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This makes Everleigh snort. “Flirting…maybe. Anything else, I don’t see that happening.”
“We don’t flirt. We hardly speak to each other. He said he saw the way Tyler and I looked at each other, which is crazy. What does that even mean?”
Everleigh gets up and grabs a bag of chips. “It sounds like he’s insecure that you won’t move in with him, so he’s looking for a fight. Probably hoping it’ll get you to change your mind. But I mean, I kinda get it. My brother’s good-looking, closer to your age than him, and has a lot to offer any woman. Plus, most people associate him with being mysterious because he’s typically on the quiet side and keeps to himself. With that being said, I don’t think Tyler’s looking at you any differently than how he always has.” I lay my head on the bar top and let out a groan. “This is so confusing.”
“What is?” she asks.
I lift my head and look at her, then follow her to the couch. “Everything. Tyler working at the garage. Robert demanding I quit and marry him ASAP, which he brought up again. Knowing my dad couldn’t run the shop without me nor do I want him to. He’d be heartbroken if I left and so would I. I don’t want to have to choose between Robert and my dad, but if it comes to that, my family will always come first.Always.”
“As it should. Him saying that about your dad makes me so fucking mad. Out of everyone in your life, he’s been Team Robert since day one.”
“He’s Team Tyler too,” I say. As the words leave my mouth, the door swings open, and Tyler enters, wearing a T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. It shows off his muscular biceps and the shorts that hang low on his hips leave nothing to the imagination.
“Who’s Team Tyler?” he asks with a boyish grin. He’s drenched with sweat, and I assume he’s been at the gym.
Sassy perks up, and her tail wags when she sees him. He walks over, pets her head, then looks at me. “Well?”
My words are stuck in my throat. “My dad,” I croak out.
My body is burning from the inside out.
Tyler chuckles. “I’m Team Jerry. He’s a good guy. Really appreciate everything he’s done for me.” The room falls silent. “Anyway, I’m gonna jump in the shower.”
When he walks away, I can smell the hint of his cologne mixed with sweat. I watch until he’s out of sight, then turn to see Everleigh grinning.
“What?”
She shakes her head with a wide smile.
“You better tell me!” I let out a huff.
“If Robert saw you look at Tyler the way I just did, I can understand why he’s pissed. That’s all.” She shrugs.
My mouth falls open. “Like what? I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”
Everleigh glances at me. “Are you sure, like one-million percent sure, that you want to marry Robert? And I’m only asking because you’re my best friend, and I love you. You deserve to be happy.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about marrying him. I do have doubts, especially now that he’s being extra pushy about moving the date. On top of it, leaving my mother’s cabin so quickly feels wrong. And now he wants me to quit my job just because he doesn’t like one of the employees? It feels like a lot of change at once that I’m not ready for, and instead of giving me time and space, he’s become more demanding and pushier.”
“If that’s any indication of how things are now, it won’t get easier being married, Gemma.” She keeps her voice low, and I hope Tyler can’t hear our conversation over the water running.
“That’s what concerns me the most. What if I learn too late that he’s super possessive, or he gives me an ultimatum that forces me to quit working at the garage? I’ll work there until I physically can’t, or he decides he wants to retire and sells the place, but he’s already told me it’s mine. It’s literally my family's legacy in this town. My grandfather and father both spent their entire lives there. I’m shocked Robert has the audacity to even demand it. A part of me wonders if he’s doing this so I’ll tell my dad to fire him instead, then Robert gets what he wants either way.”
She lets out a calm breath. “Sounds like he’s manipulating you. On top of that, he’s controlling. I don’t remember you guys ever fighting this much before.”
“The only thing we argued about mostly was how much he worked, wanting to spend more time with him, and him wanting to set a date and moving in together. Now it’s like he wants to argue about everything until I agree with him.”
“And we both know you can’t keep going back and forth like that. Random question, but how does Robert feel about me?” she asks.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, does he know my brother lives here? I’m kinda thinking not because if so, he’d probably tell you to stop hanging out with me. He’s too jealous not to. I just don’t want his insecurities to come between us, Gemma. It would break my heart. You’re my best friend in the whole world.”
Her words have me smiling. “You’re family, Everleigh. I’d tell him to fuck off.” Though I don’t know if Robert realizes Tyler lives here or not. He hasn’t asked, and I’ve never told him, though it only makes sense, considering Tyler needs help getting back on his feet.
She laughs. “Yeah, right.”
“I would, trust me. No one will ever come between my dad and me or you and me. It’s like he wants to take me away from everyone who means anything to me so he can have me all to himself. But even if he had all my time, he’s too busy to give me any of his. I think he means well, and he has a big heart. It’s what made me fall for him in the first place. But something’s different with him lately, and I have a feeling it’s not going to get better if we can’t work through all these issues before the wedding. I’m not getting married just to get a divorce.”
