Chapter 46 TYLER
We were barely through the door when she broke the kiss and shoved me backward onto the couch. My balance was already shot from the drinks, so I went down hard. Before I could get my bearings, she was on me again—legs around my waist, her hands in my hair, her mouth trailing along my jaw and neck like she was starving for it.
My good hand slid along her thigh, her skirt riding up as she pressed closer. The room tilted. I hauled myself up with her clinging to me, her lips crashing against mine. I didn’t need directions; I’d been here too many times when I was stupid enough to think this counted as something more than what it was.
She held on like she had something to prove, like if she kissed me hard enough it would matter. I kicked her bedroom door open with my foot and carried her inside, our mouths still fused together.
I didn’t bother with courtesy. I tossed her onto the bed, breathing hard, fighting the dizziness that threatened to drop me right on top of her.
“Strip,” I said, standing between her knees, trying to keep myself upright.
She didn’t hesitate. Clothes hit the floor in seconds. If I hadn’t been drunk, the speed alone might’ve sent me bolting out the door again.
I tried not to think about any of that. Tried not to think about the way she’d started to feel wrong the second we walked in. Tried to focus on the distraction she was offering.
It wasn’t until I felt her hand on me—pulling, guiding—that I realized I’d been staring into nothing, zoning out.
“Come on, Tyler. Don’t be shy,” she purred, her voice thick as she drew me toward her.
Before I could react, she took me in her mouth, dragging me closer. A jolt of pleasure shot through me despite everything. She moved with practiced rhythm, like she was eager to reclaim something she knew she’d lost.
“Racquel…” The word tumbled out of me, my body responding even as my mind drifted somewhere else entirely.
The disconnect made me nauseous. She hit the right angle, and instinct took over. One more movement and—
I pulled back, choking on my breath as I came, spilling onto the cold tiles. My knees buckled. I sank down, elbow on my thigh, head hanging. My chest tightened, not from pleasure but from the mess of emotion I’d been drowning in ever since I’d overheard Harper.
“Tyler?” Racquel’s voice trembled. “Did I do something wrong, baby?”
I couldn’t answer. Tears slid past my lips, a taste I didn’t want to admit to. I dragged in a breath and forced myself upright, fumbling with my pants.
“I need to go,” I muttered, not looking at her.
She rushed in front of me before I reached the door. “Was it me? Tell me I didn’t screw up. I can fix it. Just give me a chance.”
I pushed past her, nearly knocking her off balance. My fingers wouldn’t stop trembling. My legs felt like they might fold under me.
“This was a mistake. I shouldn’t be here. I need to leave.”
“Talk to me, Tyler. Please. Don’t just run.”
“This didn’t happen.” I turned, gripping her shoulder, desperation scraping at my voice. “This never happened. Do you understand me?”
“Tyler—”
“I’m begging you,” I said with a shaky breath, running my hand through my hair, trying not to break down completely in front of her. “Don’t let anyone know you saw m-me like this, Racquel. Not at the bar, not here, not—”
The words choked in my throat. I swallowed hard and headed for the door. Racquel followed, not caring that she was completely naked, her footsteps frantic behind me.
“I don’t get it,” she yelled, her voice cracking. “You start this, then walk away when I—when I put myself out there?!”
I kept moving. If I could just get outside, she wouldn’t chase me. But her hand latched onto my shoulder, yanking me around. I didn't have time to brace myself before her palm crashed into my cheek. My head snapped sideways.
“Pull yourself together!” she shouted, shoving me in the chest.
Her hand grazed my sling. The jolt sent pain shooting up my arm. I clenched my jaw.
“Where’s the you I knew?” she raged. “The guy who’d claim me the second I hinted? Where’s that Tyler?”
I stayed silent. Anything I said would make things worse.
“Do you know what it feels like to get turned on, then tossed aside like that?” she demanded. “I fucking gave myself to you and all you're going to do is walk away now we've gotten this far? Do you think I just easily pass myself around like that? It's because it’s fucking you, Tyler!”
Her eyes glistened. On cue, the tears came. Racquel had always known how to perform pain.
I thought about reminding her how easily she’d moved on after we’d broken up. Thought about saying I knew all about her affair with Kane. But it wasn’t the time. And honestly, this wasn’t about revenge. She was right to be angry. I had walked in here for all the wrong reasons.
“Racquel…” I exhaled. “I don’t know what to say. I’m not trying to embarrass you. I just—”
“Don’t tell me it’s because of that damn Harper,” she cut in, eyes narrowing.
The truth hit me in the gut. She’d nailed it without even trying.
“Racquel, can we please just… let this go? Forget tonight happened?”
She scoffed, bitterness twisting her face. “Typical Westfield jock.” She shoved me through the doorway. “And I thought you were better.”
The door slammed hard in my face, the sound echoing through the quiet neighborhood. I stood there outside on her porch, breath uneven, shoulder throbbing, the world spinning just enough to remind me how much I’d tried to drink away.
And all I could think—through the fog, through the ache—was how much I'd let my guard down, allowing my world to revolve around Harper. And she’d lied to me.
Not even this disaster could make me forget that.