Chapter Twenty
TYLER
Before we venture to Martha’s for beers and the game, me and the guys finish up a sparring and lifting session.
“All I’m saying is,” Anthony interjects “why not just say yes to at least one of them? You know, thousands of girls who try to shoot their shots at you? Apparently, eighty percent of relationships work when the girl initiates it.”
I run a hand over my sweaty face. I kissed Sunny. Feeling a smile play at my lips, I think about the memory again.
“I’m not in the business of a relationship,” I reiterate. I’m not in the business of a relationship except with Sunny.
“We hear that over and over. Come on, you’re young, hot, rich. Why not take advantage of that? You already know your fate, why not just enjoy the freedom you have now?” Anthony shrugs.
Cole stares at me while a silent communication lingers between us.
The only reason why Cole knows is because we had our morning sparring session right after I left Sunny’s place, and he recognized the shift in me.
I only shake my head, because I can’t involve more people until I know what she and I are.
“Anthony, you and I both know I have to be careful of who I affiliate with and am seen with. As soon as people see me even remotely romantic, word will spread like wildfire. I’m arranged to be married. I need to be careful with what I do,” I deflect.
“Do it behind closed doors.” He gives me a pointed look.
I laugh.
It’s irrational, crazy, and too soon, but I’m not sure why it’s something I simply can’t stop. I can’t stop giving myself to her. I love her, and I know I always will. I know that in my heart. Whether it destroys me or makes me the happiest man in the world, it’s a privilege to love Sunny.
“Okay, how about this. Once you finally admit to Sam you’re in love with her, I will advance to a date with another woman,” I offer.
“I see what you’re doing and that is not the same.” Anthony points a taped finger at me.
Cole chuckles as a grin forms my lips. I hit a nerve with him.
“What?” Anthony asks.
“All I’m saying is, you tell Tyler he needs to get out there but you’re pining after Sam. At least Tyler has a valid reason. You don’t.” Cole points to Anthony.
Anthony blinks. “That’s not true. I date women!” But he doesn’t deny his love for Sam.
“Like who?” I counter.
“Just, women.” Anthony shrugs. “Here and there, you know. Nothing serious, of course. It’s all just for fun.”
I roll my eyes. “Because you’re in love with my sister.”
Somehow, somewhere, us three boys turned into three men head over heels for women we can’t have.
“What about you, Cole? I don’t see you getting out there?” Anthony quips.
“I’m spoken for,” Cole admits.
Anthony’s jaw drops. “I’m sorry, what?” His eyes dart back and forth between the two of us. “Are you too?” he asks me.
Well, this is going to be an interesting night.
Brace yourself, Brother.
SUNNY
A spam call lights up my phone, so I send it to voicemail and bring my focus back on the two girls I now call sisters. A girls night was necessary since the guys decided to watch the game at Martha’s. So here we are, in Sam’s paint studio, drinking wine and free painting while we gossip and giggle.
These are my favorite nights.
I still haven’t told them about my kiss with Tyler. If I do, something about it will make it final and real. I can already imagine the looks on their faces and their squeals of curiosity. If I tell them, any chances of stopping it before something comes of it will be gone.
“Okay, I just have to ask, have you at least gotten laid?” Sam points her paintbrush at me.
“Sam! She literally just got out of an abusive relationship. I’m sure that’s the last thing on her mind,” Macey interjects.
This comment only fuels my curiosity if she feels the same. No conversation has been had about her being my patient, so I chalk it up to she either doesn’t want to, or she doesn’t remember.
“I have not. I’m also not opposed to it.” I shrug.
Maybe a hookup will be good and help me shake the kiss from Tyler. Get whatever that kindled inside me to calm down. In the same breath, the idea makes me want to vomit.
“The Halloween party will be the perfect place for you to meet a good fuck,” Sam says excitedly. “Or I can just cure that angst for you.” She winks.
I roll my eyes. “I work Halloween, remember?”
“Just come after,” Macey suggests.
“You can be a sexy nurse in your scrubs.” Sam shimmies.
“I don’t think sexy is the correct term after a twelve hour shift,” I laugh.
“Oh, please. You’re hot regardless, just accept it.” Sam waves a hand. “So, Halloween we will hunt you down a good fuck buddy.”
I laugh to mask my nervousness because I know when Sam is on a mission, she won’t stop until it’s accomplished.
“We’ll see,” I say.
“Oh no, it’ll happen. I have to pee,” Sam hops off her stool and saunters to the bathroom.
My phone buzzes again and when I go to grab it, Macey’s hand collides with mine.
“Oh, Sorry Mace, I thought that was mine.” My eyes fall to the screen. “You have a text from Cole.”
Macey’s face is unfazed as she grabs her phone. “He’s fixing my parents' car. Something about spark plugs.” She waves a hand, shooting a text back to him.
Macey and I are close, but definitely not as close as Sam and I. She’s blunt while Macey is reserved. What you see is what you get with Sam, but clearly with Macey there’s things that still need to be uncovered, if our history is any indication of that.
She places her phone on the other side where I’m not able to accidentally grab it again. “I admire you, Sunny.” The comment takes me aback.
“Thank you, Macey. But for what?”
“I don’t know the details of what happened with you and Ryan, but I do know he was abusive in all forms. The fact you’re able to come here and just do what you do, just continue.” Macey looks at me.
A knot builds in my throat. “Funny, I thought the same about you.” I trace a finger on a dried spot on my canvas.
Her gray eyes flick to me, and a soft smile pulls on her lips.
“I remember.” She nods. “I just, I didn’t want it to be an awkward thing for you.
I mean, you were about to meet all of us.
That’s already so much. Add one of us being a trainwreck of a patient,” she sighs.
“I wasn’t sure if you remembered. You helped me so much that day.
Obviously he didn’t do nearly anything close to what Ryan did to you, but still. ”
“You had me fooled,” I laugh. “There wasn’t even a glimmer of recognition or shock on your face.”
“I should play professional poker,” she teases.
“Trauma is trauma, Mace. Pain is pain. Comparison is just a losing game.” I shrug. “It doesn’t matter how big or small.”
“I never got to thank you. You’re such a good nurse. Because of Tyler, I won’t ever have to worry about that guy again. He must have scared him off or something,” she says, shaking her head with a chuckle, not realizing the gravity and reality of her statement.
“I knew once Tyler knew, that’d be the first and last time a man would lay hands on me.” She looks back to her paint canvas. “How do you do it, Sunny? How do you stay so strong knowing yours is still out there?”
“I can promise you, it’s not easy and I still battle a lot internally, but I couldn’t waste anymore of my life by letting him have control over me.” A lie, since I’m currently on the run from him. “I can’t give him more than I already have. More than he has already taken.”
“I just wanted to let you know.” Macey gives a soft smile to me.
“That really means so much to me.” And that’s a full truth.
We wrap our arms around one another.
“Hey! I want in!” Sam runs towards us. “Ugh, I needed this,” she says, wrapping her arms around us.
My sisters.