Sunny’s eyes flick to mine when she holds her glass up toShelby. When they clink in their cheers, it’s then I realize the problem I just created for myself.
I have to do a double take when I see Sunny finally remove herself from the barstool she’d been glued to all night. She brings her plate to the sink where she starts loading dishes. No matter whose home we’re in, she always tries to bring the task upon herself.
“Excuse me? What do you think you’re doing?” Anthony bumps his hips against hers, playfully knocking her out of the way. She laughs at my brother, bumping him back.
That’s the moment I realize that Sunny is permanently in this family, no matter where she goes, no matter how far she runs, she is not only tethered to me now, but to all of them, too.
“You have that massive cut on your hand. You can’t get an infection. Ms.Nurse.”
She raises her hands up in surrender. “Fair enough. I actually think I’m going to head out. It was a long day at work.”
I frown at the same time Anthony does. Immediately I’m on my feet and Shelby looks up at me in confusion. This is my only chance at contact with her tonight.Directcontact. And I’m ready to fucking indulge in it.
Consume me, little fire.
“You aren’t going to stay for the movie?” Anthony frowns.
She just shakes her head and gives him a look. He nods, giving her a hug, then goes back to the dishes.
She makes her way around the room, giving hugs and saying goodbye to everyone. I’m still standing, watching her when I feel Shelby’s hands snake herself around my damn arm, laying her head on my shoulder. I roll my eyes. She’s fucking cock blocking me. I don’t want anyone jealous for me exceptfor the one girl in this room who is showing me absolutely nothing.
How did she even get here anyways? I fucking hate when she walks the city alone. Especially at night, in the cold.
My heart thuds against my chest with each hesitant step she takes towards us. A weak smile pulls her lips as she stops a foot away. A side hug is exchanged between Shelby and Sunny, no doubt because Shelby is off put by the scrubs. But they are my favorite look on her.
Soon enough, Shelby’s hands are immediately wrapped around my arm again, shackling me from the one thing I want most. I shift on my feet, removing myself from her and wrapping my arms around Sunny. I press my nose into her curls, indulging in the subtle scent of vanilla and coconut that has easily become my favorite thing. The scent only few are lucky to know if given the chance to be close enough.
I hold on for a little too long, but I don’t care.
Stay with me, Sunny. Just stay here.
“How are you getting home?” I ask, my lips press in her hair.
Her body tenses under mine, but she doesn’t answer me. I pull away from our embrace and cradle her face. Her eyes are tired, too. My little fire is burning out.
“How are you getting home, Sunny?” I say the words slower, my eyes searching her face.
“Goodnight, Tyler.” She turns around.
“Sunny,” I call out to her.
Then Shelby’s hands wrap around my fucking arm again. “She’ll be fine, Tyler. Seems like she walked here anyways.”
But it feels distant as I watch Sunny leave the apartment. Why didn’t anyone pick her up? Why didn’t anyone take her home?
I still feel Shelby eyeing me as I watch half of my heart walk out.
Come back to me, Sunny.
SUNNY
I try to walk home, but it’s mere minutes before Sam is bursting through the apartment doors telling me to get in the jeep.
So I do.
“I can’t even fucking believe it.” She slams the door.
My anger licks flames across my skin, burning up my throat, forcing me to swallow hard, taking all my words with it. I know I shouldn’t have a right to feel jealous but I do.I just do.
