But she didn’t really have a boyfriend and she wasn’t going to tell Tyler why exactly things hadn’t worked out between them. Brent kept calling her, dropping in to see her, still hopeful that she was going to change her mind, but deep down inside she knew that wasn’t going to happen.

“That’s not really your business,” she said stiffly.

“Sounds like he’d be perfect for you,” Tyler continued. “Since you’re such a good girl.”

His words ricocheted around in her head, memories of teenage Tyler mocking her about how good she was, laughing at her for being disappointed because she’d gotten a B+ on a test, making fun of her for spending Saturday night studying. She remembered how Tyler’s teasing had started to bug her because…well, because it was him. Because she didn’t always want to spend Saturday nights studying, but she didn’t have a crazy social life like he did, and because sometimes she had no choice, she had to stay home on Saturday nights. Remembered hurt and frustration rushed through her.

She fought for control of her surging emotions and lifted her wineglass again. Empty. Dammit.

“You probably don’t want another glass of wine,” Tyler said. “One’s your limit, right?”

She lifted her eyes to his face. “You’re still an asshole,” she said quietly.

His jaw tightened, though he kept his smile in place. “Yep,” he said. “I sure am. Are you surprised about that?”

“No,” she said. She tipped her head. “Though I don’t know why you feel a need to take out your frustrations on me. I never did anything to you.”

His smile disappeared. “Frustrations?”

Now he looked pissed.

Good.

“Yes. You obviously have some deep-seated sense of inferiority that makes you need to make fun of others to make yourself feel better.”

His mouth dropped open. “What the fuck.” His eyes narrowed, flashing blue sparks at her.

“Oh, don’t even look at me like that,” she said. “You have no right to be mad at me. I’m the one who should be mad.”

“Oh for Chrissake. Lighten up a little. You always were Miss Serious.”

They faced each other, glaring. Kaelin’s fingers curled tightly around the stem of her wineglass, almost snapping it. He thought she was upset about him teasing her! Jesus, how stupid could one man be? Did he not even realize what he’d done?

But there’d never been anything real between them. As they’d spent time together that summer, her feelings for Tyler had grown into something they shouldn’t have, and when he’d kissed her—just once—she’d foolishly believed he was starting to feel the same about her.

And the very next day she’d walked in on that scene.

She fought to control the long-suppressed rage surging inside her, shocked by a desire to hurt him back. The urge to physically hit him, the way she’d wanted to that night. Before she’d run out of the house then run all the way out of Mapleglen and back to college, a week early. And then to her horror, her hand lifted, swung back—and she did it.

Right in the middle of a big party of friends and family, she slapped Tyler Wirth’s face.

Tyler automatically lifted a hand to his smarting cheek and rubbed it, stunned into speechlessness. Kaelin stood there, big brown eyes wide, mouth in an O of horror. The chatter of the guests faded into silence, only the faint saxophone strains of the jazz CD playing quietly on the outdoor speakers drifting on the evening air.

Jesus fucking Christ. She did not just do that.

The two of them stared at each other, the air around them hot enough to burst into flames.

“Omigod,” she said. She closed her eyes. Opened them. “Omigod.”

She turned as if she was going to run, and he reached out and grabbed her upper arm. “Oh no, you don’t,” he said through gritted teeth, heat still stinging his face.

“Tyler.” His mother appeared at his side and he became aware of everyone around them, gawking at them as if they were a car wreck on the freeway. Shit. He glanced at his mom, took in the tightening of her mouth, the snapping in her eyes. “What are you doing?” She hissed the words out quietly.

What was he doing? What the fuck? He was the one who just got decked!

Nick appeared now, too, calm, controlled. He looked back and forth between him and Kaelin.

“I am so sorry,” Kaelin whispered to Tyler’s mom. “I didn’t intend to cause a scene.”

Mom looked at Kaelin. “What did he say to you?”

Kaelin just stared back at her and shook her head. “I—it wasn’t his fault,” she finally stammered, shocking Tyler. His mom cast a look of disbelief his way. Of course it was his fault. It was always his fault.

“I’m outta here,” he muttered, trying to push his way past Nick. “Let’s go.”

But Nick didn’t move, despite Tyler’s shove, and then Avery arrived, her eyes wide and darting back and forth between everyone.

“Don’t go, Tyler,” she begged. “Please.” She grabbed hold of his arm. “Come with me.”

He let his sister drag him to the far end of the deck. Chatter started humming again as people began talking, punctuated with a couple of nervous titters. He couldn’t help but follow Kaelin with his eyes even as Avery talked to him.

“Please, Tyler, don’t go,” she said. “It’s my wedding and I want you here.”

He watched his mom pat Kaelin’s shoulder reassuringly before going back to her other guests. He watched Nick standing there, head bent to Kaelin, talking to her.

What the fuck was he saying?

“Tyler.” Avery pushed at his shoulder.

He tried to focus on her. “Why do you want me here?” he demanded. “It’s just making everyone nuts.”

“You’re my brother,” she said, voice thick and teary. “And I’m getting married. And I want my family with me. All of my family.”

Christ, what was he supposed to say to that? She was his sister and it wasn’t her fault he was such an asshole that he got slapped in the middle of a party. He rubbed his face, hardly able to believe sweet little Kaelin Daume had done that.

And created quite a scene. A girl who lived her life as carefully as possible so as not to attract attention or risk embarrassment. Wow. He looked over at her again, nodding to Nick.

A slow smile tugged his mouth.

“Why did Kaelin slap you?”

He focused back on Avery. “Because I was being an asshole to her. As usual.”

She frowned. “God, Tyler, haven’t you grown up yet? You always did like to yank her chain. Geez, you were like a little boy with a crush…” Her voice trailed off and her gaze sharpened. Tyler’s gut tightened. He looked away from her penetrating gaze. Avery opened her mouth to speak, and he shot her a glare. She closed her mouth.

“Well,” she said. “Then I guess you deserved it.”

“Of course I did. I always do. Right?”

She sighed and closed her eyes briefly. “I’m not so sure of that. Why do you just keep digging yourself deeper?”

“I have no fucking idea what you’re talking about.” He smiled. “I’ll stay, but just for you, Sis. Just keep me away from Mom and Dad or I might kill them.”

“And away from Kaelin, apparently,” she murmured.

He couldn’t stand it. What were Kaelin and Nick talking about over there? Without him? Probably about him and what a jerk he was. “I’ll behave,” he promised Avery, moving back toward Kaelin and Nick as if drawn by a powerful magnet.

He stopped beside them and they both looked at him.

His gaze glanced off Nick and landed on Kaelin. Fuck, why did he keep hurting her? What was wrong with him?

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

“No, I’m sorry. I was being a jerk.”

Kaelin and Nick exchanged glances that confirmed his suspicions about what they’d been discussing.

“I’m kinda tense right now.” Tyler rubbed the back of his neck, keeping his voice low. “It isn’t easy coming back here after all this time.”