Page 4 of Reckless

“Are you a part of it?”

My throat bobbed. Her tone, her hostile posture made it clear she knew very well I wasn’t.

I wouldn’t usually run away from confrontation, but I felt like a complete failure in that moment. I ignored her question and got out, bolting down the street back to where I came from. When I decided I was already in a safe distance, I stopped, fished my phone out of my purse and called Clem.

“Hey! What’s up?”

“I accidently found your brother and I went to see him,” I didn’t bother with any greeting.

“I…I’m sorry. What?”

I told her about his photo on social media, the bar, my visit. I didn’t tell her he basically kicked me out, but expressed my doubts he would return her calls.

“I think I pissed him off by showing up.”

“Most likely,” Clem sounded amused. “Tyler doesn’t like to be pressured.”

Clem knew all about my feelings for Tyler, but I never got the courage to tell her about our last encounter five years ago. She always advised me not to waste my time and feelings on her brother. I didn’t listen and I got smashed.

We talked one the phone while I walked back home. She didn’t seem worried about Tyler’s reaction. I however was deeply unsettled, but it wasn’t him who caused my uneasiness.

He does everything for the people he loves.

I repeated Chloe’s words inside my head over and over again.

Years ago, I used to defend Tyler with that same passion. With that same belief that he was better than the man he chose to show to the world. I wanted to go back there, shake her, and scream at her that Tyler Hartley doesn’t love anyone. But I knew it would be my ego speaking. I knew he loved people. He loved Clem.

He just didn’t love me.

Chapter Two

Hannah

Five years ago

Isteppedintotheapartment where Tyler was supposed to be celebrating his twenty-third birthday. The hallway was full of people drinking and making out.

It looked like a regular New Year’s Eve party. No signs that someone was becoming a year older in a few hours.

Standing on the tips of my toes, I looked over people’s heads, trying to spot him. I couldn’t see him. So I took my phone out and sent him a text.

I’m here.

It was the lamest text I could send, but I just couldn’t force myself to play games. To flirt. To act like I had no idea what was about to happen that night.

Every second I spent obsessing over him since I was twelve had led to that moment. All the people who knew us were thousands of miles away. No one would judge us.

I didn’t tell Clem the invitation I received for a New Year’s Eve party was actually coming from her brother for his birthday celebration. I knew she would disapprove. She still couldn’t stomach the fact I moved to Boston. If I told her I ditched her in the last minute because of Tyler, she would have started listing all his flaws and missteps and I wanted to focus on that one perfect moment.

Tyler Hartley had finally shown interest in me.

Yes, it wasn’t a date. But I saw it in his eyes when he invited me. He wanted me to come.

I glanced down at my phone. No answer. He had read my message though.

Another girl would probably think he forgot he invited her in the first place, but not me. I felt it in my bones. He hadn’t forgotten. He waited for me.

Still standing in the hallway, my phone vibrated in my hand.

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