Sometimes, I wonder what would’ve happened if I had stayed, but I undoubtedly would’ve felt suffocated. Between my absent father and my alcoholic mother, I wanted to be where no one knew of my past or upbringing. I needed and wanted a new start away from it all. But if I could change anything, I wouldn’t have cut Gemma out of my life and would’ve made an effort to come home and visit more. I hurt a lot of people by avoiding Lawton Ridge, but I’m back now and hope to make up for it.
Finally, at six a.m., I roll out of the bed and decide to make breakfast for the girls since I’m wide-awake. Though a small part of me hopes Gemma will tell Robert off, the other part doesn’t want me to be the reason she’s second-guessing her relationship. I know Robert’s been pushing her to move up the wedding date, but she’s clearly not ready. I bet their problems started before I even arrived. If she’s not in a rush, she’s ignoring some underlying issues.
“Good mornin’,” I say when Gemma and Everleigh walk into the kitchen thirty minutes later. “Coffee and breakfast are ready.”
Everleigh comes closer, then puts her palm to my forehead.
“What’re you doing?” I look at her as though she’s lost her mind.
“Checkin’ to see if you have a fever.”
I snort before swatting her away. “Can’t a big brother make breakfast for y’all? I used to cook all the time, remember?”
“Depends. Does it come with a side of tequila?” Gemma opens the cabinet, grabs a mug, then fills it before adding creamer and stirring it.
“Thought you’d still be stuffed from all the margaritas you had?” Everleigh teases as she empties the rest of the coffee.
“Har har.” Gemma groans. “I’m gonna need something to get through this day.”
“Me too. Maybe we can call in sick,” I taunt.
Gemma chuckles. “That wouldn’t be suspicious at all. My dad wouldn’t know how to handle the phone.”
“Well, you might have to train someone if you plan to leave,” Everleigh says, grabbing a plate, then scooping scrambled eggs and potatoes onto it.
I study Gemma’s expression. She frowns, then shrugs. “Not happenin’.”
The three of us sit at the kitchen table and chat. Everleigh finishes, then pops up with a giddy smile. “I’m gonna shower so I can get to work a little early.” She punches my shoulder and laughs.
I playfully rub the spot. “That’s all ya got? Wuss. Gotta put your weight into it.”
“Next time you hog all the hot water like you did yesterday morning, it’ll be much worse. I swear, you take the longest showers. I have long hair to wash and legs to shave. What the hell do you do in there?”
“What do you think?” I waggle my brows, and Gemma nearly chokes on her food, quickly recovering as she takes a sip of her coffee.
“Ew, gross! You’re my brother.” She gags.
“That’s how I felt when I found your little clit massager in there the other day. Perhaps put it away after you’re done?”
Everleigh gasps, her cheeks burning red. “That’s it. I hate you. Move out.”
Gemma and I laugh hysterically. “Never. You’re stuck with me, sis.” I smirk wide as she huffs and storms down the hallway.
“That was mean.” Gemma chuckles.
“Siblings, remember? I have years of catching up to do. Next will be hiding her bra and panties in the freezer.”
“Oh my God…” She laughs again, and the sound makes up for the restless night’s sleep. I could get used to hearing it every morning, but too bad she pretends I don’t exist when we’re at the garage. She stands, taking her empty plate to the sink. “Thanks for last night. I feel so much better this morning.”
“No need to thank me. It was fun even though I’ll miss your commentary about it later.” I grin, and it takes her a minute to catch on to what I’m referring to.
“I was obsessed with movies in high school and recapped them for you, didn’t I?”
I stand as well, setting my dish on the counter. “If I remember correctly, twenty-six. Some multiple times, though.”
“What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic.”
“I didn’t mind. Though some things you suggested I see were questionable.”
“That’s early 2000s rom-coms for ya.” She spins around, and we’re face-to-face. Her chest rises and falls at the realization of how close we are.
“I will say, though, that I got a lot of heat for watching Bring It On.”
“Another classic.” Gemma snickers. “Two decades later and I can still recite every line.”
“It’s a shame I was never able to get you to try a Jack Nicholson movie. Now, he’s a badass actor.”
“Most of the stuff he’s in is ancient,” she counters. “And I’m ninety-nine percent positive they don’t involve romance of any kind.” She folds her arms over her chest and blinks at me.
“No, but you need to expand your portfolio. Perhaps we should plan a movie marathon with all my favorites.” I place a hand to my chest and lock eyes with her. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Shining. Those two definitely need to happen. Then we’ll make our way up to his more recent films.”
“How many has he been in?”
“Like fifty or sixty. So a lot.”
“Damn. It could take months to get through everything.”
“Well, good thing I’m not going anywhere this time.”
“Really? You’re staying in town?” she asks as if she hadn’t expected me to, but I don’t blame her.
“Yep. Ready to put down roots and eventually get my own place. Starting over from almost nothing will take me a while, though. A large portion of the money I had saved before prison went to my lawyer, Serena, and paying off my lease.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Tyler.” She reaches out and touches my arm. The simple act sends heat throughout my entire body. “But if anyone can do this and be successful, it’s you. I have no doubt about it.”
“Just another bump in the road. Nothing I can’t handle…hopefully.” I flash her a wink and pat her hand that’s still pressed to my skin.
She blinks hard as if just realizing she was touching me and quickly removes it. I step back to place space between us and watch as her eyes lower as if she’s stopping herself from speaking.
“Gemma…” I whisper, and she finally raises her head until our gazes lock. Thick air flows between us, and I want to say so much but can’t.
Before I can get another word out, her phone rings, and the connection between us is lost. She rushes toward the kitchen table and grabs it.
“It’s Robert,” she says.
I clear my throat and walk toward the hallway. “I’ll give you some privacy.” I gotta get ready for work anyway, though I’d be content staying here with her all day.
She gives me a little smile before answering.
“Hi,” she says without emotion.
I stand in the hallway where she can’t see me, and even though I shouldn’t eavesdrop, I do.
“That’s because I’m at Everleigh’s,” she says. “No, he’s not here.”