by Claire Adams
"Right. I'll see you at the library after while." He gave me a tight smile and walked toward the pool, leaving me standing there.
I waited until the door closed behind him to let out a long breath. "Right. Remind me why I try again."
Kade was gone when I turned back around, and it was probably for the best. I was honestly considering taking him up on getting out of there. I'd spend the whole damn time talking about Amy, but at least I would be with someone who wanted to be with me, too.
I ran around the track for twenty minutes before walking to the basketball courts. The place was dark and empty, which was just the way I liked it. After grabbing a couple of balls from the hallway closet, I started to work different drills.
I lost track of time, and didn't realize someone was watching me until one of the balls rolled over toward him. Tate was standing against the wall with his hands behind his back and a smirk on his face.
"You're good. I've heard that you're a big shit on the courts, but I wasn't sure what to believe." He moved toward me, his expression much more relaxed.
"I love the game, nothing else." I hated that my defenses were up, but it was his damn fault that they were.
"Let's play, then." He lifted his hands, and I chucked the ball at him, maybe a little harder than I should have.
"I thought you were pissy over something. The swim help your mood?" I moved into place as he dribbled slowly, keeping his eyes locked on mine.
"I was pissy because of that guy you were talking to, but it was just jealousy. I can't help it." He moved toward the basket, and I turned just in time to steal the ball from underneath him.
I spun on my heel and shot, making the basket with little effort. "We're just friends, remember? No reason to be jealous. Friends don't get to do that."
"And, what if I've rethought what I want?" He caught the ball as I chucked it at him before he came at me again, duping me this time and scoring.
"Good for you. I'm not one to be rejected and then run toward those same people in hopes of a different outcome. My whole life has been about rejection. Friends is far safer for us, obviously." I took my turn with the ball, moving toward the basket until he stepped up behind me and spread his arms wide. The firm press of his chest against my back made my body ache and my nipples tighten.
"I'm not so sure I agree with that." He reached around and tried to slap the ball from my hands.
"Street ball with no rules?" I chuckled and bumped my butt into him as he groaned and clamped his hands down on my hips.
"How about a working friendship with no rules?" he whispered against my hair as I continued to press backward toward the goal.
"Not interested in friends with benefits." I turned and lifted to my toes, ignoring the hot stare he pressed against me. "Yes!"
The shot landed perfectly, but he grabbed me by the wrist before I could move away from him.
"I made a mistake last night, okay? I've paid for it, I promise. I've been beating myself up all fucking night and half the morning." He loosened his grip on me. "Come study with me, and then let's get something to eat."
"Maybe." I tugged from his hold and walked to get the ball. "Why are you beating yourself up? If you're not interested in me, then you're not interested. I promise I'm more hassle than I'm worth."
I shot again and made it. All of the horrible emotions that plagued me when I was with my mother or around the Gammas started to resurface, and I had a moment of wondering if I was ever going to find anyone who simply accepted me for just being me.
"I doubt you're much trouble." He stole the ball and moved to shoot – missing, but just barely.
"You've no clue what you're talking about." I picked up the ball and moved to stand beside him. "You're not finishing the follow through. Watch me shoot."
"Show me, master." He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a cheeky grin.
"I almost like that title coming from you. Now, watch my wrist as I finish the shot." I continued to coach him and make him try a few more times. Much to his surprise, and my pleasure, he got it down.
"I gotta go take a shower." I picked up the balls and walked with him back down the hall.
"Need someone to wash your back for you?" He lifted his eyebrows playfully.
"No, playboy, but I'll meet you in the library." I turned and slipped into the girl's locker room, ignoring his grumbling about the unfairness of life.
I was obviously going to have to roll with the punches with this guy, seeing that there was very little consistency with his actions around me.
Good thing he was sexy as sin and had a sweetheart side that would melt the hardest of hearts.
*
"You clean up well," Tate commented when glanced up from a pile of books as I took the seat next to him.
"Thanks. I have a chemistry exam coming up next week that's going to kick my ass. I need at least an hour and then we can get something to eat, if you're still up for it." I pulled out my books, trying to ignore how good he looked sitting there beside me.
"I love science and math. Let me know if I can help at all." He pulled his book toward him, but continued to watch me.
"Thanks." I popped in one of my earbuds and flipped to the section I was supposed to have memorized already. It was going to be impossible to study with him staring at me. I glanced over at him and lifted my eyebrow. "What?"
"Nothing. Just admiring you. Is that alright?" He reached over and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ears.
"Nope. Study and leave me be. We're just friends, remember?" I winked before glancing back down at my book.
"About that..."
"Hey, it's okay. I'm good with friends. I think I just thought something else was starting to happen, but it was just me being stupid." I shrugged, but didn't look up at him.
"There is something else happening, but I think taking it slow would be smart. You don't even know me, Val."
"Yeah, and you think you know me, but you haven't the slightest clue who I am." I looked up at him, loving the intensity of his stare. "I'm not my father."
"I know. I'm sorry I assumed that." He leaned over and touched my face, pulling me closer as his lips brushed by mine. "Forgive me."
I pushed into the kiss, not thinking about anything other than memorizing the way my chest lit on fire with nothing more than his touch. I'd been infatuated with a few guys in my time, but never had I felt so overwhelmed with the desire to know someone.
His tongue pressed deep into my mouth, and I turned my head, opening up for him and groaning softly at the sensation of having him take ownership of our kiss. His fingers tightened just a little before sliding down to cup my neck while he continued to explore my mouth. His deep breathing left me panting right alongside him, and I could think of nothing but getting out of the library or finding a private reference room.
He finally broke the kiss and sat back, his eyes glossy and chest lifting and falling quickly.
"Wow. And, I almost fucked that up last night. See? This is why I was kicking myself." He chuckled and pulled my chair closer to him before wrapping an arm around the back of my shoulder and pulling the book to rest in front of us. "Let's get this done and get the fuck out of here. I've wanted to kiss you since the first night I met you. It was even better than I thought it would be. I want more."
"So greedy." I moved up toward the table and hoped it wouldn't be too obvious that I was hungry for far more of his time, his attention, and his kisses.
Just knowing I might get it left me panting far beyond what was called for from our simple kiss.
Chapter 16
Tate
Fuck, the kiss was so far beyond anything I imagined it to be. Her lips were soft, her tongue wet and tasting like mints. A million things went through my mind as I sat beside her and tried to focus on the words on the page in front of me. My idea of taking things slow flew out the window, and I couldn't stop trying to figure out how to turn our lunch date into a long afternoon of tasting every inch of her. She
didn't seem like the kind of girl who would jump in the sack with me, but after that kiss, I knew she was starting to feel the pressure of wanting more than what we'd experienced thus far.
I was impressed by how quickly she caught on once we got into the rhythm of working together on her chemistry stuff.
She closed the book and smiled at me in a way that had my body reacting, yet again.
"Thanks for today. I wasn't sure if you were going to get the boot this morning when you snubbed me again at the track or not. I'm glad you didn't." She stood up and chuckled.
My eyes moved up the line of her body, enjoying the way her hair hung around her shoulders and framed her beautiful face.
"Me, too. I swear I must be PMSing. I'm not usually so damn emotional." I stood up and checked my phone before walking down the long stairs in front of the library toward my bike. "I'm driving, if you're okay with a bit of wind."
"A bit? It's freezing out here." She gave me a look before pointing across the street. "Let's just grab a sandwich at Barney's. It's close and delicious."
"Alright. That works." I shoved my hands into my pockets in hopes of not reaching out and taking her hand like I owned her. Doing so at the party was appropriate, but not now. "So, if you're nothing like your dad, then are you like your mother?"
"Ha!" She rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh. "God, I hope not. My mother leaves everyone feeling suicidal. The woman has a way of making sure no one in the room looks, feels, or is better than her."
"Ouch. That has to be hard during the holidays." I opened the door to the sandwich shop and held it open for her.
"It's hard every day. My folks stay quite involved in my life." She picked up a menu and moved to stand beside me, pressing her shoulder to mine as she shared the menu. "To say that I'm ready for college to be over with would be an extreme understatement."
"I am, too, but for different reasons." I pointed to the club sandwich. "That looks good."
"You wanna share it?" She smiled up at me.
"Nope, but I'll eat what you don't eat of yours." I pulled out my wallet. "And, it's my treat."
"No, it's mine. You got last time."
"And? I'm the man, remember?" I smirked at her and tried not to fall in love with the way she studied me. Her expressions ranged from serious to cute to fucking hot within a matter of minutes, and I enjoyed her openness a lot. It was refreshing.
"You've yet to prove that you're a man." She wagged her eyebrows and caught me off guard.
I started to tell her that I'd be happy to whip out my proof right there in the sandwich shop, but she moved up and started to order. The way she leaned forward left her ass sticking out at me. Had we been dating, I'd have reached out and touched her, ran my hands along her, just to remind her I was there and quite attentive to her subtle invitations.
"And for you, sir?" The lady behind the counter turned her attention to me.
"I'll have the double club with chips and a drink." I shouldn't have been spending money on lunch, but it was hard as hell to try and take a girl out and not spend anything.
"That's twenty-one even." The woman smiled as I handed her my card.
"It's my turn." Val put her card up there, too.
"Stop it." I lifted my eyebrow at her and wagged my card at the woman. "Please. Show the girl that it's a guy's place to pay for lunch."
"You two are too cute." The woman took my card and swiped it. Much to my horror, she glanced up and gave me a weary smile. "It's not going through. Let me try it again."
"Or just let me get it." Val bumped me with her hip and gave the woman her card as my card was denied again. "Just call the bank later today and see what's up. It was my turn, anyway."
I try to let it go, but I knew what was wrong. I was broke. I don't know why the hell I thought there would be enough in the account for anything. We could barely cover our bills. There was no such thing as extra in my life.
I'd have to skip class a few times in the coming week to get in more hours. If I didn't have twenty bucks in the bank for a sandwich, then I didn't have it for gas for the bike, either. Worry ran through me as I tried to remember how much gas I actually had.
"Hey, you okay?" Val handed me a straw and sat down in the booth closest to us.
"Yeah, just thinking about my damn card not working." I shoved it in my back pocket. "Well, next time it's my treat, and I promise to have the money to pay for it."
"I don't care who pays for it, Tate. I'm just glad we're here." She reached across the table and touched my hand, which surprised me a little.
I lifted her hand to my mouth and breathed in deeply before kissing her knuckles.
"Be careful around me, okay?" I winked and pulled out my phone.
"Why is that?"
"I'm highly bipolar around you, it would seem." I chuckled and dropped my phone back into my pocket. "I'm just checking for a text from my mother. She's all I have."
"Where's your dad?" Val leaned toward me as she took a drink of her coke.
"Actually, I'm an orphan." I dropped the first bomb, not knowing what to expect from her, but quite relieved when the sympathy that passed across her face quickly disappeared.
"Really? And the woman that raised you is who you're referring to as your mom?"
"Yeah. Sarah. She's all I've ever known. She's a good woman, but chooses the worst men in the universe to get into relationships with." Was I really opening up about this shit? I was.
"That's not good. My mom and dad have a good relationship by most standards, but I've never once in my life seen them hug, kiss, or say that they love each other."
My turn to not overreact. "Wow. Seriously?"
"Yeah. It's really sad, actually." She glanced down as they called out our number.
I started to get up, but she stood and pushed at my shoulder. "I'll get it for us. I want to."
Turning to watch her walk to the front, I swore to myself that if she and I ever decided to get together in a long-term relationship, I'd be sure to show her what love looked like. I was well aware of the importance of showing someone I loved them, as well as telling them. If it hadn't been for Sam's family, I'd not have really known what a healthy relationship between a man and a woman looked like, either.
Val sat my plate down in front of me and then took her seat again. The sexy smile that lifted her lips caught my attention, and I couldn't help but stare at her for a few minutes.
"Valentine." She surprised me by jerking her head up as if she'd been scolded. "Why are you here with me? I'm not your kind of guy at all, from what I can tell."
"I think that's exactly why." She opened my chip bag and then her own, taking care of me, whether she realized it or not. "I'm tired of living my life. I want to live someone else’s."
"Have your parents ever told you that they love you? Are they just standoffish to each other or to you as well?" I shouldn't have been digging, but I wanted to know so damn bad – mostly from curiosity, but there was a part of me that wanted to understand where the sadness in her eyes came from.
"No, but it’s okay." She shrugged and picked up her sandwich. "Tell me more about Sam."
I smiled, understanding her need to divert the conversation. "He's been my best friend my whole life. His parents half raised me. He's going to UMN right now, but will be leaving soon for med-school in Boston. I'm going to miss his ass like crazy, but I figure I'll have to keep in touch until he comes back home."
"Is he coming back here?" She nibbled at her sandwich as I took a large bite of mine and nodded my head.
"Yeah, I think so. This is home for both of us." I wiped my mouth as my phone buzzed in my pocket. "What are your plans after college?"
She shrugged and glanced down at her food. I could tell I'd hit a sore spot.
"I don't know. My degree is in business, but I've always seen myself as a basketball player or a coach for UMN." She shrugged, and I stopped myself from reaching over and squeezing her hand encouragingly.
My phone buzzed agai
n, and I pulled it from my pocket to see that it was my mother.
"Not again," I grumbled and stood up. "I need to take this."
"Yeah, sure." Val's eyes filled with concern, but I ignored it and walked outside.
"Mom, what's up?"
"Tate. I meant to tell you that I've been getting threatening texts from Daniel for the last few days. His hearing is tomorrow, but the texts are getting worse and he's out on bail. I think I should go stay with my sister for a few days." Her voice was tight with fear.
"I think that's a good idea. Stay there and I'll come home and help you get packed up. It might be best for me to drive you over there and then bring your car back. That way he really has no clue of where you are." Terror raced through me, and I let out a long sigh. This shit was nonstop as of late.
"Okay. Hurry. I'm scared he's on his way again."
"Okay, Mom. Go if you think you need to. Just be safe. I love you."
"I love you, too, baby." She dropped the call.
I turned and walked back into the restaurant as Val glanced up. "Everything okay?"
"No, I need to get home. My mother’s ex is a crazy bastard and he's likely to head out to the house, which is never good." I started to wrap up my sandwich. "I'm sorry to cut this short."
"Then don't." She got up and wrapped up her sandwich, too. "I'm coming with you. I want to meet your mom, anyway. She sounds great."
"Now is really not the time, Val. It gets ugly, fast." I shoved my sandwich and chips into the empty bag on the table. Much to my surprise, she grabbed the bag and put her food in there, too.
"I'm strong and have had enough self-defense classes to take your big ass to the ground or anyone else who threatens me. Let's go. Seriously. I'm not leaving you to deal with this alone." She pushed at my chest and smiled. "Besides, you promised me a date and you've yet to come through. We'll just consider this part of the adventure."
I rolled my eyes, but followed her out. "It's not like you think. I'm poor, okay? Like dirt-floor poor."
My heart constricted painfully as she turned to face me. Her fingers brushed by my cheek, and the look in her eyes echoed the truth of her words before she spoke them.
