Page 29 of Taming Bull

He chuckled and handed me a beer. It was my fourth in the last two hours, and although I was far from drunk, the effects were making their presence known. Which was probably why I was having such a hard time resisting Lily. I didn’t need a fourth beer, but I couldn’t handle being sober with her in the room, either.

“You’re not that slick, Bull. You’ve been low-key creepin’ on Lily all night.”

He’d caught me. There was no use denying it, so I came clean-ish. “I’m not creeping. I’m lookin’ out for her.”

His arched eyebrow told me he wasn’t buying my bullshit.

“She’s a lightweight, and I saw her take a couple shots of Fireball.” Two shots, and she’d had at least as many bottles of water. She was probably more sober than I was. “I’m making sure none of these motherfuckers take advantage of her while she’s drinkin’.” I was so full of shit my grey eyes had probably turned brown. I was the only thing Lily had to fear in this club, and we both knew it.

“Keep tellin’ yourself that, bro.”

“I will, thanks.” I already had a ticket to hell for all the shit I wanted to do to Lily’s body, might as well upgrade my seat with more lies. “It’s the goddamn truth.”

“Cut the shit and follow me.” Tavonte started walking.

Feeling particularly rebellious, I decided I didn’t want to follow him. He seemed to be in another bossy, preachy phase, and was looking for a goddamn soapbox. I was in no mood to be lectured about wasting chocolate cake. He didn’t know my life. He didn’t have all the details, and he sure as hell couldn’t judge me. Besides, the asshole was leaving tomorrow. I could slip away, avoid him for the rest of the night, and not have to face whatever music he was determined to play for me.

He’s a friend. Don’t be a chickenshit, Roberts.

Truth was, I’d miss his meddling ways. I didn’t want to brush him off before he left. I watched his back for only a moment more before guilt and curiosity finally got the best of me. I padded after him, weaving through bikers, ol’ ladies, and club whores until we got to the empty sofa in the corner of the common area. We were still part of the party, but far enough away from the group to hold a private conversation.

He sat on the patched up old sofa and gestured for me to do the same. When I did, he put his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, giving me his full attention.

“Before I leave, I want you to do something for me,” he said.

I had the distinct feeling I wouldn’t like his request, so I requested more details before committing. “What do you want me to do?”

“Be straight with me. Tell me what’s really going on between you and Lily?”

What was he, Dr. Phill? “Why?”

“Why not?” he fired back.

“Because it’s none of your damn business. Why do you even care?”

He shook his head and sat back. “Good question. I don’t even know. Maybe it’s because I see you doin’ all this shit for other people and I think you’re a good guy who deserves to be happy.”

Needing a moment to digest his assessment, I looked away. My gaze unconsciously sought out Lily. She had Tap’s daughter on her hip and was swaying to the music. She looked like a fucking angel, and I couldn’t tear my attention away. She must have sensed me watching her, because she met my gaze and gave me a tentative smile. She should be pissed at me for the way I’d treated her when she brought me donuts, but that smile sang of grace and mercy.

I didn’t deserve either.

I dropped my gaze to my hands.

Tavonte chuckled. “Look, it’s obvious you two are into each other. You treated her like shit at the shop yesterday, but I know you’re not an asshole, so I’m guessing there’s more to the story. You don’t owe me an explanation, but maybe you need someone to talk to. I don’t got a dog in this fight, and my ass is heading to Nashville tomorrow. If you need to get something off your chest… this is your golden opportunity.”

Tavonte made a lot of sense. The attraction I felt toward Lily only seemed to be getting worse, and I wasn’t sure how long I could continue to fight it. I missed her companionship. But I was terrified of the way she kept pushing me for more. What if I gave in and we did something we’d both regret?

“Come on, man. Talk to me. What do you have to lose?”

Nothing. I’d already lost everything. I sat back and tugged at a small hole in my jeans. “Since you’re from the city, I feel like I need to start by explaining my hometown. It’s small. Really small. When I got in trouble at school for rubbing Robbie Grindle’s face in the dirt, my mom knew before I got home. Not because my teacher called her, but because Jessie Stuart told her mom who called the entire prayer circle to pray for my badass little self.”

Tavonte chuckled. “Okay, that’s small.”

“Yeah. Everyone knows everyone. Anyway, my mom’s best friend had a daughter my age. Amber.” If I closed my eyes, I could still see her sitting at her desk in kindergarten. Larry Frampton had put a frog on her chair, and I’d cleaned his clock for it. Larry and I had just gotten told to go to the principal’s office when Amber grabbed my arm. She smiled up at me, and I knew right then my destiny was set. I knew I was going to marry that girl.

“We grew up together. She was my best friend before I even knew what friends were. She was shy and sweet, and I was always there to protect her. I don’t even remember when we started dating. It was natural progression, or some shit like that. After high school, I bought her a ring and promised to marry her. But first, I needed to put in my time in the service. It was all good, because Amber had dreams of her own. She wanted to go to school and get certified to work with special needs kids. We were planning to get hitched after my four years in the Navy.”

Because I was single and in Seattle, it was clear my story didn’t have a happy ending. Tavonte’s brow furrowed and he steepled his fingers. “What happened?”

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