Page 2 of Let Me Keep You

I’ve learned more about the people from Lawton Ridge while being away than I did living there for eighteen years. Though I didn’t mind hearing the gossip from Gemma because it meant her letters continued.

As Gemma walks off stage, she finds me. There’s no doubt she heard and saw me earlier, and the smile that spreads across her face confirms she did.

I shoot her a wink, making her blush before she walks back to her seat.

Once the ceremony’s over, Everleigh leaps into my arms.

“You made it!”

I tighten my grip. “With a few minutes to spare.”

She looks me over from head to toe. “No broken bones or bruises?”

“A few bruises from training.” I shrug. “Nothin’ major.”

“Thank God.”

Though I was honored to serve my country, I’m ready to experience life outside of the military.

Mimi and Pops take turns hugging Everleigh, then we discuss dinner plans. Of course, Mimi already prepared a home-cooked meal.

“After we eat, I wanna take Tyler to a party,” Everleigh tells them. She continues talking as she takes off her cap and shakes out her dark hair.

I’m only half-listening as I scan the area for Gemma. She’s probably with her family, but I’m dying to see her.

“A party?” I furrow my brows and shove my hands into my pockets. “I’m twenty-two. I’m too old for high school parties.”

Everleigh scoffs, then swats my chest. “Nonsense. We’re technically not in high school anymore, so there.”

I snort. “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot that you’re a full-ass adult now.”

“Language, Tyler,” Mimi scolds.

I quickly apologize, and Everleigh snickers.

“Trust me, you wanna go. Gemma will be there.” She waggles her brows. Lord knows what Gemma’s told her or what she knows about our…friendship.

“Gemma Reid? Are y’all dating?” Mimi asks.

“Yes,” Everleigh says at the same time I respond, “No.”

Pops chuckles. “Let’s feed you crazy kids so you can go celebrate.”

Everleigh rides with me and talks my ear off about some guy she’s kinda seeing. After five minutes, I already want to punch his face in or turn the radio up, so I don’t have to hear about it anymore.

Once we arrive at our grandparents’ house, Mimi serves chicken fried steak with white gravy, cornbread, and mashed potatoes. She even made a pecan pie, and it’s still warm when she slices it.

It was a good old-fashioned Southern meal—something I haven’t eaten in years—and just what I needed to feel at home. I’ll be staying in my old bedroom, but it’s only temporary. Before I arrived, I told them I wouldn’t be staying in town, but they spent the better part of dinner trying to talk me out of it.

“I’m gonna get ready for the party, then we’ll go!” Everleigh says, skipping toward the staircase.

“You only want me to go so I can drive you there and back.”

“Well, duh!”

Over an hour later, she finally comes down all dressed up, but her skirt is too damn short.

“That’s what you’re wearing?” I raise my brows, waiting for Mimi or Pops to say something.