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Rocky nudged Tyler’s hand until he petted him, then dropped to his knees next to him. Rocky was in ecstasy from his attention.
Maybe that was the problem. I didn’t think I was worthy of those women. Maybe I sabotaged those relationships, not the other way around. “I should talk to her.”
Sam nodded as he stood. “Now you’re thinking straight.”
What would I say?I’m sorry I walked out on you, but I still want this thing to work between us. I’m willing to see things differently.Relationships weren’t black and white. We’d go through periods when things were rough, and we’d need each other’s support.
Tyler turned as if to leave. “We’ll leave you to figure it out.”
“Since you’re here, you might as well help me out so I’ll get this done quicker.”
“Seriously?” Tyler asked, over his shoulder.
“That’s what you get for showing up at a job site to school me.”
Sam stuffed his hands into his pockets. “We’ll help, but only if you go to Natalie’s after this.”
“I will.”
After my promise, we worked side by side, making quick work of the tile. We’d always worked great as a team when we weren’t competing or trying to one-up each other. I missed working with them since we were usually in charge of separate projects these days.
When we were cleaning up, Tyler said, “I think I’d like to build a house.”
He’d always lived in an apartment downtown, saying he liked to be able to walk to the bars and restaurants.
“You thinking about settling down?” Sam asked.
Tyler shook his head. “What? No. I want more space. We spend all day creating beautiful homes for others, and yeah, maybe I’m tired of living like I just graduated from college.”
“The bachelor pad not impressing the ladies anymore?” Sam joked.
“Fuck off.”
We messed around and gave each other shit, but it was usually good-natured. This time, I sensed that Tyler was hurt by our reaction.
“What do you need from us?” I asked him.
“I’m working with a realtor to find some property that could work. I’d like your advice when I find something.”
“You got it,” I said.
We often joked that Tyler never grew up. Maybe this was the beginning.
Sam was already in a serious relationship, and I hoped to salvage mine. Tyler was the only one of us that was still happily single. I couldn’t see him settling down with a woman, but maybe getting his own place would slow his attendance on the bar scene.
“We’re here for you,” Sam said.
“I appreciate it. I know you see me as the brother who doesn’t take anything seriously, but I’m going to prove you wrong.”
I clasped his shoulder. “You don’t need to prove anything to us.”
“To Dad, then.”
Sam had gone through something similar when he met Alice. He wanted Dad to take his business idea seriously. He worked hard on our outdoor spaces and then approached Dad with his plan.
“You want to create a new branch for the business too?” Sam asked him as we headed downstairs.
“Nothing like that. I’m just feeling restless. Like I haven’t figured out what I’m supposed to be doing.”
