Page 76 of Bought For Us

“Zack, hey, man.” Tyler grins, leaning in to give Zack a hug, but Zack pushes him back. “What the hell, man?”

Zack gets in his face. “You told me how fucked up it was to get with my stepsister, that it was wrong. Then you told me that you were all for me getting with Kimmy, that you wanted us to be happy together. All of that because you wanted a chance with Cora?”

“So what? You had both of them, man. You didn’t need two fucking girls. You knew I liked her and you didn’t give a shit.”

“I had no fucking clue you had a thing for Cora.”

“I said she was hot!”

“So fucking what!” Zack shouts. “The whole fucking school said that. Doesn’t mean it’s a declaration that you're into somebody.

“Whatever, man. What's the big deal now? You're married to Kimmy. Cora is single.” Tyler smirks. “Unless she’s not? You seem awfully protective of her. Kimmy told me she was going to be your surrogate, or is there something more here. Might want to think about what that would look like if it ever got out. Talk about a scandal.”

“So what if there is.” Kimmy says. “What is wrong with you, Tyler? This is my night and you’re here drunk? Starting shit with my husband and girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend.” Tyler’s eyes bug out. “What the fuck? So what, you're a dyke now?”

Kimmy gasps and tears form in my eyes. Why is he being so mean?

“Fuck you, Tyler.” Kimmy snarls.

“You know what. Never mind,” he sneers at Zack. “Have them both. I don’t want your sloppy seconds anyway.”

In a flash, Zack’s fist is in Tyler’s face. “Zack!” I shout as he pulls back with a hiss, shaking out his hand.

Blood bursts from Tyler’s nose as he clutches at his face. “You broke my fucking nose!” he roars.

“You fucking deserve it,” Kimmy seethes. She’s crying now and I’m in shock. All I wanted was a moment to myself. And now the whole night is ruined.

“Come on, Cora.” Zack grabs my hand and pulls me towards the back exit.

“I am so sorry about him,” Kimmy says, tears spilling down her face.

“It’s okay,” I whisper as we stop for the limo.

“No, it’s not,” she sighs. “I invited him because he told me he was doing better. Clearly, he’s not.”

“What do you mean doing better?”

“Tyler’s been struggling with addiction for a while now. We tried to get him some help, but all he wanted to do was party with his friends. Then he went off traveling and pissed a lot of money away. Pretty much his whole inheritance. My parents put a lock on it and said he couldn’t have another dime unless he got clean, went to school and made something of himself. He told them to get fucked and moved away. He just came back and it seemed like he was doing better.”

“He told me he just graduated from law school.”

Kimmy sighs, shaking her head. “He went for a few months and dropped out.”

“I’m sorry, Kimmy.” I pull her in for a hug.

“I didn't know any of that back then, I promise. I didn’t even know he liked you,” she tells me. “He’s my brother, my twin. I can’t believe he just called me that.”

“He’s a fucking asshole,” Zack growls, pulling us both into his arms. “We’ll deal with his bullshit later. Right now, I want to go home and take care of my girls.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“I’d like that.” Kimmy sighs.

“I’m proud of you,” I tell her. “You were amazing tonight. All your designs are stunning.”

“Thanks, baby.” I’m glad I get a real smile out of her.

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