“Hope you guys hit it off.”
“Thank you.”
I pull away from her, then turn. “Good night, Tyler.”
“Night, Gemma.”
My throat tightens, and I force away tears as I meet up with Robert and tell him I want to go. He roughly grabs my hand and jerks me out of the pub.
I’m at a complete loss. I don’t know how to deal with the conflicting feelings in my head. Tyler blew back into my life like a tornado, and now everything’s upside down and messy. A part of me wishes things would go back to how they were before he arrived, but another part of me knows that’s a complete fucking lie.
Chapter Thirteen
TYLER
I watch Robert pull Gemma through the bar, then possessively drag her out the door. My jaw tightens as I replay the last ten minutes. Robert was a dick to embarrass Gemma like that in a public place while also making Katie uncomfortable. I’m not pissed he put me on the spot, but I wasn’t going to stand that and be compliant either. I know I got under his skin, and now we’re even. He didn’t expect my response and got pissed that his fiancée took up for me.
Honestly, I’m surprised she did. It’s obvious that Gemma’s more conflicted about marrying Robert than I originally thought. I’m not trying to make things harder for her, and I actually try to stay out of her way as much as possible. Maybe she was content before I arrived, but I see it clear as day that she’s not one-hundred percent positive she wants to marry him.
“Is he always that rude?” I ask Katie after they leave.
“He’s got a hard exterior, but he treats Gemma like a queen. Always buying her expensive things, spoils her like crazy, and constantly begs her to move in with him. He’s also open about starting a family and wanting kids right away, too. Wouldn’t surprise me if she ended up being a stay-at-home wife and mom. Robert’s very traditional.”
“Buying someone stuff doesn’t always mean treating them well,” I counter, grabbing my almost empty beer. “Does she want all that?”
“I’m not sure, but when she gets pregnant, she’ll stay home with the baby. He’s been very pushy about that, so I’m not sure she’ll have a choice.”
There’s no doubt Robert Hawkley could give her a dream life, but I don’t understand what she sees in him as a person. Is it all about wealth and status? Gemma isn’t that superficial, but then again, there’s a lot I don’t know about her anymore.
“Wanna grab another drink?” I offer, needing to escape this conversation.
“Sure. Just one more, though.”
“So I have to be transparent with you,” I tell her after we grab some beers and sit in the booth. At the last minute, we decided to order fries to help soak up the alcohol. My stomach is in knots over what I’m about to say. “I know Jerry had good intentions telling Gemma to plan a double date, but I don’t want to lead you on. While I think you’re beautiful and a lot of fun, I don’t think—”
“You don’t even have to finish.” She pats my hand. My shoulders relax when she nods. “I’m sure Jerry’s heart was in the right place, but I’ve realized I’m not in the right mindset to be dating right now. Owen’s my priority at the moment. Plus, I’m trying to buy a house and stay focused at work because I want a promotion.”
“Whew, okay.” I chuckle. “I was nervous, considering I haven’t gone on a date in…well, since before I went to prison.”
“Really? No fan mail in prison or conjugal visits?” Katie smirks before taking a sip.
“Oh, there’s always stalker mail, but dating has been the last thing on my mind.”
“How long exactly?” She narrows her eyes, resting her arms on the table.
“How long has it been since I’ve dated or had sex?”
“Well, now that you brought it up, both.”
I laugh at her boldness. “Let’s just say, it’s been a very long time since I’ve dated or had sex. It’s been well over five years.”
“Me too. Sometimes I think I’m okay with being alone. I’m set in my ways, and raising Owen is a full-time job on its own. Then I remember what it felt like to have a partner, someone to come home to after a long shift at work. That’s what I miss the most—companionship.”
I frown, vaguely remembering what happened between her husband and Noah. Though I wasn’t living in Lawton Ridge at