Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

14

Tyler

It was the night of the reunion, and Tyler had never felt so flustered. It was dark, bitterly cold, and even with a Christmas jumper on he felt chilled to the bone. He stood by the heater at the window in his bedroom in an attempt to remove the shaky feeling, but it wasn’t working. Perhaps a brandy was in order. It was best to stay sober, or maybe just stay in bed. He glanced at his quilt, thinking it a good place to hide.

‘The cab’s here,’ called Erin.

Great!

He took a deep breath and peeled himself off the radiator.

It was a short ride over to the other side of the island, but each twist and turn the car made swirled the sickness in Tyler’s stomach more and more. All he wanted was for Conor to call to say the night had been cancelled, but it wasn’t going to happen. Either he went home or faced a possible nightmare. The choice was his.

I can do this. They probably won’t be there anyway. Just breathe .

Erin got out the cab first, gasping at the beautiful large manor house they had arrived at for the reunion. ‘Wow, he lives here?’

Taking a deep breath, Tyler paid the driver and stepped onto the driveway.

Erin turned to him as the cab pulled away. ‘It’s nice, isn’t it? I wonder how old it is.’

‘Not as old as it looks. Conor’s one of those entrepreneurs who made a shed load of money by the time he’d turned twenty-one. He bought a house and renovated so it looked old like this.’

‘Stately manor.’

‘Yeah, it’s definitely got the vibe.’

The large oak door opened, and Conor stood on the doorstep waving them inside.

Erin snagged Tyler’s hand. ‘Do I look okay? I feel underdressed for this house.’ She chuckled as she shimmied, jingling the bells attached to her green jumper.

Tyler glanced at her top, then at the red-nosed reindeer on his own. ‘I think we’ll fit in.’ He offered his elbow, but Erin held his hand, settling his racing heart a touch.

‘Love the Christmas jumpers,’ said Conor, wearing a plain blue shirt. ‘Wish I’d thought of that.’

Tyler’s brow tightened as he noticed no one else in the large hallway was wearing anything remotely festive. ‘I was told it was the theme for the night.’

Conor burst out laughing. ‘Who told you that?’

He went to say Howie’s name but bit back on his lip.

Conor’s smile faded. ‘Oh. Right, well, never mind. You both look great. Come in and grab a drink.’ He leaned closer. ‘Not many have turned up.’

Tyler hoped that meant Howie and Mandy were a no-show, especially now he could see just how small the reunion was. The last thing he needed was to see them all night. Had the party been full, he could have hidden amongst the crowd.

‘Ooh, Ty, there’s some champagne. Do you want some?’

An antacid would have been more helpful, but he took the flute passed his way as he greeted his old school friends and introduced Erin as his girlfriend, even though he didn’t have to. She went along with the fib, explaining how they’d met on the ferry and something about love at first sight.

The memory had him biting back laughter, as the only sight going on at that time was Erin turning green.

She flashed him a sweet smile, then went on to tell his friends how her arm got broken.

An hour later, and Tyler’s stomach was crying out for the buffet, as it all looked delicious. He plated some food, along with Erin, and found a table to devour the lot.

‘I bet you’re glad you came now,’ said Erin, pinching a mini quiche from his plate.

‘Yeah, it’s nice to catch up with everyone. What with work and everything, we don’t get to see each other much.’

‘They’re all really nice. I was dumbstruck when your mate told me she was married to a pop star.’ Erin shuffled closer to him. ‘I’ve never heard of him.’

Tyler laughed quietly. ‘I think he’s big in Japan.’

‘Oh. Still, that’s different, eh?’

‘So is owning your very own sweet shop. That’s got to be every kid’s dream come true.’

Erin tucked into her food as she smiled.

The music was suddenly raised and the lights dimmed.

‘We’ll have a dance in a minute if you fancy?’ said Erin.

The night was still young, and Tyler felt so much better, a dance would do just fine. He downed the dregs of his drink and stood, offering a hand. ‘How about now?’

Erin dabbed her mouth with a napkin, then linked her fingers with his.

Determined to enjoy the night, Tyler guided her to the dancefloor Conor had created in a large room and swirled her around, careful of her bad arm.

‘Ooh, it’s snowing,’ someone called above the noise.

Tyler and Erin glanced towards the long windows and smiled.

‘Christmas jumpers and snow,’ said Erin. ‘It’s turning out to be a magical night.’

Tyler was just about to agree when Howie walked in. Followed by Mandy. Immediately, the cheerful atmosphere turned sour, as all eyes flitted between the late arrivals and the couple on the dancefloor.

People started surrounding Howie and Mandy, saying hello and offering friendly hugs, but there was no way Tyler was joining the huddle. All he wanted was to run to the bathroom and lock the door. The music changed tempo, playing a slow love song, which did little to help matters until Erin disturbed his glare by tugging his hand.

‘Look at me,’ she mouthed.

Swallowing hard, Tyler focused on her eyes as she forced him into a slow dance. It was nice of her to distract him, but she couldn’t fix his problems, as they were standing at the other side of the room.

Erin pulled him closer, resting her head by his shoulder. ‘Pretend you love me, Tyler, then all the pain will disappear.’

He dipped his head to meet her face. It wasn’t a hard thing to imagine. The soft music, her warm smile, all the ingredients were there drawing him in, soothing his weary soul.

Erin lightly stroked his cheek, and Tyler was quite sure he might just cry, but then she interrupted his building emotions by telling him that everything was going to be all right. It wasn’t what she said, it was the Donald Duck voice she used that had him double over with laughter.

With watery eyes, he straightened, shaking his head at her daftness. ‘Oh, what am I going to do with you?’

Erin pulled him back into her arms. ‘Make snow angels in the morning if the snow settles,’ she replied.

‘Let’s see how deep it is already.’ He led her over to the window to peer out at the illuminated grounds, astounded to see a blizzard. ‘Whoa!’

‘That’s not good,’ said Erin.

He loved how she snuggled into his side as though they were out there in the cold. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he smiled. ‘We’re okay in here.’ He went to see if she wanted some of the desserts on offer, but Mandy’s voice got in first.

‘Tyler,’ she said softly, causing him to face her.

‘What?’ he replied bluntly.

Mandy’s blue eyes were on Erin. ‘Erm, can I speak to you for a moment, please?’

‘No.’ He went to turn back to the window, but she pleaded, so he took a calming breath and gave a small nod.

‘In private,’ added Mandy, glancing once more at Erin.

‘Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of my girlfriend.’

Erin slipped out of his arm. ‘It’s okay, Ty. You two talk. I’ll just grab us some cake.’

He didn’t want her to walk away but understood why she did. He fixed his glare on Mandy. ‘There’s nothing to say.’

‘I just want to say sorry, again.’

Tyler noticed Howie watching. His honeymoon suntan was making his teeth look whiter under the dimmed lighting of the room. ‘Did you actually come with him?’

‘He asked me to.’

‘How are you still talking to him after he dumped you for Tammy?’ Tyler glanced at the doorway. ‘And where is his wife?’

‘At home, I think.’

Tyler scoffed. ‘Just out with his side-chick tonight then.’

‘There’s no need to be cruel.’

He almost choked on his huff of a laugh.

‘We’re all hurting, Ty,’ she added quietly.

Shooting a finger in Howie’s direction, Tyler wasn’t entirely sure that was true. ‘Well, he seems fine. Honeymoon go well, did it?’

Wow, she actually looks really hurt .

There was no way he was about to start feeling sorry for her. It was obvious she loved Howie, and the whole situation was one great big bloody mess, but it wasn’t his problem anymore. He was done with them. He had to be. How else could he move forward?

Mandy reached out to touch his arm, but he shuddered back.

‘Don’t touch me. You don’t ever get to touch me again.’

‘I just want us to be friends, Ty. I don’t like all this animosity. It stresses me.’

‘Oh, it stresses you, does it?’

‘I just think, in time, we can at least be civil to one another.’

Tyler turned to watch the blizzard whipping through the air, covering everything in a white blanket.

‘I really am sorry, Tyler. I never meant to hurt you. You’ve always been my friend.’

He spun around, eyes wide, filled with disbelief. ‘If that’s how you treat your friends, then God help your enemies.’

‘You can’t help who you fall in love with.’

He wished so hard that Erin would return. Just her presence alone seemed to calm him, unlike the woman in front of him. All she ever did was confuse the hell out of him. Now he thought about it, he realised it was the only time in his life he’d felt unstable.

Oh, go away .

He turned back to the window, unsure if he’d said his thoughts out loud. Not that he cared.

‘Ty,’ said Howie, and every part of Tyler cringed. ‘Erm, I’m not sure what to say, mate.’

Mate?

‘We do want to make it right though,’ Howie added.

Tyler could see his ex-bestie’s reflection in the pane, and that was enough. No part of him wanted to turn for a conversation. He just wanted to be left alone or, to be precise, go home.

The music came to an abrupt stop, and Conor announced a weather report, basically telling everyone what Tyler had already figured out. They were snowed-in for the night. The songs started playing again just as Tyler turned to walk away from the stale air suffocating him.

‘Hey, I got cake,’ said Erin, practically skipping to his side, making a show of the single chocolate slice on the plate she held.

Having her to focus on was the best thing ever. He could breathe again.

‘You must be Erin,’ said Howie as Tyler took the plate from her. ‘Heard about you. And your arm.’ His dark hair flopped to his eyes as he tipped his head at her cast poking out from her sleeve.

Erin held a tight smile. ‘I’ve heard about you too. Is your wife here?’

Howie looked at Mandy. ‘We should go.’

Tyler was so glad when they walked away, and even more so when Erin used a fork to shovel some cake into his mouth.

‘That poor Tammy. I bet she doesn’t know who he’s out with tonight.’

Tyler swallowed the food. ‘You know what, Erin? I’m done caring what they get up to.’

‘Good attitude.’

Conor came over, patting Tyler’s arm. ‘You good, mate?’

‘Yep. Cake’s nice.’

Conor grinned. ‘I made that.’

Tyler laughed. ‘No way. You really are a man of many talents.’

‘I know. And, I’m also a man with many bedrooms. So you two have got one for the night. It’ll be safer to travel home in the morning.’

‘Would it be okay if I head there now?’ asked Tyler, looking to Erin for her reaction.

She nodded along with Conor.

Walking up the wide stairway was a relief. As much as Tyler felt done with Howie and Mandy, he still didn’t relish in the idea of being around them all night.

‘Here,’ said Conor, opening a door. ‘This is yours. There are a few bits and pieces around ready for guests, as I often have people over.’ He gestured to the en suite. ‘Feel free to use anything. Everything is either clean or new. Please, make yourselves at home. And the kitchen is open all night.’ He grinned, then left them alone.

Tyler immediately flopped to one corner of the king-size bed and sighed loudly.

‘That bad, eh?’ asked Erin.

He placed his head in his hands. ‘I’m just tired.’

‘Well, it is getting late.’

He looked up to watch her go over to the window to glance outside. ‘It’s not that sort of tired.’

‘I know,’ she said quietly, turning to point out the tea and coffee setup on a dresser. ‘But look at that. I think you and me are going to survive this storm.’

Tyler quietly laughed. ‘Is there any hot chocolate?’

Erin rummaged through some sachets in a small wicker basket next to a silver kettle. ‘There is.’

‘Great. Let’s make some and have that in bed.’

‘Ooh, my boyfriend is so romantic.’

Tyler laughed a little louder, then glanced at the door. ‘Are you still hungry? We can fetch some food up.’

‘Nah, I’m good with hot chocolate and these fancy bickies they’ve got here. Conor and his missus have made quite the hotel out of this place.’

‘He was never one to do things by halves.’

Erin walked into the en suite, and Tyler followed to check out the neutral tones and mod-cons. They both grinned at the brand-new navy pyjama set sitting on top of a bale of fluffy white towels.

‘Looks like we’re sharing nightwear,’ said Erin.

‘You get changed while I stick the kettle on.’

Erin motioned to the white basin. ‘Fill the kettle here.’

He did, then got on with his task as she closed the bathroom door.

Oh, what a night!

As the water boiled, Tyler watched the wild snow attacking everything in its path. He was glad to be indoors. He just wished it was his own home.

Erin had her long dark hair pulled up in a scruffy bun and looked super-cute in the nightshirt as she plodded his way. ‘It’s quite cosy in here, isn’t it?’

Avoiding staring at her legs, he agreed. ‘It’ll do us for the night.’

Erin giggled. ‘We always seem to make do.’

He entered the en suite to whip off his clothes, have a quick wash, then put on the pyjama bottoms.

Erin had the hot drinks ready by the time he came back out. ‘Here. Dip one of these biscuits in.’

He did, enjoying the creamy flavour. ‘At least we ate well tonight.’

‘I think we’ve had a great night. And you, Mr Silver, did exceptionally well.’

‘You make it sound like I was training or something.’

‘You kind of were. Brain training, that is. You’ll be able to face them anytime now.’

The thought didn’t exactly comfort him. ‘I don’t want to face them ever again.’

Erin pulled back the plump quilt. ‘Come on. We’re sharing this beauty tonight.’

He glanced over the ornate wooden headboard. ‘We really could be in a hotel, couldn’t we?’

‘A bit bigger than Queenie’s.’

It only just hit him they were getting into bed together. ‘Erm, Erin, are you okay about this?’

‘About what?’

‘The bed.’

She shrugged and shuffled beneath the cover. ‘We’re grown-ups, Ty. I’m sure we can manage.’

Well, if she’s game then…

Muffled noises started to seep through the wall, gaining attention.

Erin covered her mouth as she laughed. ‘Is that what I think it is?’

‘Someone having sex? Yeah.’

‘Oh, goodness. You’d think they’d keep the volume down.’

Please don’t let that be Howie and Mandy. I can’t listen to that .

Erin jumped out of bed, startling him. ‘We have a telly. Let’s see what’s on.’

Tyler took a deep breath, then climbed into bed.

‘Ooh, Christmas movie,’ said Erin, beaming over her shoulder. ‘You in?’

‘Yeah, go on, leave it on.’

Erin switched off the light, then took the remote over to the bed and snuggled down close to his side, making everything feel better again.

Tyler smiled as she placed her hand on top of his.

‘Thanks for another good night, Ty,’ she said softly.

He turned his hand and linked their fingers. She was right. It had been good, but only because she was there.