“You mean Sheriff Todd? He’s all we have in this small town,” I say with a chuckle. “He’s fat and can’t run to save his life.”
“God. Don’t tell me that.”
“Liam, I’ll be fine, I promise. If I think I’m being followed, I’ll just go up to the SUV and confront them.”
“Goddammit, Tyler.”
I laugh at my best friend’s frustration. “I’m kidding, relax. You know me. I’d be pulling them out by their collars and kicking their asses.”
“I’m gonna go find my child before I jump on a plane to kick your ass.”
“You wish!”
“Let me talk to him.” I hear Maddie’s booming voice in the background. Liam passes the phone, and she clears her throat. “Tyler James Blackwood.”
“That’s not my middle name,” I sing-song, but she continues.
“I know you’re six-feet-something and two hundred pounds of pure muscle, but for the love of God, don’t put yourself in danger.”
“For the record, I’m six-five and a hundred and seventy-five pounds. Well, maybe one eighty after eating all the Southern food down here.”
“Not the point, Tyler!”
I chuckle at her annoyance. Maddie’s always been dramatic and loud, but it’s why I love her.
“Then what is your point, Mads?”
“You’re a big guy, and you like to fight, but I’m asking you not to, okay? If you see one of her bodyguards, don’t instigate the situation. Just quietly walk away.”
I snort loudly, shaking my head at her motherly tone.
“I’m being serious. You have a criminal record now, which means you can’t just go around kicking people’s asses. It’ll be easy to throw you back in prison. Though I’d probably see you more if you were, but I don’t want to see you in that position again. I want better for you because you deserve to have the life you want, Tyler. Don’t make me worry.”
I hear the sincerity in her tone and wish I could reach through the phone and give her a big hug.
“Okay, Mads. I’ll be careful and not cause any mischief. I promise.”
She exhales a deep breath. “Thank you. Now I can sleep tonight.”
Chuckling, I say, “Somehow, I doubt thoughts of me were the reason you’ve been awake.”
“No, it’s your nephew who’s playing hopscotch on my bladder all night long and giving me the worst heartburn of my life. Seriously, I think this kid is gonna come out with a full head of hair.”
Her exaggeration has me cracking up. I imagine their baby coming out looking like Steven Tyler and double over.
“Laugh all you want, assface, but just remember someday your wife is going to be pregnant with your child, and I’m gonna tell her to put you through hell.”
“You wouldn’t dare. You love me,” I muse, opening the gym door. There’s hardly anyone inside, but I still don’t want to be rude and talk on the phone. “Alright listen, I’m gonna work out for a bit, so I gotta let ya go.”
“Fine.” She scoffs. “Even though you left me, I still love you like a brother. Please be careful.”
“I will, and I know. I love you like a pain in the ass sister, too.”
Chapter Seventeen
GEMMA
It’s been a week since Robert and I had our big fight, and after an apology and three dozen roses, he’s back to acting the way he was before his meltdown. Robert doesn’t like unresolved issues, and although he apologized for blowing up about Tyler and my dad, I’m not certain it was genuine. I’m also not convinced he won’t bring it up again. He continues to talk about moving the wedding date, and although I’m hesitant, he’s convinced I’ll change my mind.
I love Robert, and when we started dating, things felt like a fairy tale. Now it feels like we’re together for convenience, and I need to figure out why that is before I agree to marry him in three months. He’ll have to commit to spending more quality time with me before that happens.
“Gemma, darlin’, you look wonderful.” Robert walks into the bathroom as I finish getting ready for the Labor Day parade that’s in a few hours. I’m dolled up in a 1950s A-line dress and apron. I look absolutely ridiculous with my hair flipped out, but the costume goes with Robert’s tiny home float to promote his company.
“You don’t think it’s over the top and too flashy?” I ask self-consciously.
Robert grips my waist, pulling me closer. “No, you look perfect. Very fitting for the part.”
“And what part is that?”
“Being my wife and the mother of my children,” he states confidently. “You’re a natural.”
I scrunch my nose. “I don’t know about that.” Stepping back, he drops his hands, and I grab the hairspray off the counter. “I’ll be ready in a couple of minutes.”
Things with Robert still feel off, and I know it’s my own conflicting thoughts causing it. I’m the one who’s changed. Seeing Tyler again after all these years still affects me when I thought it wouldn’t. I believed I was ready to move on and jump headfirst into a relationship.