Page 64 of Need Me
Chapter 15
Brooke crossedher arms and watched Tyler pace back and forth in the Jeffries’ living room. Once she’d gotten Emily on the phone, she’d elected to deliver her startling news inperson.
Tyler stopped and looked at her. His eyes were an icy silver, his face a cold mask of fury. Even though his countenance was a little scary to behold, she refused to let him see herapprehension.
“So that’s all hesaid?”
“Yeah, that’s all he said.” Brooke looked at Emily, who sat in a recliner. “I can’t believe that Simon didn’t tell you about beingdischarged.”
“I can,” Tyler said. “He’s always been a fuckingsidewinder.”
Brooke grinned. “Sounds like someone’s been spending a lot of time withTucker.”
Tyler’s expression relaxed into a smile for a moment. “I just saw him yesterday, so I guess some of his sayings are fresh in mymind.”
Tucker McGee, the best mechanic in Cooper’s Creek and arguably in Colorado, was known for his kindness and for speaking his mind, usually in very colorfulterms.
Emily said, “There has to be a good reason why Simon didn’t mentionthis.”
“Yeah. He’s up to something,” Tyler said. “That’s his goodreason.”
“I disagree,” Emily said. “Simon has lived up to his responsibility to Hayley and stuck to our legal agreement. He’s never missed a child support payment or done anything to make us distrusthim.”
“Except get Lizzie killed,” Tylersaid.
Emily pursed her lips, her eyes sparkling with anger. “I can see that you’re not going to be reasonable about this. You’ll always hatehim.”
“That’s right,” Tyler agreed. “I can’t believe that you keep sticking up forhim.”
Brooke broke in before World War III erupted between them. “Look, I think you’re both right. Somethingisgoing on withSimon.”
Tyler gestured at Brooke. “See? She agrees withme.”
“I also agree with Emily, GQ. Simon has toed the line in every way,” Brooke said. “Fighting with each other over this won’t accomplish anything. Simon can’t be planning anything too tricky since he’s a deputy now. He has to obey the law now more thanever.”
Tyler’s shoulders relaxed and he went over to the recliner. He sat on the arm and took Emily’s hand. “She’s right. The last thing I want to do is fight with you.” He kissed her knuckles. “I’msorry.”
Emily smiled up at him and Brooke was glad that her attempt to avoid a huge blowup between her friends had worked. “I’m sorry, too. So, what do we do aboutthis?”
Brooke said, “I say let it ride for a day or two. He knows that I’d tell you. I’ll bet that he gets in touch by Tuesday or Wednesday. If not, callhim.”
Tyler scowled at her. “I hate it when you’reright.”
She tossed him a saccharin smile. “I know. Well, my work here is done. I’m going to go home and get some things done. I don’t want to be called unless it’s a dire emergency. I swear that every time Robert and I get together, somethinghappens.”
Emily smiled. “When you guys get married, you’ll have to schedule days when no one is allowed to disturbyou.”
“You’resonot funny.” Brooke gave her a withering stare. “I told you, we’re not seriousyet.”
Tyler’s lips twitched. “Are youexclusive?”
Brooke’s pulse jumped. She and Robert hadn’t discussed that yet, but the thought of him seeing another woman sent hot jealousy racing through her veins. “The subject hasn’t come upyet.”
“But your body language says that you’d rip off the face off any woman who came onto him,” Tylersaid.
Brooke rose from the couch. “Damn straight, I would. Well, I don’t want to keep Robert waiting. I’ll call you tomorrow. And no fighting, you two. I should charge for playing your marriagecounselor.”
Emily gave Brooke’s ass a playful kick as she walked by. “Get out ofhere.”
