deadpanned.
She managed to look guilty and satisfied all at once.
“Weren’t you just talking to Ever?”
“Are you really hooking up with Vaughn?” I shot back.
Her mouth fell open, and she resembled a fish as she stared back at me. “Where did you hear that?”
“Does it matter?”
She shifted from one foot to the other and studied the sand. “I guess not.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Hypocrite. Aren’t you keeping secrets of your own?
“Thought you’d be upset. You hate Ever, and Vaughn’s his best friend. I felt like I was betraying you.”
I almost corrected her about my feelings for Ever until I reminded myself that I did hate him. Or at least, I should. I came back to this town with the sole purpose of getting back at Ever McNamara, and instead, I found myself wanting to get close to him for entirely different reasons.
“I’m a big girl, Ty. You should do what makes you happy.”
It sounded like the truth, but it felt like a lie. I wanted to lash out and tell her that I did think hooking up with Vaughn was a betrayal. That she’d chosen their side. I couldn’t help but be wary and afraid. I’d lived my life having a mother who chose men over me every single day. Why would Tyra be any different?
“Really?” she squealed with her eyes wide and her hands clasped.
Just then, I felt her excitement and hope, and I realized these feelings she had weren’t a fleeting or sudden thing. Tyra had wanted this—wanted him—for a while. Likely before she ever knew I existed.
When I nodded, and she pulled me into a hug, I vowed that Tyra’s heart wouldn’t be a casualty of my war with Ever. Not by his hand or mine.
“Good!” She gave me one last squeeze of gratitude before letting go. “Because I have soooo much to tell you like what an amazing kisser he is.”
I groaned, now realizing the trap I’d fallen into. Gossiping about boys was so not my thing.
“I didn’t expect a guy like him to be so…attentive.”
My eyebrows rose at the direction this conversation was going. I also couldn’t help but wonder how far they’d gone. “Have you…”
“Slept with him? God, no. I’ve been holding him off because—” She nervously chewed on her lip, and I filled in the blanks.
“Because you’re afraid he’ll lose interest once you do?”
She nodded and looked bashful as she said, “I really like him, Four, and sometimes, I believe he’s truly interested in me.”
“Vaughn is probably used to having pussy served to him on a platter, so if he’s sticking around, I’m sure it’s because he likes you.” Or saw her as a challenge. I couldn’t voice my fear and risk erasing the happiness etched all over her face. Tyra was practically glowing. “Does your father know about you and him?”
The glow was instantly shrouded by panic. “No, and I plan to keep it that way. He’d never approve of me dating one of his players. Especially his quarterback.”
“You can’t keep it a secret for long, Ty. People will talk.”
“We’re keeping things low key.”
“And whose idea was that?”
“Both of ours.”
I could sense she was becoming defensive, so I dropped the subject, chugged some of my beer, and tossed what was left into one of the blue barrels.
“I’m surprised you’re drinking after Ever’s party.”
If she only knew how I had to battle more than a hangover the next morning. “Uh, yeah. Have I apologized for that yet?”
“You did,” she called over her shoulder as she searched the cooler, “but I doubt you were sober enough to remember.”
Oh, but I remembered so many other things about that night. Ever driving me home, carrying me to my room, undressing me…
“Damn. There’s no more beer. Only the hard stuff.”
“Hey, I’ve got you covered, ladies.” Some guy with shaggy brown hair dug into the cooler next to him and produced two beers. He handed one to Ty and the other to me.
I shook my head and told myself I was just avoiding another hangover. He shrugged and introduced himself as Ryan, and then Tyra and I introduced ourselves. The guy mistook that as an invitation to hang around. Tyra started to take a sip when Vaughn appeared over her shoulder. I watched with wide eyes as he snatched the drink from her hand and shoved it into Ryan’s chest. Some of the beer spilled on his yellow and white striped shirt.
“Hey, man. What’s your problem?”
“You. Now leave my fucking party.”
“It’s a beach. It’s public property.”
“You’re either stupid