Tyler’s jaw flexed, his whole body tensing. “Not really, Ry.”
Ryan’s grin sharpened. “Nah, didn’t think so. But I bet you remember that model blowing you in the back room?”
The words cracked through the table like glass shattering. Tyler shoved Ryan’s arm off, his voice descending into a lethal octave.
“That’s enough. Don’t be fucking disrespectful in front my wife.”
Ryan only smirked. “Guess she doesn’t know about the string of girls you always had lined up back in Cali. Bet most of them would still be happy to oblige.”
Chairs scraped as Tyler shot to his feet, his chest heaving, face reddening with anger. Jordan was up instantly too, stepping in, his voice a calm growl.
“You want to rethink that sentence, mate?”
But I’d heard enough for myself. Enough of people trying to tear down the man I love. “You’re clearly even more stupid than you look,” I snapped, my voice carrying clean across the table. “Spouting that shit whilst you’re being stared down by a six-two Aussie, a rugby player built like a tank, and a fucking Marine? Unless you’ve got a death wish, I’d shut your mouth and walk away.”
The pub went still. Ryan blinked, his next words evading him. Even Luke shifted like he knew they’d gone too far.
That’s when Danny scraped his chair back, the sound sharp as a gunshot. He rose slowly, broad shoulders squared, voice like gravel.
“Leave him to me.”
Ryan’s smirk finally slipped. Before he could open his mouth again, Danny had him by the collar, hauling him clean off his feet and dragging him toward the door. Tom followed, steadily and I nodded at him, thanking him for making sure Danny didn’t do anything stupid.
I turned back and the sight of Tyler near broke me. Raw shame carved across his face, his jaw locked, eyes fixed anywhere but mine. He looked like every spotlight was on him, every old wound ripped open.
Kate was on her feet in a flash, Jordan steady at her back. She took us both gently by the arm and ushered us into the empty corridor by the bar. The barman gave an agreeing nod as we passed him.
“Take a moment, guys. Don’t let something that stupid ruin your night.” Her hand brushed my arm and she spoke kindly then she added with a grin, “And if I need to fake going into labor to distract them, I will.”
That tugged a reluctant smile from Tyler. Kate slipped back inside, leaving us in the quiet of the corridor.
I cupped his cheek gently. “Ty…you okay?”
His eyes finally met mine, the hurt evident. “I’m just so sick of it, O. People keep throwing my past in my face. Inyourface. Like I’m not already ashamed enough.”
I framed his face in both hands, made him see me. “You don’t need to be ashamed. Not with me. There’s a room full of people out there who love you. Who knowexactlywho you are now. And I know it most of all.”
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, words choking back. Then his hands gripped my waist with intent, like holding on to me was all he had left.
“You’re it for me, O,” he whispered reverently. “Don’t ever let anyone make you doubt that.”
“I don’t,” I whispered back, brushing my lips against his. “Not when you look at me like this.”
I felt his desperation in the kiss that followed. Like he could rebuild, brick by brick, everything Ryan had tried to tear down.
I pulled back gently, I smoothed his shirt, steadying him. “Ready to go back out there?”
Tyler huffed, the shadow of a grin tugging his mouth. “Yeah. As long as you don’t leave my side.”
“Not a chance,” I said, threading my fingers through his.
And together, we stepped back into the noise and company stronger than ever.
Chapter 64
Tyler
The pub was still runningon its own noise when we finally started breaking away, fiddles still going full tilt in the corner, glasses clinking in rounds I’d long stopped drinking. I sat there with Orla’s hand laced through mine, watching her laugh with Gwen and Kate, nose crinkling in that adorable little way that she did when she was truly happy and it hit me clearer than it ever had.
