Hammered (Blue Bay Crew #3)- Cathryn Fox Page 0,47

and I didn’t want her to cry. It gutted me. My throat hurt so bad, trying to hold back my own tears, and I wanted to make it easier on her, so I pretended I was tough and I was fine.”

“You weren’t fine.”

“No, I wasn’t.” A deep breath and then, “Sean and Jamie hugged me though, in the privacy of my bedroom so Dad couldn’t see. He wouldn’t have liked that. I swear to fuck if I ever have a kid, Haven, I’d hug the shit out of them, no matter what.”

“I’ve seen you with Devon. You’ll be an amazing father, Ty, and I mean that.” He takes my hand and holds it tight, and I sit there quietly as he processes. After a long while, he leans into me and drops a soft kiss onto my head.

“It’s crazy, but I miss him, you know. I miss him so fucking much.”

“No matter what, he was still your father. I bet he’s up there looking down, so proud of the man you became.”

He snorts like he doesn’t believe that.

“You were the middle-weight champion for many years, Ty.”

“Until your fucking brother took it away,” he says with a snarl that reminds me my brother would lose his mind if he knew I was here, in bed with a man he hates.

“Yeah, well, you didn’t make it easy for him, and you were the reigning champ for years. That’s quite the accomplishment and something any parent would be proud of.”

“I don’t think he even knew.” His hand moves down my back, and he lightly traces my spine. “I never stayed in contact when I left. None of us did. Poor Gram had to put up with him all by herself.”

“I’m pretty sure Gram could handle your father.” I put my hand over my heart. “In here, I totally believe he was proud of you.” He makes a sound, a half laugh, half snort, and I can almost feel the tension and pain leaching from his bones. “Thank you for sharing that painful story with me. I know it couldn’t have been easy.”

His head lifts and he glances around the room. “This is the first time I’ve been back here.”

“I’m glad it was with me, Tyler. I’m glad you chose me to bring here, to create happier memories for you.” He doesn’t say anything, so I continue with, “Now what was that you said about being so lucky?”

11

Tyler

Birds chirping pull me awake, and I peel one eye open. The second I realize I’m in the fishing cabin, I jackknife up, my stomach tight, every muscle taut as old memories bombard me. The shifting on the bed beside me pulls my attention, and the pain of the past eases, making room for warmth and need as I take in the gorgeous woman stirring awake.

“Morning,” Haven says as she stretches her arms over her head, the sheet slipping a little lower on her breasts.

“How did you sleep?” I ask, falling back down beside her.

“I slept like a baby. I think all this fresh air is good for me,” she says.

You’re good for me.

I bite my tongue to keep those words to myself, even though they’re true. She is good for me. She made facing the past easier, and I think on some level I knew she would, which is why I chose now to visit the cabin. I’ve been home two whole years and avoided it like the plague, yet the second she came into my life, all sweet, and vulnerable, it brought out a different side of me.

No need to go soft here and tell her it’s possible I might want more. We’re just having a good time while I protect her from a stalker. No need to scare her away sooner rather than later. As if reading my mind, she reaches out and puts her hand on my chest.

“For the record, Tyler. There is nothing wrong with being soft. I like that side of you.”

I snort. “There’s not much soft on me when I’m with you, Haven.”

She grins at that, and the truth is, I like who I am when I’m with her. Does she like who she is with me? She spreads her hands over my heart. “In here. I like you soft.”

“Listen, can we keep that between us? I sort of have a reputation to uphold.”

That pulls a laugh from her, so light and carefree, I can’t help but smile. I like seeing her happy like this. It’s pretty much the first