Keeping You Away (Ex-Con Duet 1)

I nearly choke. “Your stripper pole?”

“Goddammit, Tyler.” Everleigh bursts out laughing, then walks to the corner of the shop. “An extension pole. It’s a garment hook or hanger retriever for clothes that are high up.”

“From now on, I’d go with one of those names instead.”

“You haven’t changed a bit.” She hands me the pole.

“What’s that mean?” I’m more different than she’ll ever realize.

“Means you’re still my annoying big brother.” She points at the wall. “Now put them up there for me, would ya?” She grins, then pats my arm before walking away.

Once I’m done figuring out which shirt goes where and how to balance the hangers properly on this stupid retriever pole, I do exactly what she asked. When I’m finished, I find Everleigh on the other side of the store.

“Gemma said they picked a date for the wedding. When is it?”

“March thirteenth.”

Only seven months away.

“They were engaged a long time before setting one.”

Everleigh nods. “Mm-hmm. He proposed early on, like he wanted to claim her and for everyone to know she was his but wasn’t in a rush to actually get married.”

“Why do you think that is?” I watch as she organizes a shelf of candles.

“Honestly…” She looks over her shoulder at me and frowns. “I think she likes the idea of loving him and having the picture-perfect life, but in reality, she’s second-guessing if it’s the right thing to do. Gemma loves her cottage, and I know it’s been eating at her to give it up, which is why she won’t move in with him.”

“They don’t live together?”

“Nope. He’s been asking for months, and she’s adamant about waiting.”

Interesting.

“So why’s she with him?”

Everleigh goes back to organizing some bracelets by the counter, and I follow her as she walks and talks.

“I have a few theories, but Gemma denies them all.”

“Which are?”

She finally stops and turns, folding her arms over her chest as she studies me. “Why do you care so much? I thought you moved on.”

“I’ll always care for her well-being, even if I’m not in her life, Ev. All I’ve ever wanted is for Gemma to be happy, and if this guy doesn’t make her happy…”

“She tries to be.” She shrugs, and her face falls. “Jerry really likes him and the idea of them getting married.”

“Really? Her dad approves?”

“Oh, totally. He’s over the fucking moon about them finally setting a date. Robert will be able to take care of her financially, and she’ll always have what she needs. Growing up, they didn’t have much, and Jerry knows she won’t have to worry when they start a family. It makes him happy as Pops eatin’ warm apple pie, and Gemma wants nothing more than to make her dad happy.”

“Do you think that’s why she’s marrying him? To appease Jerry?”

Everleigh goes behind the counter. “I’m not sure, but even if it was, Gemma wouldn’t tell me. I’m only speculating from what I see and hear. She’s not super open about their relationship, but then again, Gemma has always been private.” She gives me a look, and I read between the lines. Gemma didn’t share every detail of our relationship, but Everleigh knew enough to threaten me when I left.

“Wow…” I brush a hand through my hair, trying to process everything.

“Yep. Well, as much as I’m enjoying this brotherly chat, I need to get back to work and open the store.”

“Yeah, I gotta run some errands anyway.”

“What kind of errands?”

“I need to get a checking account, go to the post office and change my address, update my license, and get some new work clothes and shoes.”

She rounds the counter and gives me a hug. “Proud of you.”

I wrap my arms around her. “For what?”

“For coming back home and starting over. I understand things have been hard for you and know being here won’t be easy. I’m proud you came back. I missed you. Our grandparents did too.”

She pushes back, and I smile.

“I know. I missed you guys too,” I admit, then walk toward the door. Before I make it outside, she calls my name, and I turn.

“Can you walk Sassy when you get home?”

Sassy is an American Eskimo dog with way too much energy who also hates me. “Seriously?”

“Please? She loves you!”

“That’s what you call love?” I ask. Everleigh nods eagerly, and I open the door, then wave before walking out.

I wonder if what Everleigh said is true. Why would Gemma marry a man she wasn’t head over heels in love with? Did she really wait years for me?

I think back to one of the letters she wrote her last year of high school. We both knew I’d be returning home soon.

* * *

Dear Tyler,

Senior prom is only a week away, but Everleigh and I decided to do a photoshoot yesterday with our dresses and practice our makeup and hair. Since these letters take so long to get to you, I got a few printed so I could show you.