Page 18 of Let Me Keep You

CHAPTER FOUR

GEMMA

Last night, after I had dinner with Robert, I went home and slept like shit. I kept tossing and turning, thinking about Tyler and his piercing gaze. There’s a tug-of-war inside me when I wake up, and I’m so annoyed that neither my dad nor Everleigh mentioned anything about him working at the garage.

Yesterday, Tyler glided across the floor as if he were a ghost from my past, coming back to haunt me. And he is. Glancing at the clock, I realize I need to move my ass so I’m not late. It’s one of Dad’s biggest pet peeves.

As soon as I unlock the lobby door, we’re slammed with customers. I scarf a donut when things finally slow down and replay the conversation Tyler and I had yesterday. My nerves got the best of me, and I felt like I was a teenage girl again. I shake my head and swallow, grabbing a bottle of water from the break room.

I drink it down, hoping it cools the inferno inside me. When Dad walks in to grab a soda, I take the opportunity to nonchalantly mention it since he hasn’t yet.

“So…Tyler Blackwood.”

He pops the tab of the soda and takes a long swig.

“Yeah. Could use the help. You think he’ll be good?”

My breath hitches, but he doesn’t notice. “Why didn’t you ask me before you hired him? I mean, I am the office manager.”

A title I have earned and am quite proud of.

Dad chuckles. “You know I was thinkin’ about your brother, and how hard it’s gonna be for him when he gets out of prison. Tyler’s in the same situation, with his record, so I thought I’d give him a chance. He’s a hard worker and seems disciplined enough to handle the responsibility, especially with his military experience. Y’all hung out together, so he can’t be too bad. And back in the day, he helped me a few times over the summer when I needed a hand.”

I arch my brow, still annoyed he didn’t give me a heads-up.

“Plus, your old man ain’t gettin’ any younger. It’ll be nice to have some help, but if it makes you feel any better, I told him it was a trial run.” He finishes his drink, then throws the can in the garbage. “You’re not mad, are ya?”

“No, no. I was just curious. Hopefully, he works out for you.”

I understand where Dad’s coming from because when Noah’s released, he’ll need all the help he can get. It’s a small town, and gossip travels fast. Most won’t see my brother or Tyler for who they are, but rather as convicts. It’s a stigma that’ll follow them around for the rest of their lives.

I pray someone offers Noah the same opportunity if he decides to come home when he’s released. He calls me twice a month, always asks about Katie and Dad, my job, and other town gossip.

I don’t visit much—he doesn’t like us to see him like that—but when we do, it’s better than nothing. I miss him so much and can’t wait until he’s released. Though I know it won’t be easy for him, he deserves the chance to start over.

Noah might’ve made a tragic mistake, but he’s not a murderer. My brother has the kindest, most honest soul, and I don’t care what the assholes at the grocery store mutter under their breaths when I walk in. Over the years, it’s gotten better, but the wounds aren’t fully healed, especially Katie’s.

Dad always talks about paying it forward and treating people the way you want to be treated. It’s one of his core values, one that Noah and I were taught growing up. While Tyler needs this job, it won’t make seeing him every day any easier. There are a lot of hard feelings and buried emotions when it comes to him, and it was easy to forget what happened when he wasn’t around. Now, he’ll be in the same building as me. A constant reminder I wasn’t enough to make him stay.

My heart races thinking about it.

I glance up at the clock and notice I’m late to a lunch date with Robert. Dad pulls out his sandwich and sits at the little table, and I give him a quick squeeze and tell him I’ll be back in an hour. That’s one good thing about working here. He doesn’t care if I go out during the day.

As I drive across town, my mind spins as I head to one of the only fine dining restaurants in the area.

Before I get out, I check myself in the mirror and notice how frazzled I look. I tuck my wild hair behind my ears and pull some lipstick from my purse to add some color to my lips. After a few deep breaths, I walk into the restaurant with a smile on my face.

As soon as Robert sees me, his hazel eyes light up, and he stands. I quickly realize we’re not dining alone since a couple of other men are at the table. He kisses my the cheek and whispers in my ear how pretty I look.

Playing the doting fiancée, I grin at all the men at the table before taking my seat next to Robert.

His hard work and determination are admirable. Business is booming right now, and he works himself to the bone. While I understand why he’s always busy, this typically means we don’t get to spend as much time together as we’d like. I want to treasure the moments we do have and not share him with other people.

But I should be used to this by now. I’m lucky to have found a loving man who wants to make me happy. Most people assume that since we’re fifteen years apart, I’m only with him for his money. Being with Robert has nothing to do with his wealth or businesses. Though he’s every woman’s cliché of the perfect man—tall, dark, and handsome—I wanted a relationship based on mutual love and respect. I don’t care if he can buy me the world. Large diamond rings, mansions, and fancy cars don’t matter to me.

“So this is your beautiful fiancée,” a man says. “I’m Stanley.”

Robert wraps his arm around me, pulls me close, then properly introduces everyone. Afterward, we order, and I consider getting a glass of wine to relieve the tension. But I don’t want to have a buzz at work.