“What are you talking about?” He throws his hands out. “Where’s your wedding ring?”
“Really? Tate, come on now, that’s rich coming from you. We’re both adults. We don’t need to do this. I’ll be fine. Just leave me alone. You’re good at that.”
He takes a deep breath studying me, chewing over his next words.
I try to step to pass him and reach for the door handle. He clutches my shoulder and spins me around, pinning me to the back of the door. “This isn’t finished.” His mouth crashes into mine. I bite his lip and go to smack him, but he catches my wrist. “You’re mine, Amaya, you’ve always been mine. Even when you didn’t know me…you were just waiting to be mine.”
“You’re an asshole!” I shove him away and walk away with my heart racing and my panties wet. Why does he have to be so damn sexy? All this time and one simple touch from him and I am crumbling.
I want to turn around and march right back to him and smack him and kiss him. Then smack him again.
I don’t do either of those things though. I keep on walking. I don’t even know where I’m going. I’m super pissed and turned on. What’s wrong with me? Tate King destroyed me, and I go and sign myself up to be a physical therapist for his team.
I walk through the facility and out into the parking lot until I run straight into a chest.
“Hey, you okay, babe?” Sam says, pulling me into a hug. We’ve been dating for a month now, but it feels like longer. He was the reason I got this position on the team, considering he’s part of their PR stuff.
Sam is sweet and the first guy I’ve really dated since Tate tore my world apart. He’s cute in a geeky way. He is real clean cut and so not a jock. That was one reason I went out with him. He looked nothing like Tate. He’s the anti-Tate.
“What the fuck?” I hear hissed from behind me. “What are you doing?”
I turn out of Sam’s arms and look at Tate. “I’m hugging my boyfriend,” I sass him.
“Boyfriend?” He asks with disbelief.
“Yes, you know, someone you date, someone who is there, someone you kiss, fuck, and fall asleep next to at night.”
Sam, assessing the situation, decides to get us going. “Babe, let’s get you home. You can tell me what’s wrong when we get there.” Sam puts his arm around my waist and moves me to his car.
“We’re not finished, Twinkle Toes!” Tate shouts. Hearing my nickname leave his raspy throat tears me apart inside. I shouldn’t have taken this job.
The ride home is quiet, Sam seems stiff. He won’t even look at me. Every time I start to speak, he turns the radio up louder. We go through a drive-thru and he orders me a chicken basket and a milkshake without even asking. He’s being sweet even though he is clearly upset about something.
I nibble on the food even though I’m not really hungry. I just want to go home and curl up in a ball and pretend Tate King doesn’t exist in my world. However, that isn’t possible. I can’t get his stupid dumb sexy face and sad eyes out of my head. I can still feel the burn of his kiss as he ravaged my mouth thirty minutes ago.
We get to my apartment and I unlock the door. I can’t sit down. I pace the room after putting my food on the counter.
“You wanna tell me what that was back there?” Sam finally asks.
“Tate and I used to be together. He promised even when we broke up due to distance and our careers that we would remain friends and be there for each other when we needed. But one day he just stopped. Today is the first day I’ve seen him in years,” I tell Sam honestly.
“You still love him,” he states.
“I don’t want to,” I whisper as tears fall. I’ve not gotten over Tate, how could I? He was my everything. I would have given up dance for him. All he had to do was ask, I would’ve dropped my life in a heartbeat to be at his side. All I wanted was him to say the words, but instead he said our breakup was for the best and then he moved on so easily, as if I never touched his heart or his soul. All the women in the tabloids replaced me at his side and in his life.
Courtney said he made her sick the way he just brushed our breakup off like it was nothing. It finally got to the point where I couldn’t stand for her to mention him, so she finally stopped bringing him up all together.
Sam scoops me up, hugging me, sitting us on the sofa.
His thumbs stroke my arms.
“I don’t know what to do here. I like you, Amaya, but I won’t play second to someone else. I won’t be with you while you’re in love with another man. You need to figure this out and, in a few months, if you aren’t with him, we can try again.”
I still in his arms. “You’re breaking up with me?”
“Yeah, babe. I guess I am.” He rubs my arms and reaches me a tissue. “He obviously still cares about you. I won’t stand in the way of whatever you two need to sort out.”
“How are you being so cool about this?”
“Because, I care about you. I only want what’s best for you. Even if that means it isn’t me.”
“I’m sorry, Sam. I don’t know what to say here.” I blow my nose and move from his lap.
He cups my cheek, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “Just figure your life out, Amaya. Maybe fate brought you back to Tate. I don’t know. Maybe fate wants you with me, but until you know for sure that whatever you still have between you is over, I can’t date you.”
I take a deep breath. “I need time,” I tell him, because what he says is true. I do need to figure this shit out. How am I going to work with Tate until I know for certain?
“I’m gonna go. Call me if you need me. I’ll see you around.”
“Bye, Sam,” I say softly.
As soon as he closes the door, I’m on the phone to Courtney.
“I need you. Come over, please? Bring wine. Lots of wine.”
**
Courtney rushed over the minute Big Tex got home, so she could leave the kids with him. I told her everything, seeing Tate again, what he said, did. My talk with Sam. She didn’t say much of anything, just sat there looking thoughtful.
“Why couldn’t Sam have been a dick? Would make this much easier.”
I laugh. “Court, I told you, I don’t know how many times that Sam is an amazing man. He completely proved that today by letting me go. Did it hurt? A little, but we’ve only been together a month. Hell, we haven’t even slept together yet.”
She waves me off as I continue talking about Sam. “What about Tate?”
I close my eyes before answering her. “What about him?”
“What are you going to do? Are you gonna talk to him? Hear him out?”
“No, Tate and I are done, especially after all his promise breaking, and not being there for me when I needed him the most. I can’t go back there to get hurt again. It was weird though he was asking me where my wedding ring was. Why would Tate think I’m married?”
“I don’t know, but I understand, Am. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve said more than five words to him since your accident.”
She’s been very vocal about her dislike for Tate ever since my accident, I love that she is so protective of me.
“Let’s polish off these bottles of wine and watch some Magic Mike,” she says, smiling at me.
“Woot. Let’s do this,” I squeal, thankful for the break from sad gloomy talks.
I don’t want to think about Tate any more tonight.
Chapter 39
Tate
I
feel as if my heart was ripped out and stomped on. She’s with Sam? Yeah, no that isn’t going to work for me. I’ll make sure he breaks up with her by tomorrow, and I’m moving back into her heart.
I hope like hell Sam hasn’t fucked her, because she’s mine. Thinking she’s been with someone else is killing me, I don’t care if that makes me a hypocrite. I haven’t even looked at another woman since we broke up. Sure, I’ve been pictured with models and actresses many times, but it was for shit Valentina had me do for the gossip rags.
I t
ried to have a few one night stands just to scratch my itch, but I couldn’t do it. I refused to even look at them. I tried going through the motions but all I could see was Amaya. It felt like I was betraying her and what we had. Even the one night I got wasted and gave in to Valentina’s advances it was still Amaya I pictured in my mind. I didn’t even get off until later alone in the shower jerking it while thinking about the only woman I’ve ever loved.
And now she’s back. Just like I always wanted her to be. And I’m going to fight tooth and nail to win her back. And once I do, I’m not wasting any time making her my wife.
I grab my phone and text Big Tex. He decided he wanted to be a teacher and he’s also the football coach at a local high school. He must know why Amaya is here and not dancing, considering he’s with Courtney and she should know.
“Sup?” He answers.
“Hey man, guess who works with my team?”
“Amaya,” he says, not missing a beat.
“You knew? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because she hates your guts and threatened me with a rusty spoon up my asshole if I told you.”
“What the hell did I do that was so bad to make her hate me?”
He goes quiet on the line. “You’re a fucking dick. Don’t call me again until you fix what you did.” He hangs up.
What the fuck? I call Courtney, she’ll talk. She knows I’m meant to be with Amaya.
“Yeah,” she whispers.
“What the fuck is going on?”
“Tex told me not to get in the middle.”
“Well, fuck that, I need answers.”
“Then maybe you should pull your dick out of your own ass and talk to that cunt face agent of yours.” She hangs up on me too.
What the hell did she mean by that? What does V have to do with anything? The only way Amaya would give up her dream is if something bad had happened, since I know she was the headliner for her company, I decide to type her name into Google to see what I can find.
Article upon article about how she was hit by a car and damaged her leg. The injury ended her career in dance. I check the date for when it happened, and it was the night I was supposed to be watching her perform because she was in town. Fuck. That night was a blur.
That ended up being the night I got drunk and slept with Valentina. I wasn’t in any shape to face Amaya. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her with anyone who wasn’t me. Valentina told me I was stupid if I went to see Amya and showed me a picture of her hugged up to some dancer dude and said they met on tour and were rumored to be engaged. The news nearly killed me.
I read another article and my blood boils. I don’t think I could get any angrier but reading the name of the man who ruined my woman’s life…that piece of shit is lucky he’s locked away. Fucking Keith. The loser Amaya dated before we got together. I can’t do shit about him right now, but I can Valentina.
I think back on the night it all went down. I remember hearing V on the phone a few times yelling at someone on the line, but I didn’t think anything of it. Was Amaya trying to get ahold of me that night? Fuck.
I get in my car and race to Valentina’s place. I park illegally, I don’t give a shit, and quickly get out of my car.
“Valentina!” I shout, jogging up to her apartment. I don’t give a fuck about not renewing with her anymore, I don’t give a fuck if she wants to try and ruin my career, she wants to ruin my life, bring it on.
“What?” she snaps at me coming out of her bedroom.
“Four years ago, think back. Who were you talking to on my phone,” I demand she tells me.
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you better think long and hard. You told me that Amaya had moved on. You fucking lied to me.”
“It was nothing, just that bitch Courtney saying your so-called fiancé was in the hospital.”
I’ve never laid a hand on a woman in anger but I’m feeling the need to do so now.
“You conniving little cunt,” I sneer at her. Her face instantly pales. “That was my Amaya, and I never knew, and thanks to you, the woman I love and want to marry wants nothing to do with me. She was never with someone else was she?” She shakes her head. “You’re officially fired. I wasn’t going to renew my contract with you anyways as of Friday, but as of this second, I’m done with you.” It hits me, that she’s responsible in part for keeping me and Amaya from talking. The missing calls…the emails. I bet if I check back through my stuff, I’ll find the evidence I need to prove her guilt.
“But, Tate,” she starts.
“Don’t but Tate me. I don’t give a fuck if you go to your boss to try and sue me, but just remember, my best friend’s wife is the daughter of the best lawyer in the country, and I will take you down.”
“Tate, I made you. Don’t forget that.”
“Fuck you, you bitch! I never want to see you again. You and me—we’ve got nothing to discuss, ever. You will resign as my agent and we will part ways amiably. I won’t trash your name and you sure as shit will never speak mine. Got me?”
“I got you. You were nothing before me. You just flushed your career down the toilet. What a loser,” she scoffs, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder.
I slam her door as I walk out, and I let out the scream I’ve been holding in. I roar letting a fuck rip from my throat.
**
The next morning, I head to the offices with a purpose. First of course stopping by Sam’s office to have a friendly chat with him.
Knocking once, I open and step in. He doesn’t look surprised to see me. “Take a seat,” he says with a sigh.
“Not staying that long. Just here to tell you, I want you to breakup with Amaya. You see, she’s mine, she always has been, and I’ll stomp all over you to win her back.”
“There is no need for this conversation. We ended things last night. But you should know, she’s still hurt by you. She might not forgive you so easily.”
Well that was easier than I thought. At least that is out of the way. I give him a chin lift and leave his office heading down to Amaya. I see her working on Kent, and if I didn’t know how happily married Kent and Maia are, I would be jealous, seeing her smiling and laughing with him about something.
“Kent, man. I need a moment of Twinkle Toe’s time,” I call out as I enter the room.
Kent looks at me in surprise at first, but then he realizes who exactly Amaya is and grins. “I’ll see you same time in a few days, Miss Maxwell.”
I hate that name. It should be Mrs. King. And it will be.
“What do you want? I’m trying to do my friggin’ job,” she snaps at me, not bothering to look at me.
“If you just shut up and listen to me, you can get back to work.”
“If you don’t get the hell out of my office, I swear to god I will scream for help. I want nothing to do with you, Tate. We broke up years ago. You broke all your promises to me, and you weren’t there when I needed you most.” God, she sounds so broken.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know about the accident.” Her head jerks and she glares, not believing me. “I might have broken promises to you, Amaya, but I’ve never once lied, and you know that. I was a shit boyfriend when I started my career, you know that, as good as do I. I just want a chance to get you back. I still love you.”
A tear leaks out of her left eye and she turns her head away. “I can’t do this right now. Please, let me get back to work.”
I clench my jaw and nod, leaving her office quietly. I’ll give her some space, but she’s mine.
She always has been.
**
“Mom, would you shut up,” I tell her over her screeching. “Just ship that ring out here as fast as possible, same day shipping, I expect it here by tonight, and then once you ship it, you need to call Amaya’s parents. Fill them in on what’s happening.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll get it all done as soon as possible. You have my word. I’m so happy.” She hangs up, without saying g
oodbye and I smile.
My heart, my big bang, my Amaya, is mine again. Or she will be, in just a few hours, and this time, I’m not letting her go.
Chapter 40
Amaya
I’
m curled up on the couch in my pajamas watching Shadow Hunters. It’s a teenage show, but I loved those books. I take a bite of my cherry ice cream and try to eat my feelings. It isn’t working. I called in sick at my new job. I’ll probably get fired. Right now, I can’t be bothered to care. I don’t know how I thought I was going to be able to see Tate and keep a straight face to begin with.
My phone rings and I start to ignore it but it’s my mom and if I don’t answer she’ll get on a plane to see me. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, sweetie. How’s the new job going?” She asks.
We chat a while, and of course, I avoid telling her I’ve seen Tate, or that I broke up with Sam when I hear a knock at my door.
“I gotta go Mom, I think Courtney is here.”
I end the call. I go to the door as another knock bangs loudly. I still have my spoon in my hand as I throw the door open. Tate is standing at my door looking as sexy as the day I first met him if not better. Damn him.
“Can we talk?” He looks as if he just won big, he has a huge grin on his face, and looks as if he wants to eat me alive.
“Tate, I…”
“You nothing, Amaya.” He steps into my apartment, forcing me back toward the couch. “We’re settling this right here, right now. We’ll never be over. We’re meant to be.”
He grabs me forcefully by the back of my head and I hit him with my spoon. “You don’t get to kiss me, Tate!”
He laughs and looks at me and bam, my ovaries explode. I tear into him, kissing him, scratching him. I need him.
Tate pulls back from me. “We should talk.”
“We should,” I agree.
However, talking is the last thing we do. The next thing I know, clothes are flying, and Tate has me in his arms carrying me to my bed. I thought it was my bed, but he accidentally took us to the bathroom.
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