He noticed that. Of course he did. “That was because you’re here,” I admit.
His mouth twitches with a tiny smirk of satisfaction before he smooths his expression. “Is it serious?” he asks again, slowly this time.
I hesitate. Why is it so hard to give him an answer? “You know it’s not.”
He exhales heavily. “Then end it.”
“What?” My laugh is hollow.
“I know it’s not fair for me to ask, after everything.” Tyler steps closer, his throat bobbing with a hard swallow. “But I need you to end it. You can’t be with someone else.”
“Tyler—”
“No, just listen for a minute. Please.” He hangs his head, as if trying to gather his thoughts. “My old life is gone. I’ve always known that, but I’m finally starting to see it, if that makes any sense. I can run that team across Alaska a hundred times, and it won’t change a thing. She won’t ever be there at the finish line.” He collects my face in his hands. “But you will be. I want you to be. I can’t lose you, too.”
A rush of warmth radiates throughout my body. “I don’t know what you want from me.” My voice sounds weak, helpless. He’s saying all the right things, everything I want to hear, but that has never been his problem.
His thumb strokes my cheek. “Give me another chance.”
“So you can hurt me again?”
“I promise, it won’t happen again. I won’t do that again. Ever.” Sincerity shines in his bright gaze as he shakes his head firmly. “I wasn’t ready before.”
My pulse races. “Are you saying you’re ready now?” For what, exactly?
“I will be. It just might take me some time, but I want you here with me while I get to that place. I need you with me. I want to give you everything you want. I’m in love with you.” He leans in to press his forehead against mine, his mouth inches away. “Please don’t give up on me yet.”
His words are an echo of what Roy just said inside, and coupled with his declaration, they pierce through all doubts and reservations.
“Marie?”
I startle and break away from Tyler, my guilt surging.
Steve stands over on the cleared path, twenty feet away. Maybe too far to hear what was said but surely close enough to see that this is far more than a platonic chat. The look on his face says as much.
Reed has ventured outside and is at the firepit next to Jonah, who watches us intently, looking ready to involve himself if needed.
Tyler smooths his palm over his beard. He has the decency to offer Steve a murmured sorry before he turns back to me. The question in his stare is clear, even within the shadows.
I swallow. “I need time to think.” Time away from this heady vacuum I always get sucked into when I’m around Tyler, where nothing else matters.
His chest lifts with a deep inhale. “Reed and I are going to head home now.” His eyes touch my lips. I know that look well. He wants to kiss me. If Steve weren’t standing right here, I would let him. “You know where to find me, if you decide you want to.” With that, he nods at Reed and then moves deeper into the parking lot for their truck.
And I slowly walk toward the man who doesn’t deserve any of this. “I’m so sorry.”
“Oliver mentioned that there was another guy.” Steve watches Tyler’s truck pull onto the road. “I take it that’s him?”
“Yeah. I guess we still have some unresolved issues to work through.” Namely, that I’m madly in love with him, and it sounds like the feeling is mutual. I allow that reality sink in for just a moment and a rush of adrenaline washes over me. “You’re a great guy. Under different circumstances …” I let the words drift because I know firsthand how much it doesn’t help to hear them.
And if I’d never met Tyler, I wouldn’t hesitate to invite Steve to Sunday dinner. Maybe I would’ve already invited him into my home, into my bed.
Maybe I’d be thinking about a future with him.
But the only future I’m able to see anymore has a hazel-eyed man with a crooked smirk in it.
“Well, if you guys decide you can’t resolve your issues, give me a call.” He smiles, but it lacks its usual warmth, and I can’t say I blame him. He looks to the Ale House, to where his friends are. “I guess I’ll give you a ride home, unless you wanted to stay longer?”
The last thing I want to do is go back into the Ale House, especially now that Tyler is gone. But the fifteen-minute ride home with Steve after this sounds even less appealing.