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Following my sister's message is an attachment of some news article she’s saved.
After hours of fighting a blaze that took out most of Forman’s warehouse, a local firefighter spends a few minutes comforting the daughter of the previous owner. Ms. Withers took over Forman’s shipping center after her father passed last year. She spent her childhood within these walls, grew up climbing through boxes and making forts while her father worked long hours to support his family. It's a devastating loss for the community and the family, but Ms. Withers assures the community she will rebuild, and Forman’s will reopen.
The image shows Tyler with his arms wrapped around a young woman, with her head in his chest, devastation written all over her face as she looks on at the rubble that was once her family business.
I immediately feel for her, but part of me hates that it's him she is clinging to.
Lauren: Your boyfriend is a compassionate hero.
After Tyler left the salon over a week ago and I drove my sister’s home, and I was forced to hear all about what they truly thought of him. Lauren was in love it seems, but honestly the way he was with her when he thought it was only the two of them paying attention was heart stopping.
Leah on the other hand still had her reservations. I was forced to hear all about the women she knew he’d been with. Problem is I am sure there are many more mixed in that list she has no clue about.
My sisters were entirely too invested in my personal life.
I had one sister making it hard for me to remember that Tyler is not the settling type and the other giving me false hope that maybe just maybe, he could be.
It’s nothing more than a tug of war between the twins which is exhausting.
With him working twenty-four-hour shifts and then on his days away from the station he helps his uncle with his work at the garage, he stays pretty busy. I’ve also been busy myself and spending as much time with the girls as I can.
I still refuse to talk to Lincoln, which is easy considering he’s been staying out of Calloway and for good reason. I dare not mention anything to Liam about him, that is still a very touchy subject. So, the details of why my asshole cousin thought it was a good idea to not show at his own wedding are still unknown. But frankly any excuse he may have is still not a good enough one for me to waste my time listening to.
My phone buzzes again and I half expect it to be Lauren but it's my brother. One word and my stomach drops.
Tucker: Tyler?
Now this can go one of two ways. I can fully confess all my sins, or I can play stupid.
Stupid it is.
Me: What?
Tucker: That shit will not work with me, I’ll be at your place after work tonight. Don’t avoid me. I know where you work, and I also know where all your friends live. Not to mention you have to come home at some point, so I don’t mind camping out and waiting.
I blow out a breath of air and flop down in one of the empty chairs at the salon. Hannah is giving Ms. Roberts a perm, and there are two people in the back getting facials. My day is slow until about three, so I have nothing but time.
Time means thoughts and mine have been running ragged for days now. Hell even at night I’m bound in knots.
I like Tyler, I’ve liked him for years. But I’ve also accepted that it will never go anywhere.He gets bored easily, he enjoys wild and free. He runs into burning buildings as a career, but I think mostly for the adrenaline that fuels him. When he isn’t doing that he is riding his motorcycle. He’s the guy that goes skydiving and bungie jumping whenever he can just for the thrill.
I’ve always pictured him taking off to live some crazy life, but he is still here in Calloway. He says it's home, which I agree with. Everyone is nosy and pushy, but they are also loyal, and when a time calls for everyone to pull together, there is never any kind of hesitation.
Part of me wants to jump in head first and throw away all the fears I have, see where things go with Ty. Hell, we’ve already crossed a line we can’t reform. But now we are at least on talking terms. What if we take that jump and in a few short weeks he realizes it’s too much? Then in the end we end up hating each other and the idea of hating Tyler breaks my heart.
I know beneath the resistant guy he is someone with a big heart. I’m worried though that his heart can’t take commitment, and I’ve never been a girl that could do casual.
But what’s the alternative?
Could I do carefree and unattached with Tyler?
Could I be what he needs, and keep my heart fully intact?
* * *
“It’s Tyler Collins, Amara.” Tucker stands on the sidewalk in front of my apartment with his hands on his hips. He doesn’t even wait for me to get to the door. “Does the guy even know what a fucking relationship is?”
“As if you have room to talk.”
