few years back, and I’ll make an excuse to come down here every time I’m in town to grab a few.”
“I can certainly see why.”
“I tried to convince them to buy a bunch, freeze them, and ship them to me, but they refused. Elliot said it wouldn’t taste the same.”
Nate wiped his mouth. “You never did say what you were studying.”
“Oh, I didn’t, did I? Uh, Criminal Justice. Bachelor’s at the moment, but I might go for a Master’s, I’m not sure yet,” Tyler told him, handing over one of the spare napkins.
“Thank you,” Nate said, cleaning himself off. “Planning on becoming a police officer? Or rather, a detective with that degree.”
Tyler shook his head. “No. FBI.”
Nate raised a brow, shoving the napkin into his pocket. “Is that so?”
“Don’t look so surprised,” Tyler laughed. “You grow up in the shithole neighborhood I did, and it makes a mark. Some people end up drug dealers. I just decided to go the other way.”
“Don’t mistake me,” Nate said hastily. “I didn’t mean to infer that it was surprising you would pursue the career. You’ve always been fairly well behaved, and I can see you upholding the law rather than breaking it.”
Tyler winced. “Yeah, tell that to Clay.”
“Clay? What’s he got to do with it?”
Tyler laughed. “Well, we met when I uh...tried to mug him.”
Nate stopped, feet splashing in the surf as he stared at him. “Excuse me?”
Tyler laughed, rubbing the back of his head nervously. “Yeah, you can kinda see why I don’t really tell this story to people.”
“You...tried to rob Clay?” Nate asked.
“Yeah, not my smartest decision. My mom was like, super behind on bills and we were desperate. I was fifteen, and it was either try to take the money from someone or go into dealing, and I really didn’t want to do that. So, I tried to rob the first person I thought was a good target.”
Nate blinked slowly. “You did not pick the right target.”
“Ah, no. Clay...well, let’s just say he’s a lot more capable than he looks. He took me down before I had any idea what was happening. Then, turns around and throws me a bunch of money,” Tyler said.
“He gave you money?”
“A lot of it too. My mom was so pissed when she found out. God, Clay kicked my ass, then my mom did. She didn’t believe the money was legit until she got to meet Clay. She still used the money before she met him, there wasn’t much choice for us. But she felt better after meeting him, even if he didn’t tell her how he had so much and was staying on our side of town.”
“How did he have so much?”
Tyler shrugged. “No idea. Clay is Clay, and that’s all he’s ever been to me. I don’t know what he was like before or what he did with his life. I think the only person who knows completely is Clay, though I’m sure Elliot knows a lot.”
Nate chuckled, shaking his head. “Raised by Serena, in a horrible side of town. Then practically adopted as a younger sibling to a former Marine, turned capable private security man, and by some mystery man with too much money and skills.”
“That’s...I never thought to sum it up like that,” Tyler admitted.
“No wonder you chose something like FBI agent.”
“Yeah, Clay calls it working for the enemy. Again, I don’t know why, and I don’t ask.”
“You have a very strange family, Tyler.”
“Yeah, they’re weirdos.”
“And they love you.”
Tyler smiled at that, looking out over the horizon where the sun was beginning to set. “That they do. I think Clay almost cried when I chose to move up to Greenford to go to school.”
“Where you met Jessica,” Nate added.
Tyler’s smile faltered. “Yeah, where I met Jessica. Though, if I’m honest, I’d prefer not to ruin the mood by bringing her up.”
Nate looked out, watching the orange and red light bathe the ocean. “The mood.”
“Well, unless you want to hear about the other people while we’re at it,” Tyler offered.
“There were others?” Nate asked, voice even.
Tyler snorted softly. “I’m not a party or super casual sex person, but that doesn’t mean I was a nun the whole time. Yes, there were other people, not many, but a few. Are you telling me you didn’t find yourself a guy or two while you were at college?”
Nate ducked his head. “Not many opportunities, especially with the risk of just about anyone there potentially willing to report back to my father. I had to be