Page 181 of Let Me Keep You

TYLER

The past three days at work have been absolute torture. Every time I look at Gemma, I want to pull her into my arms and kiss the hell out of her. But I can’t, and I know she wouldn’t let me anyway. The woman I love is six feet away, and I can’t do a damn thing.

As I refill my coffee for the third time today, I think back to Saturday and the phone call that changed everything. At least I’ll be able to get it off my mind for a bit with Eric coming to visit. Everleigh and I are picking him up from the airport after work, and it’ll be a nice distraction. Plus, with him close, I’ll be able to keep my eye on him to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.

No one seems to know where Victoria is, which can only mean bad news. I’m waiting for her to pop up unexpectedly, and knowing how she is, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. I’m not naïve enough to think she’s given up because the O’Learys don’t work that way.

After my shift is over, I grab my shit and leave. Gemma doesn’t look my way, and I keep my eyes off her. The invisible wall between us is too high to scale, and I’m not convinced that Robert doesn’t have someone watching the garage.

The walk to the boutique gives me time to think about everything I want to say to Gemma and can’t, so I tuck it inside. It disgusts me to know she’s going back to his house every night when she should be sleeping in my bed. When I walk inside the boutique, the animated ghosts swoop down and nearly smack me in the face.

“This is a hazard,” I say, trying to hold back a smile. If anyone can make me laugh with the mood I’m in, it’s Everleigh.

“Lock the door behind you,” she says, but I don’t see her. Moments later, she comes into view with a pile of red and green Christmas sweaters in her arms.

“Already?” I ask, looking around, noticing half the store has already been transformed.

“Halloween will be over in a few days, and then it’ll be time for hot cocoa, chestnuts, and Santa!”

I groan and shake my head. “I forgot how much you love the holidays.”

“Well, get ready for it because I’ll be this crazy about decorating until Easter, then it starts all over with summer!” she squeals. I glance at the clock, and before I can say anything, she speaks up. “I’m almost done here. Get the broom and help a sister out.”

With a huff, I do it because we need to be at the airport within the next hour. It doesn’t take very long for Everleigh to start turning off the lights. She keeps the purple and orange twinkle strands on, and then we leave. On the way to her car, she’s all smiles.

“I love this season,” she says, nearly twirling before she unlocks the door. I offer to drive, and she happily lets me. Once we’re buckled, I turn on the radio, not wanting to talk, but she’s not having it.

Everleigh turns down the music.

“So, you gonna explain what’s going on between you and Gemma?”

I glance at her. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“She doesn’t want to either. I’m just confused. I’d already planned your wedding, the kids’ names, and started buying baby clothes. Then out of the blue, it’s over, and she’s marrying that asshole because of his stupid threats. You were supposed to live happily ever after. This is messed up!” Her face contorts.

“It is,” I offer, not wanting to say too much more about this. Gemma has been very quiet and has given everyone the same answer—she’s marrying Robert. I grab the steering wheel tighter, hoping she’s taking care of herself while with him.

“I tried to talk her out of it. Katie did too. So did her dad. But she’s moving forward regardless of the fact she’ll be miserable for the rest of her life. I can’t watch my friend do this, Tyler. I can’t.”

“You’re gonna have to, sis. It’s her choice. She doesn’t love him, but she does love her dad and everyone else in her life who Robert threatened to destroy. It will all work out in the end. I promise.”

“I don’t see how it can with the wedding happening,” she mumbles, and I tense. Everleigh notices the mood change and thankfully talks about something else. “Next week, you wanna help me decorate the trees at the shop?”

A small smile touches my lips. “Trees?”

She nods. “Yes, trees. You can’t have just one. Come on.”

This makes me chuckle. “Maybe, but isn’t it tradition for it to be put up after Thanksgiving?”

“Not when you’re in the business of slinging candy cane leggings like they’re drugs.” She laughs at her own joke.

“Okay, okay. I’ll help.” I agree just to appease her.

Everleigh’s satisfied with my answer and turns up the volume.

We eventually make it to the airport, and soon, we see Eric exiting with a duffel bag swung over his shoulder. I honk, and he waves, then gets inside.

“Thanks, man. Appreciate you letting me stay with you for a little while.”