Page 31 of No Going Back

“What does kind of got involved mean?”

“We were good friends, always flirting, texting, sexting.” Tyler blushed. Shit, this was embarrassing. “Then we crossed the line.”

“Why do you call it crossing the line?”

“Because it changed everything. We were having some fun. Even agreed we wouldn’t take it any further, but one night, we got carried away. I told her though. No strings, no relationship. I made it clear.” He hated the defensiveness he heard in his voice, but somehow, he couldn’t stop.

“And she was happy with that?”

“Yes. She said she didn’t want a relationship either. We agreed it would be once.”

“So, what happened after that night?”

“I thought we were fine. We sent a few texts back and forth, just friendly. Then she asked to meet for a coffee. I assumed she was going to reconfirm it couldn’t happen again, was expecting it.”

“How did that make you feel?”

Tyler shrugged. “I like her, but I don’t do relationships, so I was on board with it. It’s what we both agreed.” Claire jotted something down.

“What did she say?”

“That she likes me a lot. That it had meant something to her, and she wanted more.”

“More, meaning a relationship?”

“I think so.”

“And you don’t feel the same?”

Tyler sighed. “That’s just it. A part of me does, but I’m no good for her. She deserves better. I turned her down and I know it hurt her. I was a little short with her.”

“Why do you think that was?”

“I wasn’t prepared to hear it. I just reacted. I’m not proud of it.”

“And this woman showed up in your nightmare, how?”

That was the worst part. She had been laying in a pool of blood in his nightmare, dead.

“She was the dead body on the ground. I was trying to save her. The op was getting mixed up with my past and her. It was totally messed up.”

“Sounds like you have a lot on your mind.”

“I need to talk to her. I want to fix it. I have to.”

“Have to or want to?”

“Dex pulled me in to talk to me about being distracted. I told him what happened. Dex is always supportive, but he was also pissed that I’d hurt one of our own. If the rest of the team find out, they’re going to feel the same. The team is my family, I can’t lose them.” Tyler’s voice caught on the last words. The fear of losing his team hit hard.

“So, this is about making sure you don’t lose your team, not about this woman?”

“No! I mean, it’s about her, too. She deserves an explanation, an apology. I was an asshole. I really don't want to lose her as a friend, either.”

“You said a part of you felt the same as her. What did you mean by that?”

“I like her a lot.”

Claire nodded, staying silent.

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