Page 56 of Bought and Broken

Someone in a suit comes over to usher me away, but I keep my eyes on Tate for as long as I can. He shoves his hands into his pockets, waiting by the limo door, watching me until I’m inside the building. The rest of the night is a blur. I vaguely recall someone from the club asking me how the weekend was. I told them it went well. That my weekend was great, and Tate treated me well. They confirmed payment. I left.

Like a zombie, I let myself into the house, grateful when no one greets me. I wait a beat and hear nothing but silence. Dad must still be on his trip, and who knows where Dane is. Out with some girl, probably. Maybe working, I don’t know. I make my way to my room and flop onto my bed, still fully clothed. I stay there until morning.

“Should I put a stop to this before it gets out of hand?” I ask as I browse houses in Colorado. It’s not my top pick, I’m just trying to gage areas and prices. I can start a new life anywhere, and since there are so many places to choose from, I figured it makes sense to research as many as I can before making a decision.

“If out of hand, you mean you end up head over heels in love and decide to stay—no.”

I groan. “You’re no help, Summer.”

“You asked for my advice; I gave it. You told me everything that happened this weekend and it’s obvious something in Tate changed. He cares about you! You care about him! What more do you need? Besides, I don’t want you to go, so anything that’ll make you stay is fine with me.”

“I can’t be stuck here, Summer. I have to leave.”

“Long distance relationship then.”

“I don’t want that.”

“Invite him with you. He can travel for work, right?”

“Then what’s the point of him leaving at all? It’d be a long distance relationship half the time. And aside from that, the point of leaving is to get away. A clean break. Break all ties. If he and I are dating, my brother will know where I am. I can’t make Tate pick between being loyal to me and my brother. That’s unfair.”

So yeah… my Monday did not go according to plan. I woke up missing Tate and dreading having to tell him that I’m leaving. So, I haven’t.

“All I’m saying is don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You wanted to leave before this happened with Tate. Maybe now that things are different, you’ll change your mind. You didn’t want to leave when you were dating him last time…”

She’s right. I know she’s right. But the fear of being stuck under my brother’s and father’s thumbs is horrifying. But they trust Tate. They love him. When we dated last time, Dane and Dad weren’t as tough on me because they trusted Tate with me. Could it be that way now too? Would I get freedom if I dated Tate? Do I want freedom from my family if the only reason they’re doing it is because of Tate?

“I’m not saying I’ll consider it, but I’ll consider considering it.”

“God, you are frustrating,” Summer groans.

“Yeah, well, you love me anyway.”

“Sometimes I don’t know why.”

“Liar.”

“Call me later, Dev. I’m going to put Astrid down for her nap.”

We end our call and I continue to browse houses, but no matter how many cities or towns I look at, I know it isn’t the place for me. So, I move on to the next state—Delaware.

It doesn’t take long to realize this is an absolute no. I’m typing in the next state—Florida—when I get an incoming text from Tate. Surprising, because I didn’t think he still had my number.

Dinner later

You’re missing the ?

It wasn’t a question. We’re having dinner later.

I smile, biting on my bottom lip. Something about Tate being demanding is sexy. At least it is now. A week ago, it would have infuriated me, but since I’m back on the good side of things, everything is different.

I’ll pick you up at 7.

How will you explain this to Dane?

Don’t worry about it.

Since my father and Dane are so busy with work all the time, it was sort of Tate’s responsibility to keep an eye on me while they were gone. It was never something said, but I’m not stupid. One of the three was always here. I’m never left alone. It’s just that when it was only Tate and I, I hid in my room to avoid him because he was the worst out of the three.

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