out the window, and my mind wanders back to Gemma and everything that's happened since I returned to Lawton Ridge.
I wish I could pull her into my arms and kiss the hell out of her to show her what she’s missing. When Robert treats her like an afterthought, I want to tell her I'd always put her first. I might not be rich with a mansion or a successful business, but I'd give her the damn world. Too bad she's engaged and too blind to see how wrong Robert is for her.
Once we land, Serena and I take a shuttle to her car. Within thirty minutes, she's pulling into Liam and Maddie's driveway. Excitement rushes through me as I think about seeing my best friends again.
Before I get out, I turn to Serena, who’s smiling wide. "Thanks for everything. You've been such an enormous help. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you."
"Liam and Mason helped me through some rough shit over the years. The least I could do is give back to a close friend of theirs. I still regret not being able to fight a corrupt system that landed you in prison in the first place."
"You did everything you could. Short of a few million dollars exchanged under the table, nothing would've been able to get me out of serving those years. I don't regret what I did that got me in there, but I still appreciate how hard you tried to save me."
"Thank you, Tyler. Means a lot." She sucks in a deep breath. "I hope justice is actually served to that bitch. She deserves to rot in hell for the things she’s done."
I grunt. "Agreed."
"Now, get out before you make me emotional," she playfully demands. "I can only take so many compliments in one day. Also, knock lightly. Unless you’d like to feel Maddie’s wrath, don't you dare wake a sleeping baby."
"Duly noted." I grin, then grab my bag.
Before I get out, Serena tells me she’ll call if she hears anything about the case. I thank her once more, then walk toward the house. Taking her advice, I tap lightly on the hard wood. Serena’s waiting in the car. I look at her with a shrug. She waves me forward, so I try again, slightly louder.
Seconds later, the door swings open, and Liam's face transforms from shock to joy as he pulls me into a giant hug.
"Holy shit!" he says, and I laugh as he smacks my back.
Serena lowers the window, and shouts, "You’re welcome!" Liam grins at her with a wave, then Serena backs out of the driveway before she zooms down the street.
"Maddie's gonna freak the hell out. I'm so happy to see you, man!" He hurries me inside. "She’s trying to catch up on sleep. Tyler’s taking a nap too, but when they wake up, prepare to be bombarded—by both of them," Liam warns. After I gladly accept his offer for a beer, he rushes to the kitchen and quickly returns with two Bud Lights. I nearly drink it all in three big gulps.
We go into the living room, and as soon as we sit, Maddie walks in with disheveled hair, looking exhausted. Her mouth falls open, and she slaps her cheek. Chuckling, I stand. “I’m really here.”
"Tyler! Oh my God! What are you doing here?" she whisper-shouts, closing the gap between us. I pull her into a hug, and she tightens her grip around me.
Almost immediately, she starts crying. "Gah!” She drops her arms before wiping her cheeks. “My hormones are still out of whack." She goes over to Liam and smacks his arm. "You should’ve woken me up!"
"I’ve been here for five minutes, Mads. You didn’t miss much."
“Jesus,” Liam mutters, rubbing his bicep.
Maddie gives him her infamous eye roll. “Quit being a baby. I barely touched you.”
“Good to see nothing’s changed between you two.” I chuckle.
“Don’t worry. I’ll get even in six weeks when the doctor releases her.”
“Releases her from what?” I ask.
“Liam, shut up!” Maddie scolds, and Liam waggles his brows.
“Releases her body back to me.”
“Okay, now I’m making you wait twelve weeks. Keep it up, and I’ll triple it.” She pouts with her hands on her hips.
“Yeah, right. You jumping me is the reason we even have two kids.”
“Ugh,” Maddie groans as Liam pulls her into his big arms and kisses her.
“There you two go again, being sickly cute. Please, spare me. I didn’t come all this way to witness you making baby number three.”