Alison Storm

Chapter 17

Alison

"I have to go, Rhys. I'm expected to be there," I say. Just a minute ago I asked him to attend a charity gala with me, and all he asked was if I truly have to be there.

Of course I do, especially when I ask him to be my date.

Rhys sighs, then nods. "Alright." He plants a soft kiss to my lips before he walks into the coffeeshop across from SU to go and buy my morning coffee.

I wait outside though. I know if I go in there, people will make space for me and let me order first like I'm some royal. And I hate it. I want to be treated like a normal person.

A hand lays down on my shoulder, getting my attention immediately. "Who's that guy?"

I turn to look at the person talking to me, only for my eyes to meet Phoenix's. Phoenix Li has got to be one of the most charming guys out there. And the stupidest, too. I'm not sure what Vienna sees in him.

Well, but I suppose if you've been dancing with someone since you were little, you can see above a few flaws. Like that this guy is a prick and only ever around to get in some private dance lessons or fuck my sister.

But, hey, he's nice. I'll give him that much.

"My boyfriend."

Phoenix's eyebrows raise up. "You have a boyfriend?"

"That a problem?" I know he's had a crush on me, Vienna told me. It's been years since but I keep getting weird vibes from him. Something about Phoenix trying to get close to me just seems...odd.

At first I thought he just wanted to be close to me because of Vienna. He made an effort to get to know the other siblings as well, so I tried not thinking too much of it. But then he asked me to hang out with him and his friends and that was overstepping it.

"'Corse not. I'm just surprised."

"Why would that surprise you?"

Phoenix turns me around, wrapping his arms around my neck as we both watch Rhys order my coffee. Well, or waiting for it while having his eyes narrowed at Phoenix.

It's been a few weeks since we're officially dating. Somehow the tabloids still didn't figure it out. It not that I'm trying to hide my relationship, but I'm not exactly plastering it around either.

Anyway, Rhys has gotten progressively more possessive. Not in a way that makes me want to hit the breaks, but it's quite obvious that he doesn't like it when someone, doesn't matter if he's male or not, is a bit too close to me.

Rhys wouldn't say anything. He wouldn't get mad at me or try to actually possessive me, strangle stake his claim on me or anything like that. But his eyes say a thousand more words than his mouth ever could.

"He's not like you. I expected you to have some fancy rich guy by your side. Not an intimidating guy with tattoos," Phoenix says. "But I'm happy for you, little cheeseball."

I narrow my eyes at Phoenix, being a breath away from making my purse useful. That's is until I notice my purse isn't in my possession but my boyfriend's.

How am I supposed to defend myself when Rhys insists on carrying everything for me?

"You better not call me cheeseball every again, Nixy."

Phoenix's mouth opens but he gets cut off. "Yes, Nixy. Don't call her that."

Rhys hands me my coffee at the same time as he presses his lips to my temple. His arm sneaks around me, hand lying on my hip as he pulls me into his side.