章 17: A Monster in my Closet

...Summer POV...

I watch in horror as I see my brother walking my way. It's clear to me that my perfect brother has had one too many and is clearly out to make some trouble and that trouble is heading my way. I quickly straighten myself and mentally prepare myself for what's about to happen. He's never been happily married ever since I told him about his wife and now, somehow he blames me for his failure of a marriage.

I look back at Austin that's sitting next to me and then it hits me. My brother is probably going to take a crack at him too.

"I'm so sorry, Austin"

He looks at me as if to ask me why I just said that and then my drunk brother arrives at our table.

"Well, well, well…if it isn't my little sis and the bad boy of the town. You're doing well for yourself, sis, not even in town for a day and you're already out to get some?"

I feel anger and embarrassment filling up in my soul and I feel like slapping him through the face but I know very well not to mess with daddy's golden boy or I'll get it.

"Tyler, you're drunk!"

"I'm drunk?! I'm not drunk! I'm a happily married man! I'm just here to have a nice conversation with my sister that I never get to see. What's so wrong with that?"

Like he ever cared to talk to me while we were all under one roof. He just did to me, what he saw our dad did to me and that meant, let's just say, it was better to stay far away from him and that's what I'm about to do now. I don't want to make a scene or my dad will have my head.

"Tyler, I think I better just go"

I look at this perfection of a man sitting next to me and wish that I could've spent just a few more minutes with him but I know what my brother is capable of and it's better if Austin doesn't get involved. I don't want him to be put off before we've even had the chance to just talk. In any case, I think I've already messed things up by showing him just how vulnerable I actually am.

"Thank you for a lovely night, Austin. Goodnight"

Austin grabs my hand, I don't register that it's him holding my hand as I'm clearly in survival mode.

…AUSTIN POV…

I watch as Summer's eyes widen, there is a fear that is starting to consume her. And as I turn to see what she is looking at, I instead see who. Now the first thing that comes to mind is why she is afraid of her brother. Well, apart from where he is a complete ass, I do find this quite unusual.

"Come, Summer, I believe this table had just got crowded."

At first, she hesitates, but as I increase my grip on her hand to say that she is safe, then only does she gets up and moves past her brother.

…SUMMER POV…

I stand up and start to make my way halfway to the door when I feel an all familiar hand on my arm. This hand isn't as soft and gentle as the hand that I just held. This hand is demanding and overbearing.

"Just where do you think you're going?"

…AUSTIN POV…

But then the asshole decides to grab her on her arms so hard that she cries out of pain.

"If you value those filthy hands, then you better let go of her."

"What are you going to do? Run me over with your plower?"

"There is a special place in hell for men like you. I have no calms in beating the shit out of you until you get there safely."

Then he decides it is a good idea to step forward and challenge me. But as I step two steps forward and clearly tower him, he decides it is wise to refrain from taking me on.

"Just as I thought, now scram and go play with your pot of gold."

As he disappears back into the direction he came from, I turn to Summer. There's relief on her face, but she is still shaken.

"Are you okay?"

…SUMMER POV…

"I'm fine, thank you. What makes you think something's wrong?"

I wish I could tell him the truth. I wish I can tell him what my brother did and do and who he really is but I don't even know the guy. He's being so nice to me and I'm not sure I deserve his kindness.

"I don't mean to pry, but you seem somewhat uncomfortable. It may come as a surprise but I do feel the need to protect you"

Oh god! The words he just spoke to me fill my heart so completely and for some reason, I just want to run into his arms and let him envelop me completely making me feel safe again. But I don't know him and I've seen too many men in my life pretending to care and then turn out to be the complete opposite. This man seems to have some kind of hold on me and I need to get out of here before I fall hard for him.

"Oh…I'm really okay, just sister brother stuff. Nothing to worry about but…thank you…for that…I need to go…I've got some things to do….or something"

"When will I see you again?"

He wants to see me again. I can't deny the obvious attraction between us any longer. When I look into his eyes that's staring at me with a softness and a gentleness, I can't help my knees crumbling before me. His demeanor radiates nothing but deep affection for me and I can't help the words that escape my mouth.

"I'll be at the coffee shop tomorrow"

I can't prevent biting my lip when I turn around and walk away. I can feel his eyes burning a hole in my body. It's clear to me that he wants me and maybe I want him too. I smile at myself as I walk to my car. I can't believe I'm falling so hard for him.

As I get into my car and close my door, I feel someone holding the door so I can't close. I smile as I wish that it's Austin coming to sweep me off my feet. I look up at the man holding the door and what I see turns the inside of my being ice cold.

"You didn't think that asshole would keep me from having a chat with my sister do you?"

It's very clear to me that Tyler is extremely drunk and he most probably had a fight with his slut of a wife again. I need to stay calm and not try to provoke him. Maybe if I can just get the door closed, I could drive off. He wouldn't even remember what happened tonight.

"No of course not, let me just get out of the car then we can have a good talk?"

I see him step back for me to get out of the car and I know if I make one wrong move, I'll have hell to pay. My foot is on the gas ready to go, for as soon as he moves back, I'll be out of here. But then he does something you didn't expect, he moves forward and grabs me by the arm.

"I might look stupid but I'm not, lil' sis"