Along Came Us (Man Enough)

by Nicole McLaughlin

  When they’d said their goodbyes at Timber Trail, they’d all felt sort of like a family. The newlyweds had even friended her, Abbie, and Caleb on Facebook. A part of Lia had wanted to go up to Tyler and hug him, and she never felt that way about men. Handsy, huggy-type men creeped her out, because she never trusted their intentions or their hidden thoughts. But Tyler hadn’t tried anything. Even when he was helping her during the harder zip-line courses, his hands had never strayed once. Not that he hadn’t teased and flirted—he most certainly had. It had been different though. Playful and . . . welcome. Maybe not at first, but it hadn’t taken long before she was flirting back. Just a little bit.

  When she was finished with Tyler’s drink she looked over to find him standing at the pick-up counter. Grateful she didn’t have to yell out the name on the side of the cup, she held it out to him.

  “Are you sure that’s mine?” he asked, mock uncertainty on his face. “You should probably call it out just to be sure.”

  “You’re pushing it.” She shoved her hand out, putting the cup well within his reach.

  Tyler just laughed as he took it. He nodded toward the long line. “It always this busy?”

  “A lot of the time, but this has been an interesting day,” Lia said as she grabbed the next cup and got to work on the order. Tyler scooted over and continued to watch her. She couldn’t help trying to gauge his reaction when he tried his coffee. Not that she had much to do with it since it was hard to mess up an Americano unless you brewed the coffee poorly.

  He took a small sip. “This is really good. I’ve never been in here before.”

  “You’re kidding? Your gym is just a couple blocks down.”

  “Yeah, I’m just not usually one to spend more than loose change on coffee.”

  She was not normally a fancy coffee drinker either, but she wasn’t one to criticize the folks who were, considering they paid some of her bills. For a moment, she turned her back to him to use the blender. When she was done, he was still watching her.

  “Then I guess the next question is why today were you suddenly in the mood to spend”—she quickly pictured the menu—“two dollars and ninety-three cents on a coffee.”

  “Aw, come on. We both know the answer to that.”

  A warm feeling settled inside Lia. She had the attention of men with shocking regularity thanks to her other job. In fact, she’d become immune to a man’s flirting and innuendo at this point. Or so she’d thought.

  She grabbed the bottle of whipped cream, topped a mocha frap, and then picked up the chocolate syrup.

  “That looks pretty good.” He’d leaned forward and had his head angled to see over the stack of mugs between them.

  “It’s amazing.” She swirled the chocolate sauce over the top of the whip. “Next time you come in you should be a little more adventurous.”

  Tyler chuckled and so did Lia. Before he could respond, a woman squeezed up beside him and leaned across the counter. “Uh, ma’am, someone needs to attend to the women’s restroom. Right away.”

  “Of course. I apologize.”

  Tyler looked from the customer to the line reaching the front door, and then back to Lia. “Listen, I’ll let you get back to work. Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer soon.” He nodded to the drink in her hand.

  “Okay.”

  “Okay.” With a smile, he turned around and left the building.

  Her coworker Rae, who was making drinks behind her, called over her shoulder. “Should we flip a coin for vomit duty?”

  Lia sighed. “No. I’ll get it.”

  She needed a minute to collect her thoughts anyway. If there was a better way to cool off your charged libido then cleaning up puke, Lia couldn’t imagine what it would be.

  * * *

  It had been a week since Tyler had visited Liquid Wisdom to see Lia. He stood in his office glancing out the window and wondering if she’d think he was insane if he stopped in again. Surely not, considering plenty of people went in daily. Plus, she’d smiled when she’d seen him the first time. Even conversed with him in a friendly way. Some might even have described the interaction as flirtatious, yet he wasn’t one to get his hopes up.

  Lia was skittish, that was for sure, and nothing like the women he usually spent time with. In many ways, her independent nature attracted him even more.

  Tyler headed into the main gym, surprised—and pleased—at how busy they were. Resolute Gym was about three weeks out from its five-year anniversary. Hard for him to believe, considering he’d started this business in a warehouse on the outskirts of town. Now he had an amazing space on one of the major street corners in Aggieville, a bustling part of town frequented by students and families alike. The gym was surrounded by restaurants, shops, and bars, and the location right off the university campus had done wonders for his membership numbers over the past three years.

  With a fully equipped work-out area in front, a classroom, and training facilities in the back, Tyler felt like he offered something for everyone. An average day was full of stay-at-home mothers, college students, and meatheads. Several times a week he also held MMA, Tae Kwon Do, and self-defense classes. Some he taught himself, but he had other professionals come in to teach as well.

  Heading toward the lobby, Tyler practically ran into Caleb.

  “Hey, man, you’re early,” Tyler said, glancing at the clock, which read 3:24. Caleb usually showed around 3:45, just long enough to walk from the high school.

  “Yeah I know. I bummed a ride from someone. Lia’s off work today, which never happens, so I wanted to get home at a good time. I told her I was staying after to study for a chemistry test, but if I’m not home by five, she’ll start worrying.”

  Tyler frowned. “Have you considered this might be a good opportunity to come clean? I’m still struggling with keeping it from her.” That was an understatement. He hadn’t been able to get it off his mind lately.

  Caleb shook his head. “She would never agree to this. Any kind of violence is just not okay with her. She doesn’t even like action movies.”

  Tyler’s brow furrowed, and the thoughts that sprang into his mind set him on edge. “You guys grow up in a violent house?”

  Caleb’s feet shifted and he swallowed, hesitating. “My father was kind of an ass.”

  “Was he abusive?” Tyler asked quietly. Mentoring teen boys mean that he was comfortable asking these kinds of questions. No reason to dance around important subjects he figured. But the possibility of either Caleb or Lia being hurt by someone made Tyler’s heart pound. His own father had been a first-rate prick, but he couldn’t say he’d been abused. Not physically anyway.

  “Listen, I just know Lia would be pissed if she found out I was here.”

  With a sigh, Tyler conceded. He’d come back to the abusive question later. “Let’s get busy, then.”

  He followed Caleb to the training room at the rear of the building where he had several mats, some punching bags, and of course, a ring. Today was going to be Caleb’s first time entering the ring, something they’d been prepping for the past three weeks.

  “Why don’t you hit the locker room and change? I’m gonna grab a couple bottles of water from my office.”

  Caleb nodded and headed for the door on the far side of the room where the access to the men’s locker room was.

  As Tyler quickly made his way back out to the main floor, he couldn’t help thinking about what Caleb had said about his father. Was the guy still around? From their conversations, Tyler was certain that Lia and Caleb lived alone, so hopefully he wasn’t in their lives daily. That was something, he supposed, but still. Just the thought they might live in fear of some asshole made him fume.

  Tyler’s fists tightened at his sides as he closed in on his office. He happened to look toward the reception desk just in time to see Lia walking through the gym’s front door. No fucking way.

  She knew.

  Tyler’s gut sank and he swallowed hard before pivoting and making his way toward her
. He had to deal with this head-on, and it was almost a relief to clear the air. Now he could only hope that she’d get over it quickly. Confused, he watched as she smiled at Sofia at the front desk, and then placed a large girly drink on the counter. Huh?

  When he was within steps of the counter, she looked up. The moment their eyes met, she grinned. Okay, she was not here to bitch him out. Damn, there went that relief, but it was quickly replaced with panic. He prayed Caleb stayed in the back room.

  Tyler forced out a grin as she made her way to him with what he could now see was a frozen chocolate drink, covered in a mountain of whipped cream. That’s when he recalled their discussion about “adventurous” drinks last week when he’d visited her at work.

  “To what do I owe this incredibly welcome surprise?” he asked.

  Lia laughed quietly. “Nothing, I guess. I just . . . I was having a good day and wanted to do something nice. Or . . . something. I brought you this.” She held up the drink and Tyler took it.

  “Thank you. This looks almost too perfect to drink.”

  “Oh no, it’s definitely meant to enjoy.”

  “Can you stay for a minute?” He wanted to wince at his blurted question. He knew it was risky, but damn, she looked so happy and beautiful today. And this was the first move she’d initiated since their less-than-friendly first meeting.

  “Oh, okay.” She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

  “Come on back to my office,” he said, and she followed him through the main floor. He had no desire to dismiss her right away. Caleb could wait, but he had to get Lia out of the main area before she saw her brother.

  They passed a row of treadmills, then step machines, before he took a left into his office. He held open the door for her, noticing once again how sweet she smelled as she passed in front of him. He figured that although the frozen drink wasn’t really his thing, he’d better try it. With one sip his eyes went wide. Damn, it was sweet as hell.

  “This is good. Do all Liquid Wisdom customers get this kind of personal service?”

  Another laugh escaped her lips, which had him smiling. “Of course not.”

  “Then I feel pretty damn lucky,” he said. Lia’s eyes cautiously darted toward the door as he shut it.

  “Does this bother you? I can leave it open,” he added quickly, not liking the look of panic in her eyes. “It’s just so loud out there.” Which was true. The clattering of weights, the music, and even the constant whirring of machinery. He also didn’t want a young teen boy she might recognize sauntering by.

  “No, no. It’s fine.” She pasted on a slightly strained but honest smile, and the entire exchange broke his heart a little. This woman was a mix of strength, confidence, and pure fear. He not only felt the urge to take care of her and Caleb, but admired that she had the same conviction toward her little brother.

  “I promise you’re safe in my lair of bill piles and unopened boxes.” He felt a little better when her shoulders relaxed. Motioning to the couch, Tyler stepped toward her. “Have a seat.” Luckily it was a full-sized sofa so he could sit at the opposite end without it seeming too forward.

  “So, the drink’s good?”

  “It’s amazing. Like dessert through a straw.”

  Her smile this time was easier and made him feel like scooting closer. He held off. Hopefully there’d be time for that another day. “True. Not something you should have every day, but you’d be amazed at how many people do.”

  “I can imagine. And because I think some of their habits are keeping me in business, I say to each their own.”

  “I’m sure you’re right.” They were quiet for a moment, unsure of where to take the conversation next. One thing was certain, he could just sit here and stare at her all day. But since that would be creepy and she was beginning to fidget with the string on her top, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

  “I’m glad you came by, Lia. I have to admit that I’ve wanted to stop by your work several times this week but didn’t want to seem too pushy.”

  “That wouldn’t have been pushy.” She shot him a look. “Baristas see the same customers day after day.”

  “I can imagine. But you know I didn’t come for the coffee. As good as it is.” He lifted his cup a bit.

  He detected the slightest blush on her cheeks. “That’s flattering, truly, but . . . the reason I came was to discuss Caleb.”

  “Ah, okay.” Tyler sat up straight and cleared his throat. “He doing okay?”

  The implicit lie felt dirty coming out of his mouth, but the last thing he wanted was to start trouble if she was considering letting Caleb come in legitimately.

  “He is doing well. I think so anyway. Teenage boys aren’t really into opening up to their older sisters.”

  “Teenage boys aren’t really into opening up to anyone, so don’t feel too bad.”

  “I’ll remember that. Anyway, one of his teachers called the other day and mentioned that she felt like a couple of boys had been giving him some trouble during class and in the hallway. She couldn’t tell me their names and said they hadn’t done anything wrong per se, but she’d felt the need to inform me and said she’d be keeping an eye on things.”

  “Did you tell her about what happened a few weeks ago?” Tyler asked. “I also had a kid who comes here mention that he’d noticed some boys talking to Caleb at school. He didn’t seem to feel confident that there was necessarily anything strange going on, but he had noticed it.”

  Lia scowled. “I don’t know. I feel so removed from what happens day to day. I don’t know other parents because I’m always working. Plus . . . I just feel like I don’t fit in when I’m around other moms from school. I’m sure they wonder about us.”

  “Who cares what they wonder. Caleb is lucky as hell to have you.” And he really wanted to ask her more questions, but figured this wasn’t the right time.

  She gave him a half smile. “Thanks. Anyway, I did tell that teacher about what happened. She seemed genuinely concerned and upset by the news but said since a correlation couldn’t be proven unless Caleb confessed who his attacker was, her hands were tied. She encouraged me to try and get Caleb to tell me, but . . . he just won’t. In fact, he gets upset when I bring it up at all.”

  Tyler nodded. Up until this point he’d tried to give the kid space in his personal affairs, but he realized he might need to start pressing Caleb for some answers himself. Learning to defend yourself was helpful, but there was no point in willingly allowing someone to verbally harass you at school.

  “What do you think this is about?” he asked, setting his drink on the desk. “Caleb hardly seems like the type to piss anyone off.”

  “I have no idea. Caleb is a sweet boy. He’s smart but not geeky. He’s kind but not annoying. I really can’t understand why anyone would want to hurt him like this. And they must be threatening him or he’d speak up. Why would he protect them?”

  “Sometimes young men don’t really think things through. But you’re right, they must have given him a good threat.”

  Tyler also knew sometimes bullies attacked for no other reason than that they just decided they could. His older brother had been bullied mercilessly throughout middle school and his first couple years of high school. Tyler could still recall his father calling John a “pussy” and a “worthless sack of shit,” when he’d come home roughed up. Witnessing his brother victimized by not only bullies at school but also their own father had been one of the reasons Tyler had turned to a gang as a young man. He’d be damned if anyone got the better of him, foe or family.

  The gang had given an angry teenage boy a place to belong. Protection. It had also introduced him to fighting, which had given him confidence, girls, and best of all . . . money. Although he’d done a lot of shit he regretted in life, there wasn’t much he would change if given the chance. Everything he’d been through made him the man he was now. Good, bad, and ugly. But if he could use the knowledge he’d gained living that life to help others, wel
l then, that was the right thing to do. Young men needed mentors, especially young men without decent fathers.

  “Let me help you, Lia. Because I want to. I like Caleb a lot.”

  She hesitated. “He likes you too, obviously. I watched you interact with him at Timber Trail. You’re good to him and a good role model. Even your friends treated him with respect.”

  “Jase and Reeve are two of the best people I know.”

  “I realize that maybe I overreacted when you suggested Caleb learn to defend himself. It just . . . it scares me.”

  Tyler nodded. “Can you tell me why?” So much for the right time. If she wanted to share, he was willing to listen.

  “Caleb and I didn’t have the best upbringing.”

  Tyler had so many questions he wanted answered, but he played it cool. “I’m sorry to hear that. If it helps, I can relate.”

  Her eyes met his. “I’m sorry.”

  Tyler only shrugged. “I grew up in Los Angeles. Plenty of distractions there for a wayward teen boy.”

  “I’m sure. I don’t want that for Caleb. I thought things were going well. I work hard to feed and house him, but obviously he is struggling. And I’m not his mother, so there’s that . . . I don’t know, something’s missing that he deserves to have. I’m his provider, but he basically has no parents to care for him.”

  “Plenty of teenagers have no parents, not even a loving sister. And some don’t get everything they need or deserve and turn out just fine.”

  “Maybe so, but I see him changing and it worries me. I want him to be confident, and I certainly don’t want him getting hurt again.”

  “Neither do I.” Tyler hated to see the frustration on her face. Admitting she needed help was hard for her, that much was obvious. But as stubborn as this woman could be, she clearly loved her brother and wanted the best for him. Tyler admired the hell out of her.