Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“Rosemary!” Desha calls my name as she comes over. I didn’t know she knew my name. She sits beside me in one of my classes, but we’ve said like five words to each other. “I was hoping you’d come. I’ll steal her while you go say hi to everyone.” Desha tries to pull me away by grabbing my other hand, but Tate doesn’t let go of me.
“It’s fine,” I reassure him, not wanting to hold him back. “Go and see your teammates. I’ll hang with the girls.” I force a smile so he relaxes even though I’m just as tense as he is. It might not be the worst thing to make a few friends.
“Okay, but only a few minutes.” Tate gives me a quick kiss before he releases his hold on me.
“He’s possessive,” Desha says as she pulls me towards a group of girls around a small bar. “You should be careful with that.”
The only thing I try to be careful with when it comes to Tate is him breaking my heart. He could easily do it, and if anyone is possessive, it’s me. I’m just better at hiding it in fear of scaring him away. He’s all I really have.
Gosh, I sound pathetic.
“I’m not worried about Tate,” I say, then Desha hands me a drink in a plastic cup. Not wanting to be a prude, I take a sip of the red drink. It’s not that bad, and I can’t taste alcohol. I don’t drink, but there might not be any in it.
“Tate? He’s kind of a dick,” a really tall blonde says and rolls her eyes. “He thinks he’s better than everyone.”
I’ve never met her before. She’s beautiful, and I’d remember her face. Another girl suggests the same, but I’ve never seen Tate be rude or a dick without reason. I ignore the jabs, not wanting to get into it with them, and take another sip of my drink.
“So are you two fucking?” Desha asks, and I almost spit out my drink.
“He’d split her in two. The man is packing,” the blonde laughs, like she knows from experience.
“You can stamp virgin on her forehead,” another random girl adds, her eyes running over me.
It’s then I notice that everyone else has changed. The girls at least. They have gone from jeans and football shirts to short dresses while I’m still in the same thing I put on this morning.
“That’s why Jack wants in there so bad.” Desha rolls her eyes. “What’s with the football team and their obsession to be the first one?”
Oh god, I have to get out of here. The way they are talking sounds nothing like the Tate I know.
“Is there a bathroom?” I go with the easiest excuse to leave.
“Up the stairs.” Desha points.
“Thanks.” I slip away, not really needing the bathroom, but I could give myself a once-over to make sure I’m not a total mess.
When I get to the top of the stairs, I feel winded and fuzzy, but my drink is still half full. There’s no way I’m drunk off half a drink.
“You all right?” A hand grabs my elbow, and I glance up to see Nathan, Jack's dad. Normally, he’s in my house and now I’m in his. This is weird.
“Yeah, bathroom,” I manage to get out.
“You can use the one in the guest room here.” He motions to a door not far away, and I start to protest, but he’s already helping me inside.
“Seriously, Nathan? Now you’re going after high school girls? Get it together.” The sound of that voice is so familiar.
“Why don’t you go have another drink, dear. Maybe a few of your pills while you’re at it.”
I blink, trying to clear my vision, and that’s when I see that Nathan is speaking to Mrs. Porter. That’s his wife. My teacher. Oh god. My thoughts are slow to come together as Nathan pushes me past her and into a room.
The door falls closed behind us, or maybe it’s me that’s falling.
Chapter Twelve
TATE
“Thanks for coming, Captain,” Jack says as he puts his arm around my shoulder.
I want to think that Jack has had a true change of heart, but something doesn’t sit right with me. I glance back in the direction Rosie was taken, and I want to go get her and leave. Seeing half these guys playing beer pong and acting like idiots doesn’t make me want to stay. It’s not my scene, and it never has been.
“Have a drink.” Jack pushes a plastic cup in my hand, and I stare down at the red liquid.
“Nah, I’m good.” I shake my head and try to give it back to him.
“Don’t worry, there’s no alcohol. We know you don’t like to party.” He says it in a way that makes it sound like a bad thing, but I don’t care. I’ve never cared what other people thought, and it’s the reason I don’t follow him around like a dog.