Somebody to Hold (Tyler Jamison #2) - April Wilson Page 0,31
that I would let Brad touch me. We both know what Brad did to Eric—the pain and the degradation he put Eric through. Brad might not have killed Eric, but he abused him nonetheless. Even if it was consensual.
Tyler pulls me into his arms beneath the hot spray. “I shouldn’t have come down on you like that. I didn’t even give you a chance to explain. I was just so scared, Ian. If he ever hurt you, I’d never forgive myself.”
I watch the water drip down his face, running into his beard. The concern in his eyes floors me. “I love you.”
He closes his eyes in relief. “I love you, too.”
* * *
Tyler and I crash in the living room, lounging on the sofa while we decide what we want for dinner. We end up ordering Chinese food. And then we lie back on the couch together and snuggle as I cue up my favorite YouTubers on the TV.
My phone rings in the other room, where I left it after Tyler talked to Brad. I hear my sister’s ringtone—Let It Go from Frozen. “That’s Layla,” I say, jumping up from the sofa and racing across the hall to grab my phone. “Hey, sis.”
“Hey. Whatcha doing?”
“Watching TV with Tyler. What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing. I just thought I’d call and say hi.”
But I can tell from the tone of her voice that it’s not nothing. “Layla, what’s wrong?”
She exhales a frustrated breath. “Everything. Mom and Dad are smothering me more than ever, and it’s driving me crazy. Talk about helicopter parents! There’s this guy at school I like, and I thought he was going to ask me out, but then Sean scared him off by being an ass to him when he tried to talk to me after class this morning.”
I bite back a laugh. She doesn’t like her new bodyguard any more than Tyler and I do. “So, in other words, it’s the same old, same old.”
She sighs. “Yeah. I just need a break, you know?”
I check the time—it’s still early, not even six. “Why don’t you come over and join us for dinner? We just ordered Chinese.”
“Can I?”
The excitement in her voice makes me realize I haven’t been spending enough time with her lately, ever since Eric’s murder investigation, meeting Tyler, and then the shooting on my boat. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own life that I haven’t been paying enough attention to hers. Layla doesn’t have a lot of friends. The other girls shy away from her when they learn of her schizophrenia. I’m probably her only real friend. “We’d love for you to join us. Come on over.”
“You don’t think Tyler would mind?”
“Of course not.” I return to the living room and put the call on speaker so Tyler can hear us. “Hop in the car right now and come join us. Is Chinese okay with you? We ordered plenty.”
Lying stretched out on the sofa, Tyler motions me closer. “Yes, Layla, come have dinner with us.”
“Awesome, you guys. Thank you so much.” I can hear her rushing around to get ready. “I’ll let Sean know we’re leaving in five.”
Ugh. Of course she has to bring her bodyguard with her. “Fine,” I say, meeting Tyler’s amused gaze. “But Sean stays in the car.”
She laughs. “Got it!” And then she ends the call.
I lie down in front of Tyler, both of us on our sides, and there’s barely enough room for the two of us. “I hope you don’t mind that she’s coming over. She sounded a bit stressed.”
“Of course I don’t mind.” He runs his fingers through my hair, twirling a lock around his index finger. “I like your sister.”
I lean back to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
I play the newest video from one of the gay couples I follow on YouTube.
After watching a few of their videos, Tyler shakes his head at the TV. “I can’t imagine filming my life for the whole world to see.”
“Maybe we should start a channel of our own. You’re a hot cop. Viewers would love you. What’s not to like? A sexy gay homicide detective and… well, me. I could be your sidekick. Like, Robin to your Batman.”
Tyler laughs. “You’re far more interesting than I am—a hot, wealthy playboy on his yacht? Not to mention, a great dancer… absolutely.”
“You think I’m a good dancer?”
“Not good. I said great. You’re an amazing dancer, and you know it. Even Cooper said so.”