Part 19 (1/2)

Carlie ducked out of reach. ”No hugging, Bren. I'm dangerously close to coming unglued here, and any excess of kind consideration will definitely put me over the edge.”

Brenda blinked. ”What are you talking about?”

Carlie had been calm enough until that moment. The simple truth was, she still suffered a few qualms over her own appeal. She was unbelievably apprehensive about confronting Tyler, no matter how she tried to deny it. Her lips started to quiver. She felt like a fool, but she couldn't stop it. She clasped her hands, opened her mouth to calmly and intelligently explain, then broke into tears. ”I love him!”

Brenda smiled. ”Oh, Carlie.”

Despite Carlie's objections, Brenda pulled her into a fierce hug. ”I think that's wonderful.”

”I don't know, Bren.” She sniffed, then swiped the tears from her cheeks. ”I hurt him. I've never hurt anyone in my life. I can't stand it.”

”Have you told him?”

Carlie shook her head. ”I can't just go up to him and say, 'Well, guess what? I do love you, after all.' I've been so terrible.”

”No, you haven't. And Tyler will understand.”

Carlie raised her chin. Enough was enough. She'd had her little show of vulnerability. ”I sincerely hope you're right. Because I do love him. In fact, I'm crazy about him. But he's never actually said he loved me. He asked me to marry him, and he makes no bones about wanting me...that way. But he's never actually mentioned the word love.”

Jason stepped into the room. ”Gossiping about my brother again?”

Brenda turned and nearly snapped his head off. ”We weren't gossiping! I was going to convince Carlie that Tyler loves her.”

Jason rolled his eyes. ”Of course he does. Why do you think he's been so impossible lately?”

”Don't tell me,” Brenda demanded. ”Tell Carlie.”

Jason walked over to Carlie. ”Tyler loves you. Now, what are you going to do about it?”

Carlie bit her bottom lip, Tyler had tried to tell her the depth of his feelings right before he left her house the last time. But she hadn't responded. At all. It made her ache to imagine how he must have felt. How could she tell him how scared she had been, that she'd been petrified at the idea of accepting too much happiness because it left her vulnerable?

Just as vulnerable as he must have felt when she'd failed to accept his proposal.

Suddenly, she realized what she had to do. ”I have to make it up to him. I need to show him how much I care.”

”Just tell him,” Jason suggested.

But Carlie shook her head. ”I have a plan. But I'll need your help.”

”Oh, no.” Jason put a hand to his head, looking ready to expire. ”You're starting to sound just like my wife.”

Brenda laughed. ”Go ahead, Carlie, I'm listening. You know I dearly love a good plan.”

Jason sat, and the women looked at him pointedly. ”I'm not budging. You two are plotting something against my poor brother, and I need to be here to look after his interests.”

”Well, all right.” Carlie leaned forward, and Jason and Brenda followed suit. ”Here's want I want to do.”

Tyler stared at Jason, dressed in an elegant suit and obviously preparing to leave the house. ”I thought you wanted me to help you with some work around here today.”

Jason smacked his palm to his forehead theatrically. ”Oh, boy. I forgot, Tyler. Bren made plans for us to go out tonight. Do you mind?”

”Well, no.” Actually, Tyler had been looking forward to working with his brother. He needed some physical labor to drain him, to weary his mind enough to drive out thoughts of other things. He only hoped his disappointment didn't show.

Shoving his hands into his jeans pockets, Tyler stepped around Jason. He didn't want to return to his apartment. The mere thought was enough to make him shudder. Lately, all he could do was think of Carlie. Oh, how the mighty did fall. Flat on their faces.

And it still hurt, dammit.

Moving away was a desperate decision. He couldn't be so close to Carlie, knowing she was only minutes away, and constantly be reminded of how he had failed, both her and himself. He needed to get on with his life, but no one had ever told him how to do that.

Jason interrupted his thoughts, slapping him on the shoulder. ”I have a favor to ask. If you don't have anything else pressing to do, could you go ahead and get started on a few things for me? You know how I'm already rushed for time, especially now that I've started helping with the after-school basketball program.”

Tyler winced. ”How are they? The kids, I mean. Little Lucy is doing all right?”

”They're all the same.” Jason's answer was deliberately vague. ”A few of the parents asked me to extend their thanks for your help. It was great of you to figure out a way for them to earn extra money. I hadn't realized you were doing so much.”

Tyler frowned, uncomfortable with the praise, but Jason didn't give him time to argue. ”I made a list of a few jobs that had to be done.”

Tyler forced a smile. ”I wouldn't mind helping out. I don't have anything else to do today, anyway.”

Jason almost grinned. ”You're sure? I'd really appreciate it.”

”No problem. What's first on the list?”

Jason produced a folded piece of paper and stuck it into the front breast pocket of Tyler's flannel s.h.i.+rt. ”I gotta run. Do me a favor first, though, will you? Carlie called the other day and said she left something in the pool house. I don't remember what. Go down and check it out, will you? Look around and see if you find anything.”

Tyler didn't move a single muscle. ”She's not stopping by here, is she?” He knew he sounded panicked, but to be alone with Carlie would nearly kill him. He couldn't trust himself not to act like an a.s.s again.

Jason waved away his concern. ”You don't have to worry about her dropping in.” He turned away quickly. ”I really do appreciate this, Tyler. Bren and I won't be home till late, so help yourself to anything you need, and...” Jason grinned suddenly. ”Relax, will you? Things are never as bad as they seem.”