Page 85 of Perfect Together
“Give me a break,” Sam muttered. “You can’t be angry because I was looking out for you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. I can.”
“Macy, I just told you everything about me. We need to talk,” Tyler said.
“Later,” Macy muttered. “If you’re lucky.”
Nicole met her gaze. “We’re taking the kitchen. You two stay here.” She grabbed Macy’s hand and pulled her into the other room, leaving the two know-it-all men alone.
Macy wanted to laugh, but her heart was heavy because she couldn’t separate what she’d learned about Tyler’s past from his feelings for Nicole. And unlessheconvinced Macy he didn’t have any feelings beyond friendship, she was getting out of this non-relationship before it ever got started.
Chapter Fifteen
Nicole and Macyretreated to the kitchen; Nicole wanted to make her point to Sam that she was not happy with him making decisions about what she should know and when.
They sat at the kitchen table, staring at each other.
Nicole broke the silence first. “The last thing I want to do is fight with Sam, but I can’t believe he kept me in the dark.” They’d spent an entire weekend getting closer, and all along, he knew what her future held.
“Umm, same?” Macy sighed, propping her head in her hands. “Was he even going to tell me he was back in town?”
Nicole looked at her friend. “Honestly? He was probably going to wait until this nightmare was over. I mean, why get you involved in something potentially dangerous? If he cares about you, then he wouldn’t want you hurt.”
Macy grinned, and Nicole narrowed her gaze. “What’s that smile for?”
“Oh, I just find it amusing that you can justify Tyler’s reasons for not telling me things, but you’re furious at Sam for doing the same to you. For the same reasons.”
Nicole shot her a dirty look. “Fine. Be like that.” She glanced down at her hands, knowing Macy was right. “I’m not apologizing for being angry, though. Sam has to know he can’t do that stuff to me no matter how good his reasons.” Her parents thought they could control her life and decisions. She didn’t want anyone trying to pull that on her again.
“So tell him. Talk. Then at least you two can have good makeup sex. I don’t know what Tyler wants from me.”
Nicole rose from her seat. “Then I suggest you find out.”
“Good idea.” Macy stood too, her expression lighter than before. “But not until whatever this situation is, is resolved. I want him free. From the past and from you. No offense intended.”
“None taken.” Nicole understood how her friend felt. She headed back into the other room to find Sam and Tyler sitting in uncomfortable silence. “We’re back.”
Tyler jumped up first. “Macy, can we please go somewhere and talk?”
She shook her head. “Not now,” she said sadly, and Nicole’s heart hurt for her. “Come to me when you’re free—of everything. Then we can talk.” Macy turned and walked away.
“But—”
“Let her go,” Nicole said quietly, placing her hand on his arm. She waited until Macy had disappeared out the door before meeting Tyler’s gaze. “She has her pride, and this situation is screwed up. She doesn’t deserve it. When you’re free of your family mess and yeah, of me, then you go to her. And see if you two can start from scratch. Get to know each other and see what happens.”
He groaned and nodded. “You’re right. Which means this fucking mess has to end.”
She blinked, surprised at his choice of words. Tyler Stanton never cursed. “I agree. Sam?”
“On it. I’ll go talk to Mike. See if he can make some calls and find out why the feds are stalling on making a move on your old man.”
Tyler paled but nodded.
Sam grasped her hand and pulled her through the house and into her bedroom. “I’m not leaving with you angry.”
She sighed. “I don’t want to fight with you either.”
“Is that what this is? Our first fight?” he asked with an endearing grin.