Love Tap(40)

Turning the key in the ignition it starts with a clank.

“Now, just pull out and drive around the block some,” Camden suggests, climbing to the passenger seat.

Looking in the rearview mirror, I pull out slowly. The car bouncing when I hit the curb.

“Shit!” I hiss.

“It’s fine, I hit that curb all the time,” he lies, trying to make me feel better.

Putting the car in drive, I slowly head down our street.

“Turn left.” Camden points toward the main street.

“You sure?”

“You got this babe.” He grabs my thigh, giving it a squeeze. Butterflies fill my stomach having his palm on my bare skin.

“You have to move your hand, I can’t concentrate.” He laughs arrogantly, and moves it.

“Did any colleges write you back? I know you said your dad was having you fill some applications out.” Looking at him I grimace, not really wanting to talk about it. It’s a sore subject for everyone involved. “Yeah, I got a couple offers, Dad wants me to take the one in LA.”

“LA?! You’ll be so far away Tate.”

“I know, but it’s supposed to be the best school. Dad thinks if I’m going to have any chance at a normal college experience I should go there,” I explain, my focus completely off the road. My chest literally aches that I may be leaving, but I know it’s for my best interest. What hurts the most is that Camden can’t come with me. He has so much going for him here that if he follows me, he’ll give it all up. A selfish part of me doesn’t care though and just wants him to be there with me the whole way. He’s more than my boyfriend, he’s my best friend.

A horn honks, and I swerve trying to miss it, placing me on an off ramp.

“Baby, turn around!” Camden’s voice is frantic, causing my heart to accelerate.

“I can’t turn around!”

“Pull over!”

“I can’t, there’s nowhere to pull over!” My eyes fill with fearful tears as I look out my side mirrors.

“Ok, ok, turn your turn signal on and get over easily,” Camden instructs, looking all around us.

Flipping the turn signal on, I get over onto the highway, and a big truck blows it’s horn making me scream and let go of the wheel. My heart is beating so hard against my chest I feel like I may pass out.

“Don’t let go of the wheel!” Camden grabs ahold of the wheel.

Quickly, I grab it from him and jerk it, causing us to swerve off the highway and onto the grass.

My chest is heaving in panic, tears streaming down my face.

Camden is gripping the dashboard, his face pale as he stares at the windshield.

“I don’t want to go,” I cry, as a tear slips across my mouth. The panic in my chest not really coming from the almost car wreck, but the wreck happening inside of me right now. The one I’ve been holding in.

Camden looks my way, his face softening.

“Dad is making me, said I need to get away from this town and make something of myself. It’s what Mom would have wanted.” Camden scoots over, and wraps his arms around me.

“You don’t have to go Tate.”

“I do, and he’s right, she would have wanted me to go.” I sob onto his shoulder, and my heart literally breaks right there on the side of the highway.

He pulls back and searches my face. “How do you know that is what she would want, she’s gone.”

I shake my head, and sniffle. “Mom set aside a savings for my education Dad said.” I shrug, and he wipes a tear slipping down my cheek. “Who knows maybe I’ll like it ya know?” I’m trying to convince myself, because I know I’ll hate it.

“I’m going with you,” he whispers, and my eyes widen.

“No, you can’t. You have your first fight coming up, and sponsors that you were told were sure to sign you. You can’t leave.” My voice rises, my hands grasping his harder than I expected.

“Ok, ok, calm down,” he grabs my face, trying to calm me. I take a deep breath, locking my emotions up tight. This is going to hurt so bad.

His brows furrow, as he pulls me close. I close my eyes, and inhale him in. Our time together is literally ticking away.





Chapter Thirteen


Tate



Sitting in the waiting room, Journey eyes me from across the room.

“What?” I can’t help the venom dripping from my voice. I can’t believe she brought that punk to dinner. If she would have just listened to me the first time, and stayed away from Scotty, this would have never happened.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles under her breath. She looks down, her blonde hair shielding her face.

Sitting forward, I rest my elbows on my knees. My anger dissolving instantly, I hate how she makes me feel like a jerk so easily.

“Don’t be sorry, just… tell me you’re done with that prick,” I sigh.

Her head jerks up. “Oh, I am so done,” she chokes with emotion. Her eyes filling with tears.

Nodding I rub at my left eye, the one Scotty managed to hit, it hurts.

“I’ve been hearing stories that you’re out of control, Journey. How many guys have you been with?”

She crosses her arms, giving me a sideways glance. I feel like her mother, but if Dad isn’t going to dive into her personal life to sort out the crap, then that leaves me.