Page 62 of No Going Back

Tyler: Hey babe, I’m sorry if I worried you. When I get back, can we get a coffee?

Mira put the phone down, not responding.

“Tyler?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Mira took a sip of tea. They were friends and she did trust Kelly. It just seemed weird to talk about Tyler with his team leader’s girlfriend.

Before she could answer, Kelly said, “I was there in LA when you guys were flirting nonstop. Serious flirting. Since we’ve been back, the chemistry between you is unmistakable. And Dex mentioned Tyler hasn’t looked at a woman since we got back.”

Mira sighed. “Does everyone know about us?”

“I don’t know. I imagine they suspect. I’m pretty sure Dex does, but in case you’re wondering, we don’t talk about stuff like that. It wouldn’t be right. The boys talk to him in confidence.”

That eased Mira’s mind a little.

“We’re not dating. We’re not anything.”

Kelly looked at her with a small smile. “I think you’re something. You wouldn’t be feeling this way if it was nothing. You don’t have to tell me anything, Mira. It’s your business. But if you need an ear, I’m your friend and I’m right here, and I promise it goes no further. Girl code and all that.” She winked.

Any doubts about telling Kelly evaporated. She needed to talk to someone. So she told her everything, right up to the last text he sent.

“Wow.” Kelly shook her head. “No wonder you’re feeling upset. Are you going to meet him for coffee?”

“What’s the point? He was very clear he can’t or won’t commit. I don’t like it, but I respect his decision and accepted his apology. But I can’t just turn my feelings off like a light switch. Hopefully we can be friends, but I need some time. Some distance right now would probably be the best thing. I might take some time off, go see my family.”

Kelly put her cup down. “I could knock Tyler the hell out for making you this upset.”

“He didn’t do it intentionally. In fact, he did the right thing by breaking it off in the first place. It was me that wanted more. Me who thought having sex with him would get it out of my system and then we could both move on. What an idiot!”

“You’re not an idiot. You just didn’t realize how strong your feelings were.”

“No. I didn’t. And now it’s too late. There’s no going back to how things were.” If she had a choice, she would turn the clock back and keep Tyler as a friend. No texting, no sexting, and definitely no sex. Things had been so much easier then.

“I don’t know what’s going on with Tyler, but deep down, he is a good person.”

“You’ve known him much longer than me, so I get why you would want to support him.”

Kelly got up and moved to sit beside Mira on the couch.

“Yes, I love Tyler. He’s family. But family or not, if he treated you badly, there is no way I would let him get away with that. I’d kick his goddamn ass.”

Mira didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Tears threatened and her vision blurred.

“He didn’t exactly treat me badly. He just doesn’t want the same thing as me and that hurt,” she said softly.

“Even so. You’re family, too. I love you, Mira, just as much as Tyler. All I’m saying is that he told you himself he’s working through some shit. I’m not trying to make excuses for him, but I don’t believe Tyler ever meant to hurt you.”

Mira lost the battle and couldn’t stop the tears rolling down her cheeks. Kelly wrapped her in a hug and Mira let out the hurt, the frustration, the fear that had been eating at her all day. Kelly said nothing, just held her. When her phone pinged a couple of minutes later, Mira pulled away to read the message.

Tyler: Babe, we’re boarding now. Please say you’ll meet me. You mean the world to me.

Mira showed Kelly the text. Kelly smiled.

“Sounds like he’s as tormented as you are.”

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