A Father's Name(57)

“What’s this Gary’s last name?” he asked when Bart returned.

“Johnson. Gary Johnson,” Bart told him. “But you don’t have to look so worried. Mom can handle him. She’s got experience.”

“There’s been other guys who won’t take no for an answer?”

“Guys like Mom,” Bart says. “Sometimes she doesn’t notice. She thinks they’re buddies. These guys tend to be guys she’s not interested in long. And some tend to be guys who don’t take no well.”

Tyler felt that old familiar rage build up in him like a long lost friend. He’d learned that kind of anger at his father’s hand. Most of the time he could control it, but he suspected it would be hard, if not impossible, to control it with a guy who bothered or hurt Angelina.



He might not be the kind of man she needed, but even he was better than a guy who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“You okay, Ty?” Bart asked.

Tyler pushed back the anger that was the only true legacy his father had left him and nodded. “Fine. I don’t like to see your mom have to deal with guys like that.”

“She’ll be okay. If he gets too pushy, we’re all here.”

“Good. I’ll keep an eye on her, too.”

Tyler tamped his anger as he cooked the burgers. It was easier than normal to bury it when the yard was filled with happy chatter. Jace raced from one person to the next, basking in their attention.

And in their love, Tyler realized. Every person at this picnic loved the kid.

Losing your parents at such a young age was hard, but Jace was surrounded by love. Not only his grandparents and Tyler, but everyone here. All the guys at the shop as well as the entire Tucker family. But especially Angelina. She lit up when Jace crawled on her lap, and so did Jace.

Tyler knew how the baby felt. He felt something inside him light up whenever she came into a room.

The Matthews seemed taken with her—with everyone from the garage—and as the evening wore down, they took Jace in for his bath, leaving Tyler to see everyone off.



Angelina was the last to go.

She stood out in the deepening evening and smiled. “I was right, you know.”

“About what?”

“Hmm, it’s hard to pinpoint one thing over another, I mean, I’m right so often. But this time, I was specifically talking about being right about the Matthews. They’re your family.”

“Angelina, don’t—”

“I know, I know.” She deepened her voice in a horrible attempt to impersonate him. “Don’t push, Angelina. Don’t prod. Don’t ask uncomfortable questions about certified letters, or God forbid, don’t talk about feelings. And don’t discuss relationships and family. Not with Lone-wolf Tyler Martinez.”

“Angel.” He wasn’t sure what he meant by that—by just her name. But she obviously figured it out because she stepped into his arms and kissed him.

“And don’t read too much into sex, Angel,” she whispered in her mock-Tyler voice between their kisses. “Soon, it will be over and you’ll find the man you’re meant to have. The man you deserve.” She paused. “That’s what you were thinking, isn’t it?”

“It’s like you have ESP,” he admitted.

She shook her head, sending her short curls flying. “No, it’s like you’re a broken record. I’ve learned where you skip.”

“Everything you said in my mock-voice was true.”

“Doesn’t make it right.”



“Angel…”

“You live in the past, Tyler.” Her voice was soft, and rather sad. “You worry that somehow your father’s cruelty and drinking problems are contagious. They’re not.”

“That’s not what studies say.”

She snorted. “Studies? They’re all wrong. At least about you. They speak in generalities, and Tyler Martinez is unique.”

She stood on tiptoe and kissed him chastely on his cheek. “I should go now. Your family’s inside waiting for you.”

“The Matthews leave on Sunday.” He meant to stop there, but instead found himself asking, “Maybe we could get together?”

“Are you asking me for a date? I mean, rumor has it I could do better.” She laughed as she repeated his words.

“Rumor’s right, in this instance. And better means someone better than that Johnson guy who’s been hassling you.”