Page 56 of My Brother's Enemy
I stared at Tyler, whose gaze had fallen to my rum. He took it from my hand and tipped it back, taking a good swallow. “No. He’s inside now.”
“I’m aware, Ms. Connors. I’m asking if you would like us to send security to your room.”
“Why?”
“For your safety. Do you feel safe, Ms. Connors?”
“Not emotionally.”
Tyler wiped the back of his hand over his mouth, glaring at me as he took another drink. “What the fuck are they saying?”
“They’re asking if I feel safe.”
He rolled his eyes upward and turned away from me, going into the bedroom with my rum.
“Ms. Connors?”
“I’m fine. I don’t need security, but if you know a good couch cleaner on staff?” I looked over at the piece of furniture. Too much of that bottle had leaked out. I’d gotten home, started drinking, and probably passed out after two swigs.Lightweight.
“What was that?” the front desk asked sharply.
“Nothing. Everything’s fine.” I ended the call and tossed the phone in the direction of its base. There was a thud and a crash, but I was beyond caring at this point.
When I went to the bedroom, Tyler was sitting on the edge of my bed, still drinking and scowling at me.
“You’re one of them.”
I readied myself, or tried. “I’m too drunk for this.”
“Pfft. What? You had two shots of this? You’re not drunk.”
“I feel drunk.”
“You look tired.”
“That too.”
We fell silent. I watched him. He watched me. We were at our first standstill until the storm moved over his face. “You’re a fucking Connors.”
I swallowed. “Not by choice.”
“You are, though. What? Were you laughing at us behind our backs? Sharing all the neat little tidbits to your brothers? To fucking Daniel?”
Nausea rode over me. “I would never.”
“Wouldn’t you? You’re a Connors. That’s what they would do!”
“But I’m not a Connors by choice! I’m only a Connors because of my mom.” My voice broke. “Trust me. I’ve thought about changing my name, but she held me in her arms and told me she liked my name and it’s the last thing I have from her.”
He was quiet. “Your mom?”
“She died when I was six.”
He looked away. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. Well. We all have our things, right?” I gave him a pointed look.
He closed his eyes tight and let out a rueful exhale. His hand gripped the bottle so tight while his other raked through his hair. “Daniel fucked my sister’s life up. You know that, right?”
