You're To Blame: A High School Bully Romance (Haven Saints High)

by Brooke Jordan

  My fists clenched at my sides. “Oh, you mean what you did after you saw us together Friday night.”

  Laughter trickled around the lunchroom.

  She stepped closer arms crossing her cheerleading uniform.

  “Poor murder girl, Tate gave you what you deserved. You were never a match for him. Now that he’s humiliated you, we can go back to the way things were before you arrived.”

  “Go ahead and revert back to being his fake girlfriend and fuck bunny. How did it feel to watch Tate kiss all over my neck and hold my hand in public? I’d suffer the humiliation all over again to watch you break into a million pieces at my feet.” I snickered.

  Cheering erupted from my table as I approached.

  “Sit down cheerleader barbie,” Connie yelled.

  I laughed, sitting between Matt and Rocco. Facing Tate wasn’t an option. It was better I kept my back to him. Was it weird? I knew he was staring. There was a gravitational pull to peer into those blue eyes, but I resisted.

  “Matt, thanks for sitting with me today.”

  “Anything for you, Doll.” His gray eyes glinted.

  “I am fortunate to have a group of friends like you guys. Thanks for checking up on me, yesterday.”

  Connie placed her hand over mine. “You are our girl. We got your back.”

  “Rocco, thanks for carrying my tray.”

  “Anytime.”

  “Did you look into that situation we discussed?” I whispered in his ear.

  “Yeah, I’ll text you later. We can discuss what I found.”

  “Great.”

  Tate was near. I knew because I could smell his delicious scent.

  I peeked over my shoulder. His face was chiseled ice. His eyes were cold and distant. I recognized the hurt in his eyes. Maybe he didn’t love me after all. The time we spent together after what happened with Marisa meant nothing I suppose. He tapped Matt on the back and nodded toward the door.

  “I’ll catch you later, Megan.” Matt glimpsed at me. “I’ll call you later, Doll.”

  My mouth dropped open.

  He and Tate exited the lunchroom.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Later that night, I texted Rocco.

  Me- What did you find out about her?

  Rocco- She travels to London a few times a year.

  My eyes widened.

  Me- I wonder why?

  Rocco- I am still digging. It will take a little time to uncover that information.

  Me- Rocco, you’re the best.

  Rocco- No problem. How are you holding up?

  Me- I’m ok. As long as I don’t run out of homework, I’ll be fine.

  Rocco- Ha, ha, ha. See you tomorrow.

  Me- Goodnight.

  Retrieving the books out of my locker for my morning classes, I glimpsed across the hall. Tate stood, resting his back against the lockers. He stared at me not saying a word. It was creepy. Where was his friends?

  I closed my locker and walked toward my first class. Upon reaching the door of my class, I glanced back. Tate was walking a few steps behind me. I strolled into class. Tate and I stared at each other for a brief moment.

  He continued on. Tate’s class was on the other side of the building. He had never walked in my direction. I was over thinking this. Maybe he was on his way to the coach’s office.

  The snickering and notes on my desk continued.

  Dumped by the king of football.

  Football captains play thing.

  Virginity lost to Haven Saints football king.

  I crumpled the three notes on my desk and focused on the lesson.

  The bell rang and everyone poured out of the class into the hall. I remained behind to ask Mr. Barrings about my grade. An altercation in the hall caught my attention. I didn’t want to bring light to the situation. Politely, I thanked him for the information and stepped into the hall. Tate shoved the kid, who was throwing spit balls at me ten minutes ago, up against the locker.

  “Apologize,” Tate ordered, pushing him toward me.

  “Sorry that I disrespected you.” The guy was about the same height as me. He was all badass in class. Now he was a trembling asshole.

  “Are you responsible for the notes too?”

  He visibly swallowed. “No.”

  Tate gripped the back of his meaty neck. “You tell your friends to stop or I will find them. I’ll have someone in all of her classes reporting back to me.” Tate held my gaze as he reprimanded the asshole kid. “Now get the fuck out of here.” He practically threw him down the hall.

  I stared up at Tate. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I did. All of this is happening to you because of what was posted on my account.”

  “Right. Ok.” I strolled toward my next class.

  Tate followed me to all of my classes and waited in the hall once they ended. By the end of the day no one dared to say a word to me. Releasing all my frustrations on the track felt refreshing. My legs throbbed by the end of the track meet. Me and my teammates celebrated after winning. Tate stood at the top of the bleachers clapping.

  He was trying to win me over. It wasn’t working. I blocked the sun with one hand motioning him toward me with the other.

  He strolled toward me in a blue T-shirt, basketball shorts, and sneakers.

  My arms crossed my chest as he halted at the bottom of the bleachers.

  “Yup?”

  “Why are you here?”

  “Because I wanted to watch you run. You’re fast.” He smirked.

  “Stop following me from class to class.”

  “No.”

  “Tate, we were over before we began.” I squeezed my eyes with two fingers.

  “Let’s just get through senior year.” I glanced up at him.

  “I won’t stop following you until you talk to me.” He reached for my ponytail. I blocked his hand.

  His curly black hair fell over his ears. He appeared sleep deprived but somehow still oozed sexiness.

  “You know me better than anyone Chelsea. You know I didn’t do this.” He stole a kiss on my cheek and walked toward the parking lot.

  I curled my fingernails into my palms. No way would I allow him to charm his way back into my life.

  ~

  The hot steamy bubble bath soothed my aching muscles. I shot Matt a text.

  Me- Matt, talk to Tate. He followed me all day today. I don’t want him following me again tomorrow.

  Matt- No can do, Doll. He’s on a warpath.

  I sighed.

  Me- Not sure why. He spread the fucking rumor. Then he had the nerve to close his social media account. Guess he grew tired of responding to all the lewd comments.

  Matt- While we fought in the street Sunday night he repeated over and over again he didn’t create the post.

  Me- Do you believe him?

  Matt- Doesn’t matter what I believe. What do you believe?

  Me- I don’t know.

  Matt- Tate said you two didn’t have sex. Is that true?

  Me- Yes.

  Matt- The majority of the chicks at Haven are waiting to give him the goods. The last thing he would lie about is pussy. But you knew that though. Someone’s fucking with him. Maybe whoever it is doesn’t want to see you guys together.

  I rubbed my brow. Could’ve been Brittany. She wouldn’t leave me alone about her precious Tate.

  “Fuck!” I yelled in a whisper.

  Me- Your sister!

  Matt- You strike her she strikes back harder.

  Me- Good night, Matt.

  Matt- Sleep tight, Chelse.

  Wednesday, Tate continued to follow me. I ignored him as long as I could. His hand slipped around my waist as I walked down the hall. My body melted into his touch.

  “Are you ready to talk?”

  I slapped his hand. He didn’t budge.

  “Chelse, I just need you to hear me out.”

  Students stared and whispered in passing.

  “Let me go. You don’t want to send yo
ur audience mixed signals. You fucked me and threw me away remember?” I hissed.

  “Remove your playing hand from my waist before I crush it with my textbook.”

  He released me.

  ∞

  An hour later, I strutted toward my lunch table carrying my tray. Tate stepped in my path.

  “After lunch we need to talk. We can’t go on not speaking to each other. I did nothing wrong.”

  “You’re telling me you didn’t create that post?” I scowled.

  Matt relieved me of my tray. I stepped closer to Tate.

  “I read a few of those comments that you responded to. You told someone I was trash and they could have me.”

  His jaw twitched and his tanned face turned beet red.

  “I would never say that. And that motherfucker was dealt with.”

  My brow wrinkled. “What?”

  His hands ran over his hair tight. “My account was hacked, Chelsea.” He reached for my hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  I snatched my hand away. “No, tell everyone here I am not a murderer.”

  I glared into his eyes. “Tell them I didn’t have anything to do with Mason’s death. That you two argued over me. Because you both loved me.” I pointed at my chest.

  He gripped his hair walking in a circle. “You want to do this here?”

  “I want you to tell the truth.” Tears spilled down my cheeks.

  Silence fell over the lunchroom.

  “Fine, fine!” He towered over me. “Mason tried to kiss you. You admitted you liked me. I told him you belonged to me. He said that I knew he liked you. Mason pushed me into you. You fell. I shoved him into the tree and punched him in the face, because you fell down the hill. He in turn kicked me down the hill. Mason shouted she’ll never be yours. Lightening hit the tree. The branch fell on his head and knocked him off the ledge on the huge rock. There are you happy?” His chest heaved.

  “I blamed you because we fought over you,” he roared. “That was the last memory I had with my twin brother. Not a loving memory. It’s a memory filled with hate. So yes. I couldn’t look at you anymore. You reminded me of that day.”

  His words felt like he twisted a dagger into my heart.

  “But fuck I couldn’t stop loving you either.”

  His eyes softened.

  “Your return to Haven River meant I had to face you every day.” He ran his hand over his mouth.

  “Tate, I was so fucked up after that day. I shaved all my hair off. I couldn’t forget your words. ‘I hate you.’” I tore my jacket down my arms.

  His eyes widened. “No, Chelsea, we can’t do this here. Let’s go. This is none of their business.”

  “You don’t want your precious fans to know I tried to kill myself because you blamed me for your twin brother’s death?”

  I pulled my sleeves up and flipped my arms upward. “I almost died, Tate.”

  Gasps fell over the quiet room.

  “Did you know that? My mother saved my life. Thank God she was home that day. I was placed in a-”

  Tate placed his hand over my mouth, scooped me into his arms and fled the lunchroom. He darted into a vacant classroom. He sat me in a desk chair and dropped on his knees at my feet.

  “Why did you do that?”

  “Why wouldn’t you let me tell them I was in a psychiatric hospital?”

  His head fell in my lap. “I apologize, Chelsea. That was wrong of me.” Tate grabbed a box of Kleenex off the desk and cleaned my face.

  “I wish I wouldn’t have blamed you. I’ve caused you so much pain.”

  Finally, after all these years, Tate apologized. I wish I didn’t have to corner him to get one.

  “I’ll leave you alone. I don’t deserve to have you in my life. I’m the reason for your demons.”

  I nodded, and tears streaked my cheeks. Tate exited the room and didn’t look back.

  Closure to years of pain. Somehow, I loved him more than I had before. Why because he let me go? Or because he admitted before everyone, he loved me?

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  TATE

  The crabs rumor Chelsea spread had minimal effect until we returned to school Monday. All the fucking laughing and giggling pissed me off. Matt, Stephen, Kyle, and me shut the rumors down. Meaning we made examples out of those who thought it was cool to add fuel to the fire. They dragged Brittany into the lie and another girl on the swim team I had never spoken to.

  Days later, I had Chelsea withdrawals. I hadn’t beat my meat in a couple of years. The second Chelsea returned it became a weekly occurrence. After the hot and heavy session at her house it became a daily need. Crushing those heart shaped lips again was all I could think about. Thursday, I made the decision to talk to her after the game Friday. I planned to tell her she was officially my woman. Of course, I knew I’d have to talk about Mason’s death. But in due time. Outside of the Marisa bullshit the night was perfect. Spending time with the girl who knew me better than anyone was the best feeling in the world. The icing on the cake was tasting her sweet pussy and holding her in my arms all night.

  A certain someone didn’t want Chelsea and I to have our happy life. They felt we needed to suffer. But why? We deserved happiness after all this time.

  Matt and I fought in the street after Chelsea’s father put me out of their house.

  Raising my fists, Matt and I faced off in the street.

  “Come on take your best shot,” I antagonized.

  “You know your sister hacked my account. I just can’t prove it.” I punched him in the gut. He didn’t flinch.

  “You know you’ve done nothing but hurt Chelsea for four years?”

  His true words punched me in the gut and I lowered my guard. Matt’s fist rocked my mouth.

  “You fucking bastard!” I tackled him to the ground.

  “What the hell is going on out here?” My dad roared, stalking toward us.

  “Matt, I know I’ve made her life hell.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t know the extent of the damage.”

  What was he talking about?

  Dad dragged us into the house and demanded we tell him what was going on.

  He told us there would be no more fighting, then he fled to Chelsea’s to talk to Chris.

  Me and Matt sat in my room brooding.

  Eyes wide, I scrolled the responses to the fucked up comments on the post.

  “Matt, what the fuck?” I shot to my feet pacing.

  “What?” He jumped off the bunk bed he slept on whenever he crashed at my house and peeked over my shoulder.

  “First of all, Chelsea and I didn’t have sex. And these comments. This asshat asked to share her?” I saw red.

  “Shit man, who the fuck is that guy?”

  “I don’t know but we are about to find out.”

  Monday night, Me and Matt joined Stephen and Kyle on the football field. Five assholes stood on their knees under the bright lights.

  I paced, gripping a bat. “All of you are a disgrace not only to Haven Saints high but to this world. I would never brag about taking a girl’s virginity. You all are fucking idiots for thinking I posted that bullshit,” I roared.

  I halted in front of the biggest motherfucker on the field. “Bigdog aka Bradley, you asked to share my woman?”

  He was white as a ghost and his lower lip trembled. “Tate, I was joking around.

  “Fuck that. You’re done in band.” I swung the bat, smacking his belly. He fell on his face, crying like a bitch.

  “Tonight, you will learn like so many others have in the past. You do not fuck with Tate Forrester.”

  My friends and I tortured those guys.

  Later that night, I climbed up the pillar, onto Chelsea’s balcony, then crawled through the window. She tossed and turned. I thought she’d wake up and find me lying on the window seat. The rage had subsided. What I’d give to make her happy. Those big blue eyes held me captive every time. I had to make it right. She sobbed in her sleep every night
because of me. My name fell from her lips. This time she wasn’t calling out to me for help. Her voice dripped with hate. I was the reason she held a razor in her hand. Fuck sleep. I’d suffer through her cries every night just to be close to her.

  Chelsea finally received the long overdue closure she deserved. My heart broke when she revealed her scars to the people in the lunchroom. I couldn’t let her share another secret that was only meant for my ears.

  Walking away from her was the hardest thing I’d ever done.

  A month later, I was still sleep deprived. My hair grew below my ears. Nothing mattered anymore. She didn’t sit front and center at my games. And we no longer shared the same lunch period. In the evenings after I completed my homework, I’d fall asleep until eleven. One night on my way to her house dad waited for me in the atrium.

  “Son.”

  “Dad, what are you doing up?”

  He strolled toward me wearing an undershirt and PJs. “Stop crawling through Chelsea’s window every night.” His fingers slipped through his short brown hair. “If I hadn’t noticed you climbing up the pillar like fucking Spiderman one night, Chris would have shot your ass.”

  I peered into the eyes that mirrored mine. “You talked to him?”

  “Yes.” He sighed.

  “Use the front door for now on.”

  He gripped my shoulder and looked me square in the eye. “I hate seeing you suffer like this. Tell the girl you want to be with her.”

  “She hates me. I’ve caused her nothing but pain.”

  “Think outside the box, son.”

  ∞

  “Tate, what’s going on?”

  I turned to the sound of her beautiful voice. “Come here.” I stretched my hand out toward her.

  She stood a second longer. Her long, dark, loose flowing curls swayed in the wind.

  Of course, her stubborn ass didn’t take my hand. Her arms crossed her chest, she stepped beside me.

  “Why did Matt bring me here?”

  “Because I asked him to.”

  She stared into the distance.