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“I’ve fingered myself before,” she tells me.
I chuckle at her honesty. “I’ll still be gentle.”
“I trust you, Tyler.” She wraps her hand around my neck, pulling me down until our mouths touch. “I know you’d never hurt me.”
The confident way she says those words has my heart bursting. That’s the last thing I want to do to her,ever. Gemma Reid is everything I’ve ever wanted but don’t deserve.
She gave me all of herself that night. I told her we could wait and didn’t have to rush, but she was firm with her decision. I was her first, and she was the first woman I ever loved.
But three months later, after spending the entire summer together, I broke both of our hearts when I left with no plans to return to Lawton Ridge. I asked her to come with me—together we could travel and be spontaneous—but she didn’t want to leave her dad and the only home she’s ever known.
As much as it hurt, she couldn’t leave, and I couldn’t stay.
Gemma will always be theoneI let go, the woman I walked away from—my biggest regret.
CHAPTERONE
TYLER
TWELVE YEARS LATER
The air feelsdifferent for the first time since I’ve entered this hellhole. I inhale a deep breath and smile when I see my best friend’s truck in the parking lot. After spending five years in prison, it’s the best fucking sight ever. Walking out with only the clothes on my back and a new sense of freedom, I head toward them.
Maddie hops out with her seven-month pregnant belly, and I chuckle when I hear Liam calling after her.
“Tyler!” she shouts, waddling as fast as she can to me.
As she approaches, I smile and open my arms, and she cries the moment we embrace. My emotions start to bubble over too, but I hold them back, knowing she’s on hormone overload.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re out!” She pushes back slightly, eyeing me up and down.
Liam joins and pulls me in for a side hug. “Dude. You look buff as fuck.”
I chuckle. “Gotta make sure I’m prepared for the real world now, ya know?”
Smiling down at Maddie, I look at her bump. “You look huge.”
She playfully pushes at my chest, laughing. “Shut up. I know. And I still have two more months.”
I cringe. “Yikes. Good thing I’m only staying for a few weeks.”
Maddie’s smile drops. “What? That’s it? Why?”
I knew she wouldn’t be happy about that.
Liam grabs Maddie’s hand as we walk to the truck. He helps her into the back seat, and I take the passenger seat.
“You know I didn’t even want to go to Sacramento.” We all buckle up, and I glance back at their firstborn sleeping soundly in his car seat next to Maddie. “I found a job back home. I need a fresh start. There’s nothing here for me,” I tell her, not wanting to upset her further, but Maddie has always been vocal for as long as I’ve known her. I don’t actually have the job set in stone yet, but if Maddie knows that, she’ll be even more relentless about me staying.
“Ugh. Me! And Liam and baby Tyler.”
“And you all have your own lives to live. You won’t mind me invading your space for a little bit, but after a while, you’ll want your privacy again, so it’s best if I try to go back into civilian life the best I can.”
Liam starts the truck and drives us out of the parking lot. “Babe, he’s made his decision,” he tells Maddie.
I glance back at her and see her shoulders slump. “Fine, but I’m using these next three weeks to change your mind.”
“You will after you realize my cooking game is weak.” I’m rusty from being locked up.
