Keeping You Away (Ex-Con Duet 1)

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I cannot be jealous. I’m engaged, planning a wedding, and moving out. Robert and I are in love, and we’re going to have a happy life together. A blast from the past won’t change that.

It can’t. Or at least that’s what I’m trying to convince myself.

“Where are y’all goin’ tonight?” Daddy asks.

“The pub,” I tell him. “For some drinks and pool.”

“The pub?” My dad scrunches his face. “For a date?”

“Daddy, it’s a relaxed get-to-know-you kinda thing. Nothing serious.”

“We’ll save the wining and dining for our first official date,” Tyler chimes in, flicking his eyes to mine with a devilish look. He knows exactly what he’s doing, hoping to get a reaction from me in front of everyone. Over the past two weeks, I’ve noticed he enjoys doing that. Tyler tests me during every conversation we have, and I don’t know if it’s because he enjoys the chase or he loves to watch me squirm. Either way, it grates on my last nerve.

“Ah, that’s my boy.” My dad chuckles.

“Where’s Robert?” Tyler asks smugly.

“He’s working.” I glare at him.

“Must suck that he works so much.” The corner of his lips perks up. “You sure he’ll make it tonight?”

“Yes. He’ll be there.”

“Great. Looking forward to it.” Tyler smirks, then turns to Katie. “I have to run, but I’ll see you later.”

“Yep, can’t wait.” She beams.

Tyler waves to everyone as he walks toward the open door, and when I glance over my shoulder at him, he flashes me a wink, then chuckles.

Asshole.

“Hey.” Katie pulls me aside. “Everything okay?”

I tilt my head and furrow my brows. “Yeah, why?”

“You seem off. I just want to make sure this date won’t be too much or awkward with Robert and Tyler together.”

Too much is the understatement of the century.

“It’ll be totally fine. You two will be chatting mostly anyway, and Robert and I will shoot pool or play darts to give y’all some privacy.” I smile wide, hoping to convince her, though I genuinely want her to have a good time.

“Okay, because it’s not too late to cancel if you’ve changed your mind. I just thought with your history and everything—”

“Katie.” I suck in a breath. “I’m engaged to Robert. Tyler and I dated years ago for three months. It’s ancient history at this point.”

“Alright, as long as you’re not uncomfortable because I could see myself liking him after we get to know each other a little better.”

My jaw nearly snaps off as my heart pounds rapidly in my chest. “Really?”

“Well, based on what I’ve seen or know about him. I wouldn’t normally introduce a man to Owen so soon, but the moment Tyler started talking about football, Owen lit up.”

“Then I hope it works out, Katie. Honestly. Tyler’s a nice guy.”

The moment Robert and I walk into the pub, I immediately need a drink. Tyler and Katie are already in a booth with theirs. We’re only a few minutes late, but it looks like they’ve been here a while.

“Hey,” I greet when we walk up.

“Hey!” Katie stands and wraps her arms around me. “We were just talking about you.”

“Hopefully all good,” I tease, unable to look at Tyler.

“Of course. It’s always good,” Tyler says, and when I glance at him, I instantly regret it. His brown eyes are warm and inviting, and I hate that they send chills down my body.

“Pinot Noir, darling?” Robert grasps my shoulders and squeezes lightly.

Though Tyler isn’t watching us, I see him tighten his grip on the neck of his beer and grin at the wine Robert suggested. Wine won’t get me drunk enough to get through this night, getting sick tomorrow be damned.

“No, I’d like a Jack and Coke and four shots of vodka to get this night started!”

Robert tilts his head, studying me, and I give him a sweet smile. “It’s been a long week.”

“Of course, sweetheart. Be right back.” He presses his lips to my cheek, and I smile before he walks off.

“Here, I’ll sit next to Tyler so you and Robert can sit together.” Katie moves and scoots close to him. He rests his arm on the back of the booth, and she happily notices.

Those drinks need to get here stat.

Katie and Tyler continue chatting while I wait for Robert to return. They talk about high school and his time in the military. It’s not hard to eavesdrop, but as soon as Robert sits down next to me with our drinks, they stop.

“Shots!” I say, passing around the vodka. The four of us take them, and I slam my glass on the table before grabbing my Jack and Coke.

“Whoa.” Katie chuckles. “Save room for the margaritas.”

“Oh, you know I will.” I wink.

After a while, Robert and I excuse ourselves to play a round of pool. When we first started dating, he taught me all the rules and always kicks my ass. Tonight, I don’t care about winning, I just want to let loose.