“It’s so cold tonight. My body isnotused to this.” I rub my bare arms.
Just as I thought would happen, Tyler instinctively pulls his jacket off and drapes it around my shoulders, knocking Shelby’s hand off his shoulder in the process.
She watches every move, indicating my little trick is a success. She swallows slowly, clutching her champagne flute tighter, eyeing me up and down. “Who are you?”
“I’m Sunny. Who are you?”
“I’m Shelby.”
I tilt my head in mock confusion. “I don’t recall the name. No one has mentioned you before.”
She stares at me. “I’m going to go find my parents. They’ve been wanting to see you, Tyler! Don’t be a stranger.” She squeezes his arm and takes off into the crowds.
Success.
A simultaneous breath is released from all of us. Tyler’s once tense body becomes relaxed with my touch.
And his arm doesn’t leave my shoulders.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
TYLER
My father is a smart man,regardless of his alcohol consumption. Down to who he is, what he does and who he does it with. He craves power and control, which is why he’s started funneling money into politicians. Soon, when his strings are secured, he will be at the top.
The disapproval was already prevalent as soon as Sunny was introduced. Anyone outside of Shelby doesn’t stand a chance to them. Yet, Sunny stood tall and didn’t cower from them the way they expected. I fuckinglovethat girl.
Walking to the balcony that overlooks the outside of the brewery, I find Mitchell there. He’s leaning against the railing with a drink in hand, looking at all the people down below.
I find my place next to him while he continues looking out. Avoiding him is a coward's move. I’ll face my biggest opponent and I’ll do it with a smile on my face.
“So, that’s why things fell through with Shelby,” he says.
“I’m not sure what you mean?”
Downing the rest of his drink, he slams the glass down and meets my gaze. “You’re in love with her.” His eyes narrow below as a sadistic smile pulls his lips.
Following Mitchell’s line of sight, I see Sunny, Sam, and Macey all huddled together on the couches outside, laughing. My suit jacket still slung around Sunny’s shoulders—an unspoken claim to her.
Swallowing hard, I remove my gaze from her and look at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Things fell through with Shelby long before Sunny came into my life.”
Don’t take her from me.
“Oh please, Tyler. It’s written all over your face. You aren’t very good at hiding your emotions. Never have been.”
He knows the blow he just landed on me, considering I’ve spent my life mastering the death of my emotions because of him.
That’s always been his play, to threaten the people I love most if I don’t move when he tugs on my strings. Now he sees his biggest advantage.
“You better be careful, boy. You have a duty. I don’t care what happened, you fix it. A promise is a promise, and she was promised to you.”
I roll my eyes. “Free will exists, Mitchell.”
He lets out an amused laugh, “Now you even sound like her. Have I not taught you better than to be whipped by pussy? Do not fuck this up more than you already have. You aresomeoneand she isno one.”
My jaw clenches as I try to bite back the words I want to scream.She is everything.Clearly the look on my face is evident, because he just keeps fucking going.
“That bad, huh?Pathetic. That will only make you weaker, Tyler. That’s why we don’t marry for love. Makes people too messy and irrational.”
