Page 86 of Bought and Broken

“Well, at this point, Dane doesn’t have a leg to stand on. He fucked my best friend and hid it from me for almost four years, so he can’t be mad about me and you getting back together. He was fine with it once; he’ll be fine with it again.”

“But it doesn’t mean he’ll approve of us hiding away at my house.”

“It’s not up to him! I’m an adult, Tate. I make my own decisions. I’m tired of my brother thinking he can control me. Dad too.”

And this is why I need to go. Tate siding with Dane and my father only proves that moving away is the right thing to do. Yet… here I am.

“I get that. Really, I do. They just worry.” It’s silent for a few moments, then he adds, “I’ll pack you a bag and meet you at my house, okay?”

I let out a sigh of relief, my eyes falling close. “Thank you.”

“I love you, baby.”

I end the call and spend another moment trying to calm myself down.

Looks like it’s just me and Tate from now on. At least, until I leave.

Chapter Forty-One

Tatum

I find a duffel bag in Devon’s closet, and as quickly as possible, I shove all sorts of stuff in it. The last thing I want is to be caught in here by her brother. He was pissed when I left the party, and this would set him off more. Now is not the time for him to find out I’m sleeping with his sister.

I have no idea what head space he’s in after finding out he has a kid and she’s been right under his nose for three years. Add that to his sister being mad at him? He can’t be doing well.

But it’s his fault. He shouldn’t have lied to Devon. She has every right to be mad at him and at Summer for what they did. I can’t worry about Dane right now, though. As much as I should check on him because he’s my friend, Devon needs me too. All I want to do is get to her. Which is why I agreed to stay at my house—the last place on the planet I want to be.

The duffel is stuffed full when I leave her room. If there’s something she doesn’t have that she needs, I’ll buy it for her. I can’t waste time handpicking items.

When I reach my car, Dane still isn’t here. I’m not sure if he stayed at the party with Summer or if he took off too. I’m sure he’ll call me at some point to let me know what’s going on. Or because he needs to talk. Or maybe he’ll bury himself in work. You never know with him.

By the time I get to my house, Devon is already there, waiting in her car. She gets out when I do, and I drop the bag at my feet to pull her into my arms. I keep her there until she makes the move to pull away.

“Thank you for this.”

I kiss her gently. “Anything for you—always.”

She gives me a tired smile. I pick up the bag, put my arm around her, and steer us toward the front door.

“Want to order takeout and watch movies?” I ask once we’re inside.

“I will never say no to that.”

We head up to my room, and I put her bag by my closet doors. When I turn, I find her looking around the room curiously.

“I don’t remember the last time I was in here,” I admit. Could be months. Could be years.

“Looks the same as I remember it.”

“It’s probably exactly the same.”

Which is really fucking sad.

She sits on the edge of the bed, her attention on me.

“Do you hate being here because it reminds you of your dad?” she asks.

I shove my hands in my pockets. “I hate being here because it reminds me of my shitty childhood. Everything here is cold. It has no meaning. There are memories at your house. Life. Makes me feel a little better, I guess.”

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