“Are you a control freak?” he asks, grinning to himself. Why? I have no idea.
“I don’t think so.”
When I see us nearing a carnival, excitement fills me. Turning to Tag, I say, “Please tell me we’re going there!”
He chuckles at my outburst. “We are. Thought you could relax a little, have some fun.”
“Sounds amazing,” I reply wistfully until I realise I literally have no money. This was going to be awkward.
“I didn’t know we were going to be going anywhere,” I say, fiddling with the hem of my shirt. “I didn’t bring money.”
Tag’s eyes dart to me. “If you think for one second I’d make a woman pay for anything, you don’t know me very well.”
“But—”
“I made you come. I would never expect you to be pay and would be insulted if you tried. Don’t worry about anything, okay? Work, money… anything. Right now is about fun.”
“I don’t think—”
“Clara.”
“Tag—”
“Oh, look. We’re here,” he says, tapping his fingers on his steering wheel. “I say we start at the rides then head towards the food.”
“Sounds perfect,” I murmur, staring at all the rides in vision as he parks the car.
“What’s your views on scary rides?”
I stare at his profile. “The scarier the better.”
“My kind of girl.”
We get out of his car and walk side by side to the entrance. Tag pays our fee, which makes me feel bad, but I stay quiet as he leads me towards the rollercoaster.
It was huge.
“You down for this?” he asks, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
I roll my eyes at him. “Oh please. This right here—child’s play.”
I’m sure his booming laugh could have been heard from all areas of the carnival. “Fuck, you’re cute, you know that? Let’s see if you’re as tough as you think you are.”
We wait in the short line, then grab a seat right in the very front.
“You can always hold my hand if you get scared,” he says once we’re buckled in.
“How considerate of you,” I reply dryly.
His mouth twitches as he stares down at me. When his gaze drops to my mouth, my breath hitches. “Are you single?”
I nod. “Are you?”
“I’m always single,” he replies, winking.
I don’t want to read into that comment.
Lucky for me, the ride starts, and everything else is forgotten.
“What’s so funny?” he asks, licking his lips.
I look at him, speaking through my laughter. “Look at you. Big, bald, muscled guy, covered in tattoos. Bad ass goatee. Eating pink candy floss!”
“Are you stereotyping me?” he asks, amusement filling his tone. “I happen to like candy floss. A hell of a lot.”
“I can see that,” I reply, breaking off some of my own.
We had gone on about ten rides, each more fun than the last. I can’t remember laughing so much in my life. Tag was so much fun, always joking around and always flaunting a friendly smile. He is charming, a bad boy with a good heart. How the hell am I supposed to resist that? We are co-workers however, and apart from some innocent flirting, I don’t think he is into me in that way, which is a good thing.
Keep telling yourself that, Clara.
I have bigger problems right now. I need to pay my rent and get back on my feet before I even think about starting something with anyone. And Tag? Well… he was always single. Did that mean that even if he was with a girl he was still single?
“I had fun today.”
“Me too. Thank you for bringing me here. I really appreciate it,” I reply in all honesty.
He swallows his mouthful before he speaks. “No problem. Maybe we could do something else next week.”
“I’d like that,” I reply, licking my finger.
His gaze follows the motion, and all of a sudden, the air between us thickens.
He clears his throat. “You looked like you could use some fun.”
I nod. “It’s been a while.”
“Do your parents live here?” he asks. “You live alone, right?”
“They live in Melbourne. Yes, I live alone,” I say, leaning back against the bench. “I moved here two years ago, as soon as I turned eighteen.”
“Do you like it here?” he asks, looking genuinely interested.
“I do. It’s a beautiful city.” And it is far enough away from my parents that I don’t have to see them.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” he continues, studying me.
“Only child. You?”
“Same.”
“Did it suck for you as much as it did for me?”
He grins. “It wasn’t so bad. I have good friends. My mother passed away a few years back, and my dad lives down south. He’s retired.”
“I’m sorry you lost your mum,” I say, barely a whisper.
He shrugs. “It was bad, but you can’t control everything, you know? I miss her everyday, but life goes on.”
“And your daughter…?”
“Isabella,” he says, smiling fondly. “She’s six. So damn cute. Here, I’ll show you a pic.”
He pulls out his fancy looking phone and brings up a picture. I stare at the little girl with dark eyes, hair, and a dimpled smile. “She’s gorgeous.”
“Thank you,” he replies. “She’s a good kid. Best thing in my life.”
I want to ask about Isabella’s mother but refrain. Luckily, he continues.
“Kaley and I share Isabella during the week. Since I work nights, I usually go see her in the morning and get her ready for school and drop her off. It’s just a little extra time I get to spend with her, you know?”
That is really sweet.
“Do you get along with your ex?” I blurt out. So much for not asking.
He nods slightly. “We do okay.”
He doesn’t elaborate on that, so I ask, “Should we get going?”
“We should,” he says, standing. “Do you want something else to eat or drink?”
I shake my head from side to side. “No, but thank you.”
When I have some money, I am going to take him out. His kindness won’t be forgotten any time soon.
Little did I know he would be saving my ass again in just another thirty minutes.
*****
When we pull up to my apartment building, Tag insists on walking me to my door to carry the huge unicorn soft toy he’d won at last minute. When we were about to leave the carnival, we passed a basketball hoop game, and Tag took arm and brought me to a stop.
“Which one do you like?” he asks, pointing to the toys.
I saw the unicorn and fell in love with it instantly. “Unicorn.”
“Good choice,” he says, lips kicking up at the corners. “I’m going to get it for you.”
And he did.
I’m digging through my purse as we walk to my front door when I hear Tag growl. “What the fuck?”
I lift my head to see him pull a piece of paper off my door.
“What is it?” I ask, dread filling me from head to toe. I stand next to him and peer over his shoulder.
An eviction notice.
Fuck.
No, No, No.
Things were going so well.
My luck had changed, hadn’t it? Maybe if I spoke to him and explained…
Who was I kidding? My landlord was an asshole.
I glance at Tag out of the corner of my eye.
Why did he have to see this? I look down, feeling embarrassed. I’m a proud person, and for someone to see this, especially Tag, makes me want to curl into a ball and cry.
“Give me your keys Clara,” Tag asks in a soft but firm voice, touching my shoulder.
I pull out my keys and hand them to him. He opens the front door and ushers me inside with his hand pressing gently on the small of my back. In a daze, I walk into my apartment and lean agai
nst the kitchen countertop.
“Pack a bag,” Tag demands quietly.
I look up at him. “Wh- what?”
“Pack a bag,” he repeats, drawing out each word.
“Tag, I don’t think—”
“Fine. If you won’t do it, I will,” he murmurs, his eyes darting to my bedroom door.
“I want to be alone.”
“Too bad. We’re going to pack up your shit, and then you’re coming to my house,” he says casually, like he didn’t just announce I was going to stay with him.
“Are you crazy?” I ask, brows furrowing. “I can’t come to your place! I will be fine. I’ll find another apartment or I’ll try and talk to the landlord here and work something out.”
Tag scrubs a hand down his face. “Guess I’ll pack your shit for you then.”
I throw my hands in the air. “You’re not listening to me, Tag!”
He ignores me and storms into my room. I follow closely behind, trying to grab my backpack from him as he starts opening drawers. Jumping on his back, I try and pin his arms down so he will stop touching my stuff, but I fail. Instead, I end up on my back in the middle of my bed, Tag bracing over me. When I look up into his eyes, I find that they are zoned in on me and soft. Gentle.
“Let me help you,” he says in a gentle tone. “Everyone needs help now and again. There is nothing to be embarrassed of. I have a three bedroom house, and there is plenty of room. I like you. You aren’t inconveniencing me in any way. So please stop being stubborn.”
I shift my position then go completely still as I feel something hard pressed against my lower stomach.
Holy crap.
I narrow my eyes on Tag who just smirks. “I have a beautiful woman pinned under me, what can I say?”
He thinks I’m beautiful?
Stay focused, Clara.
I clear my throat. “So I can stay with you until I find a new place?”
He nods. “As long as you need.”
“I’ll pay rent, of course,” I say, nibbling on my lower lip in thought. “That or no deal.”
Amusement dances in his eyes. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“Tag—”
“Okay, we can work something out. Now, pack your shit. I’m going to call a friend who has a moving truck so we can move your bed and furniture,” he says. “There isn’t much, so it will be easy.”
I exhale slowly. “Fine.”
His lip twitches at my lack of graciousness. “Good. Don’t stress, okay? Everything will be alright.”
“Why are you always saving me?” I whisper, squeezing my eyes shut tight.
“Clara,” he murmurs.
“Hmmm?”
“Open your eyes,” he commands.
They flutter open.
He swallows, looking at me like he’s seeing me for the first time. After a few moments, his gaze lowers, now lingering on my mouth. “You don’t need saving, Clara. You’re not weak. You’re strong.”
Searching every inch of his face, I can see that he means what he says. In his opinion, I’m not weak at all.
He flashes me a panty dropping smile and then pushes off the bed, reaching his hand out to pull me up.
“Shall we?” he asks. “We better get out of here before I beat the shit out of your landlord.”
Probably a good idea.
Taking his hand, I let him pull me up until I’m standing facing him, our bodies almost touching. Reaching his other hand out, he tucks a strand of hair back behind my ear. I realise his hand is still holding mine.
I like it there. A little too much.
“You good?” he asks.
I nod once. “Yeah, I’m good.”
I step away from him, let go of his hand, and pick up my backpack, forgotten on the floor.
Then, I pack up my life.
That evening, I’m unpacking my belongings in Tag’s guest room. Not everything, just the basics to get me through the next week or so. I don’t plan on being here very long, just as long as it takes to find somewhere new. The room is completely white, except for the black bed sheets. It’s a very modern, tidy room, and I find myself liking it. I find myself liking its owner much more. After helping me pack, Tag called his friend. The two of them carried my furniture and disassembled my bed in record time.
“Clara, dinner’s ready,” Tag calls through the closed door.
I tie my damp hair in a knot on top of my head. “Coming!”
Dressed in a pair of track pants and a tank top, I smell something delicious as I walk barefoot into his kitchen
“You cook too?” I ask, impressed at his skills.
He closes the oven before he replies, “‘Course I do. I hope you’re hungry.”
I look to the table, all the dishes spread out. Roast chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, peas, and asparagus.
“This looks amazing,” I say, my stomach rumbling. I can’t even remember the last time I had such a meal.
“Take a seat,” he says, pointing to one of the chairs at the dining table. I sit down and wait as he brings me a plate and sets the dishes in the centre. I wait until he begins dishing out mashed potatoes on his own plate before I start to serve my own.
“Do your parents know you were about to get evicted?” he asks, still looking at his plate.
I shift on my chair. “No. I don’t talk to them much.”
Although they try and call me every other day.
“Why not?” he asks, now loading chicken onto his plate. “If they knew and didn’t care, I’d be fuckin’ pissed.”
Inwardly cringing, I tell him as little as I can get away with. “I didn’t leave on the best terms with them.”
Understatement of the year.
I always thought I had the perfect family—loving parents who always spent time with me and gave me everything I needed and wanted. They doted on me, or so I thought. Really, I was only seeing what I wanted to see, and when I found out the truth, it hit me hard.
Tag nods his head, lifting his fork to his mouth.
I do the same.
Chewing slowly, he studies me with an intensity that makes me want to squirm. “You ever need anything, you call me, okay? Right away. If I didn’t walk you to your door tonight, you would have hidden this, wouldn’t you?”
I shrug my shoulders.
“So damn stubborn,” he grumbles, shaking his head. “Thanks to that stuffed unicorn, you now don’t have to worry about not having a place to say.”
My lip twitches at that. It’s true. If he didn’t insist on carrying that unicorn to my door, he never would have seen the notice, and I never would have told him or anyone else about it.
“Thank you,” I reply quietly, letting my tone speak my gratefulness.
Tag shrugs it off. “Anytime. I’ll ask Ryan and Reid if you can start at nine thirty instead of nine. That way, I can drop Isabella at school then bring you to work with me.”
“Will they be okay with that?” I ask, frowning. “It’s a little too early in my employment to be asking for favours, isn’t it?”
Tag chuckles. “They’re my friends. Trust me, it won’t be an issue.”
I arch a brow. “How long have you been friends for?”
“Years. Forever.”
“Sounds nice.”
We finish the meal in comfortable silence, and then I help Tag to clean up. Side by side, we stand at the sink. I wash, and he dries.
“Could you wash any slower?” he teases, holding the tea towel in his hand, waiting.
I splash him with a little water. “If I do it faster, they won’t be washed properly.”
“We should watch a movie after this,” he says. “Or are you going to bed?”
I think it over. “A movie sounds good.”
Even though I will probably fall asleep during it.
We finish up in the kitchen and move to the lounge room. Tag sits on the right side of the couch, one hand bent, resting on his bald head.
“Why do you shave your head?” I blurt
out, curious.
He looks down at me, amusement written all over his expression. “You don’t think it’s hot?”
That was beside the point.
“It suits you,” I admit. “I like the goatee too.”
His shoulder shake as he laughs. “Glad you approve, Clara. I did a couple years in the army, and it kind of stuck.”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
He nods, looking back to the TV. “Really.”
My phone rings, and I know from the ring tone that it’s my mother.
“You going to answer that?” he asks.
I shake my head from side to side. “No.”
“Why not?”
“It’s my mother, and I don’t want to talk to her.”
He stays silent for a few moments. “You could always tell me, you know. I’m a good listener.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I murmur, snuggling up against the couch.
*****
I must have fallen asleep because I wake up in Tag’s arms.
“Shhh,” he whispers, laying me down on the bed. “Goodnight, Clara.”
“Night Tag,” I mumble, keeping my gaze on him as he leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
Just who is Tag?
To me, he is perfect.
*****
Isabella is adorable.
“You’re pretty,” she says, sounding like she approves. “Can I do something cool to your hair?”
I turn around and smile at her as she sits in her car seat in the back of Tag’s car. “Sure you can.”
“Daddy! See! Did you hear?” she calls out excitedly.
“I heard, Princess,” Tag replies, turning his head to me and smiling. “She will hold you to that.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
I’d waited in the car while he went in and got his daughter. He’d come out with her; no glimpse of Isabella’s mother, Kaley, though.
We pull into the school car park, and I wait in the car while Tag drops Bella off at her classroom.
“Bye Clara!” she calls out, waving as she walks away from the car.
Too damn cute!
Tag slides back in about ten minutes later.
“Sorry,” he says. “She wanted to show me her work.”
“No problem. You don’t need to explain. She’s a great kid.”
He starts the engine and puts on his seat belt. “She is that.”
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