “Good night, Tyler.”
“Night, Gemma.”
My throat tightens, and I force away tears as I meet up with Robert and tell him I want to go. He roughly grabs my hand and jerks me out of the pub.
I’m at a complete loss. I don’t know how to deal with the conflicting feelings in my head. Tyler blew back into my life like a tornado, and now everything’s upside down and messy. A part of me wishes things would go back to how they were before he arrived, but another part of me knows that’s a complete fucking lie.
Chapter Thirteen
TYLER
I watch Robert pull Gemma through the bar, then possessively drag her out the door. My jaw tightens as I replay the last ten minutes. Robert was a dick to embarrass Gemma like that in a public place while also making Katie uncomfortable. I’m not pissed he put me on the spot, but I wasn’t going to stand that and be compliant either. I know I got under his skin, and now we’re even. He didn’t expect my response and got pissed that his fiancée took up for me.
Honestly, I’m surprised she did. It’s obvious that Gemma’s more conflicted about marrying Robert than I originally thought. I’m not trying to make things harder for her, and I actually try to stay out of her way as much as possible. Maybe she was content before I arrived, but I see it clear as day that she’s not one-hundred percent positive she wants to marry him.
“Is he always that rude?” I ask Katie after they leave.
“He’s got a hard exterior, but he treats Gemma like a queen. Always buying her expensive things, spoils her like crazy, and constantly begs her to move in with him. He’s also open about starting a family and wanting kids right away, too. Wouldn’t surprise me if she ended up being a stay-at-home wife and mom. Robert’s very traditional.”
“Buying someone stuff doesn’t always mean treating them well,” I counter, grabbing my almost empty beer. “Does she want all that?”
“I’m not sure, but when she gets pregnant, she’ll stay home with the baby. He’s been very pushy about that, so I’m not sure she’ll have a choice.”
There’s no doubt Robert Hawkley could give her a dream life, but I don’t understand what she sees in him as a person. Is it all about wealth and status? Gemma isn’t that superficial, but then again, there’s a lot I don’t know about her anymore.
“Wanna grab another drink?” I offer, needing to escape this conversation.
“Sure. Just one more, though.”
“So I have to be transparent with you,” I tell her after we grab some beers and sit in the booth. At the last minute, we decided to order fries to help soak up the alcohol. My stomach is in knots over what I’m about to say. “I know Jerry had good intentions telling Gemma to plan a double date, but I don’t want to lead you on. While I think you’re beautiful and a lot of fun, I don’t think—”
“You don’t even have to finish.” She pats my hand. My shoulders relax when she nods. “I’m sure Jerry’s heart was in the right pla
ce, but I’ve realized I’m not in the right mindset to be dating right now. Owen’s my priority at the moment. Plus, I’m trying to buy a house and stay focused at work because I want a promotion.”
“Whew, okay.” I chuckle. “I was nervous, considering I haven’t gone on a date in…well, since before I went to prison.”
“Really? No fan mail in prison or conjugal visits?” Katie smirks before taking a sip.
“Oh, there’s always stalker mail, but dating has been the last thing on my mind.”
“How long exactly?” She narrows her eyes, resting her arms on the table.
“How long has it been since I’ve dated or had sex?”
“Well, now that you brought it up, both.”
I laugh at her boldness. “Let’s just say, it’s been a very long time since I’ve dated or had sex. It’s been well over five years.”
“Me too. Sometimes I think I’m okay with being alone. I’m set in my ways, and raising Owen is a full-time job on its own. Then I remember what it felt like to have a partner, someone to come home to after a long shift at work. That’s what I miss the most—companionship.”
I frown, vaguely remembering what happened between her husband and Noah. Though I wasn’t living in Lawton Ridge at the time, Everleigh told me all about it and how distraught she was. Katie lost her husband and her best friend at the same time.
“From what I’ve heard, you’ve done an amazing job raising Owen and being on your own. Whoever you end up with will be a very lucky man.”
“That might be a while…it’s slim pickings in this town. My options range from the jobless just graduated college guys who get their parents to co-sign loans for them or the old church-goer widowers. There’s literally no in-between.”
I bark out a laugh. “Well, let’s weigh the pros and cons here…” I hold out my hands and rock them back and forth. “The younger guys are active enough to play and keep up with Owen. The flip side is you’ll probably have to teach them how to be an adult and do things like balancing a bank account, saving money, and paying bills on time.”