Page 88 of Fourth Wall

“Last night was the first night that I realized I really fucked up,” Tyler confessed, not looking or even glancing in my direction.

“You did,” I confessed honestly.

“I’m really sorry, Maeve. I just thought I was somehow pushing you to be a better person by doing this. I know it sounds so stupid, but I was really looking out for you because you had no one. When I left you, I felt horrible for what I did, and I told myself that I was never going to leave you high and dry. I think in some twisted way, I thought I was protecting you,” he responded cowardly, hanging against the wall.

“Stephen made me realize that I was hurting you and the family when I was really trying to protect you and give you the opportunity to get your life together.”

“That is the biggest problem I have with you, though.” I butted in. “I do have my life together. What if I like my job, my friends, my little routine? Ultimately, what you did was drive us apart. I wish I could say that things could go back to normal after all of this, but you really hurt me.” Tyler nodded his head in agreement.

“You are so lucky that somehow Stephen and Christian knew each other. Ultimately, it was our partners and their friendship that saved us.”

I turned to go, but Tyler called me back.

“I just, I know that Christian isn't my biggest fan, but will you tell him that I really have nothing but respect for him. I know what he and Stephen went through in the Marine Corps was life-altering. When I realized who he was, the job he does now makes more sense.” I glared back at Tyler.

“You can tell him yourself.” I gave him a tight-lipped smile before walking off to where Christian stood outside on the front lawn of the courthouse.

41

Christian

10 minutes earlier

I walked out of the courthouse and glanced back at Maeve to make sure she wasn't biting Tyler’s head off before I leaned up against a tall oak tree. Stephen joined me.

“Remember when we had to go to boot camp out here?” I looked over where MCRD, the Marine Corps training depot, was just on the other side of the bay and laughed.

“We were so young then. I was married to my ex.” I remembered.

“She was terrible. So unsupportive,” Stephen recalled.

“Now look at us,” I commented. “We are sober, happy, and married. I’d like to think this is the American dream…”

“But you are involved in illegal shit,” Stephen noted and laughed.

“What did you do last night to get him to fold?” I finally asked the burning question.

“Nothing, honestly. I just told him who you were and how much your friendship meant to me. I can't believe you didn’t call me to tell me that you knew Tyler was my husband.”

“I know. I feel terrible. I’ve had a shitty streak lately of lying to people I love. I’m a work in progress, but I’ve also never been happier.”

“I’m proud of you, Christian,” Stephen said, offering me a smile.

“Same, brother.”

“You need to know, though, that if he continues to speak to her like this, I will not tolerate it,” I added.

“I’m hoping this can carve the path to a fresh new start for all of us.” He looked toward the front of the courthouse as I saw Maeve walking down the steps. “I’m glad we are involved in each other’s lives more personally, too, from here forward.”

“It’s nice to know each other on a more personal level too,” I responded, then gave him a quick hug and headed over to where Maeve was.

Before walking over, I texted Tatum and Chelsea, who confirmed everything was still a go.

I intertwined my hand in hers when I finally got to her.

“Everything okay?”

She nodded and gave me a little recap of what Tyler said. Although I was hesitant, I had no other choice but to move forward.

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