Keeping You Away (Ex-Con Duet 1)

After I arrived at the DMV, I realize Mimi wasn’t joking. There are no empty spaces in the lot, so I parallel park on the street, then walk inside and grab a ticket. Every seat is taken.

Hours pass, and I eat my sandwich and cookies, grateful Mimi packed me a lunch. I swear sloths are working the counter. An hour before close, my number is finally called, and I take my photo. By the time I leave, I’m annoyed as hell I spent my entire day waiting there.

When I show up to Mimi’s just after five with two empty Ziploc bags, she flashes me a smirk. The “told you so” is implied, and I just shake my head with a grin. She offers to drive me home, but I tell her I want to walk. After she sees my face and how frustrated I am, she doesn’t argue.

“Please make sure you call me when you make it home. Love you, kiddo.”

“I will, Mimi. Love you too,” I say as I walk out the door.

On the way home, I call Liam. He’s two hours behind me, so I hope he’s home, but he usually answers unless he’s doing a stakeout.

“Tyler! I was just thinking about you. How are things going?”

I told him about my interview yesterday, but we didn’t chat long. “Fine, I guess.” I let out a huff.

“Uh-oh, what’s wrong?”

I talk about my shitty day, and how I’m so fucking sweaty I can barely stand it. The humidity here is smothering compared to Las Vegas. I continue, explaining how stressed I am, and how I’m still paranoid as fuck. It’s gonna take a little while for me to get settled and feel back to normal.

“I guess I’m just second-guessing coming here,” I admit. “Everything feels wrong, like I’m living in the twilight zone or something. It’s more awkward than I thought it’d be, and I already feel like the town outcast.”

“I’m sure it’s not that bad. You’re just not used to being in public. Give it time.”

I let out a laugh. “It’s this place and these people. While I waited at the DMV, everyone looked at me like I was a chained-up dog ready to bite one of them because I was in prison.”

Liam laughs, but he’s not laughing at me. “Shoulda got your rabies shots before going home. On a serious note, I bet it’s just in your head. I remember when all that stuff was going down with Victoria, I swear everyone was watching me. Even older ladies in the grocery store. I trusted no one. I think when you go through a lot of shit, it fucks with your head. And you’ve had your fair share. Honestly, they can fuck off. You’re doing the best you can, and you’re a good guy, Tyler.”

A small smile meets my lips. “You’re right. It’s put me in a shitty mood, though.”

“Probably the heat. Just remember you didn’t do time because you’re a criminal. You went to prison because Victoria is a vindictive bitch. You wanted away from the O’Learys and leaving gave you the freedom to move on from your past. I’ll always be grateful for you, and if you change your mind, my home is always available to you. Maddie would be overjoyed if you came back.”

“Means a lot, man.” My voice trails off as I think about Victoria and all the hatred I have for that woman. I have over five years’ worth of pent-up rage waiting for her. If she knows what’s best, she’ll leave me the fuck alone and forget I ever existed. “I wish I could find a way to get her back without getting my ass back behind bars,” I admit. “She’d deserve it.”

“Wait, huh? What are you talking about?” He sounds alarmed and shocked. But she ruined my life.

“Victoria. I want to get even.”

Liam lets out a calm breath. “Awful idea, Tyler. You need to find a gym and work out your aggression before you do anything stupid. She won’t stop if this starts again. She lives for drama and has an endless supply of money to make anything illegal she does go away.”

I take everything Liam says into account, but it doesn’t release my pent-up anger. While letting it go is the responsible thing to do, I don’t know if I’ll be able to.

“You’re right. I should find a place to work out. I miss boxing. The fighting I did behind bars wasn’t for fun.”

Liam clears his throat. “I’m sorry.”

“No, no, you shouldn’t be. I made a choice, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but being in a place like that changes you. And I’m not sure it was for the better. Either way, I’d do it all again for you and Maddie in a heartbeat.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. I wish things were different. I wish none of this had happened. It’s something I live with every day, and sometimes, the guilt is a lot to deal with. I’m fully aware of how my shit affected your life. I just hope it doesn’t ruin your future.”