Page 104 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

I have. But I didn't want to talk to them about Hailey. That would just delay me getting back to her and I just wanted to get to her as soon as possible. "I should actually get going."

"Please stay," Penny said. She gave me one of her pleading smiles. The kind that always drew me back in.

But it didn't this time. I knew that this was it. These were my friends. This was my life. But it was all before Hailey. And none of it seemed good without her. "I'm really sorry, but I'm kind of in a rush. I have to get going." I didn't tell them about the fact that their case had kept me locked up for a week. I didn't tell them that it had ruined my new career. I didn't tell them how much their relationship had fucked me up for years. Because I forgave them. I finally had some perspective in my life. I just needed to see Hailey. That was all that mattered.

"Go get her," Penny whispered in my ear as she hugged me goodbye. "I will always have a special place in my heart for you, Tyler Stevens." She kissed my cheek. "Go get your happily ever after."

I smiled as she released me from her hug. "You're going to make a great mom, Penny." I squeezed her arm.

I gave Melissa a quick hug goodbye. James and I just nodded at each other.

And I walked away from the life I knew without looking back.

"Wait," James said before I stepped onto the elevator. He slowly walked over to me. "Here." He pulled his car keys out of his pocket and tossed them at me.

How did he know I needed a car? "Are you serious?"

"Don't get too excited. It's not the Lamborghini or anything."

"Thanks, man."

He shrugged. "Penny told me about the girl you met. It's about time you found who you were supposed to be with. Instead of trying to constantly mess up my life." He smiled.

"Look, I owe you all an apology..."

"It's okay. Really. I'm actually trying to do this thing where I try to let things go." He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall beside the elevator. "I know you just wanted what was best for her. And I respect you for that. I try to be better for her. Better than what I was before we met. Maybe one day you'll see that."

I didn't really know what to say to that. "How are you feeling?" I said instead. I couldn't help asking. He didn't seem okay.

"Honestly?" He sighed. "I'm in fucking pain all the time. It hurts to breathe. It hurts to walk. It even hurts to sit down. Don't tell Penny." He gave me a small smile.

That was probably the first time that James had ever opened up to me. Near death experiences did change people. I respected him for coming out to talk to me. And I respected him even more for being strong for Penny. He was a good guy. I had judged him ever since we met. I had never really given him a chance. But now that I wasn't so jaded, it was like I was seeing him for the first time. He was good for Penny. And she was good for him. "My lips are sealed."

James nodded.

"Thanks for this," I said and lifted up the keys. "I don't know how I can ever repay you for this."

"Don't. That's what friends are for."

I smiled. I never thought I'd hear the day when James Hunter called me a friend. "Just for the record, I do see it. I just didn't want to see it. That was the problem. But you're good for her. She needs you."

He nodded.

I hit the elevator button again. "Get better, man."

"Good luck with Hailey."

I stepped onto the elevator. Maybe I needed to clear the air between me and James even more than I did with Penny. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. Without realizing it, I had been torturing James ever since we met. Trying to steal the only thing he loved in this world. I had been an asshole ever since I stepped into his classroom. And he forgave me.

The dust had settled. Now I could really start over. I was un-enlisted. I wasn't holding on to anything in NYC. All that I had was the fact that I had fallen in love with a girl from Indiana. So that was where I was going. As Penny put it, it was time for my happily ever after.

Chapter 57

Hailey

Friday

I threw a few things into my duffel bag and zipped it shut. For the first time since my father had passed, I felt hopeful. There was no doubt in my mind that this was all just a te

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