Keeping You Away - Kennedy Fox Page 0,6

was locked up.”

“You did?”

“I had to keep my mind sharp.” I smirk. “I read other stuff too. We had access to a small library.”

“I feel bad. I should’ve brought you some of my romance novels.”

Liam snorts from the driver’s side. “Yeah, sure. If you want him to get his ass kicked.”

Maddie leans forward and smacks my arm. “Nah. Look how big his muscles are. They’d be stupid to mess with Tyler.”

Grinning, I pat her hand. “Thanks, Mads. I appreciate the ego boost.”

“You’re very welcome. Now, on to more important subjects. Are you going to see Gemma while you’re there?”

She emphasizes her name like it’s a dirty word, but for me, it ignites a fire in my body. Gemma—the woman who’s haunted my dreams for twelve years—the woman I left, who’s engaged to another man.

I shrug, though I know damn well I’ll see her nearly every day. It’ll be my own personal hell, but one I deserve after the way things ended. Her father owns the garage I’ll be interviewing for, and although my gut reaction was to say no when Everleigh brought up the idea, I also knew my criminal record would make getting hired at most places nearly impossible. Especially in my small hometown where rumors fly like planes at an international airport.

My sister wanted me to come home just as much as I wanted to start over and was nice enough to talk to Jerry about giving me a job. She thinks I’ll get it, and I hope she’s right, but if not, I’ll be looking until I find something. Working at the garage would help get me back on my feet.

“Maddie…” Liam warns. “Quit pushing him. He hasn’t even been out for an hour yet.”

She frowns. “Fine, but I will get the juicy details out of you eventually. I’ll text and call you every day if I have to.”

I chuckle. “I don’t doubt that.”

“Don’t worry, man.” Liam turns to me. “As soon as she pops that baby out, she’ll forget all about your love life.”

“Ha! Love life? There won’t be one for a long ass time, trust me. You’ll be having your next baby before I have a relationship.”

“Don’t put that idea in his head!” Maddie scolds as Liam laughs. “He’ll keep me knocked up!”

“What’s the problem with that? You’re adorable.” I look over my shoulder and smirk.

“I was adorable four months ago. Now, I’m just a beached whale.”

Maddie talks my ear off for the next three hours, and soon, Liam’s pulling into the driveway. They bought a new house, but the picture I saw of it didn’t give it justice because it’s big and beautiful.

“Home sweet home!” Maddie says, wrapping her arms around me from the back seat. “I’m glad you’re here.”

I squeeze her and smile. “I am too. Thanks for having me.”

“If it were up to me, you’d move in permanently, so don’t thank me just yet. I plan to talk you into staying.”

Liam opens the door and helps her down. “Babe, you can’t harass him the whole time.”

“I’m not.”

Liam gives me an apologetic look, but I don’t mind. Listening to Maddie’s antics brings me back to being roommates and hanging out every day. That was before shit got complicated with the O’Learys.

Baby Tyler wakes up when Liam grabs him out of the car seat, and he nuzzles his face into Liam’s neck. I take the diaper bag from him, then shut the door.

“Gonna give me the grand tour?” I tease as we make our way to the front.

“Absolutely!” Maddie answers. “I have your room all set and ready. Can’t wait to show you.”

A couple of days after my arrival, we had a cookout and my other friends—Mason, Sophie, Hunter, Lennon, and all their kids—came over. It was the reunion I’d been anxious about for months. Though they all visited me from time to time, it wasn’t as frequent as Maddie and Liam, so it was good to see them.

We drank beer, talked about sports, and I played with the little ones. For the first time in years, I felt normal. Though at moments, I’d look around waiting for the guard to tell me time was up, then push me back in my cell.

I hadn’t realized the PTSD would kick in so quickly or that I’d actually have it. There’s no “therapy session” that walks us through going back to real life. Basically, I’m just winging it. It was often lonely. The only person I had actual conversations with was my cellmate, Archer. We met