Sweet Affection (Truth Book 3) (21 page)

It takes another half an hour for me to convince Jason that he was defending my honour, and the other guy started it by grabbing hold of me. Before he lets him go, he pulls him to one side out of my earshot. They duck their heads together and Tyler stiffens and nods, while Jason pats his shoulder once and waves at me as he gets in his car.

“What was that about?” Curiosity really has got the better of me. Tyler shrugs his shoulder and shakes his head as he flags down a taxi. “Nothing.”

“It wasn’t nothing. What did he say?”

“Just leave it. Doesn’t matter.” He gets in the taxi and completely shuts down from me. He leans his elbow on the edge of the window and looks out so I’m just left with the hum of the engine and my own thoughts.

He defended me tonight. Even after I was bitchy to him he came to my rescue. Tyler’s such an enigma to me. He’s angry and moody, yet sweet and kind. Moral but yet not at the same time. He seems lonely. He needs someone. Someone to see
past the tattoos, the motorcycle, the attitude, and the walls he built up around himself.
Maybe I could be that someone.

We walk inside the house in silence. He shucks off his leather jacket and throws it on the bottom of the bannister. He pushes past me but before he can reach the bottom stair, I take his wrist and pull hard enough that he turns around. His eyes glance down to my hand, then he looks in my eyes. Those eyes that have been as cool and hard as ice I see thawing with every interaction.

Maybe it won’t take as long as I thought.

“James and I are in it for the long haul, Tyler. Your parents are getting married. One way or another we’re going to be a part of each other’s lives. I want a brother, and I feel like this is the perfect opportunity for us both to get what we want.”

“And what do I want?” His eyes still stare into mine, challenging me to come up with a load of shit that he can just laugh off. I won’t give him the satisfaction, that’s exactly what he wants.

“I don’t think you even know. But whatever it is, I think you’ll find it here, if you just give us a chance. We’re good people. James is like you actually, he protects the people that matter to him. Apart from when he’s acting like a complete drunken ass, obviously.” I smile and loosen my grip on Tyler’s wrist, giving him the opportunity to walk away if he wants to, but he makes no attempt at moving.

“Jason asked me if I regretted my decision in punching the guy to within an inch of his life.” He says softly. That sounds like him. He’d want to know that Tyler was truly repentant if he was going to just let him go. But I can’t imagine Tyler saying yes and having to act contrite.

“And what did you say?”

Tyler shifts awkwardly between his feet. It’s cute when he gets all self-conscious talking about things he’s not used to. Like feelings.

“No. Told him I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” He states resolutely.

I can feel Tyler’s body stiffening and he’s getting ready to feign nonchalance, putting that mask firmly on his face again, so I take the heat off him.

“I’m surprised Jason actually let you get away with saying that. Thought he might want a grovelling apology.”

He shrugs a shoulder and smirks, “He actually thanked me. That is not how my run-ins with the police usually go. It’s usually cuffs first, pretend to listen to my side later.”

“Yeah Jason’s a good guy.”

“Still think he’s trying to get in your pants though.”

I roll my eyes and start to walk up the stairs. Now we’ve been getting somewhere I don’t want this night to turn sour with a loose comment so it’s best to end the conversation here.

“Good night, Tyler.” I say with mock exasperation.

There’s a pause and I begin to think he didn’t hear me. Just as I’m about to turn round he speaks.

“Night,
abuela
.”

I almost pause on the stairs at the sound of the genuine affection in his voice. It takes me by complete surprise and I send out an unspoken little squeal of thanks to whoever’s out there listening. We’re getting there, so now it’s just James to worry about.

I wake up and roll over on my side, not surprised that the other side of the bed is empty. He’s probably spent most of the night next to the toilet. Last night I climbed into bed and went straight to sleep. He was spread out on his stomach, completely naked. A frustrated laugh chokes out at the thought of Blake helping to undress him. I haven’t seen him like that before. Shannon turns the laugh into a growl. Stupid bitch. She clearly has no self-respect to keep going back to him after he rejects her. And don’t even get me started on James. What a jackass.

I yawn and make my way downstairs, listening out for signs of life in the house as I go. There’s only silence but as I round the corner I see they’re both in the kitchen. James is on a stool slumped over the island with his eyes closed and Tyler’s the other end of the room, sitting at the table with his phone out, furiously typing away.

James jumps out his seat with an embarrassed frown.

“Can we talk?” He says into my ear softly, obviously not wanting to go for a grovelling apology in front of Tyler. I’ll talk, but when I’m ready. He’s been so immature, and I’m still mad that he allowed Shannon to get that close, drunk or not.

I nod. “I need coffee first.”

“There’s some in the pot. I can’t function without it either.” Tyler admits with his eyes still trained on the message he’s typing out.

I laugh and take out a mug to fill it up then turn with my back against the cupboards and sip it slowly, feeling it wake up every muscle in my body. James watches me with an unreadable expression. I imagine he’s trying to work through his feelings about Tyler, but also wondering exactly how mad I am at him for last night.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like shit, but at least I’m not going to be sick anymore.” He starts to cough, then rubs his hand over his stomach.

He hunches over the island again, and his hand covers his mouth as he heaves. He jumps off the stool and runs upstairs. The door to our room slams shut so he’ll get to the toilet in time. Serves him right. A devious smile forms on my mouth, I shouldn’t be pleased but I kinda am.

“That was mean. Revelling in his pain.” Tyler chuckles and I shrug my shoulders, taking a sip of my coffee.

“Yep. But he brought it on himself.”

Tyler watches me for a second, before crossing his arms over his chest.

“What’s with that girl last night anyway? She an ex?”

“Yeah. And a pain in my ass. She needs another man to focus all her attention on instead of mine. I could introduce you to her?” I say playfully and laugh my head off at the horrified expression on his face.

“I don’t fucking think so, sweetheart. I like my girls less…clingy.” I wonder what female broke Tyler’s heart. There usually is one with the bad brooding types isn’t there?

“What type of female do you go for usually?”

He doesn’t miss a beat. “Hot rack, long legs and the ability to understand the words
one night only
.” I laugh and take another sip from my mug. I love playful Tyler. It’s just a shame I haven’t spent much time with him. A cough interrupts my thoughts and when I look over at the door where James has just walked through, I see his frown and realise he just found me staring at Tyler. Not for the reason he thinks, obviously, but it makes me feel slightly guilty anyway. I said I’d go and spend the afternoon with Jess helping her pack so I put my mug in the sink and head towards the kitchen door. James stops me and whispers in my ear. “I need to speak to you.” I nod my head and follow him into the hallway.

“I’m going to be late to Jess’. What do you want?”

“I’m sorry.” He steps forward and grabs my face in his both hands. “I’m so fucking sorry. I didn’t do anything with her. I would never knowingly do anything with her. Or anyone. You’ve got to believe me.” He looks so pained, and I wonder how much he remembers, if anything.

“I do believe you.” He appears relieved, blowing out a breath and resting his forehead against mine.

“But I’m still angry. I thought I’d never judge you for the way you’re acting about this, but it went too far last night. Tyler’s many things, but he’s still going to be family. And he’s still in a strange town on his own. All I was doing was making sure he had an okay night and introducing him to some people we know. I make no apologies for that, and instead of accepting it like a mature adult you went and hit the bottle.”

I watch James’ face for the internal struggle he’s clearly having. I can’t even tell if he understands what I’m saying or not.

“He’s staying in our house. I know you might not ever be best friends but I think the least you could do is be civil to someone who is a guest in your house and nearly got arrested protecting your girlfriend.”

The rain of emotions in his face turns into a full blown thunderstorm when the words register.

“What are you talking about? Why did he have to protect you?” The frown on his forehead deepens when I don’t answer straight away.

“Laurel, what the fuck happened?”

I shrug it off, feeling the tension vibrating off him.

“Not much, some guy just tried to hit on me and Tyler stepped in to defend me.”

James searches my eyes, trying to determine how much I’m actually telling him that’s truthful. I regret saying anything now.

“You’re lying. You’re a crap liar.” That’s the second person to tell me that. I should really work on my poker face.

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll ask Tyler. And if he still doesn’t tell me, I’ll beat it out of him.”

I roll my eyes. Now he’s acting like a loon.

“Whatever. It was nothing. I just wish you’d been there to do it instead of a near stranger. You just need to get over whatever it is that’s holding you back, and reach out. Pull another damn olive branch out of the garden and wave it in his face. Because I’m sick of the tense atmosphere round here. Your dad and Hayley are getting married soon. They don’t deserve this. I’m going to Jess’. Let me know when you’ve pulled your finger out your ass.”

So elegantly put, Laurel.

James

I note Laurel’s snarky comment and the hint of teasing in her voice and I know I’ll have to do some grovelling but it won’t take much. She’s already nearly forgiven me. But I do know I don’t deserve that, I acted like a complete tool last night. And I’m confident my liver is plotting its own revenge on me right now. I watch Laurel’s retreating back and then rub my stomach. I still feel sick. I haven’t had a hangover as bad as this since Blake’s stag night and that was eight months ago. I’m too old for this shit now.

I head back into the kitchen where Tyler’s still on his damn phone. He’s glued to that thing.

“Can I have a word?” I ask, pulling a chair out at the table to sit down.

“Asshole. Fucker. Brat. Spoilt. Dick. Take your pick.” He deadpans, eyes not even bothering to give me a second glance from his phone. Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting.

“I’ll take asshole.” I nod seriously, and he looks up at me frowning, resting his phone down on the table.

“Good, I’m glad you agree.”

“I just wanted to say thanks for what you did for Laurel. I was an idiot last night and wasn’t there for her. But I really appreciate you stepping in and keeping her safe.”

The surprise is written all over his face and even I’m shocked that I’m not choking to death on my pride. It actually feels good to try and let it go. Like a weight off my shoulders. Laurel’s right, he may not forgive me and we probably won’t be best friends, but if this makes her and my dad happy, I’ll do it for them.

He shrugs and picks up his phone again. “It was extremely satisfying. The guy was an absolute twat. Even worse than you, if you can believe that. But because I’m feeling generous, I’ll let you in on something.” He gets up out his chair and before checking his phone again, looks down at me. “For some reason that I don’t understand, Laurel’s so in love with you she can’t see what’s around her. Every damn penis in that bar last night wanted her, some of the pussy too. If you don’t hurry up, next time she’s going to be hit on by someone who isn’t a loser and they’re going to steal her away. Put a fucking ring on it,
asshole
.”

I sit there as he passes me with a smirk twitching the corners of his mouth; my eyebrows in my hair and my mouth open like a loser. Did Tyler actually just give
me
advice on love?

Fucking hell. I think he did.

The next couple of hours I wear a hole in the carpet thinking about whether I’m actually going to do this. And how. That’s the biggest question.

Has she already got an idea in her mind about how she wants me to do it?

Does she even want me to do it? Fuck, I’m sure she would, but we haven’t talked about it in ages because of all the shit’s that happened. But none of that means I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with her. There’s no-one I’d rather have in my arms, my heart and my bed. Just her.

I run my hands through my hair for the tenth time and sink into the chair.

Holy shit, I’m going to do it.