Tyler lost everything when he was seven and since then he has lived in fear of debt. Any debt, money, relationships. He has built a wall around himself not letting anything in. The only thing he allows to touch him the real him is his music. That changes when he meets Jeremy. Jeremy doesn't take no for answer and forces his way in. Tyler feels protective of him. I think if there had not been Jeremy I don't think Tyler would have been open to having a relationship beyond the contract with Haris. Haris is scared and cut off from his family. He also cut himself off from those around him. He uses his money as a wall to protect himself. Tyler and Haris were wonderful together. They were both broken from their past. I loved the book and would have gave it 5 stars but for the manufactured fight at the end. I hate that they stop communicating just to have a reason to have a breakup.