Page 47 of You're To Blame 2

“Are you ready to return to school?” Tate grinned.

“Yeah. I’m eager to play basketball if nothing else.” He nabbed a strip of bacon off of my plate.

“We’ll attend a few of your games to show support.” Dad’s heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

“Thanks.”

Dad pointed to the empty chair beside me. “Have a seat.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t. We need to get to school.”

I bounced out of my seat. “Bye, Dad. I will text mom to tell her happy birthday the second I am in the car.”

He smiled. “Good.”

I kissed the twins. “See you two later.”

“Bye,” they chimed at the same time.

I wrapped several pieces of bacon in paper towel and darted out the door with Tate.

He was brooding more than usual as we walked toward the truck.

I turned to him. “Tate, we’ll get through today together.”

His turbulent blue eyes worried me. Tate opened the passenger door, and I slid inside. He climbed behind the wheel and drove out of the driveway. We chowed down on the bacon. I was convinced we equally loved the special pork goodness.

“Do you have practice after school?”

“Yeah, if you can’t stay take the truck. I’ll catch a ride to your house later with Matt.”

“Ok.”

“Whoa, what about me?”

Tate’s eyes widened and he had a death grip on the steering wheel.

I glared through the rearview mirror. “What the hell?” I shrilled.

The guy sprung up off the seat and whipped his fingers through his brown locks.

“Shit, you were so quiet I forgot you were back there.”

“Sorry, Chelse. This is my cousin, Lake. He’s transferring to Haven Saints.”

His lips tipped up at one end. “How are you doing, sweetheart?” He braced his arms against the front seats staring at me.

“You have got to be kidding.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Babe, what’s wrong?” Concern loomed Tate’s handsome features.

“He kissed me at the party.”

“What the fuck?” He was darn near foaming at the mouth.

Tate jerked the truck over to the side of the road. “Get the fuck out, Lake,” he growled.

Lake slouched into the plush leather. “I was just having a little fun.”

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