Page 18 of Reckless

“I’m sure this dump will survive without you for four days.” I hated being mean. I always thought about other people’s feelings and tried not to hurt them. But when Tyler Hartley was involved, I had the tendency to extend my boundaries in all kinds of unexpected directions. “I will go home that weekend too.” I was referring to the one that the camping trip was planned for. “You are coming with me. We will leave on Thursday. On Friday morning you will get in Lucas’s car and let him drive you to the mountain for the most awful weekend in your life, because you want to make yourpregnantlittle sister happy.”

I emphasized on the word pregnant deliberately trying to pull any possible string in him. He cocked his head sideways looking at me intensely. Like he was trying to figure something out. Then he straightened his back and said.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“How is this conversation even continuing right now?” He looked at something behind my back. His jaw ticked. “Go away, Spencer.”

I was Spencer now. I got the feeling I was little Spencer when he found me entertaining and just Spencer when I annoyed him.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw that Nick was approaching us. A woman was walking right next to him, but by the way she was looking at Tyler I knew she wasn’t here with Nick. She was here for thecutest bartender in the city.

“Hey,” Nick wrapped his hands around my waist. I lifted my head up and he gave me a peck. “Are we staying or leaving?”

“Leaving.” Both me and Tyler said at the same time. Nick chuckled.

“You two don’t get along, do you?”

“Something like that,” I said before Tyler had a chance to blurt out something humiliating.

The girl that walked in with Nick sat right next to me and looked at Tyler with her desire for him written all over her face.

“You called,” she purred, and he leaned closer to her.

“Technically, I texted. Why don’t you go wait for me in my office? I just have to see these lovebirds out first.”

She jumped off to her feet and motioned towards a door I had no idea was leading to Tyler’s office, but apparently she knew, so this wasn’t their first rodeo. I wondered what that meant for him and Chloe, thebitchiest waitress in the city.

I caught Nick checking that girl’s ass and moved my gaze to Tyler, who also noticed that embarrassing situation. He flashed me a cocky grin.

“Lots and lots of lonely nights,” he repeated his predictions about my future, but Nick, who had no idea what Tyler meant, laughed.

“With a hot chick like that, I doubt your nights are lonely,” he said.

“Your hot girlfriend is sitting right next to you,” I said more offended that I should have been. Of course he had the right to find other women attractive. I unfortunately found Tyler Hartley attractive. It wasn’t a big deal.

“No one is hotter than you, sunshine. Besides she is a brunette. You know I love your hair.” He ran his hand through my blond wavy hair. Tyler interrupted the moment.

“Come find me when you get tired of blonds. We can find you someone interesting in here.” He then fixed his gaze on mine with a sly smile on his face.

“Oh, I don’t know. I think I won’t be getting tired of this particular blond.”

“Of course,” Tyler offered a curt nod with that signature grin of his and added, “I don’t want to keep the lady waiting, so I will be leaving you.”

He waved at a waitress. At least Chloe wasn’t here this time around.

“Cover up for me, please.” She lifted a thumb in the air and popped her gum. Tyler turned to me and Nick again. “Have a nice flight, Hannah.”

Then he followed hislady. I stood up and Nick placed a hand on my back ushering me to the door.

“Just a second. I will be right back.”

I ran over to Tyler, grabbed him by the wrist. He just looked at me over his shoulder.

“I know you. I know you will do the right thing.”

Then I let him go, turned around and caught up with Nick.

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