Keeping You Away - Kennedy Fox Page 0,16
letters she sent me after that day, she became even more honest. She admitted that she couldn’t wait to see me, how she hoped we’d spend some time together, and that she wished I’d be her first. She was waiting for me.
I could no longer deny I’d fallen for Gemma Reid. Slowly, the words we shared changed everything, and they were no longer a quick check-in or about town gossip. I spilled my heart to her in my final letter, and the anticipation of seeing her was so strong that I hardly recognized myself.
Chapter Four
GEMMA
Last night, after I had dinner with Robert, I went home and slept like total shit. I kept tossing and turning, thinking about Tyler and his piercing gaze. There’s a tug-of-war inside me when I wake up, and I’m so annoyed that neither my dad nor Everleigh mentioned anything about him working at the garage. Yesterday, Tyler glided across the floor as if he was a ghost from my past coming to haunt me. And he is. Glancing at the clock, I realize I need to move my ass so I’m not late. It’s one of Dad’s biggest pet peeves.
As soon as I unlock the lobby door, we’re slammed with customers. I inhale a donut when things finally slow down and replay the conversation Tyler and I had yesterday. My nerves got the best of me, and I felt like I was a teenage girl again. I shake my head and swallow, grabbing a bottle of water from the break room.
I drink it down, hoping it cools off my insides that are hot like an inferno. When my dad walks in to grab a soda, I take the opportunity to nonchalantly mention it since he hasn’t yet.
“So...Tyler Blackwood.” I casually look at him as he pops the tab of the soda and takes a long swig.
"Yeah. Could use the help. You think he’ll be good?"
My breath hitches, but he doesn't notice. “Why didn't you ask me before you hired him?” I glance over and force a smile. "I mean, I am the office manager." A title I have earned and am quite proud of.
Dad lets out a chuckle and grins. "You know I was thinkin’ about your brother, and how hard it's gonna be for him when he gets out of prison. Tyler’s in the same situation, with his record, so I thought I'd give him a chance. He's a hard worker and seems disciplined enough to handle the responsibility, especially with his military experience. Y’all hung out together, so he can’t be too bad. And back in the day, he helped me a few times over the summer when I needed a hand."
I lift my eyebrow, still annoyed he didn’t give me a heads-up.
“Plus, your old man ain’t gettin’ any younger. It’ll be nice to have some help, but if it makes you feel any better, I told him it was a trial run.” He finishes his drink, then throws the can in the garbage. “You’re not mad, are ya?”
“No, no. I was just curious. Hopefully, he works out for you.” I understand where my dad’s coming from because when Noah’s released, he’ll need all the help he can get. It’s a small town, and gossip travels faster than lightning around here. Most won’t see my brother or Tyler for who they are, but rather as convicts. It’s a stigma that’ll follow them around for the rest of their lives. I pray someone offers Noah the same opportunity if he decides to come home when he’s released. He calls me twice a month, always asks about Katie and Dad, my job, and other town gossip. I don’t visit much—he doesn’t like us to see him like that—but when we do, it’s better than nothing. I miss him so much and can’t wait until he’s released. Though I know it won’t be easy for him, he deserves the chance to start over.
Noah might’ve made a tragic mistake, but he’s not a murderer. My brother has the kindest, most honest heart, and I don’t care what the assholes at the grocery store mutter under their breaths when I walk in. Over the years, it’s gotten better, but the wounds aren’t fully healed, especially Katie’s.
Dad always talks about paying it forward and treating people the way you want to be treated. It’s one of his core values, one that Noah and I were taught growing up. While Tyler needs this job, it won’t make seeing him every day