Love Tap(22)

I was hoping I’d forget about Tate and I haven’t spoken about her since. When I stopped talking about her, I stopped thinking about her.

“Just do what I f*cking said, and stay away from her.”

“Why?” he asks flatly.

“Because you’re no good for her.” I don’t beat around the bush. Nobody is good enough for Tate. I sure as hell ain’t but I’m not about to watch her with someone else either.

“Oh, is that right? And you think you are giving what you’ve done?”

I step forward, ready for round two with him. “Go, while you’re still able to!” I threaten, my hand pointing to the parking lot. I don’t know what he thinks he knows about me, but I’m done with his shit.

He holds his hands up, stopping me.

“Just saying, don’t be so quick to judge. I’m going back inside to get a beer. Cici, you want one?” Chase asks. I glance at her, remembering her telling me her name now. Wow, I really am an *. She looks at me with makeup smearing down her face from the rain.

She shoves past me and takes Chase’s hand. He smirks at me arrogantly, but I just throw my hands up at them.

I couldn’t care less.

I don’t want to be around anyone, especially a female right now.

Turning I kick at the pavement, ball my fists and yell into the night.





Chapter Six


12 Years Old

Tate



Stepping outside, the summer sun blasts me in the face. Holding my arm up I shield my face until my eyes can adjust to its brightness.

“Mom, I’m going out!” I holler through the screen door.

“Oh good, make some friends, honey!” I can’t help but roll my eyes. She’s always pushing me to make friends. Friends are lame. I would go see Chloe, the new girl that moved in at the end of the school year, but her mom sent her to summer camp. What kind of mom does that? Summer camp. Summer is for being home and being lazy. Anyway, I like Chloe and she seems to like me. She’s sassy, and funny. She’s so funny I even overlook that she’s a big girly girl.

“Where are you going?” Journey opens the screen door and pops her head out. Her blonde hair is braided, and she put on way too much of Mom’s makeup. She’s going to be in so much trouble.

“Nowhere, stay here, Journey.” I point to the front porch. She’s younger than me, and is always following me around.

“Whatever.” Rolling her eyes, she goes back inside, letting the screen door slam behind her.

Glancing along the street I see a bunch of the neighborhood kids running into Felicia’s back yard.

Jumping off my stoop in one big jump, because my Converses are kick ass, I dart off that way.

I wonder what they’re doing.

Almost out of breath, I find them all climbing into a makeshift treehouse I didn’t know that was there. Then again, why would I? Nobody invites me to play. Maybe it’s because I can beat them all up.

“Hey guys,” I pant out of breath. Felicia stops mid climb and turns toward me. Her flowered dress is no match for my mesh shorts and tank top. She’s always dressed so pretty. I’ve tried to wear things like that, Momma even insists I do, I just don’t feel comfortable in them. I look like someone put a dress on an ape.

“Look who it is, it’s Tater Tot Tate,” Felicia teases. I scowl, but choose to ignore it.

“What are you guys doing?”

“Felicia is marrying Camden, so we have to get everything ready for the ceremony,” Riley informs, poking her redhead out the club window. “They’re going to kiss!” She giggles.

“It’s not a wedding,” Camden objects from inside the house. I hear him, but can’t see him.

My chest does this weird thing knowing that Camden is playing with them and didn’t invite me. Even more so, my stomach twists in an uncomfortable knot thinking about him kissing Felicia.

“Oh,” I whisper. Not sure of what I’m feeling.

“You can’t play. Sorry.” Felicia shrugs smugly.

“Why not?” She never lets me play with them, I don’t understand why.

“Because, Camden can only marry one person. Duh.” She continues to climb.

I kick at the dirt on the ground.

“Well, I didn’t want to play your dumb game anyways.”

Turning, I head back home.

“Ah, she’s going to cry!” Riley giggles.

“No I’m not!” I’m not going to cry. The sun’s just in my eyes.

Reaching my house, I open the mailbox and find this month’s edition of Sports. Rolling it under my arm I head behind my house. There’s a tree that has a branch that swoops into a U shape. It may not be some fancy clubhouse, but it’s perfect for perching on.

Climbing into my spot, I rub at my eyes and open it. I can’t focus on what it says though, all I can think about is Camden betraying me and playing with them. Kissing them. We always play together. He told me I was the only girl he’d ever play with. That was a couple years ago though. What if he likes Felicia, what if he wants to be her boyfriend? He’ll side with her, and hate me too! I’ll lose my only friend. I shake my head trying to focus on Boomer’s speech after his big win last week.

“Hey.” Looking out of the corner of my eye I find Camden standing down below. He has on a dark blue ball cap that is backwards, a white shirt, and blue jeans.