Chapter Fifty-Nine
SUNNY
Oh shit.
Reality sets in as she holds the black lace proof of Tyler's commitment to her. Shelby finds me in the crowd, her warm brown eyes turning cold as they bounce between me and Tyler. I’m still not sorry, and hope she feels a fraction of the pain she’s caused him.
Once they meet eyes, it’s not long before her red nails are grabbing Tyler’s face, pulling him down so hushed words are said between them.
It’s a primitive thing, what happens inside me. Something so visceral I can’t put a name to. All I know is before I can even realize it, I’m pushing through the people, moving directly towards Tyler and Shelby.
Before I can make it, she is dragging him back into the venue, disappearing into the crowds of people.
“What the hell is going on?” Anthony calls.
Cole and Macey follow my gaze as they step up next to me.
“Oh, hell no.” Sam downs her drink.
“I have an idea. I’m about to go find out.” I chase after them.
It’s stupid. I will only be adding fuel to the fire.
But I’m ready to burn this place to the ground anyways.
TYLER
I’m glad she found those panties. They are only further proof that she will always be an obligation rather than a choice. Her red nails only release their grip once we stand in the cellar, where I received those panties. Shelby shoves me against the same wall I had Sunny pinned to.
Then she slaps me across the face.
“No wonder you couldn’t get your dick up, and fuck me like a man, because you were already sticking it in her!” Shelby yells.
I smile and lean into her. “I wish.”
She slaps me again.
Leaning down, I say, “You really think I was going to marry you, and not fuck other people?”
She needs to know her place. I’m about to be the one to tell her. Shelby sucks in a breath, as if she’s shocked by this news.
“You know what you did to me. What you took from me. You may want me, but I do not want you. I’m only doing what I’m supposed to do because the one thing I want, I can’t have. So I’m left with you instead,” I say blankly.
She doesn’t deserve any more of me.
“I gave you the chance that I thought you deserved, and you fucked it up. I was willing to try and commit to you, but you broke my trust. So don’t expect commitment from me.
I only have a commitment to the agreement our parents made.
Not you. Not anymore. Our marriage license is a contract for your father.
Nothing more. Nothing less. That’s all you are. A contract.”
She slaps me again. Then she starts taking fists to my body in an attempt to hurt me. And maybe I deserve it. Maybe I deserve all the pain she caused me. All the pain I’ve been feeling. I deserve to hurt. I am not a good person, and this is my punishment.
“It doesn’t matter! You will still be stuck with me.” She continues to hit me. “You’re a whore!”
Then she’s pulled from me. My vision fills with Sunny, my little fire, my fucking salvation, yanking Shelby by her blonde hair off of me. Sunny grabs her arm, twisting it behind her back, and slams Shelby against the wall next to me.
It shouldn’t turn me on. It shouldn’t fucking turn me on but it does. Watching her utilize the skills I have taught her is something that creates a deep pride settling over me.
Shelby tries to maneuver herself, crying out when Sunny holds firm and presses her face into the ragged stone even harder.
“Touch him again and I’ll make sure you never have the privilege to do it again,” Sunny seethes. She releases Shelby, sending her across the cellar on stumbling feet.
A step forward makes her a barrier between us. A wall of fucking fire ready to burn anything that comes close to me. Her round eyes flick back at me, something unexplainable igniting behind them. A fucking inferno ready to burn this place down and Shelby is the first victim.
For once, someone is saving me.
Hair in disarray and dress wrinkled, Shelby turns around with labored breaths, and anger ringing her brown eyes. “You may be his whore, but I’m going to be his wife,” she seethes.
The words hit a shield, and Sunny stares at her blankly. “I may be his whore, but at least the whore knows what it’s like to be loved by him.”
The words are a physical blow to Shelby as she takes a staggered step back. It’s a fragment of a moment where there’s visible evidence the words cause the laceration that is intended. As quickly as it comes, it leaves all too soon. Gaining her composure, Shelby smooths her dress and hair.
As she walks out of the cellar, she says over her shoulder, “We are moving up the wedding.” Then leaves us in the shadows of our sin.
I watch Sunny stare at the empty staircase, the air around us so quiet, but I know her mind is screaming so many things I wish it wouldn’t.
The doubt is prevalent in her eyes when she turns and looks at me.
A few short steps, Sunny closes the distance between us.
The echo of her footsteps as loud as my heart thumping against my chest.
Grabbing my hand, her soft skin against my callused, she places her black panties in my palm.
“Keep it as a souvenir for when I’m gone.”
TYLER
I’m pulled out of my fitful sleep by my phone vibrating on my nightstand. I roll over in bed, reaching for it, sure after the events of last night it’d be blown up by too many fucking people.
Sunny’s words still linger through my head and her panties still sit on my nightstand as a reminder. The bundle of lace as my only souvenir and remembrance of her for when she leaves.
I look at my phone with blurry eyes to see texts from my family chat, but also at least seven text messages from Shelby. Rubbing my eyes, I try to look at the bright screen and see the time. It’s only 7:30am, but the thread of messages with Shelby has me sitting up straighter.
Don’t forget we are going to the venue today at 10am to pick out linens and other details.
We will talk to the venue about moving up the wedding. I want it at least this month.
You better be awake soon.
Both our moms are coming to help us out, too.
Tyler, how are you not awake yet?
Probably too tired from sticking your dick in another woman all night.
The messages go on.
I forgot. And I’m not sure why she expected anything more.
Sleep evaded me with insistent tossing and turning. I rub my hands over my tired face, recalling the events of the night prior.
The fact of the matter is, it doesn’t matter what the fuck I do, people are going to be mad, people are going to be hurt, so I may as well take the damn path of least resistance at this rate to reduce the casualties.
My phone buzzes again, notifying me of a text from my father.
Keep me posted about the venue. You made the right choice.
I walk around the venue with my hands in the pocket of my suit, hearing Shelby talking to the wedding planner a million words a minute—something about importing plates from Italy. I stopped listening after the fourth zero.
I stop in front of the massive panoramic windows that overlook the city and the water. The venue is certainly beautiful, with hardwood floors and a grand staircase leading up to a lofted second floor. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, illuminating the grand ballroom.
It’s everything Shelby. But absolutely nothing Sunny. I see her in everything.
It’s no secret my thoughts about Sunny have gone beyond the confines of the timeline she’s given us.
A wedding with her would be simple and intimate.
Only her parents and our inner circle. Most likely in her hometown on the beach.
We’d maybe even elope at the courthouse.
Solely the two of us, and then celebrate with our family afterwards.
I know it’s crazy to think these things about Sunny.
To be in love with her so quickly. To buy a damn engagement ring so quickly.
To imagine a wedding with her and what it’d be like.
I’ve only known her for maybe four months, but these things have all been on replay in my mind since the moment I met her. It’s easy to envision a life with her.
When you know, you know. I knew the moment I ran into her in the coffee shop. I’ve always known.
“Tyler, this venue is gorgeous,” My mother says next to me, taking me out of my thoughts.
Nodding, I stare out the window, watching the water glisten in the sunshine.
“Smile, Tyler. This is a very good thing.” She places a hand on my shoulder.
“For you.” I look at her.
She frowns at my comment. “You’ve known Shelby your whole life. It’s not like you are strangers being forced to marry.”
Her amber eyes look at me with remorse. There’s a sadness that mimics my own. Like she somehow understands my pain, without me even having to tell her.
“It’s her, isn’t it?” She looks out the window.
This is the moment of my downfall. I know Mitchell knows. Of course he does. Mitchell has me under a microscope. But my mother? I wasn’t expecting that.
“It will always be her.” I stare out the window.
She sighs. “I understand that. I’ve felt the way you feel once upon a time.”
I look at her, my shock almost snapping my neck in the process. But she’s still staring out the window, her mind in a memory I’m not aware of.
“I learned to love your father. And maybe you’ll learn to love Shelby, too.” She looks at me with a weak smile, but her eyes show everything that isn’t happiness.
She’d always been so devoted, so loyal to Mitchell despite everything. But now, I see that devotion is nothing compared to the grief in her eyes.
Just as I’m about to speak again, I’m called by Shelby. “Tyler!” she squeals from across the room. “Come look at these centerpieces!”
Me and Diane’s eyes meet. We don’t need to share anymore words.
Putting my arm around her shoulders, she slips her arm around my waist, and we walk over to the wedding chaos before us.