Page 94 of I Knew He Was Trouble
“In love?” I let out a hollow laugh. “I’m not in love.”
“The way that you talk about him says otherwise.” Shayna shoots me a sympathetic smile.
“Y’all know I’ve never planned on getting married.” I swipe away the tears falling down my face. “Ican’tbe in love. And obviously, with a family history like that”—I gesture to the front door—“I never should be. Love doesn’t last.”
“Love has lasted between us.” Alyssa wraps her arm around my shoulder, pulling me against her.
“Fine.Romanticlove doesn’t last.”
“Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I mean, think about my parents. They’ve been married for almost thirty years and still hold hands constantly.”
“Exactly,” Shayna says, then points at Tyler’s house. “And just look at how Tyler has shown up for you. He took care of you when you got the stomach bug. He showed up to save the day at your job when the car expert backed out at the last minute. He took you on a date somewhere he knew would mean everything to you. Not to mention the way that man looks at you. The look in his eyes was not at all appropriate for a children’s dance recital.” She fans her face. “But seriously, I could keep going all night.”
Alyssa squeezes my hand. “Don’t you want someone who knows you down to your core—someone who sees you and takes care of you and helps you reach your dreams?”
I grind my teeth. “I can take care of myself.”
“But would it be so bad to let someone else for a change?” Alyssa’s voice is quiet, like she’s scared to push me too far.
I can’t be like my mom and let a man control my emotions. I can’t let anything or anyone stop me from reaching my dreams. I shake my head. “I can’t. Not right now.”
And if I can’t be around Tyler, that means I can’t be around Evie either. As much as it would break my heart to upset her, I don’t know what else to do. I can’t do this. I can’t risk everything for a man.
I look at Mallory, knowing she’s the only one who could help me right now. “Can you watch Evie after school this week? Only until I find a new nanny for her.”
Mallory nods. “Of course.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a little rash?” Alyssa asks.
“Letting Tyler in and opening up to him wasrash.” I ball my hands into fists. “I should’ve known better than to think things could turn out differently. He’ll walk away from me the minute I’m no longer convenient for him.”
As much as my friends and Darla might argue that love can last, I don’t think it ever will for me. I push up from the couch.
“Kels—” Shayna reaches out, trying to stop me.
I hold my hands up. “I need space and time to sort through my emotions.” Before any of them can try to convince me otherwise, I head to my room.
Once I’m alone, I fall onto my bed. Winston jumps up, licking my face before setting his head on my stomach. I inhale a shuddering breath. “At least a dog’s love is unconditional,” I whisper, running my hand along his back. He’s the only man I need.
As much as cutting Tyler out of my life might hurt now, I know it’s for the best.
“Eves.Kels.I’mhome,”I call out the moment I walk through the front door.
Evie runs out of the kitchen and hugs me. I crouch to return the embrace. Soft footsteps sound behind her. I look up, ready to pull Kelsey into my arms, but it isn’t Kelsey standing in my kitchen…it’s her roommate, Mallory.
My brows furrow. “Where’s Kelsey?”
Mallory grimaces. “She’s not here.”
“What do you mean she’s not here?” I pace across the living room. There’s no way Kelsey would have one of her friends watch Evie in her place without letting me know first. “Is she sick again?”
She shakes her head.
I cross my arms, a smile pulling at my lips when I realize what’s happening here. “Oh, I get it. She’s trying to bring back our prank war.”
Mallory reaches her hand out, stopping my pacing. “Maybe we should talk outside?” She tilts her head toward Evie, who is staring up at us curiously.
My stomach sinks, feeling like I swallowed a lead ton. “Sure.” I open the front door for Mallory and follow her outside.
