"Hey." Martin pulled me into a quick hug. "Great choice on Tate. He killed it this morning. Tied my fucking score, and I'm the best swimmer on the team. I love it."
"Really?" Excitement pumped through me as I laughed. "That's great news!"
"He didn't text you?" Katelyn's smile faded. "That's not cool."
"No, it's okay. Really. We're just friends and barely that. I didn't get him the try out to get anything in return for it. I was paying him back for being so good to me the other night when I was stranded." I took a long drink of my drink, hoping that my friends wouldn't be able to see just how disappointed I was that Tate hadn't told me the good news himself.
Probably for the better.
"He's supposed to be here tonight. I told him you would be here, too." Martin shrugged and lifted to his toes to look around.
My heart leapt into my chest, and it was hard to breathe all of a sudden. I forced myself to stay focused on them instead of turning and searching the crowd manically like I wanted to.
"Awesome. Well, I'm sure I'll run into him, then. Thanks again for letting him try out." I moved in beside Katelyn and let my eyes scan the crowd slowly until I found Amy and Lucinda. "Alright... I've been relieved of my designated driver duties, so I'm off to find something stronger. I'd like to forget today happened."
"No shit, right?" Katelyn rubbed my back softly. "You deserve a great guy that makes you forget your last name is Scott."
"Another shitty day with your folks?" Martin asked with sincere concern on his face.
"Yep. Every day is a shitty day with my parents." I forced a smile and moved away from them. I couldn't help but notice that Kade was talking with a pretty girl in the corner of the room. Some part of me wanted to be jealous over it, but it was for the better. I didn't want to date someone that left me lukewarm. I wanted my next boyfriend to be the first one that made me soar high just by watching him walk into the room.
Tate.
A loud group in the corner of the living room was cutting up and having entirely too much fun. Carolyn was in the middle of it, and her laughter sent a nasty shiver down my spine. I hated the fact that wherever I was, that bitch was, too. There was no getting rid of her, and honestly, the one way to really get back at her for being so horrible was to take the presidency away. I didn't want to run the Gammas, but between needing to prove to her that she wasn't queen and wanting to shut my mother up, I was going to have to grab the leadership role in May.
"Should have done it last weekend when she was getting stoned to death in the kitchen," I mumbled and moved up to the edge of the crowd. A cute boy with dark-rimmed glasses and a crooked smile glanced over at me.
"Oh. Hi." His mouth lifted farther.
"Hi there." I turned as I realized that the guy who was currently the center of attention in Carolyn's crowd was Tate. I touched his back, tapping lightly until he turned.
His eyes lit up in a way that stole my breath. He might not have texted, but he was glad to see me.
"Val, what a great surprise." He moved toward me and pulled me into an unexpected hug.
I returned the favor and wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him softly before moving back a little and letting out a laugh. "Congratulations, you ass. You couldn't text me that you go on the team?"
"I told him to." The boy beside me moved closer to us and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm Sam, Tate's best friend."
"Oh." I turned to Sam. "Nice to meet you."
"You, as well." Sam lifted his eyebrow and glanced over to Tate, who stood in silence. "You weren't lying. She is breathtaking."
"Right?" Tate released me and took my hand, instead. "Come on. Let's get you something good to drink. That's glorified Kool-Aid."
"Sam, come meet my friends." I grabbed his hand with my free one as Tate moved us toward the kitchen. I couldn't help but feel a moment of victory as I caught the look on Carolyn's face. I wanted to tell her that I was sure her beloved would show up soon, but I let it go. No need to rub salt in her wounds, though she would do so to me without another thought. I almost enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to react to her or anyone else if I didn't want to. I could just be me.
"You look incredible." Tate glanced back. His light brown hair was disheveled and his eyes a tad glossy. I didn't look incredible, but he sure as fuck did. His lips were dark pink, and I couldn't help but wonder how good they would feel against mine or what his tongue might taste like.
"So do you, but you always do." I squeezed his hand and released both his and Sam's grasp as I stopped in front of Amy and Lucinda.
My friends turned to me and both gave me their own form of a questioning look.
"Guys, this is Tate and his friend Sam." I motioned toward each of the guys as I introduced them. "Boys, this is Lucinda and Amy."
They all took turns shaking hands and getting to know each other as I moved to the snack table and picked up a few pretzels. Tate moved up beside me and bumped his shoulder against mine.
"I'm sorry." His smile was beautiful and stole my breath. He was the most rugged, unruly-looking guy I'd entertained the idea of dating, and yet there was something about him that left me thinking he was a sensitive, good-guy type.
"No need to be. I was just kidding. I know you’re busy." I shrugged and turned to find him staring intently at me.
"No, I'm just worried." He shrugged and picked up a beer from the big bucket filled with them just beside us.
"Worried? About what?" I took a step closer to him as he turned and touched the side of my face.
"A lot of things." His eyes moved around my face as if he were trying to memorize me.
"Well, stop worrying." I lifted to my toes and started to move in for a kiss, but two hands grabbed me and pulled be back. Dill.
"Come on, lover girl. It's beer bong time. You're such a fucking hot shot on the courts...let's see how you handle these balls." He laughed and grabbed Tate, too. "Come on, man. No need to let this one out of your sights. Half the fucking room is hoping for her attention."
"Oh, please." I rolled my eyes and smiled over at Tate as we were half dragged through the room. "You don't have to do this."
"If you're doing it, I'm in." He reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers softly. "After this, we're getting out of here."
"Yes. Please." I turned as we were shoved into the middle of the crowd where the beer pong table was. I didn't usually participate in stupid drinking games, but the energy in the crowd was too much to deny anyone anything.
We played for a bit, laughing as the other had to drink until I was having a hard time staying on my feet. Tate grabbed me and pulled off to the side with a large smile on his lips.
"You're drunk." He smirked.
"Yep. You're not." I slid my hands up his chest and moved a little closer. "You feel good."
"Good. Let's get out of here. I'm still good to drive. Let me see if we can take Sam's truck. The bike is going to leave us half frozen." He ran his hands over my shoulders, and I wanted to move in for another try at a kiss, but it wasn't the time. Besides, I figured I should give him the chance to lean in for the first kiss. But if he didn't, I would, and soon.
"Sounds good." I walked to the kitchen and told Amy about leaving with Tate. She didn't seem too thrilled, but I promised to text her before walking toward the side door where Tate stood waiting for me.
"You ready? I wanted to take you up to the frozen lake by my place. That sound okay?" He bit at his lip as he watched me.
"Yeah. I'd love to get to know you a little better, but if you're an axe murderer, tell me now. I'm in no mood to defend myself tonight." I smirked as he chuckled. I grabbed my coat from the pile on the floor by the door and waited for him to do the same.
"Why do you have to be so damn cute?" He opened the door and touched the small of my back as I walked out into the night.
"Am I cute?" I smiled at him as we made our way to the truck.
"Impossibly so." He helped me get into my side and then walked aro
und to his side.
Butterflies danced around my stomach and lust teased me with the idea of a hot make-out session. I wasn't usually the type of girl to jump in the sack with someone, and I wasn't going to be sleeping with Tate that night, but cuddling up to him sounded divine.
"You like to ice skate?" He maneuvered the truck out of the overcrowded field and turned us the opposite way from town.
"I sure do." I leaned my head back and took a shallow breath. The smell of his cologne was delicious, and I started to wonder if I'd had a little too much to drink.
"Good. I'll take you soon, if you're up for it." He reached out and squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry about not calling. I really wanted to, but my life is too complicated for anything more than a friendship right now."
His words drilled into the center of me, wiping out my hope for something more happening between us. Of course, his life was too complicated to consider taking me out for a date. Why guys had to think it was all or none, black or white always left me confused.
"No, it's good. I'm interested in a friendship. I just got out of a nasty relationship, anyway." I moved up to turn the heater on higher and swallowed the hot ball of rejection lodged itself in my throat.
I had berated myself ten different ways by the time Tate pulled the truck to a stop.
"Well, shit. The road’s blocked." He let out a frustrated growl.
"It's okay. We'll go another time." I pulled out my phone. "Besides, it looks like my friends are ready to get home. It was nice just getting away."
"Yeah, but we didn't learn anything about each other." He growled again and turned the truck around. "I should have brought the fucking bike. At least we could have gone around the blockage."
For someone who wanted a friendship, he sure seemed upset.
I forced myself to make idle chit-chat with him until we got back to the party. He was either bipolar or I was making shit up where the two of us were concerned. Why things couldn't just go the way I expected them too in one area of my life was beyond me.
"Hey, let's go out for something to eat soon." He glanced over at me as we parked back out amongst the cars.
"Sure. You have my number." I gave him a tight smile and got out of the truck without another word. Not only had I almost kissed him earlier and looked like an idiot, but I'd left the party thinking something was going to happen more than the disappointment of hearing that I was being friend-zoned.
"Whatever. You don't even know him." I walked back in to find Amy talking with Kade in the kitchen.
At least something is going right tonight.
Chapter 14
Tate
She was upset, and I was kicking myself. Why the fuck I felt the need to friend-zone her was beyond me. I had every intention of taking her up to the lake, getting to know her better, and making her pant with a long, hot make-out session in Sam's truck.
I texted him as I watched her walk back toward the house. My jacked up sense of self-protection had kicked into gear and ruined the night. I could see by the slight rounding of her shoulders that she was hurt.
"Dammit." I hit the steering wheel and let my head fall back as I waited for Sam. He walked out a moment later, looking rather confused.
I got out of the truck, but left it running.
"What the hell, man?" His eyebrow lifted sharply.
"They blocked the road." I shrugged and pulled my bike keys from my pocket. "I'm going home. Stay if you want to."
"What happened? I just saw Val walk back in the house looking like you kicked her in the chest." His brow pulled tight, and I was trapped.
"I friend-zoned her. I don't know why. I really like her, but I guess I'm just a pussy." I ran my fingers through my hair and pulled hard. "Ugh, I fucking hate myself sometimes."
"Then get in there and fix things. She's quite possibly one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen, Tate, and she didn't seem like a bitch, at all." He pushed at my chest. "What's wrong with you?"
"No, I'll catch you later." I didn't wait for his reply, but jogged to my bike, got on, and drove like a bat out of hell the whole way back to the house. I was furious with myself by the time I got home. Not only had I ignored her all week after she returned my kindness, but then I'd dropped a bucket of cold water in the middle of whatever was starting between us.
"What the fuck is the matter with you?" I jerked my coat off as I walked into the house to find my mom still up.
"With me?" Her lips turned up into a smile.
"No, Mom. Sorry." I tossed my coat onto the couch and walked into the kitchen as indecision tore up my insides. "Me. I'm an idiot."
"Why is that?" She followed me into the kitchen and wrapped me in a hug from behind. "You're one of the smartest guys I know. If you messed up, then you fix it, right?"
"Right. I wish it were that easy." I untangled myself from her hold and walked to the back door to stare out at the thick snow that had covered the ground. "I'm scared."
"What? You scared? No..." She laughed and sat down at the kitchen table as I turned to face her.
"I really like this girl, Mom. She's not like the other girls that I've been interested in, and honestly, she's so far out of my league that it's almost funny." I crossed my arms over my chest and glanced down toward the ground as I began to pace back and forth.
"What do you mean, she's out of your league?"
"She's a Scott. As in David Scott's daughter." I shrugged and glanced up to find my mom sitting calmly. Not the reaction I expected.
"And?" She reached for a coffee mug that sat just in front of her. "What's your point?"
"My point? This man is like a god around here. He's a billionaire." I moved to stand on the other side of the table and pressed my hands to it as I gave her a look. "You don't know the Scotts, obviously."
"Honey, everyone knows who David Scott is. Just because he's a wealthy guy who treats everyone like crap doesn't mean his kids are the same, right?" She reached out and squeezed my hand. "Is the girl like her father?"
"No. Not at all, from what I can tell, but I'm honestly just waiting for the other shoe to drop." I moved back and started to pace again. "She's so damn beautiful, Mom. She's into me, from what I can tell, but I'm not the man for her. I'm tired of shallow relationships. I'm ready to start looking for someone I can build something real and long-lasting with. You know?"
"I sure do. I feel the same." She got up and let out a loud yawn. "You're categorizing her into the wrong group, Tate. You do this with everyone and everything. You can't generalize people, though you've tried to your whole life. She's probably very different from her family. Most people are."
I nodded. "Maybe so. Night, Mom."
Anger burned through me as I pulled my phone from my pocket. I needed to clear the air with her. I was no better than the asshole who'd broken her heart a few days before. Taking her back to the party without saying more than two words was a jerk move after throwing her into the friend-zone. What was I doing? Everything about this girl made my body ache with need, my heart warm with the potential of my first solid relationship.
I texted her the first thing that came to mind.
Me: Val, what did you have to do to get me that try out the other day?
Val: I scored the first three points at the intramural games. Why?
Me: Why did you do that for me?
Val: Because I recently learned that being nice is free.
My heart melted in my chest as I read and re-read her message over and over. She wasn't at all like her family and I was a dick for closing myself off to her before anything could even start between us. Why I would deny myself the opportunity to get to know a woman like her was beyond me.
Me: Forgive me for tonight. I don't know what I was thinking.
Val: I don't know what you were thinking, either, but there's nothing to forgive.
Me: See me again.
Val: I'm going to the library tomorrow. You're more than welcome to meet me there. Nothing more than studying between two frie
nds, but the invitation is open.
Between two friends... Shit.
I agreed to meet her just after lunch and called Sam to make sure he was okay before starting the shower.
"Hey, you. You at home?" Sam's voice was filled with sleep, which was a little surprising.
I'd almost expected him to stay at the party, even though I left. He was the kind of guy who might walk into a room of strangers, but they would all be friends of his within no time.
"Yeah, I'm about to jump in the shower and then head to bed. I just wanted to apologize for tonight. I was a jerk."
"Yeah, you were." Sam chuckled. "It's whatever, dude. No one could tell you anything when we were kids, and they can't now, either – me included. You'll figure this shit out with your mom, your job, and with the pretty girl you tossed aside tonight."
"Tossed aside? Harsh, man." I walked to the hall closet to grab a towel.
"Maybe, but I can tell you that if you're interested, you need to get back in there. When I went in to say goodbye to her and her friends, she was surrounded by a group of guys. I guess she plays basketball or something? She must be damn good because those guys were singing her praises. One in particular."
My stomach tightened with a combination of regret and jealousy. "I'm an idiot, okay?"
"Yep, I agree. Get some sleep. Tomorrow is a new day, and the girl must like you if she was willing to leave the party with you, right?" Sam sounded hopeful.
"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure I fucked that up." I let out a long sigh. "Alright. I'm getting off the phone. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Make it up to her, Tate. She'll probably jump right back into whatever you guys were starting between you."
"Thanks, man." I hung up the phone and stripped down before getting into the shower. My internal bantering continued to slam into me as I kicked myself left and right. I shouldn't have been in the shower alone, hating myself. I should have been sitting in the cab of Sam's truck with Val snuggled up beside me laughing and having a good time.
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