Page 9 of You're To Blame 2

“Chelsea, I think it’s time for you to set a date.” Rocco peeked at me.

I swallowed hard.

“Yeah, Doll, I think a Christmas wedding is in order.”

He was right. Didn’t make sense to delay the inevitable. The sooner I set a date, the sooner I could find Tate.

Saturday afternoon, Mason and his buddies sat in the bleachers two rows up from my friends.

Connie and Megan waved. Trevor and Rocco gave me a thumbs up. Dad and the twins sat down front, waving. At the sound of the whistle, we took off along the grassy terrain. Tate’s bloody face flashed in my head. The last few nights I envisioned him tied to a chair in the room Rocco found. I wished I could fly to London and find Tateon my own. I knew there was no chance. I had to play my cards right.

Five miles later, the point at which we started was in view. Myself and my teammate Sara waved to the cheering crowd as we reached the end.

Mason appeared to be fitting into Tate’s life. Matt joked with him as they approached, I was sure to keep Mason from suspecting our plan to blow up his fucking world.

“Congratulations, Chelsea.” Mason wrapped his arms around me. The nip of the cold air whipped through my heaving body. My body heat had kept me warm until that moment. I was reminded that I was in a chilling situation.

“Thanks.” He released me and the twins moved in squeezing my legs.

“Chelsea, you won.” I smoothed my hand over Emma’s hair and grinned.

“Dad, said since you won, he’ll take us to your favorite restaurant.” Carson smiled.

“Hungry, huh, buddy?”

“Yeah.”

Dad fell beside me. “Great job out there, sweetheart.” He kissed my cheek. “I recorded the start and finish of the race for mom. She’s in surgery.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Dad greeted our friends. Everyone stood around congratulating me.

“Tate, I bet your relieved you only have to worry about playing one sport instead of two.”

“Yup, only basketball until the spring, then I’ll have Lacrosse to worry about too.” Mason smiled.

The bastard knew my boyfriend’s life inside and out.

“Would you like to join us for lunch, Tate?”

My heart raced. Please say no. His blue eyes met mine, and a smile tipped the end of his lips. “No thanks. Chelsea and I are hanging out tonight. Y’all enjoy family time.” His southern accent, I didn’t know he still had, shined through.

Mason leaned down kissing my lips. “See you later, Chelse.” He winked before walking off with the guys.

Even though they were twins, Tate and Mason were different. Mason was twisted and evil. Tate could be evil too. I learned that first hand. But to infiltrate someone’s life making it your own, and forcing their girlfriend into marriage, I’d say was pretty sick. I felt like I was cheating on Tate. What else could I do other than play the part of the elated girlfriend? Rather than what I was; repulsed and counting the days until the charades was over.

I said my goodbyes to my friends.

“Chelsea, are you all right? Is everything ok with you and Tate?”

Tears stung the backs of my eyes and I swallowed hard. “Yeah, couldn’t be better. I’ll meet y’all in the car after my shower.” I never met my father’s gaze. If I did, I may have broken into a million pieces.

∞

Connie and Megan tore through my closet searching for the perfect dress for Matt’s party.

I leaned against the door frame. “Guys, you are aware we don’t have to dress up. Knowing Matt, the atmosphere will be chill.”

---