had held to her word. She didn’t want them to rush things. She wanted the whole dating, courting, whatever-you-wanted-to-call-it routine all over again. Ty wasn’t really down for the waiting to sleep with her again—especially since they were already legally married and he’d gotten her pregnant—but he knew enough to give her what she wanted in that regard. He was looking at his marriage like a business deal now: it needed to be handled delicately until the final contracts were signed—the “final contracts” being the moment Felicia moved back in with him. That thought made him smile.
“What are you over there smiling about?” Malcolm asked. “You must have made another million or something, you look so happy.”
Ty cleared his throat and pretended to adjust his seat belt. “Nah, it’s nothing. Just enjoying the scenery.”
“Man, you can’t see anything but asphalt and cars driving too fast to get to someplace that’s probably not all that important. That is not what put that smile on your face. So what’s up?”
“It’s nothing really. Just that things have been bad for a few months and they’re finally starting to look a little better.”
“You mean you and Felicia?”
“Why would you say that?” Ty asked. He’d been careful not to let anyone in his family know about his and Felicia’s separation. For all they knew, she was just spending more time working and with her family. Her appearance at the funeral had helped tremendously, as both his mother and Shondra were happy to see her.
“Come on, Ty. I know you, and I know when something’s bothering you. You were on edge even before Dad’s death. I assumed it was about your wife since your business is doing so well. Felicia is the only thing you love more than work and your cars.”
Ty thought about his brother’s words for a moment, searching for and accepting the truth in them. “Things were a little shaky with us for a while. But now we’re cool.”
“Shaky, how?” Malcolm persisted.
Ty sighed, knowing his brother could be just as stubborn as him. That was one trait they’d all inherited from Harmon. They weren’t going to make the additional twenty minutes of this ride without him telling Malcolm all he wanted to know, so there was no need in even trying.
“She left me,” Ty said quietly.
“What? She left? Why?”
“I don’t really know. I mean, I think I know now. But when it happened, I had no idea.”
Malcolm shook his head. “That doesn’t sound right.”
“She left right after the New Year. I came home one day and she was gone. Then the day of the funeral she showed up. I thought things were back to normal, that whatever she’d been going through was fixed. So we slept together.”
“But?”
“I didn’t say but. ”
Malcolm chuckled. “Still, I know there’s one coming.”
“ But apparently things still weren’t okay. She left again. I tried to call her. I left messages at her job and on her cell. I didn’t even know where she was staying.”
“Did you call her parents?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“The same reason I didn’t tell any of you. I didn’t want them to know. Marriage is sacred to Felicia. Marshall and Lydia have been together for a long time and they have a great relationship. I didn’t think she would run to them and tell them she was giving up on ours.”
“So what’s going on now?”
Ty thought for a moment. He rarely went for walks, especially during a weekday when he should have been working. But had he not been coming down that street, had he not glanced inside that store, he wouldn’t be feeling as content as he was now. “I saw her yesterday.”
Malcolm glanced at Ty, then back at the road. “You did? Where? Did you go to her job like some stalker?”
Ty frowned, offended that his brother would even suggest such a thing. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“I know you wouldn’t. That’s why you haven’t spoken to or seen your wife in months.” Malcolm chuckled. “You’re too cool to show your emotions that way.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just tell me what happened when you saw her.”
Ty decided he wanted this conversation over with sooner rather than later, so he dismissed Malcolm’s comment. “She’s pregnant.”
“What! It’s yours, right?”
“Don’t play games, Malcolm. Of course it’s mine. She is my wife.” And if Ty knew one thing about Felicia, it was that she was loyal. She would never step out on him, no matter how bad things were. As long as they were legally married—and this was true for him, as well—there would be no sleeping with anybody else.
“I can’t tell,” Malcolm said flippantly.
“All right, what’s that supposed to mean? And I want a straight answer.”
Malcolm shrugged. “I don’t have a problem giving you one, little brother. You’ve been working and working since the day you and Felicia got married. You know why she left? Because she didn’t think you’d miss her one way or another.”
Ty opened his mouth to speak then quickly closed it again.
“Yeah, you know I’m right. Felicia’s the type of woman that needs attention, Ty, and you weren’t giving it to her. You better be thanking the good Lord that she’s carrying your baby and not some other man’s.”
“Just because you’re driving doesn’t mean I won’t hit you. Watch what you say about my wife.”
Malcolm chuckled. “Don’t get mad at me. I’m just keeping it real. There’s more to life than work. It took me a while to realize that, but I see it clearly now. Felicia wants more than just money in the bank, Ty. She wants the whole fairy tale.”
“I know what my wife wants, thank you very much.” Ty shifted in his seat. “This all sounds real professional coming from a man who’s been running from a serious commitment most of his adult life.”
“I’m not downplaying my faults. But I’m wiser now.”
“You mean you’re Gloria-whipped now.”
“Whatever.” Malcolm laughed. “But seriously, I think you really need to think about what I’ve said and listen to what I’m sure Felicia’s saying. She’s pregnant now, man. It’s time for you to take your marriage and your family more seriously than your job.”
“If I don’t work, how do I support my family?”
“Ty, you’re not destitute. You have more money than most men twice your age. Besides, it’s not all about the money. It’s about living your life before it’s too late. Don’t you want to be there for Felicia and for your child?”
“Of course I do. And I will. That’s why I have to work—to make sure they have everything they need all the time.”
“I’m betting that all they’re going to need is you,” Malcolm said seriously.
“Thanks for the advice, big brother, but I’ve got this under control.”
Malcolm shrugged and Ty hoped he was going to let it rest for now. “I don’t have to tell you that this conversation goes no further than you and me.”
“I’m not an idiot, Ty. Mom doesn’t need this type of drama right now, and Shawnie’s so in love with Connor that she couldn’t care less what the rest of us are doing.”
Ty smiled. “Yeah, that’s