Lies That Bind (on hold temporarily)

Chapter Thirty Seven

TYLER

"I guess that's my cue," I say with a sad smile. "Thanks for this. I needed it." Sara's cheeks flush slightly and I realize how that must have sounded. "The company, I mean," I add to clarify.

"Let us walk you home," Alec offers.

I shake my head, "It's okay. I could use the time to think anyway."

"Text when you get there?" Sara asks.

"I will."

Alec offers me his hand and I take it, shaking it once before pulling him into a hug. "Thanks for telling me what you did. I know you only did it because I needed a distraction but it means a lot."

"I'm glad you finally know," he says shyly, which is strange for Alec.

He squeezes my shoulder before kissing the top of Sara's head and hopping down from the dugout.

Sara steps over to me and laces her fingers with mine. "Are you sure you want to go back home?"

"No, but I have to."

"I can call Krissy and say you passed out or something."

"I appreciate the offer, but I think it's time I talk to her." I steal a glance down at Alec waiting patiently to help Sara down. "Plus I don't think your bed is big enough for the three of us anymore."

"Fair point." She giggles, her cheeks flushing. "Goodnight, Ty."

"Night, Sara."

She surprises me when she lifts up on her toes and presses a soft kiss to my lips.

There's no tongue. No passion. No dragging herself closer like she can't get enough.

It's just a sweet goodnight peck.

But it gives me the answer I've been desperately looking for.

——

The walk home was just what I needed to get my head on straight.

I'm not sure if it's Sara's relationship with James, or the way we've drifted apart over the last couple months, but things between us are different now. There will always be an undeniable pull towards each other, but it's not for the same reasons as it used to be.

We'll always be in each other's lives, but our roles have changed. And I think it's for the better.

"Krissy?" I call out as I walk through the front door.

The light over the kitchen island is still on along with the lamp next to the couch Krissy usually sits on.

I toe off my shoes and hang up my coat before grabbing my phone off the kitchen counter to shoot off a quick text letting Sara and Alec know I'm home.

My wife is asleep on the couch in her robe. An empty bottle of wine sits next to an equally empty glass on the coffee table. She must have ditched the glass and started drinking straight from the bottle because another half empty one is clutched in her hand, ready to slip from her grip and stain the fluffy white area rug at any second. I ease the bottle from her and place it on the coffee table with the other.

The last time things were drinking straight from the bottle bad, was after her miscarriage.

Seeing her like this breaks my heart.

Especially because I know it's entirely my fault. I've been a raging dick to her. And the worst part is that she doesn't deserve it at all.

I've put her through so much shit over the years. Between working and traveling all the time, making her feel like an afterthought, and all the shit with Sara, I have no idea why she stays.