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It was the biggest fucking scandal I’ve ever witnessed. One I hadn’t seen coming.
Weeks after that, life had gone back to normal, or so I thought. Liam recovered from getting shot, and I moved back to Vegas. A few weeks later, that bitch pulled the rug from underneath me.
Every day was basically the same. I tried to keep my mind busy by working out, but the anger ate me alive. I lifted weights and ran until I couldn’t feel my limbs. The only thing that brought a smidge of happiness was when Liam and Maddie came every month. Though I wish they could’ve visited more often, the drive was six hours round trip, so I understood.
Everleigh flew from Alabama a few times, but I knew she couldn’t afford it, so I asked her to stop. She opened a boutique a few years ago and put her life savings into it. The last thing I wanted was for her to spend money on visiting me for a half an hour when she could invest more into her business. Instead, I called her and our grandparents a couple times a week to catch up. I miss her like crazy, and though I’m nervous as hell to go back to Lawton Ridge, I’m excited to see and hug my little sister again.
“So, what kind of job did you get?” Maddie asks as we merge onto the highway.
“Mechanic at a garage,” I explain, hopeful I’ll actually get hired. “Working on cars, doing oil changes, greasy shit.”
“Do you still remember how to do that stuff?” she asks. At one point, I worked on her car and even taught her a few things. Maddie doesn’t enjoy getting her hands dirty, but I made her anyway. Thinking back to it has me cracking up.
“Yeah, I know enough. I even read articles and books while I was locked up.”
“You did?”
“I had to keep my mind sharp.” I smirk. “I read other stuff too. We had access to a small library.”
“I feel bad. I should’ve brought you some of my romance novels.”
Liam snorts from the driver’s side. “Yeah, sure. If you want him to get his ass kicked.”
Maddie leans forward and smacks my arm. “Nah. Look how big his muscles are. They’d be stupid to mess with Tyler.”
Grinning, I pat her hand. “Thanks, Mads. I appreciate the ego boost.”
“You’re very welcome. Now, on to more important subjects. Are you going to see Gemma while you’re there?”
She emphasizes her name like it’s a dirty word, but for me, it ignites a fire in my body. Gemma—the woman who’s haunted my dreams for twelve years—the woman I left, who’s engaged to another man.
I shrug, though I know damn well I’ll see her nearly every day. It’ll be my own personal hell, but one I deserve after the way things ended. Her father owns the garage I’ll be interviewing for, and although my gut reaction was to say no when Everleigh brought up the idea, I also knew my criminal record would make getting hired at most places nearly impossible. Especially in my small hometown where rumors fly like planes at an international airport.
My sister wanted me to come home just as much as I wanted to start over and was nice enough to talk to Jerry about giving me a job. She thinks I’ll get it, and I hope she’s right, but if not, I’ll be looking until I find something. Working at the garage would help get me back on my feet.
“Maddie…” Liam warns. “Quit pushing him. He hasn’t even been out for an hour yet.”
She frowns. “Fine, but I will get the juicy details out of you eventually. I’ll text and call you every day if I have to.”
I chuckle. “I don’t doubt that.”
“Don’t worry, man.” Liam turns to me. “As soon as she pops that baby out, she’ll forget all about your love life.”
“Ha! Love life? There won’t be one for a long ass time, trust me. You’ll be having your next baby before I have a relationship.”
“Don’t put that idea in his head!” Maddie scolds as Liam laughs. “He’ll keep me knocked up!”
“What’s the problem with that? You’re adorable.” I look over my shoulder and smirk.
“I was adorable four months ago. Now, I’m just a beached whale.”
Maddie talks my ear off for the next three hours, and soon, Liam’s pulling into the driveway. They bought a new house, but the picture I saw of it didn’t give it justice because it’s big and beautiful.
“Home sweet home!” Maddie says, wrapping her arms around me from the back seat. “I’m glad you’re here.”
I squeeze her and smile. “I am too. Thanks for having me.”
“If it were up to me, you’d move in permanently, so don’t thank me just yet. I plan to talk you into staying.”
Liam opens the door and helps her down. “Babe, you can’t harass him the whole time.”
