Needing You Close (Ex-Con Duet 2)

As I drive down the street with a rapidly racing mind, I replay tonight.

I just ended a long-term relationship and shouldn’t be thinking about Tyler. Falling in love with Tyler isn’t possible because I never fell out of love with him.

I stay alert and aware of every set of headlights behind me and the cars parked on the street in my neighborhood. When I enter the cottage, my phone vibrates. I expect it to be Tyler or Everleigh, but it’s from Winnie. I open the message, and my adrenaline rushes as I read it.

Winnie: The wedding plans are moving forward per Robert. I don’t work for or take orders from you, Gemma. If you have an issue with that, contact your fiancé.

I should’ve known that’d be the response I’d get. They can continue all they want, but neither of them can force me to walk down that aisle. So, I guess in the end, only time will tell who’ll get the last laugh, and I just hope to God it’s me.

Chapter Five

TYLER

After walking Gemma to her car and watching her drive away, I go back into the house. It’s been a long ass day and I’m tired, though I probably won’t get much sleep now. As soon as I walk into the living room, Everleigh charges toward me and hugs me tightly.

“Whoa. You okay?” I wrap my arms around her, squeezing her back.

“Thank you,” she whispers before pulling back. “Thank you for caring so much about Gemma and being there for her. She probably won’t admit it, but she feels safe around you.”

“I’ve always cared about her,” I confess. “I won’t let anything bad happen to Gemma.”

“I know. That’s why you’re the best.” She grins. “Well, and because you’re an amazing cook.”

Everleigh walks toward the kitchen, and I follow. She grabs a bottled water from the fridge, then offers it to me.

“Sure, thanks,” I say, taking it.

She pulls another one out for herself and immediately takes a sip. “I didn’t wanna say anything when she was here, but you should’ve seen the look in Robert’s eyes. He was deranged.”

“I swear, that asshole has some serious issues.”

“You’re telling me. There’s possessive in like a sexy, alpha way, and then there’s psycho in a needs-a-straitjacket kinda way. I could hardly sleep that night, thinking of what he would’ve done to her if I hadn’t come pick her up.”

My jaw clenches at the thought. I don’t understand how someone as amazing and beautiful as Gemma ended up with such a tool bag. I get the feeling that if her mom were alive, she would’ve warned her about Robert a long time ago. When she’d write me letters, she talked about her mom and how she wished she was around to ask her about girl stuff. Gemma’s dad only gets glimpses of what Robert wants to share and has no idea who he really is.

“I’m gonna go to bed so I can get up early and beat the punching bag before work since I have to train tomorrow evening.”

“You’re working too much,” she says. “I feel like I never see you these days. We spoke more when you were in prison than we do now.”

I roll my eyes when she laughs, then chug half the bottle. “Not true. I have this thing called a cell phone now that you can call and text at any time.”

“Oh, shoot. I totally forgot about that.”

“And you wonder why you’re single with that smartass mouth.”

“Maybe it’s because all the guys in town are taken?”

“They can’t all be.”

“Oh, you’re right. Some live in their parents’ basements and play video games from sunup to sundown.”

“Come to the gym with me tomorrow. Plenty of men there.”

“Hard pass. I’m not getting up a minute earlier than I have to. Not to mention, gym rats care more about their muscles than women.”

“Whatcha trying to say?” I lift my sleeve and flex.

She snorts and playfully pushes my chest when she walks around me. “Good night, Arnold Schwarzenegger.”

I take a sleeping pill so I can fall asleep. By the time my alarm goes off, I’m ready to blow off some steam. Once I’m done, I shower and feel a lot better. It’s exactly what I needed before heading to the shop. When I walk in, I see Gemma’s pretty face behind the counter.

With bright eyes, she smiles at me with dark-colored lips. She’s acting as though she has no worries in the world, almost as if she hasn’t been crying for the past few days.

“Morning,” I say, lowering my eyes to her orange shirt and smirking. “Getting ready for Halloween early?”

She frowns. “No. It’s my favorite—”

“Color. Yeah, I remember.”

Gemma sighs with a grin. “Of course, you do.”

I step closer to her. “It looks good on you.”

“Thanks.” Gemma stares into my eyes as I study how green hers are, neither of us speaking.