Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(43)

Once I could stand without falling over, Bree hesitantly let me go, but kept her hand on my arm. “No, no alcohol. In fact . . .”

“In fact, what?” Bree commanded.

“I haven’t had anything to drink today. We were so busy, I didn’t even eat or drink. I just kept going.”

Bree huffed and held my arm tighter while leading me toward the door. “And you wonder what’s wrong with you. You’re dehydrated, dumb ass. We need to get you pumped with fluids like now. Dehydration isn’t something to mess around with. You should know better than that.”

And I did know better, I was just too wrapped up in the day to even think about taking care of myself. Opening the bathroom door, Bree put her arm around my waist to give me support. I couldn’t believe how being dehydrated really did make you feel like death, it was almost like the flu.

“Thanks, Bree. I probably need to call it a night. I feel bad ruining everyone’s fun.”

“Oh, whatever. You know Tyler will be more than happy to have you all to himself, even if he has to spend it nursing you back to health. I’ll just take Cole back to our room and nurse him back to health too. That man is insatiable.”

Bree always had a way of getting a smile on my face, even when I felt horrible. However, that smile didn’t last long when I looked over at our table. “You have got to be kidding me,” I hissed.

“What is it?” Bree asked, alarmed. “Do you need to throw up again?”

“No, but I think my headache just got worse.” I pointed to our table and when she looked, her eyes went wide.

“Is that who I think it is?” she asked.

Clenching my teeth together, I closed my eyes and nodded, my blood boiling in my veins.





“WELL, LOOK WHO it is,” a voice called out. “I didn’t know you guys were staying at this hotel.”

I froze at the voice and Cole’s eyes went wide. Gabriella walked up and sat down beside me. I didn’t know she was going to be there either.

As always, she looked the same with her midnight black hair and bright green eyes, wearing a pair of jeans and tight pink T-shirt. It was hard to believe that a little over a month ago we were lovers, and now our time together was just a distant memory.

“Gabriella,” I greeted, turning to her with a hesitant smile. Even though we were strictly friends, I knew Kacey would get pissed if she saw Gabriella sitting beside of me. I never thought the day would come when I didn’t want Gabriella around. Kacey and I were getting closer. She trusted me, or at least I hoped she did.

“Who are you here with?” I asked, looking around the restaurant. “Is your brother here?”

“No, he’s coming in first thing tomorrow. I’m here with Bradley. The Twins of Terror are also in town, but they’re staying somewhere else.”

“How was your visit to see Ashleigh? Have you told Ryley about her yet?”

“No, but I probably will. Something’s up with her though. I don’t know why she doesn’t want me to tell him what happened.”

“Well, whatever her reasons are, it’s not just her in this anymore. She’s messing with Ryley’s feelings too.”

Eyes wide, Gabriella sat back in the chair and laughed. “Wow, look at you being all philosophical. You seem different somehow. What’s changed?”

Everything.

When I didn’t answer right away, she lifted her brows curiously and smiled. “Well, whatever it is I think it suits you.” She looked down at all four plates of food and whistled. “Either you boys are loading up before tomorrow’s fights or you have guests. Which is it?”

Cole grinned mischievously at me, not thinking I would tell Gabriella the truth. Little did he know, I didn’t care if Gabriella knew I was with someone else. Just as I was about to explain, Bree trudged forward, struggling to hold Kacey up with her arm around her waist.

“What the hell’s going on?” I demanded, rushing out of my seat. Kacey looked worse than when she left the table.

Bree passed her to me and I lifted her into my arms, cradling her to my chest. “She’s dehydrated,” Bree explained, grabbing her glass of water off the table. “We figured it out in the bathroom. She hasn’t drank anything all day.”

Looking down at Kacey, it all made sense. “What did you do with that bottle of water I gave you after we went golfing? I told you to drink it.”

“And I was about to, but then I got distracted and never drank it,” she replied weakly. Finally, she looked over at Gabriella and stiffened, then turned her glare to me, her jaw tense. She had no reason to be angry, but if the situation was turned, I’d be furious if she was talking to one of her ex’s. If only she knew there was nothing to worry about.

“You know, if you can’t keep any water down we’re going to have to take you to the hospital.” Bree passed me her glass of water and held it to Kacey’s lips.

“Drink,” I commanded. She did as I said, never taking her eyes off of mine, and took a few sips, then a few more until the glass was empty.

“Is there anything you need me to do?” Gabriella asked, genuine concern showing on her face. She got to her feet and came to my side. Kacey stiffened even more. “If she’s dehydrated you need to make sure she drinks as much as she can, but slow so that she doesn’t throw it up.”