Page 72 of The Game We Played

She bites her bottom lip and backs up a few steps. “Are you mad at me?”

I’m not mad at her, but I am fucking furious with my family. How dare they approach Alaia? How dare they tell her to break off our relationship? How dare they say she’s ruining my future?

They have no idea who I am. Because they’ve never bothered to listen to my dreams and wishes. All they care about is the Long family name. Our legacy. The wing of the hospital they intend to have named after them.

They don’t care how Alaia is the first person to support me and stand up for me. How she’s the first person I want to have a real relationship with.

I’m so furious I can barely speak. I shackle her wrist and drag her inside the bar. She doesn’t fight me despite her obvious apprehension.

“How did you know your family was here anyway?”

Julian pops up from behind the bar. “I called him.”

Alaia scowls at her co-worker. “I had the situation handled.”

“It wasn’t your situation to handle.”

Her scowl deepens. “Yes, it was. Tanner is my boyfriend. I was trying to protect him from his family being a bunch of assholes.”

Julian lifts an eyebrow. “Your boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

My stomach flips at her lack of hesitation.

He snorts. “Sure, whatever. Pretend I don’t know about your ‘arrangement’.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I have no patience for this. “Office. Now.” I steer Alaia toward the rear hallway. Once we reach the office, I shove her inside before locking the door behind us.

She retreats until her back hits the desk. “I’m sorry, Tanner. I overstepped. I shouldn’t have—”

I whip up a hand to stop her. “I’m not mad at you.”

“You’re literally vibrating with anger.”

“Not at you. Never at you, gorgeous. My family, on the other hand.”

“I’m sorry. Your family is …”

“… a bunch of assholes.”

She shrugs. “Kind of.”

“No one’s ever defended me to them before.”

Her brow wrinkles. “No one? Ever? Not a teacher? Not a coach? A family friend?”

“Not a teacher. Not a coach. And definitely not a family friend. They were all too busy being impressed by Dr. and Mrs. Dr. Long.”

“Impressed?” She snorts. “I believe the word you’re searching for is intimidated.”

I close in on her and palm her cheek. “You weren’t intimidated.”

“Wrong. I was beyond intimidated.” She shivers. “Your family is a force to be reckoned with.”

“But you defended me. And kicked them out of the bar.”