Keeping You Away - Kennedy Fox Page 0,38

Sure you don’t need a second job on the weekends?” She waggles her brows. “Put your height to good use and help me out around the shop?”

I nearly choke on my food and snort. “Yeah, right. From prison to chic.”

Her eyes widen as if I just gave her the best idea ever.

“No,” I say firmly before she can say another word about it.

“Come on, Tyler. You’d be the perfect eye candy.” She leans over and rolls up my sleeve, then squeezes my sore biceps. “I could dress you up like I did when we were kids, and you’d be a nice attraction piece for all the single ladies.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re too much. You can’t use your psychology techniques on me to get what you want like you do your friends.”

“Fine.” With a scoff, she goes back to her food.

“While I appreciate you wanting to hire me, I think man candy is the last thing you need in your boutique. I tend to make ladies uncomfortable,” I remind her.

She lifts an eyebrow. “Speaking of that…”

“Don’t wanna talk about it.”

She doesn’t continue with whatever relationship advice she was going to give me, so I focus on the TV as we finish eating. Once she’s cleaned her plate, I carry them into the kitchen, and after I rinse them, I put them in the dishwasher. When I’m done, I realize I left my phone in my gym shorts and go to grab it. I see three missed calls from a Las Vegas area code, which is alarming, and then I notice there’s a voicemail too.

I check it as my heart hammers in my chest. Whatever it is can’t be good.

“Hey, Tyler. It’s Eric. We used to work for Victoria O’Leary together. I need to talk to you as soon as possible.” He lingers, then lets out a breath. “It’s important.”

The message ends, and I play it again. There’s an edginess in his voice, and the confident air he used to have is gone. Eric was an asshole, and I couldn’t stand him. I stuff my phone in my pocket, my head spinning with reasons as to why he’d be calling me. However, it doesn’t matter because my mind is already made.

I’m not calling him back. Fuck that, and fuck him. I don’t want to be a part of whatever he’s gotten himself into. I bury the thoughts and go back to the living room.

“What’s wrong?” Everleigh asks, muting the TV.

I shake my head. “It’s nothing.”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Nah. What were we talking about before?” I can’t remember because the only thing that’s in my head right now is Eric’s alarming voice. Whatever he wants feels like a trap, and I don’t want anything to do with the family ever again.

“Gemma,” she says. “We were talking about Gemma.”

I chuckle. “No, we weren’t.”

I’d actually remember that.

“Well, I was going to talk about Gemma. You said women act uncomfortable around you, so I just thought I’d ask how things are at the shop with you two working together.”

Sucking in a deep breath, I grin. “She pretends I’m not there, so it’s going as expected.”

“Not surprising. What about Jerry? I’m sure he’s happy you’re there.”

“He’s a good boss. Doesn’t micromanage. Gives me tasks and lets me figure it out without hovering. It’s a godsend of a position in this godforsaken town.” I throw her a wink.

“If it doesn’t work out, you can always come work for me,” she sing-songs.

I roll my eyes. “Shut up and keep dreamin’.”

“Don’t worry, I will.”

“But seriously, it’s nice to feel like I have a purpose again and something else to focus on.”

“Any more surprise visits from Gemma’s fiancé?” Everleigh asks, and I stiffen. Though the blood seems to move quicker through my veins, I keep my breath steady, not wanting her to notice the slightest change in my behavior. I overcompensate and put my feet up on the coffee table as if I’m uninterested.

“Nope.” I shrug, keeping my opinions about the guy to myself because they wouldn’t be very nice.

“I only ask because Gemma mentioned you two met at the garage the other day.”

“Yep,” I confirm.

“Between you and me, I don’t think Gemma’s ready to marry the guy. She’s my best friend, so I’ll support her no matter what, but I’m wondering if she’ll go through with it or not.”

Stay. Calm. “Wow, that’s pretty bad, Ev,” I say, keeping my eyes on the TV.

“I know, I know, but seriously! They’ve been engaged for eighteen months and just