Page 113 of Bought and Broken

When I first saw him, I panicked, though I’m not sure why. It’s not like I’m afraid of him or didn’t want him to find me. In fact, I’ve been waiting for him to show up. I knew he would. Once I settled, I considered going over to him. But I decided not to. He’s the one who messed up, and the last thing I am going to do is run into his arms solely because I miss him. I’d be doing myself a disservice.

I like to think I still know him, and that he only did what he did because he’s hurting too. But it’s not fair to hurt myself to make him better, which is why I won’t go to him. If he wants me back, he’s going to have to grovel. And not only that, he needs to prove he’s serious.

All this time apart made me realize that my life will never be complete without Tate in it one way or another. He’s my family. Whether that means we’re friends or lovers, it has to be something. And if that something is us being only friends, then I’ll learn to accept it. I have no other choice. He’s a part of me that I can’t live without.

“Girl, he’s looking at you like he wants to have you for a snack.”

I throw my head back and laugh. Mason puts his hand on my hip.

“Dance closer. Make Daddy jealous,” he adds.

“Oh my god, do not call him that!” I say.

Mason chuckles, grinding against me. This would be weird if he weren’t gay, but he’s made it very clear he isn’t interested in a hole that bleeds for no good reason.

There is a very good reason, a very scientific reason, but when I tried to explain it, he brushed me off with a wave of his hand and said he didn’t care. He was all about dick, and that was that. But Tate doesn’t know that.

“I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” I say. “He beat up a guy for making him think we had sex. Broke his nose, actually.”

“I like it rough. You think he’ll fuck me after?”

“You are ridiculous,” I say, putting my arms around his neck.

“Oh, but you love me so damn much.”

He rests his face in the crook of my neck. We dance to the beat of the music. I sneak a glance at Tate whenever I can. He hasn’t moved. His eyes are glued to me. I don’t know if he knows I see him, but it seems like he doesn’t care either way. He isn’t trying to hide. I have no idea why he’s even watching. Is this a kink of his I didn’t know about? If it is, it’s kind of hot.

I always enjoyed it when Tate got jealous—after we were together, anyway.

Maybe it’s unhealthy, but it makes me feel good. And his control only makes me think he has changed a little—in a good way.

Tate was real with me. We’d gone back to how we were when we were younger. He was sweet to me. He got jealous. He took care of me. He stayed at his house, for Christ’s sake, and he hates that place. He was there for me when no one else was.

And according to Summer, he’s a sap who is so madly in love with me it’s disgusting. But that didn’t stop her from giving him a hard time about finding me. I laughed so hard I cried when I found out it was Astrid who gave me away, not Summer. I’ll hold that against her for the rest of her life. Playfully, of course. Who knows? Maybe she’ll be the reason Tate and I end up together again?

“Baby, he’s mad mad.”

I laugh to myself at Mason’s excitement over this. I’m glad it’s entertaining for him.

“Are you going to put him out of his misery, or what?” he asks.

We keep dancing, even as the song changes. “Not yet. I want to see how far he’s willing to go.”

“Smart girl,” he says, kissing me on the cheek.

We stay until the club closes. As we go out the door with the others who stayed until closing, I expect Tate to find me. Just as I did that last two nights I was here, but he never did. Both of those nights I was working. Tate lingered in the back, ordering drinks from the other bar. But he always had eyes on me. Mason was concerned and threatened to stab him, but I assured him Tate was harmless. Not entirely true, but I fully believe he’s harmless to me. Now, anyway.

I wouldn’t have said this a few months ago. You’d think I’d have learned my lesson, but I don’t know… I did a lot of thinking and I only realized how much Tate needs me. Just like I need him. He’s the only person I’ve ever felt complete peace with, who I could be myself around. And he’s the only person who gave me that same courtesy. We’ve seen the worst of each other, but we get the best of each other. And the best of Tate is worth everything. It’s something special. As long as he’s willing to work, of course. I won’t allow him to ruin me again.

“Are we riding together?” I ask as I pull out my phone to order a car.

“We are because I’m going to Daddy’s house down the street.”

I nudge him with my elbow. “That’s three times in one week. Are things getting serious?”

Mason barks out a laugh. “That’s funny, sweetie.” He pats my arm. “Mason doesn’t get serious with anyone.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever you say.”

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