Along Came Us (Man Enough)

by Nicole McLaughlin

  “He’s the bouncer, Tyler. He knew something was going wrong. It’s his job to be aware if something—or someone—is upsetting me.”

  “No, Lia. I’m a man, and I know there was more to the way he looked at you. The way he had his hands on you. Tell me I’m wrong.”

  She sighed. “Okay, yes. He likes me, but nothing has ever happened.”

  Tyler’s shoulders sagged, his hands shoving into his pockets. Their eyes locked.

  “Not that I need to explain myself, but tonight was the first time I’d ever danced on stage. I’ve been a server there for years.”

  “Why the hell should I believe that?” he said.

  “Because it’s the truth,” she cried.

  He looked as if he still wasn’t certain he could believe her. “You did it for the money. For your mother. Didn’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “So . . . what. You were going to start stripping and lie about it? Were you ever going to tell me? Or was that why you were pushing me away the past few days?”

  “That had something to do with it.”

  “You know . . . for a person that makes such a big deal about trust, this really feels like a bullshit move.”

  He was right. She’d known all along that she should have told him, but she couldn’t. Besides, she’d known their days were numbered from the beginning. Guys were not to be trusted, and tonight he’d reminded her of that.

  “I think you should go,” she said quietly.

  He nodded, his jaw tightening, his eyes locked in on her. “I think you’re right.”

  She didn’t watch him walk away. Couldn’t have anyway, with the all the tears blurring her vision.

  * * *

  Tyler looked away when Reeve reached over to kiss Emily before she walked into the kitchen. It was too painful to see anyone else be happy. The past week had been pure and utter hell. He’d questioned that night with Lia over and over, replayed everything that had happened. But every time he considered feeling guilty for how he’d reacted, he pictured her on that stage.

  Goddamn, it was too much. He couldn’t accept that the woman he cared for worked at a strip club. If that made him a sexist asshole, so be it.

  His friend’s laughter pulled his attention back. He and Jase had gone to their house to watch Monday Night Football on Emily’s—now also Reeve’s—70-inch TV. She’d also been kind enough to make all of them a bunch of snacks. The atmosphere was so domestic, and Reeve looked so happy, Tyler couldn’t help a streak of jealousy as he watched them.

  Emily was the president and CEO of a movie theater chain, inherited from her grandfather. Hence their Boss Lady nickname for her. Because of that, she had a pretty kick-ass house. It wasn’t ostentatious, only because that wasn’t her style. But some of the amenities were insane. Her backyard had a grotto-style pool, her indoor stereo system was amazing, and even the tile on her kitchen backsplash mesmerized Tyler. And that was really saying something. His mother would appreciate it.

  The best part about Emily was how good she treated his friend. In fact, Tyler was certain that Reeve would be proposing sooner rather than later.

  “Thanks for letting us hang out here, man. And the food was amazing,” Jase said.

  “Em got some new cookbook the other day. She’s been consumed by trying new things out of it.” Reeve took another drink of his beer.

  “Must be nice,” Tyler said. “Better than cooking for yourself.”

  Reeve gave him a long look. “For the most part, I’ve loved it all. But last night she made chicken enchiladas that had cream cheese in them.”

  Tyler chuckled. “I’ve had something like that before.”

  Reeve shivered. “Never again.”

  “I can hear you,” Emily sang out from the kitchen.

  The guys laughed—even Tyler—as Reeve called out a disgustingly sweet apology.

  “I hope you hadn’t told her you loved it,” Jase said.

  “I was tempted, but then she might have made it again. Besides my girl can handle the truth.”

  Emily walked back into the living room and sat on the arm of Reeve’s chair. He instinctively palmed her thigh.

  “Yes, I can handle the truth,” she said, covering his hand with hers. “And I’ve also bookmarked the recipe for the next time he’s bad.” She leaned over and laid a kiss on the top of Reeve’s head.

  Tyler envied the relaxed and open quality of Reeve and Emily’s relationship. He knew it hadn’t started out that way, but once they’d decided to open up and commit, they’d found their way. He wanted that. A person to consider your home base. Your one. But obviously, it required two people to want the same thing.

  Thirty minutes later, the guys were throwing away their beer bottles, taking their plates to the sink, and thanking Emily for dinner. Not in a hurry to be alone, Tyler was the last to linger in the kitchen while Reeve loaded up the dishwasher.

  “I’ve heard from several of my employees that they’re loving your gym,” Emily said to Tyler. They’d talked a couple of months ago and arranged a deal where he would offer all ALM Theater employees a group discount on gym membership. It had worked out because he’d gained almost thirty new customers because of it.

  “I’m glad. I’ve spoken with a few of them also.” Tyler crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his hip against the counter. “Emily, is your company hiring by chance?”

  “We usually are somewhere.” She looked confused and then laughed. “You looking for a job?”

  He smiled. “No. For a friend. She’s about to graduate this December with a Marketing degree. Minor in Leadership.”

  “Impressive. Who is this friend?” Her playful tone implied she already knew.

  Tyler’s eyes darted to Reeve, who gave him a warning glance. “Just . . . someone I know who will need a job. She’s smart. Real smart, and a really hard worker.”

  “What’s her job experience?”

  Tyler sighed. “Come on, Em. I know Reeve talks to you.”

  Emily sighed. “He does. Is this the woman who incited a strip club brawl?”

  “Yes. It is.”

  To Emily’s credit she only nodded. “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that she wouldn’t appreciate your intrusion on her job search.”

  She’d nailed that one. Lia was independent to a fault. “You would be right about that, but she wouldn’t have to know. Would she?” He considered another horrifying thought. “Would you not hire her . . . because of . . .”

  “Because she works at a strip club? No. That would have no impact on my decision whatsoever. But, I don’t oversee entry-level hires either. Our department heads do that.”

  He figured as much, but really hoped she’d do him this favor. “I understand. Just thought I’d mention it. She’s going to a job fair at the university soon so maybe she’ll find something.”

  “If she’s as talented as you think she is, I’m sure she’ll have no problem. And if you’re wondering, ALM always has a table at the K-State job fairs.”

  He nodded and pushed off the counter. “Thanks for dinner, you guys.”

  Emily came over and gave him a quick hug. “Hang in there, Ty. I really doubt she’s given up on you. Just don’t give up on her.”

  “Thanks, Em.” He pulled away, and Reeve patted him on the back.

  “We fight at dawn?” Reeve asked.

  Tyler grinned. “Sounds like a plan.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Wednesday morning, Lia strolled into Bramlage Coliseum sporting a pair of heels and a respectable-length skirt. She felt a bit like an imposter, and the lump in her throat didn’t want to budge. Her heart racing, she chose the first line she came to and waited her turn.

  Twenty minutes later, she’d broken the ice by speaking with a recruiter from State Bank of Manhattan. She didn’t want to work for a bank, but just as she’d hoped, the conversation had alleviated some of her fear and anxiety about selling herself to potential employers.

  Her confidence was bo
osted somewhat by her new outfit. She and Abbie had gone to a cute little boutique on Poyntz Avenue a few days before and chosen a dress-suit set for the occasion. Her best friend had even brought Lia to tears by treating her to a spa day, which had included a massage, hair, mani, and pedi. Never in her life had Lia been pampered like that, and she had the cutest new haircut. Her shinier-than-ever locks now brushed just at her collarbone. After crying for a week, it went a long way in helping her feel normal again.

  Over the next hour, she spoke with a woman from Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, a young man from a restaurant group, and a man with a large hotel chain. All were very nice, and she’d set up a formal interview with the latter. Although it didn’t seem difficult to stand and talk, she was mentally drained already, and her mouth was dry from nerves.

  She headed to the restroom and locked herself into a stall. While she was busy, she overheard the woman in the stall next to her sniffing. And then speaking, obviously on the phone.

  “Phil. Dad just called. He thinks it’s time.” She began to cry in earnest, the sound breaking Lia’s heart. What it could be time for? The woman sounded middle-aged. “I know. I’ve just been dreading this day. I can’t believe we have to do it. I know. I know. No. You know Dad, he’s been in denial about the whole thing. He hasn’t looked at any facilities. We’re going to have to go with him.”

  That was when Lia put two and two together. They must be putting this woman’s mother in a home. That, Lia could relate to. Finishing up in the restroom, she pulled her bag off the hook and went out to the sink. The woman came out almost immediately after she did.

  Lia smiled at her in the mirror as she dried her hands.

  “Don’t mind me,” the woman laughed, pointing at her red face. “I’m just a mess right now.”

  “That’s okay. I couldn’t help hearing, though,” Lia said. “Are you putting your mother in a nursing home?”

  She looked at Lia, her face softening. “Yes. It’s just awful, but she has Alzheimer’s, and Dad just . . . he just can’t do it anymore. He’s tried.”

  Lia nodded. “I understand. My mother had a stroke. She’s in a home now.” Lia pulled out her bag and began to dig through. Getting in her wallet, she pulled out a business card and handed it to the other woman who was now done washing her own hands. “Talk to Kelly at Halcyon Manor. She’s been wonderful to my mother and me. I can’t recommend this place highly enough. There’s a waiting list, but I think every facility you go to will have one. I’d get your name on right away.”

  The woman took the card. “Thank you so much. That means a lot. You hear so many horrible stories.”

  “I know. I’m willing to do whatever I can to keep my mother at Halcyon.”

  “I’m Sheila, by the way.” She put her hand out and Lia took out.

  “Lia. Lia Hanson. Are you job hunting?”

  “Oh no. I’m with ALM Theaters. Have you been to our booth?”

  “No. Not yet I haven’t. But I planned to.”

  “Well, come with me, we can chat on the way.”

  * * *

  “He invited you to go?” Lia asked, later that evening, completely shocked.

  “Yeah. He said he had an extra ticket. I don’t know.” Caleb shrugged. “But I want to go. I’ve never seen a fight in real life. Please?”

  She turned and braced her hands on the kitchen counter. Tyler’s extra plane ticket had been for her. He’d asked her to go to California with him. Now he was offering to take her brother. She was happy for him, just crazy jealous.

  But Caleb was almost seventeen. Who was she to deny him this kind of trip? And even after the “incident,” she knew in her gut she could trust Tyler implicitly to take care of her brother. She’d done a lot of thinking about the way things had played out, and although his reaction had scared her, she knew that Elliott had instigated the fight. Even Abbie had taken Tyler’s side, which had annoyed Lia at first, but she was slowly starting to accept that Tyler had every reason to be furious that night. He’d even ended up showing restraint, because Lia knew that he could have really hurt Elliott.

  But that didn’t change where they were now.

  “So, can I go, Lia? Please? He said I didn’t need to bring any money. Not for food, nothing.”

  Lia turned. “Well, I’m not sending you broke. I can give you a hundred dollars.”

  Caleb grinned. “That mean I can go?”

  She sighed. “Yes.”

  Caleb punched the air, then stepped over and gave her a hug. “Thanks, sis.”

  She wrapped her arms around him, something she hadn’t done in what seemed like forever. “You’re welcome. When do you leave?”

  Pulling back, Caleb’s eyes were shining. “Tomorrow evening. Back on Sunday night.”

  Lia inhaled and blew out a breath. “Okay. Can you please get your laundry done tonight while I’m at work? That way we can get you packed up as soon as you come home from school tomorrow.”

  “Definitely.”

  “And make sure all your homework is done since you won’t have any time over the weekend.”

  “Yep,” he said looking down at his phone. He was frantically typing out a text as he walked to his room.

  A few moments later her phone vibrated in her pocket. When she pulled it out there was a text from Tyler.

  TYLER: Thanks. He’ll have fun. Promise I will take good care of him.

  She pinched her lips together as she read it again, because she refused to cry over him again. He hadn’t contacted her at all since that night. Not that she’d expected him to. But had he thought about it? Did he think about her? Even Caleb had stopped telling Lia about his training. He had stopped mentioning Tyler’s name at all, as if he knew the subject had become taboo.

  She replied to his text.

  LIA: I know you will. Thank you.

  * * *

  Lia traded her Friday shift at Exquisite for another Sunday. She told herself it was so she could see Caleb off, and there was obviously some truth to that. But her heart knew it was also because she wanted to be home to see Tyler when he picked Caleb up.

  She’d put on her favorite jeans and a fitted top, and even took some time to blow out her new hairstyle. When she walked into the living room, Caleb gave her an eyebrow raise.

  “What are you looking at?” she asked.

  “Just noticing how you made your hair all nice.”

  She glared at him. “I’m a girl, Caleb. This is what girls do.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  Glancing over his items, she mentally checked off what he needed one more time. “You got your toothbrush?”

  “Yes,” he said, scrolling through his phone.

  “Phone charger?”

  “Of course.”

  “Deodorant?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Makeup?”

  Caleb’s head jerked around, his eyes narrowing. “Make-up?”

  She shrugged. “Just making sure you were really listening.”

  He shook his head and kicked his feet up on the sofa.

  Lia blew out a breath and went into the kitchen. The clock on the stove read 4:00. He should be here any moment. She drummed her nails on the counter, her skin crawling with awareness that she’d soon see him.

  A knock sounded at the door and she tensed.

  “He’s here,” Caleb yelled.

  Lia rolled her eyes. Their apartment was less than a thousand square feet, so there was no missing someone at the door. She listened as Caleb opened it and greeted Tyler.

  “You all set?”

  Lia squeezed her eyes shut at the sound of his husky voice. God, how she’d missed it.

  Steeling herself, she walked out of the kitchen. “I think he has everything he should need.”

  Tyler’s head jerked up, surprise in his eyes. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”

  “I wanted to help him get ready.” She silently willed Caleb not to call bullshit on that, and thankfully, he was quiet like a good brother
.

  Tyler nodded, his eyes looking her up and down. Did he notice her hair? If so, he didn’t say anything. Instead he turned back to Caleb who was waiting patiently, looking between the two of them. For the first time, it occurred to her that they might talk about her while they were gone. Oh well. She no longer had anything to hide from Tyler, and she knew he wouldn’t share her secrets with her little brother.

  “Well, we better get going. Flight leaves at six thirty.” He picked up Caleb’s bag and looked back at Lia. “I’ll text you the flight details. And my mother’s phone number and address.”

  “You’re staying with your mother?” she asked. And why did that make her so sad?

  “Yeah, I uh . . . told her a couple of weeks ago I would stay with her. She was excited, so I don’t want her to be disappointed.” The look on his face let her know that he’d initially informed his mother that he might be bringing her.

  “I hope she won’t mind Caleb being there.”

  Tyler smiled. “She raised two boys. She’ll love it.” He looked at Caleb. “Hope you like Italian food. She’s going to feed you until you can’t stand up.”

  “Sounds great. But can we also stop at an In-N-Out? I’ve always wanted to try it.”

  “Absolutely.” He handed Caleb his keys. “Why don’t you head out? I’ll only be a minute.”

  “Hang on,” Lia interjected, walking over to the door. Caleb instantly walked into her arms and gave her a hard squeeze. “Have fun. Be good.”

  “I will,” he said against her shoulder. When they parted, he looked at her. “Tell Mom I miss her when you go tomorrow morning. And that I’m sorry I didn’t get to see her.”

  Lia smiled. “I will. She’ll be happy to hear about your adventures when you get back.”

  Caleb nodded and then walked outside. Tyler stood in the doorway, one hand on the knob. Lia took a deep breath and clasped her hands together.

  “You cut your hair,” he said.

  “I did.” She reached up and touched a lock resting on her shoulder.