Hammered (Blue Bay Crew #3)- Cathryn Fox Page 0,94
furious with Tyler when you found out about us. You didn’t come here to knock his teeth out, did you?”
“I am not going to knock his teeth out.” I breathe a sigh of relief, until he adds, “A black eye however.” I stare at him, certain he’s kidding. Please let him be kidding. Tyler can handle himself just fine, and while Rock might have taken his title, just barely, Tyler is not a man to go to his knees easily. That’s not entirely true—he happily went to his knees for me, numerous times.
Snickering—Rock is obviously pleased with his black eye comment—he exits the plane after the door is opened and I follow him off, my carry-on bag over my shoulder. I only packed light, thinking I was staying in New Jersey for one night. I had no idea Rock had this up his sleeve, and honest to God, my legs are shaking so hard, I can barely manage the steps.
Forty-five minutes later, we’re in a rental car, and my brother casts me a fast glance. “You know where we’re going, I take it?”
I look out the window, watch the trees fly by. “I think we should try his cabin.” A fresh wave of nerves fire inside me, and I swallow. “What did Tyler say to you?”
He grips the steering wheel tighter. “You two need to talk. That’s all I know.”
I fuss with the hem of my T-shirt, and try to practice my yoga breathing to calm myself down. I give Rock directions and before I know it, we’re turning down the road leading to the cabin. I suck in a fast breath, and with my heart beating so fast, I’m sure I’m going to pass out. What if he’s furious with me? What if he tells me to fuck right off?
What if he doesn’t?
I take another breath to pull myself together. Rock is right. I can’t spend the rest of my life wondering what if, and if there’s one thing Rock taught me growing up, anything worth having is worth fighting for.
Tyler is worth fighting for.
Suddenly I can’t wait to see him. I’m practically jumping from the rental before it comes to a complete stop, but the second I get out of the car, I go perfectly still. What the heck is going on here? I catalogue the area, note the wide open space at the back of the cabin, where the trees have all been cut and removed. Is Tyler opening the land up to sell lots? I narrow my gaze, and take in the big brood boxes at the end of the property, and the small shed going up. At least I think it’s a shed. But I’m definitely looking at brood boxes—which house honeybees. Oh my God, is Tyler starting an apiary?
The deck boards squeak and I shift my attention to the cabin. As soon as I see Tyler standing there, and I take in the way he’s dressed, my world goes a little fuzzy around the edges. I wobble, and I’m about to grab the car to hold on, but Tyler is right there, putting his big strong arms around me, to hold me upright.
“Hey,” he says. “You okay?”
My gaze roams his handsome face, and damp hair, as I breathe in the scent of his freshly showered skin. “I…” My focus drops down to take in the tux he’s wearing. “You’re…” My heart leaps. I can’t believe he’s in a tux. I blink numerous times, thinking back to when I told him I’d love to see him in a tux. “Why…”
He laughs. “Do you always give one-word answers?” he asks. It’s the same thing I asked him the first night we met when he was showing me to his room.
“Tyler,” I say and pound on his chest, very aware that my brother is watching us both closely, and he’s not picking a fight with the man I’m in love with.
“I’m in a tux because you said all heroes should wear one, and I want to be the hero in the story you call life, Haven.”
“I…” Tears pound behind my eyes as his words sink in. How can this man not hate me? “I’m sorry, Tyler. I’m so damn sorry.” This time the tears do spill and softness moves into his eyes. “I never should have accused you.”
“Hey.” He brushes my tears with his thumbs. “I’m sorry too. A real hero fights for his woman. He doesn’t let insecurities or demons stand in his way. I wanted