“I see,” I said, understanding part of what he was so upset about. He didn’t want me to break her heart.
“Do you? Because what I walked into back there didn't look like you understood it."
"Tyler." I wait until he looks at me. "You were keeping her the same for you. That's not the same as what's good for her."
The silence after that is long and specific.
"You promised," Tyler says.
"I know."
"I looked you in the eye?—"
"I know what the promise was. I was there." I keep my voice even. "And I kept it for eight years. Eight years, Ty. I stayed away. I kept my distance. I came back here in April because Pearl needed me and because I thought I could handle it, and I did handle it, until I couldn't anymore." I pause. "And then Falon made a choice. Her choice. Not mine."
"She's twenty-three."
"I know how old she is."
"She doesn't always?—"
"Don't." I say it quietly but firmly. "Don't finish that sentence. Falon Williams is the most capable, clear-headed, deliberately intentional person I have ever met in my life, and you know that. You know that better than anyone."
He goes quiet. I can see the weight of the pain, the tiredness, and anger surging through him. “Just take me home.”
I pull into the Andersons’, or Falon’s, drive and cut the engine. Falon's porch light is on, along with a few side table lights and the soft glow from the kitchen window.
I pull my keys out of the ignition and open the door, and Tyler grabs my arm with his good arm. I still.
“You’re living with her?” he says through his teeth. His grip tightens with anger.
Rowdy, who has been sitting on the middle console, starts growling and slightly bares his teeth.
“It’s okay, buddy,” I say, patting his neck.
“No, I’m not living with her. I’m staying in the guest house,” I say, taking a few deep breaths and trying hard not to let the sudden grip on my arm throw me over. I take a few deep inhales and breathe out through my mouth. Tyler sees me and lets go of my arm.
The guest house is dark except for the porch light.
"You're living here? What happened to Pearl?" he says. His voice is tight.
I get out of the truck and make my way to the guest house and unlock the door. I flip on the light, and Tyler comes in behind me.
"Pearl has been dating Dave for the last eight months. I was not going to stay there while they kissed on the couch.” I made a face remembering that night.
“I moved in here so they could date alone. Falon offered, and I had planned forit to be temporary. She needed help with the restoration." I pause. "I've been helping."
“It looks like you’ve been helping with more than the restorations." He bit back, still looking like he’d rather deck me than listen to our dating story.
“You were supposed to watch out for her. That was the deal.”
“I know.”
His jaw tightens, and when he speaks again, his voice drops low enough that it barely carries past the space between us.
“You had eight years before that.”
“I should have told you the second I knew it was real.”
