The last time I saw my little sister's best friend, I was a soldier transitioning into civilian life and she had just graduated high school. We fell hard and fast for each other but it didn't stop me from leaving at the end of the summer.

Fast forward twelve years—I'm an ex-convict, her dad's my new boss, and now she's my co-worker. I'll have to see her every day as if being back in my hometown isn't torture enough.

I should walk away from her but this time I can't.

Gemma breaks down my walls and exposes the deeply rooted pain I've hidden. Old sparks quickly reignite, but I tell myself it means nothing—it can't—especially since she's engaged to another man.

KEEPING YOU AWAY is a slow-burn, angsty second chance romance with lots of small-town, Southern drama. It's book 1 in the Tyler & Gemma duet and must be read first.