Tyler's Undoing (9 page)

Much to my dismay, I’d actually had a great time with him. He didn’t overstep any boundaries and he also didn’t talk about himself or fighting the entire time. It’d been different than hanging out with most of my brother’s friends.

“Okay,” I said, hoping I didn’t regret my decision. “You can take me home.”

Once inside Tyler’s shiny, new black truck, he turned the music down so we were riding in silence. “If you don’t mind my asking,” he began, “what is your grandmother suffering from?”

Clearing my throat, I leaned my head back on the seat. “She has stage four colon cancer. When I first moved out here, her mind was still sharp as a blade. Now it’s spread to some of her other organs and some days I don’t think she even knows who I am.”

“Who’s taking care of her right now?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could tell he was looking at me so I swallowed hard and met his stare. “I have a nurse who comes in and works the night shift while I’m at the bar. During the day, I’m the one who takes care of her.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility on your shoulders,” he murmured. “Do you not have any other family to help?”

If he only knew who that family was.

“No, I don’t. Or at least no one who is willing to help. That’s why I left them to come out here.”

“What are you going to do when your grandmother passes? Are you going to stay in Vegas?”

“Most likely,” I replied. “I don’t want to go back to California. Besides, I have Bree here and we have our own dream to pursue.”

Once we got off the highway, I gave him the directions to my grandmother’s house. When he pulled in the driveway, he put on the brake and turned to face me.

“So what are your dreams? Did you go to college?”

“You sure do ask a lot of questions,” I teased. “What about you? Did
you
go to college?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “No, school was never my thing. My father was a boxer and ever since I was old enough to get in the ring, that’s where all my focus has gone. College didn’t interest me.”

“What about after you retire from fighting? Will you be taking over the gym?”

“Mmm-hmm,” he said with a nod. “My dad can be a pain in the ass, but when he retires it’ll all go to me. I hate to say this, but I’m ready for that time to come.”

“Why is that?” I asked. “You seem to have a pretty good life from what I can tell.”

“Now look who’s asking all of the questions,” he flirted. “I think I’ve answered my limit for the night. But if you want to know more, you can ask me tomorrow.”

Laughing, I crossed my arms and tried to ignore the excitement coursing through my veins. “Is that your way of wanting to see me again?”

He smiled. “Maybe. Are you interested?”

Closing my eyes, I let my mind decide even though my body wanted something else. “Actually, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” he asked, his smile dissipating. “I thought we had a good time tonight.”

“I did, but it’s only been one night. Just because you appeared to be a good person for a few hours doesn’t mean that you are one.”

“The same can be said about you as well,” he countered in all seriousness. “What if you only wanted to be around me because of my money or because of my name? You have no idea how many women want to be with me for those superficial things. It’s hard to find someone real.”

Biting my lip, I sat there speechless. He got me again. “Touché,” I muttered, defeated. “I didn’t think about that. Don’t you have a fight tomorrow night though?”

“I do. Would you like to come? I’m sure Cole can persuade Bree to go as well.”

I actually enjoyed watching fights, but it was the people who were going to be there that might be a problem. If any of Kyle’s friends saw me, they would tell him. Swallowing hard, I opened the door and slid out of his truck, meeting him in front.

“I can’t go. I have a dinner date tomorrow night.”

For a split second, Tyler’s gaze darkened before he nodded and looked down at the ground. “I see. I didn’t think you were dating anyone.”

“I’m not,” I said. “I made these plans before going out with you tonight.”

He reached for my hands, and I let him hold them, even though I knew it was wrong. What the hell was I doing? Nothing about being around Tyler was safe.

“What about breakfast?” he offered. “Can you do that with me? That way I’ll be the one on your mind when you go out tomorrow night.”

Shaking my head, I laughed and squeezed his hands before letting go. “You sure are full of yourself, aren’t you?”

“Sometimes,” he admitted. “So what do you say? Breakfast in the morning? I know you’ll be taking care of your grandmother, but I can cook a pretty decent omelet. That is, if you let me come over.”

My heart pounded so loudly in my chest I was sure he could hear it. I didn’t know what to do . . . should I say yes? Bringing his hands up to my face, I stood there frozen in place, as he lowered his lips achingly close to mine. I should’ve pulled back, but that’s not what I did.

The answer was decided when he took matters into his own hands and kissed me.

I was going to see him in the morning.

I ONLY GOT about four hours of sleep before Cindy tapped me on the shoulder. “Kacey, it’s time for me to go. Your grandmother is still asleep.”

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and yawned. She was in her dark green scrubs and her tired hazel eyes stared back at me.

“Thank you, Cindy. I’ll take a quick shower and get ready before she wakes up. Did everything go okay last night? I got in kind of late.”

Quietly, she chuckled. “Yes, I saw that. The gentleman who brought you home looks like a nice young man. I’m glad you’re taking the time to date.”

“We’re not dating,” I clarified. “Trust me, that’s the last thing I need.”

Cindy smirked and shook her head. “Okay, child, keep telling yourself that. As far as your grandmother is concerned, I think she’s finding it more difficult to think clearly. All you can do now is go along with it, which will keep her confusion and anxiety to a minimum.”

“I understand,” I said. “I know what to do.”

Once Cindy left, I rushed to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Tyler was supposed to come by for breakfast, but I had no idea what time, or if he was even going to show.

Hurriedly, I put on a pair of denim shorts and a pink tank top before putting my wet hair in a side braid; once it dried, it would be wavy. When I got out of the bathroom, my grandmother was in the living room, sitting by the window.

“Hey, Nana,” I greeted warmly. “Did you sleep okay? I’m about to make us some breakfast.”

Just a few weeks ago, we were told her chemo had stopped working. Needless to say, we stopped treatments and ever since then, her health had rapidly decreased in a short amount of time. She was pale and sickly skinny, with no hair whatsoever. When she was younger, she had the most beautiful, thick blonde hair I’d ever seen. She was happy that I had inherited my hair from her.

“It was the best sleep I’ve had in a long time, sweetheart,” she replied. “I got to see my, Matthew.”

“You did?” I asked nervously. “What did he say?”

My grandfather had died twelve years ago from a heart attack. She’d been heartbroken after that and we all thought she wouldn’t live through it, but she had my father who needed her. She lived for him.

My grandmother looked to me and smiled. “He said he was going to see me soon, and he missed me. Oh, honey, I would give anything to be with him again.”

Blinking quickly, I tried to keep the tears from falling down my face. “I know, Nana.”

It won’t be long now.

About that time, the doorbell rang. “Good heavens, who’s coming by this early in the morning?” my grandmother asked.

“Nana, he’s a friend of mine. He wanted to eat breakfast with me. Try not to tell him embarrassing stories about me, okay?”

Slowly, she got to her feet and followed me into the kitchen where she took her seat in the corner. She always sat there while I cooked breakfast, so she could talk to me.

Taking a deep breath, I licked my dry lips and opened the door. With a sly grin on his face, Tyler stood there wearing a navy baseball cap with a fitted white T-shirt and khaki shorts. His tattoos went down both arms, but they weren’t full sleeves like I’d seen on some of the other fighters. They actually looked really good on his tanned skin and bulging muscles.

“Tyler,” I greeted. “Would you like to come in? I’m about to start breakfast.” I didn’t realize my grandmother was right behind me, until I stepped back into her. “Oh, Nana, I’m sorry I didn’t know you were behind me.”

Her expression was surprised as she looked at Tyler with tears in her eyes.

“Nana, are you okay?” I asked, taking her hand.

“Yes, child,” she whispered. “I think I just got something in my eye. I’m okay now.”

Tyler held out his hand and she took it, never taking her eyes off his. “I’m Tyler. I’m a friend of your granddaughter’s.”

Not letting him go, my grandmother held his hand and led him to the chair beside hers in the kitchen. “Well, Tyler, thank you for coming over. Be prepared though. My little angel cooks the best food I’ve ever tasted. You get kind of spoiled after a while.”

Tyler sat down and winked at me. “I think I could get used to that.”

“You wish,” I teased.

While my grandmother talked nonstop to Tyler, I pulled out everything I needed to get breakfast started. The eggs, bacon, and French toast were easy to whip up. After I was done, I made my grandmother and Tyler a plate and set them down in front of them, along with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Tyler looked down with wide eyes. “This looks amazing, Kacey.”

“Well, it should,” my grandmother stated. “She had the best teacher around. Not to mention, she went to the top culinary school in the United States.”

“And by the best teacher around you know she meant herself, right?” I remarked, winking at my grandmother.

To be on her death bed, Nana still had a sense of humor. I was glad that through all of her suffering, she was still able to hold onto that part of herself.

“So that’s what you went to school for?” Tyler asked. “Why aren’t you utilizing your talents?”

Shrugging, I sat down at the table and took a sip of my juice. “I plan to someday, when I earn the money. Bree and I want to open up our own restaurant. Working at the bar is just a means to an end. One day, I’ll be out of there and doing my own thing.”

“How much do you need to save up?” he asked.

Sarcastically, I laughed. “A lot. Bree and I have about half. When my father died, I saved the money he left me and ever since then, I’ve been working my ass off. We’re hoping to earn the rest in the next five years or so. Until then, I’ll keep working long hours.”

My grandmother finished eating, and yawned, gazing sleepily at me. She spent most of her time sleeping these days.

“Nana, do you want to go lie down?” I asked as I took her empty plate.

“I do, child. I can barely hold my eyes open.”

“All right, let me put our plates in the sink and I’ll help you to your room.”

Tyler stood and put a hand on my shoulder, halting me. “I’ll take her, if that’s okay.”