The Only One

Chapter 12

Tyler looks at me, and my breath hitches. For a moment, I think he’s going to walk away, but then he sits down in front of me next to Everleigh. Though he continues to avoid eye contact, I’m well aware of how close he really is. I can’t help but notice how his shirt hugs him in all the right places. When he reaches for his beer, his biceps peek from under his sleeves, and I force myself to look away.

For just ten minutes, I wish we could talk about our past. Unfortunately, that won’t be happening any time soon. Considering he’s pretending I’m invisible right now, I’m not sure that’ll ever happen. Maybe he’s forgotten it all, but I haven’t. The pain he caused still runs deep, but maybe now that he’s back, I’ll finally get some closure. At least that’s what I’m hoping for, so I can move on for good.

The silence draws on, and my cheeks heat as I finish my margarita. Having him here with us is suddenly awkward, and I try to think of something to talk about, but my mind goes blank. Maybe I shouldn’t have spoken up and invited him to join us, but once the words were out of my mouth, there was no going back.

shouldn’t“So...” Everleigh looks at us with a mischievous grin. “How about a round of whiskey?”

“The hard stuff, huh?” Tyler chuckles, then empties his mug in a big gulp.

“Only for my favorite people in the world,” she sing-songs. It’s gonna take the hard stuff for me to get through tonight.

Everleigh calls the waitress over and orders double shots for all of us. When they come, Everleigh holds hers up. “To my amazing brother, Tyler. For kicking a*s and taking names.” She looks around the table, then we clink our glasses together, and the liquid burns going down. When the server returns to clear the table, I order another margarita with an extra shot of tequila.

I think the only way I can be this close to Tyler is if I’m inebriated. I just hope I don’t say anything stupid, like the other day in the lobby when I told him I’d waited years for him. There was no denying the embarrassment I felt after.

The more hours that pass, the drunker we get, except for Tyler. He’s switched to drinking water and doesn’t join in on our conversation but rather just listens.

Everleigh is two shots away from reliving our early twenties, and I can’t stop laughing at everything she says. Katie has the giggles too, and I don’t even remember what was so funny when we order another round.

“And look how sexy they look in these new dresses,” Everleigh beams, swiping through her photos and showing Tyler the pictures.

“I mean, look at Gemma in that summer dress. She looks like she should be on the cover of Vogue, not modeling my clothes in small-town Alabama.”

VogueI shake my head, not wanting the attention. Though she’s made Katie and me mini celebrities with her customers.

“And Katie. Jesus, girl, you’re a MILF if I ever saw one. Still don’t know why a man hasn’t made an honest woman out of her yet.” Everleigh talks loud when she’s drunk, and right now, the whole bar can hear her.

Tyler laughs as he shushes her. “Looks like you found the perfect people to guilt into helping you.”

This makes Katie and me snort.

“First comes guilt, second comes threats. It’s easier to just give in right away,” I admit.

“So, what you’re saying is, Everleigh hasn’t changed one bit since I left?”

“Are you kidding me? Not much has changed around here at all,” I say, smiling. “Everleigh’s the same smartass she’s always been.”

Tyler looks at me. “You have.”

My lips fall open, and it’s like everything around us disappears. “No, I haven’t.”

Then I replay what’s happened since he’s been gone, and I realize he’s right. I’m not the same naïve eighteen-year-old girl who thought he could rope the moon.

notHe arches a challenging brow. “Sure about that?”

Nervously, I shrug. “Well, maybe a little.”

Everleigh butts in. “We’re all more mature and doing pretty good in life. Katie has a son. I have a business. And Gemma has a fiancé.”

“And I have a record! Yay me!” Tyler adds with a sarcastic edge in his voice.

I’m relieved when more alcohol arrives, but I’m at the point where I can’t feel my lips. I stand to go to the restroom, and the room rocks sideways. Regardless, I continue forward, and that’s when it’s confirmed that I’m trashed. At least the edge is gone, though it’s starting to mess with my emotions and thoughts, which can’t be a good thing for me right now.

When I look in the mirror, I smile. My hair and makeup are perfect, and I look hot as hell. Confidence doesn’t strike me much because I’m often insecure about my weight. Over the years, people have made various comments about how thin I am, asked if I had an eating disorder, and have even suggested I need to eat a cheeseburger or two. I’ve heard it most of my life and still continue to struggle with body image so damn much even as an adult. I’ve tried to accept my petite size, but it’s hard for me to gain weight. But right now, none of that matters, because Everleigh put me in a dress that accentuates my waist and shows the perfect amount of cleavage for a quick peek. She could be a personal stylist for any body type, and it’s one of the reasons Ever After does so well.

When I go back to the table, I glance at my cell and wonder why Robert hasn’t texted me. He was totally okay with me canceling tonight because he’s exhausted. He must’ve gone straight to bed after work. I blink again and notice it’s nearly one in the morning. My eyes go wide because it feels like we just got here, but that seems to happen every time I hang out with the girls.

At nearly the same time, Katie notices how late it is too. “I should probably get going.” She yawns. The booze must’ve worn off because she stopped drinking hours ago. “I’ll need to get Owen from my parents after breakfast in the morning. He has a birthday party to go to, and I still have to wrap the gift.”

“You okay to drive?” Tyler asks, and she nods.

“I wouldn’t be if I tried to keep up with these two monsters,” she teases.

Everleigh leans over the table and gives me a high five, laughing. My head feels woozy, and I wish I would’ve passed on that last one. Or maybe stopped three drinks ago.

We say goodbye to Katie as she gets up and makes her way out. Everleigh finishes her drink and slaps some cash on the table.

“I should probably get going too.” Everleigh slurs her words as she shoves her phone in her bag. She turns to Tyler. “Before you ask, I’ll be fine to walk. This isn’t Vegas.”

Then he glances at me. “You’re in no shape to drive.”

I can’t even argue with that. I look for my keys in my purse and can’t seem to find them.

“Why don’t you drive her home, Tyler?” Everleigh suggests, and I could kill her.

“I think I should,” he confirms with a nod. I can’t stop staring at his bottom lip, and the way his tongue swipes across it. I swallow hard and try to look away, but he’s so damn mesmerizing.

“Okay,” I tell him. It’s better than calling my dad this late or waking Robert. This would be the least inconvenient solution. Also, it might be nice to get Tyler alone without eyes on us.

He stands and lets Everleigh out of the booth. “My car is at the boutique,” I remind her. “Guess we’re walking some of the way with you after all.”

Just as we’re moving past the bar, a guy turns around with a beer in his hand. He’s not paying attention, and seconds later, he bumps into me. The liquid runs down my dress, and I yelp at the coldness.

“Are you serious?” My dress soaks it in, and he apologizes, but I groan and keep walking.

Everleigh leans in, looping my arm with hers. “Surprised Tyler didn’t kick that guy’s a*s for doing that.”

“Shut up,” I say playfully as she nudges me. She’s aware of how I felt about Tyler and what happened between us by the end of it. While I don’t know what she’s shared with him about me over the years, I’m sure it’s enough to keep him informed.

Though it’s late, it’s still humid as hell, which doesn’t help how sticky I already feel from the beer I’m wearing. I walk beside Everleigh as she chats about posting our photos early next week. Tyler walks behind us, and I swear I can feel his eyes burning a hole in the back of my head.

“Good night, you two,” Everleigh sing-songs when the storefront comes into view. She waves her fingers with a teasing smirk. “I’ll text you tomorrow!”

I chuckle at her obnoxiousness. Her house isn’t too far so she’ll make it home fine. “Goodbye!”

Once I find my keys, I hand them to Tyler with a shaky hand. The nervous tension returns when Everleigh is out of sight, and it’s just the two of us. Guess there’s no amount of whiskey or tequila that can hide it.

“Here, let me help you before you break an ankle.” Tyler unlocks, then opens the door for me. It’s the first time we’ve been this close, and I can smell the faint hint of his cologne and soap. Memories flood in from years ago, but I push them away and climb inside. He cranks the car and grins when it rumbles to life.

“What?”

“I’ve always wanted to drive one of these.” When I graduated from college, my dad fully restored a 1967 Ford Mustang for me and painted it jet black.

I lean my head against the seat. “Just be careful, she wants to go ninety all the time.”

“Noted. So am I taking you to your fiancé’s house or…”

“No, you’re taking me home.”

“Tell me where that is.” His voice is velvety smooth like chocolate.

“It’s where it’s always been.” I chuckle. “The house behind my dad’s.”

The same place he took my virginity and where we spent endless nights having s*x.

“The Snow White cottage?” he asks, pulling out onto the road.

“Yep. Remember when we used to hang out there after I graduated?”

I immediately clamp my mouth shut, but it’s too late. The alcohol makes me blurt out those words. Bringing up our past has been on the tip of my tongue all night. The summer I spent with Tyler often feels like a lifetime away, but also seems like it was yesterday.

“How could I forget? It was the best summer I’ve ever had here.” He finally glances over at me, and I’m thankful it’s dark so he can’t see the heat rising to my cheeks.

We stay silent, listening to the radio until Tyler pulls into the driveway. After getting out of the car, we walk around the house to the cottage. He follows me, and when I turn to look at him, I nearly trip and bust my a*s.

The only thing that saves me is Tyler’s quick reflexes. For a second, the world momentarily shook on its axis, but he caught me before I embarrassed myself. I look up into his brown eyes and suck in a breath. For a moment, it feels like we’re suspended in time as we stare intently at each other. He swallows, and his mouth opens, and I notice his heartbeat pulsing in his neck.

“You okay?” he asks, sounding more confident than he looks.

I shake out of his trance. “Nearly twisted my ankle, but I’ll live. These damn shoes. This is why I hate wearing heels, but Everleigh insisted.” I bend over to take them off, then walk barefoot the rest of the way.

“You gotta come inside and check the place out. Might shock you compared to the last time you saw it. It took Dad and me an entire summer to renovate and add a kitchen. One reason I’m not looking forward to leaving. Too many memories.” I don’t know why I mentioned that last part.

He hands over my keys, and I unlock the door. Thankfully, I cleaned up a couple of days ago, so there are no bras or leggings thrown around.

Tyler walks in with a smile that nearly touches his eyes. It’s so genuine and contagious, I’m grinning wide as I watch his expression. He looks impressed as he glances around with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

“Wow, you did an amazing job, Gemma. This is…perfect. Cozy. And so you.”

perfectHe studies my mother’s paintings on the walls, steps around my quaint kitchen, and runs his fingertip across the marble island that my dad built.

As I watch him take it all in, the sticky clothes start to irritate me and become uncomfortable. I remove my dress and let out a sigh of relief. Next, I pull my hair up into a high bun, then grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

“Wait, how are you getting home?” The realization that he doesn’t have a car hits me.

“Walking,” he says from behind me.

My eyes widen as I turn around. “In the dark? That’s way too far.”

wayA laugh escapes him, and it’s something I didn’t realize I missed until it echoes against the walls. “I lived in Vegas, Gemma. I’m not scared of walking at night here. Aside from the stray cats and crickets, the only terrifying thing in this town is how fast the gossip mills run.”

I snort at the truth in his words as I go to the living room and plop down on the sofa. “You could always stay.” I pat the throw pillow with an old Mustang on it. A gift my dad got me one Christmas.

“Where? The couch?” He arches a brow at how small it is, which causes me to laugh. His long legs would probably hang over the edge. Immediately, I’m brought back in time and remember what it felt like to be wrapped up in his arms and how it made me feel so tiny.

“Yeah, why not? It’s pretty damn comfy.” The room spins, and I blink hard until it stops.

When I look up at him, I notice he’s staring down at the ring on my finger. The light makes it sparkle and brings unnecessary attention to it. A lump forms in my throat, and the urge to change the subject hits me hard.

“Damn. Where are my manners?” I stand and go back to the kitchen. “Want something to drink? I have bottled water, Diet Coke, sweet tea...”

He chews his bottom lip as he shakes his head, then lowers his eyes down my body.

Tyler clears his throat. “Might want to put on some clothes?”

My body is on fire with embarrassment as I remember I’m only in my b*a and panties.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. “s**t. I’m sorry, hold on…” Blushing, I turn and hurry to my bedroom.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.I wasn’t thinking straight, and the wet dress and alcohol flowing through my veins didn’t help. I feel like the emperor when he realizes he’s walked around in his birthday suit and want to smack myself for being so dumb.

When I return in shorts and a T-shirt, he’s standing against the island. “Better?” I chuckle to ease the tension, then step in front of him. “Please don’t walk home.” The thought of him being out this late has me concerned. He might not get mugged, but too many stupid people are driving around this time of night, and that scares me.

Tyler takes me by surprise when he gently places his hands on my shoulders. It’s the first time he’s touched me, causing an internal freak-out of emotions. His hands are warm against my skin, and the scent of his cologne is more prevalent this close to him. “Gemma, don’t worry about me. I’ve dealt with plenty of shady people throughout the years. I promise I’ll be careful.”

I lick my lips and stare at his features—something I never thought I’d see again. “Earlier, you said I’d changed. But one thing that hasn’t is how much I worry about you.” I meet his eyes and feel as if I’m floating as our gaze locks. The electricity streaming between us nearly has me losing my breath.

“Don’t,” he says, then grabs a piece of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. My entire body shivers as his finger brushes across my cheek. “But you should drink more water and sleep off your impending hangover.” He smirks and places his soft lips on my forehead, then backs away.

I immediately notice the space he’s created between us, and I’m confused as I feel the loss of his warmth, smell, and closeness. What the hell am I doing?

What the hell am I doing“Okay,” I agree, though I really want him to stay and talk to me until the sun comes up like old times. There’s so much about his life I don’t know, and instead of asking Everleigh, I want him to tell me everything I missed. However, I doubt he ever will. He’s more private than I remember and has built a wall so high I’ll never be able to scale it. At times, his motions are almost robotic as if he’s forgotten how to be human.

“Do you want me to tell you when I get home?” he asks, rubbing a hand over his trimmed jawline.

“Yes, please,” I say without hesitation. “Do you need my number?”

One side of Tyler’s mouth tilts up as he grabs his phone from his back pocket. He hands it over to me, and I program my name before giving it back.

“I’ll text you when I’m safe and sound.” He flashes me a wink, and those stupid butterflies reappear. “Good night, Gemma.” The hoarse way he says my name nearly makes my panties combust. Though he looks like there’s something more he wants to say, and he lingers for a second, he stays silent before moving toward the door.

I follow him outside, and the glow of the porch light illuminates his face as he lifts his hand and waves.

“Be careful,” I say one last time before he’s out of sight.

I’m embarrassed for even asking him to stay the night. Instead of inviting him in, I should’ve just thanked him at the door and went to bed with my dignity intact.

Once back inside the cottage, I go into the bathroom and wash the makeup off my face. I lie in bed and replay every look we exchanged with guilt streaming through me as I think about how unfair that was to Robert. Though it was harmless, and I had real concern for him walking this late, I know everything about it was inappropriate. I don’t know why him being back is affecting me so much after all this time, but I can’t stop wondering where we’d be if he had stayed. Probably married with a few kids and that what-ifs are what caused so many of my sleepless nights. Finally, my phone dings with a text from Tyler.

Tyler: Made it in one piece :)

Tyler: Made it in one piece :)Then he attached a selfie of him and Sassy looking straight up adorable, and my mind spins out of control all over again. But knowing he made it safely allows me to drift off without worry.