Pushing You Away - Noah & Katie (Ex-Con Duet 3)

It’s another Monday, so this morning, I decide to do something special for my sister and Tyler. There's a donut shop that Gemma’s always adored that makes special pastries. I park my truck in the side lot at the gym, then walk into the donut shop.

Years may have passed, but Lawton Ridge is a time capsule. I take in the cool breeze and breathe in the fresh air. It's crazy how everything looks the same—the buildings, businesses, and town square. Before my life drastically changed, this was the last place I expected to be long-term because it was so boring. But now I realized how much I took that for granted because I can’t imagine ever leaving again.

The woman who owns the shop greets me with a smile. I lean over the glass case and look at everything. Food like this wasn't available in prison, so I feel like a king as I choose a dozen different cake donuts. If I remember correctly, Gemma's favorite is the blueberry, so I get an extra six of those.

After I pay and grab the box, I turn around and notice a woman and man staring at me. Another couple whispers, but they look away when I make eye contact. I don't even have to hear what they're saying to know they're talking about me. I wish the gossip didn’t run rampant because it makes starting over even harder.

My blood pressure rises and my face heats, so I get the hell out of there as quickly as I can. It felt like the walls were caving in on me.

I try to shake it off as I walk the few blocks back to the gym. Since I’ve been back, I’ve tried to ignore the way people have acted around me, but I can’t seem to let it go today. A man wearing a dark hoodie walks down the sidewalk and meets my eyes. He glares at me with intent right before his shoulder slams hard into my body. He mutters, “Murderer,” under his breath as he passes. I turn to look at him, but he keeps going.

My heart pounds, and I swallow hard. Though he’s taller than me, I'm five seconds from beating his ass. Instead, I inhale a deep breath and continue toward the gym. I don't need trouble finding me right now.

If that would’ve happened ten years ago, I probably wouldn’t have walked away. Prison changed me, and now I'm a different man who has a lot more to lose.

Was he a friend of Gabe’s?

I walk inside with a fake smile plastered on my face even though shit like this eats away at my conscience. As I cross the large open room, I try not to smash the cardboard with the force of my grip. Tyler notices, and I give him a smile and open the box.

“I brought donuts for everyone. Where's Gemma?” I glance around but don’t see her.

Tyler studies me before meeting my eyes. “She'll be here any minute.”

He continues staring, and I forgot he’s even more observant than my sister. “Everything okay?”

“Honestly, no,” I admit. After I get my thoughts together, I explain what happened at the bakery and with the guy on the street. “It makes me feel awkward in social situations. Like this town would be better off if I weren’t here.”

Tyler shakes his head and places his strong grip on my shoulder. “You know, when I returned, people whispered about me in the grocery store and everywhere else they’d see me. They'd call me a convict under their breaths. I didn't think I’d even be able to find work with my past. Thankfully, your dad took a chance and hired me. Otherwise, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

He smiles, then continues. “After a while, they got over it. People stopped talking shit and moved on to the next big thing because you know it’s something different every week. The same will happen for you too. They'll get over it,” he says confidently. “Or I’ll kick their asses.”

I chuckle, but my blood starts pumping again as I think about all the unfairness he experienced.

“You didn't murder a family member. Or your best friend’s husband. Or a man who was about to be a father.” I sigh, brushing a hand through my hair because those aren’t easy things to admit aloud. “Our situations aren’t the same, Tyler. I know why you’re saying that and being encouraging, but I’m not convinced it’ll ever get easier for me. You were helping a friend and got framed. Every single day I sat behind bars, I knew I was paying for the consequences of my actions and wishing I could take it all back. I never wanted my cousin to die. I didn't want Katie's husband not to be there for her or their son. I stole that from them. Everyone in town knows it too.”