Falling for my boyfriend’s Navy brother.
Chapter 87: Penny
I’m cuted on the couch, the rehearsal schedule open on my lap bat completely unread. My fingers are the same for the teach time
dancer rehearsal Partner introduction. Physical dynamics aurusteet. My brain dohort inglater a uned.
The front do clicks open.
Thook up
Tyler steps in and the smell hits beline anything else–okolial, stale sweat, maybe vimit still clinging to Eis jacket. He looks like death. Dark circles ander his eyes, thirt mompled, hair sticking up in every direction. His monal eaty gila it gone.
He closes the door with a soft thud and looks at me, quilt already written across his face. “Penny…”
I don’t say anything
ng at East. I just stare. My heart is hammering in my chest, a mix of dread and wearinen.
“I’m… I’m sorry,” he starts, ming toward me. “I messed up. I know I did. I overdid it
“You think?” I cut in, sharper than 1 meant to be.
He winces and stops in front of me like a scolded child. “I didn’t expect to drink that much. People kept handing me drinks and-
“You promised,” I say, my voice low. “You promised me, Ty, that you wouldn’t leave me alone.”
“I didn’t mean to” He raises his hands. “It just got out of hand. I didn’t realize-
“You were gone within the first half hour.” I sit up straighter. “You left me with people I barely know. You said we’d celebrate together. Together”
Tm sorry,
y, okay?”
“Sorry doesn’t mean anything anymore,” I say, nding now. “I even played your stupid game. I tried. And you just kept drinking”
He exhales, dragging a hand through his hair. “I know, I know I fucked up. Penny.”
“And the lap dance?”
He fees.
I cross my arms. “You let Rebecca good on you in front of everyone. Like I didn’t exist.”
“She had clothes on her protests weakly.
“Banely!” I shoot back,
From the staircase behind me, there’s a voice like steel. “What the hell? You let a girl give you a lap dance?”
I tum. Asher is hallway down the stain, arma folded across his broad chest, jaw clenched so hard I can see the muscle ticking from here. He stops at the bottom step, eyes locked on Tyler.
“Thanks for bringing her home,” Tyler says awkwardly, shifting his weight.
Asher don’t reply. His stare is lethal.
wasn’t thinking. I—I didn’t know she left,”
efter stammers.
“You didn’t know a guy tried to force himself on her outside,” he says quietly, looking at him.
His head snaps to me. “What?”
1/3
Chapter 87: Penny
“L. I didn’t…” Ile steps forward, quit pouring from his face.
go home. You grabbed me,” I whisper.
“I didn’t mean in huit pr” he says, eyes dropping in my wrist. “That wasn‘
He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.
**I shouldn’t have had to call Adder.” Labd. “I shouldn’t have been stranded because goo couldot handle yourself”
Tyler’s knees hit the carpet as he drops in them. “Tuck–Penny. I’m so sorry.”
The reaches for my hands and I bet him for a second. “I lost control. I let everyone down. I let you down. That night was supposed to be about celebrating you, and I made it all abo
There’s a long pause.
“I just want to make it right,” he says, eyes glassy. “You’re my best friend. I love you. Please don’t give up on me
He pulls me into a bug, and I let him. His arms wrap tight around me. I can feel his desperation. His fear. But I don’t hug him back. I’m stuff, from, because the hug don’t feel safe.
It don’t feel like home.
It feels like a memory I’m not sure I want anymore.
“Why does it feel like you keep choosing everything else first?” I say, my voice barely audible. “The party. The drinks. The game. The friends. And then you come crawling back and say sorry. And I just… I keep forgiving”
He presses his forehead to mine. “I don’t want to lose you.”
Behind as, Asher steps off the final stair and scoffs.
“She’s not something to lose,” he says coldly
Tyler terms, will on his knees. “What?”
Asher’s jaw is locked, fists clenched. “You treat her like she’s disposable. Like she’s always gonna be there to forgive you. That ends now.”
you!
business,” Tyler
“It became my business when she called me in tears,” Asher snaps, “When I showed up and she was shaking like a leaf on a goddamn lawn. When the was seconds away from getting assaulted at a party you brought her to.”
Tyler stands slowly, defiance sparking in his eyes. “I already said I’m sorry. So maybe ease up.”
Asher’s steps are slow, deliberate.
le doesn’t stop until he’s standing between me and Tylec
“Sorry doesn’t erase the bruise on her wrist,” he growls. “The one you gave her, Ty. Sorry doesn’t mean thit when it be
“Back the fuck off Tyler says, but his voice is uncertain now.
Asher turns to me gently. I can tell he doesn’t want to leave, but he still asks, “You good with him?”
Ind. Quirt. My throat’s tight..
ning.
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Chapter 87: Penny
He posly back. Then, without another weed, he walks past us and up the stairs,
Tyler exhales. “What the hell is his problem?”
“It’s disappointed in the way you ve been acting,” I whisper. “And
Tyler looks wounded. He opens his mouth, closes it. “Penny. I’m Trying”
evening
with his friend by calling him for help
He hugs me again, I let him. But I’m not sure it feels as good as it used to. It’s familiar. Comfortable. But not safe. Not electrifying. It’s tinted some
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