Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(60)

He rubbed his cheek and sat down on the steps. There was no way in hell I was going to let him inside of my house. “There’s no fun in that,” he admitted slyly. “Besides, it was kind of interesting to see how protective Captain Fuckface was over you. The fool actually fell in love. I couldn’t have planned it more perfectly.”

“Planned what?” I snapped. “I love Tyler. I’m not going to let you come between us.”

Snickering, he leaned back on the steps and shook his head. “Do you honestly think Tyler’s going to want anything to do with you now? Obviously he doesn’t know who you are. If he did, he wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole.”

“He loves me, Kyle,” I spat. “He can’t blame me for wanting to keep my ties with you a secret. Anyone in their right mind would be ashamed of you.” Don’t let him see your fear.

Kyle got to his feet, his smile gone as he approached me. “You’re ashamed of me?”

I stood my ground and lifted my head defiantly. “Ashamed doesn’t begin to cover it. I’m mortified. I know about the things you’ve done and it makes me sick.”

“Well, you want to know what makes me sick? You and Tyler. You’re my family, my blood. You’re supposed to be on my side. You’re going to pay for disappointing me.”

I stepped back to my car and opened the door. “Believe me, Kyle, I’ve been paying for years. Tyler may get angry at me for keeping the truth from him, but he loves me. I’m not going to let you win.” I got in my car and shut the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he shouted.

Flipping him off, I started my car and fastened my seat belt. “It’s about time I tell Tyler the truth!”

Kyle put his hands on the hood of my car and smirked. “I think it might be a little late for that, sis. He already knows.” He nodded toward the end of the street and that was when I heard the tires squeal. In my rearview mirror, I watched in dread as Tyler sped down my road and locked his brakes in my driveway.

“What did you do?” I shouted, getting out of my car. Immediately, the tears started to fall, especially when Tyler glared at me with utter disdain.

Kyle, on the other hand, smiled wide. “Oh, I just had Jaden pay him a little visit. I must say, he doesn’t look too happy.”

Tyler got out of his truck and slammed the door.

“Babe, you have to let me explain,” I pleaded.

“What, that you f*cking lied to me?” he shouted, veins bulging from his forehead.

I rushed over to him, but when I tried to touch him he stepped back. It broke my heart. Lips trembling, I shook my head and cried, “No, I didn’t lie. I knew if you found out Kyle was my brother, you would think I was just like him. But I’m not! I need you to trust me.”

“Oh sis, you don’t have to keep pretending,” Kyle chided, coming to my side. “He already knows the truth. You succeeded. Now he’s just a played bitch. Let him go lick his wounds.”

Frantic and wide-eyed, I pushed him away. “Stop lying!” Then to Tyler, I clasped my hands in front of my heart, begging with tears streaming down my face. In his eyes, I could see he was letting his anger get the best of him. Yes, he was furious at me for lying, but he couldn’t see the truth. He couldn’t see my love for him, or that it was real. How could I get him to see it? “Tyler, please, don’t listen to him. I don’t know what Jaden told you, but you have to know I would never do anything to hurt you. I love you!”

Tyler snarled, “And you expect me to believe that?” He glared at my brother over my shoulder, completely dismissing me.

I was so close to him, yet so far away. He wouldn’t let me touch him, and the thought of never being able to touch him again, ripped my soul apart. I needed him.

Backing away, he pointed at my brother and growled, “If you think this got me down, Andrews, you’re wrong. I’ll be ready for you Saturday. You can count on that.” Opening the door to his truck, he got in and started it up.

Before I could rush to him, my brother grabbed a hold of my arm and held me back. “Let me go!” I screamed, trying to yank my arm out of Kyle’s grasp.

“Sorry, Kacey, but it’s for the best. He wants nothing to do with you now. I’m just trying to protect you from making a fool of yourself.”

I tried to fight him off, but his grip was too tight. Tyler backed out of the driveway and never once did he look at me. “Tyler! Tyler, please, you have to trust me!”

He kept going . . . and the farther away he went, the bigger the hole in my chest grew. I was alone for the longest time before he came along, and now I was alone again. I had nothing if I didn’t have him.

“Trust me, Kacey, it’s for the best. You deserve much better.”

Actually, I deserved what I got for not telling the truth, but I sure as hell was going to redeem myself. I refused to let my brother dictate my life and drag me down with him. I had to fight for what I wanted.

Pushing my brother away, I marched up the front porch stairs and unlocked the door, slamming it in Kyle’s face when he tried to follow me in. If there was anyone who was a master at persuasion, it was Bree. I needed her help, but in getting it, I had to be honest with her too. All of my secrets had to come out.

Reaching for my phone, I dialed her number and waited. She would just have to understand why I did what I did. Hopefully, she could convince Tyler.