Page 29 of Let Me Keep You

One side of Tyler’s mouth tilts up as he grabs his phone from his back pocket. He hands it over to me, and I program my name before giving it back.

“I’ll text you when I’m safe and sound.”

He winks, and those stupid butterflies reappear.

“Good night, Gemma.”

The hoarse way he says my name nearly makes my panties combust.

He looks like there’s something more he wants to say, but he stays silent for a second before moving toward the door.

I follow him outside, and the glow of the porch light illuminates his face as he lifts his hand and waves.

“Be careful,” I say one last time before he’s out of sight.

I’m embarrassed for even asking him to stay the night. Instead of inviting him in, I should’ve thanked him at the door and gone to bed with my dignity intact.

Once I’m back inside the cottage, I go into the bathroom and wash off my makeup. I lie in bed and replay every look we exchanged with guilt streaming through me as I think about how unfair that was to Robert. But I had real concern for him walking this late.

I don’t know why his being back is affecting me so much after all this time, but I can’t stop wondering where we’d be if he’d stayed. Probably married with a few kids and those what-ifs are what caused so many of my sleepless nights. Finally, my phone dings with a text from Tyler.

Tyler

Made it in one piece

Then he attached a selfie of him and Sassy looking adorable, and my mind spins out of control all over again. But knowing he made it safely allows me to drift off without worry.

CHAPTER SEVEN

TYLER

The sun hasn’t risen yet, but I wake up anyway and make coffee. Thankfully, Sassy is sleeping in Everleigh’s room, or she’d be begging to go out or barking for attention, and it’s too early for either.

As I’m waiting for the drip to stop, I think back to Friday night at the pub and taking Gemma home afterward.

One thing’s for certain, it was awkward as hell between us. I’m stuck wondering what I should say and how much I should share. We’re not friends and haven’t been for a long time. I’m sure she hasn’t forgiven me, either, but I can’t deny the way she still affects me.

As we sat on the couch, I could smell her fruity shampoo. It was so familiar and brought me back to a time when I was allowed to touch and kiss her. But her engagement ring—or rather, rock—was the reminder I needed that things can never go back to how they were.

She’ll be married soon and one hundred percent off-limits. My heart pounded in my chest as too many unspoken words and stolen glances lingered between us. It was better that I left before either of us acted on whatever the fuck was bubbling under the surface. I’m sure her fiancé wouldn’t appreciate a convict being in his woman’s house at nearly two in the morning. I’d almost bet money he wouldn’t like me sleeping on her couch, either. So, to avoid any trouble, I got the hell out. I needed some fresh air to clear my head anyway, and she needed to sober up.

The following day, I finally joined the gym and am happy I have a place to blow off some steam. I hope to make a friend or two outside my sister’s circle and work.

When I was in prison, I worked out as much as I could, but I missed putting on gloves and training people how to box like I did before shit hit the fan. The ring always felt like home. Though this gym doesn’t have one, it has a small area with punching bags that’ll work for now. I think about how boxing helped Mason and Liam work through their issues. If it can help them, then it can undoubtedly help me. I want the life I had before the O’Learys entered it.

It’s Monday morning, and I’ve been on edge all weekend about seeing Gemma today. Instead of dwelling on it, I pour some coffee into a travel mug and change into my workout clothes. I’ll drink it on the way to the gym. When I step outside, I’m surprised it’s not blazing hot yet. I spend an hour working out, then go home, shower, and get ready for work.

Now that my mind is clear, I’m hoping I’ll be able to focus, but it’ll be hard being around Gemma.

Just as I’m leaving, Everleigh wakes up and wishes me good luck on my first day. I keep replaying how Gemma begged me to stay over and how she admitted she still worries about me. I think about it while I walk the few blocks to work. I check the time and know Jerry will be happy with how punctual I am.

I suck in a few deep breaths as I walk into the waiting area. Gemma’s busy on the computer, but when she looks at me, she blushes and quickly averts her eyes.

She was embarrassed about being a tipsy hot mess Friday night, but I thought it was kinda adorable. Drunk Gemma’s fun and easygoing and not so reserved once the alcohol hits her system. But now, we’re back to where we were when I arrived here on Wednesday last week—awkward tension.

The silence pierces my ears.

Thankfully, Jerry walks in and greets me in his booming fatherly voice. I smile as he picks up a donut.