Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(42)

Swallowing hard, I licked my dry lips and ran my hands through my hair. I was so nauseous. “No, I think I’m good. I’ll be dressed and ready to go in three minutes.”

Quickly, I closed up my makeup bag and rushed to my suitcase and pulled out my favorite white flared skirt and light blue shirt with my tan wedge sandals. “Do you always walk around in just your bra and underwear at home?” Tyler asked, a sly smile splayed across his lips.

“Maybe,” I teased. “Why? Do you like it?”

Taking a seat on the bed, he gawked at my body and licked his lips. “It’s hot as hell. Are you sure you don’t want to stay at my house for a while?” he added, raising an eyebrow.

After sliding up my skirt, I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “I don’t want you getting tired of me, Tyler. Besides, you already see me enough as it is. I work with you now, remember?”

Snatching me around the waist, he held on tight and looked up into my eyes. “I could never get tired of you, beautiful. I just want to see your face every morning when I wake up.”

“Let me think about it,” I laughed, pushing him away.

He got to his feet and started for the bedroom door, winking at me before leaving the room. “Fine, take your time, but I can’t guarantee I won’t be showing up at your house every night. I’m giving you fair warning.”

For the most part, he’d been staying with me anyway. Honestly, I wanted to take him up on his offer and stay with him, but I was just afraid he would kick me out once he found out about Kyle.

Shivering, I put on my sleeveless shirt and clenched my teeth together to keep them from chattering. I wish I had a sweater. In my purse, I knew I had some Tylenol, so I popped a couple in my hand and swallowed them down, praying they helped.





INSTEAD OF GOING out on the town and getting wild and crazy, we opted to stay at the hotel and eat in one of the restaurants. It was perfectly fine with me considering I felt and looked like absolute shit. Bree and Cole were waiting for us in the lobby, both laughing and talking like they didn’t have a care in the world. However, when Bree saw me, she knew something was wrong. Thankfully, she didn’t ask anything in front of the guys.

Once we got seated at our table, I drank some water. I guzzled it down and wanted more.

“Are you sure you’re okay,” Tyler asked, passing me his water and putting his arm around my shoulders. Eagerly, I took it from him and guzzled it down too, sighing when I was done.

“I don’t think she is,” Bree cut in. “She looks like shit.”

“Gee, thanks,” I kidded halfheartedly, using most of my energy to keep the water down. I drank it so fast, I was starting to feel sick.

“Bree’s right,” Tyler agreed. “Well, not about the looking like shit part, but about you being all right. Something’s wrong.”

“I don’t know,” I admitted honestly. “I started feeling bad earlier, but I worked through it, thinking it was just the heat. I thought if we kept going it would pass.”

Exasperated, Tyler turned my chin so I’d have to look at him. His eyes were despondent. “Why didn’t you tell me? We could have taken it easy today.”

Sighing, I clasped his hand and leaned into it, exhausted. “Because you made it one of the best days of my life and I didn’t want anything to ruin it.”

About that time, the waiter came with our food and Tyler let my chin go as my plate was set down in front of me: filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, and asparagus. If I wasn’t so nauseous I’d be able to eat. Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes and held my breath, hoping it would pass.

“Oh my God, Kacey . . . you’re not pregnant are you?” Bree shrieked. “You look like you’re about to throw up.”

Leave it to Bree to make an announcement to the whole freaking restaurant. I was on the pill and I’d only had sex with Tyler twice—the first time being just yesterday. I wasn’t pregnant, and even Tyler knew I wasn’t by the way he rolled his eyes.

“I’m not pregnant,” I hissed quietly, glaring over to Bree. “I’m just nauseated.”

“What other symptoms are you having?” Tyler asked, taking my hand. “Your skin’s a little dry, but that could be from the chlorine in the pool. Do you have a headache or anything?”

“Yeah, my head is killing me. That’s probably why I’m nauseous, but then again, I haven’t really eaten or drank anything all day.”

Smelling the food only made my symptoms worse and before I could say another word, I bolted out of my seat and ran straight for the bathroom. Thank God I noticed where it was when we walked into the restaurant. Slamming open the door, I barreled into the stall and collapsed onto my knees, throwing up every ounce of water I just drank. What was my problem?

Knowing I didn’t have anything else in my stomach, I flushed the toilet and slowly got to my feet. My whole body ached and all I wanted to do was go to bed and sleep for a week. Once I looked at myself in the mirror, I gasped. I looked pale and my eyes sunken and dark.

About that time, Bree rushed into the bathroom and before I knew it my knees gave out. She caught me before I could stumble onto the floor.

“Thank . . . you,” I sputtered.

“Kace, what’s wrong with you?” she cried. “You almost look drunk. Have you had any alcohol today?”