“This place is awesome. The votes are up by a lot. I can’t wait to see what your contribution will do for my father’s campaign in the spring. You’re going to become a big-name campaign investor. I feel it.” Her hand falls on my shoulder, all while her brown eyes sparkle with a hope that should’ve been dead long ago.
I have nothing to say. The only reason she is here is because she saw the interaction between Sunny and I. It’d either send herrunning in the opposite direction or make her see the challenge and want to up it.
To my unfortunate luck, she saw the challenge and took it. The only upside is that Sunny will, too.
“Tyler, come on.” She tugs my arm, trying to regain the attention she’s been lacking from me. I don’t have the fucking patience for this.
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to forgive me. We are supposed to get married, Tyler. You can’t prolong the inevitable.” Her eyes plead, but I have no remorse.
“I think you forget who I am, Shelby.” I eye her with a threat looming between us.
“You and I both know that won’t work.”
“Don’t challenge me.”
I want her to be afraid of me and what I can do. I want her to fear me so she will leave me the fuck alone. She gets off on my power and money, but I’ll make sure it scares her shitless instead.
She swallows hard, and while I wish I cared if she cried, I don’t. I also don’t want to deal with a crying Shelby right now. I dealt with enough of that my entire life.
“We are supposed to be together, Tyler. We were made for one another.” She tries to grab my hand.
I jerk away from her. “No, we are not.”
Because I am made for Sunny.
“What can I do to make this better? It’s been almost a year. How much longer are you going to punish me?”
“Punish you? Shelby, you know what you fucking did. You know what you took from me.”
“I told you I was sorry and that I would do anything to make up for what I did. It was selfish. I know that. But we can fix it.” She tries to place a hand on my face, but I step back from her.
“I will make your life a living hell if you don’t let it go and leave me the fuck alone.”
“Our parents have had this promise to one another since before we were born.Wehave had this promise. You and I have been promised to one another since before we were alive.” She uses it as a threat, like she does most things. I’m not a man of words—I’m a man ofaction.
“I have no problem breaking promises, Shelby.” I place my drink on a waiter tray and walk away.
SUNNY
Shortly after Tyler and I’s separation, Sam wastes no time bringing me to jet black hair and ice blue eyes.Connor. He stands tall, wearing a black suit that frames his toned body well, clearly waiting for my arrival. Sam’s on a mission, and unfortunately that mission is me getting laid by Connor.
“Look who I found!” Sam presents me like a gift.
“Fancy seeing you here.” He grabs my hand, pressing his lips to it.
“It really is, isn’t it?” Sam places her hands on her hips. “Well, I’m needed somewhere that isn’t here. I’ll catch you two hotties later.” She takes off into the crowd.
“Sam!” I try stopping her, but she takes off before I can even attempt. Sighing, I look at Connor. “I’m sorry about my obnoxious friend.”
“It’s okay. I’ve known Sam for a while. I know what she’s doing. But even if she weren’t, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t try myself.” He grins.
I smile, considering somehow, even after years in a relationship, I still havesomegame. I’m not sure what to say or how to react, because just moments ago, Tyler and I were inches fromone another’s faces. The kiss we both so desperately wanted looming over our heads.
What I told him on Halloween still stands true. We canonlybe friends because he could never be a fling. But Connor, maybe he can be.
“Want to play corn-hole?” I motion to the game.
