Page 22 of Tempting Rowan (Trace + Olivia 3)

“Because I wanted to,” he answered simply.

“Did you think fo

r a second that maybe I didn’t want your help?” My temperature was rising as anger filled me. “I don’t need you to take care of me.”

“Think of it as a friend doing a friend a favor,” he shrugged casually. “Don’t worry about it.”

I don’t think Trent understood how guilty I felt. I knew he had the money to blow, but that didn’t matter to me. I didn’t like being seen as a damsel in distress. This princess could take care of herself.

I didn’t have time to stand there and argue with him, so I found myself saying, “Fine, but don’t do it again.”

He smiled triumphantly. “Your car’s parked out front to your right,” he said, backing away. I couldn’t tell if he was angry that I’d turned him down or what. “And Rowan?”

“Yeah?” I turned back to face him.

“This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”

chapter four

I tucked Tristan and Ivy into bed, kissing each of their foreheads. I closed the door behind me and set about cleaning the kitchen. I was supposed to pick up Tatum in thirty minutes, so we could hopefully get some homework done. I didn’t know what went on at Tatum’s house, but I got the impression that her parent’s didn’t get along at all.

I hated leaving the kids once I got home, but they’d be asleep and never know I was even gone. If they woke up and needed me, I wouldn’t be here, and that worried me. Only my mom was home, who was currently passed out in her bed, the floor littered with various bottles of alcohol. I had no idea where Jim was, or if he was even coming home.

Once the kitchen was wiped down and the dishes were clean, I checked to see if the kids had fallen asleep. Both were snoozing peacefully and I knew I could make my escape.

As much as I hated to leave them, I needed to get out of the house more. My mom had been unbearable when I arrived home and didn’t shut up until she passed out. I needed to get away from this toxic environment for a while. It was killing me, but I wasn’t ready to escape yet.

I grabbed my backpack and purse from my room. I scribbled a note explaining where I was and shoved it under the kid’s bedroom door in case they awoke.

When I pulled in front of Tatum’s house she was already waiting outside. She hopped down the front steps and hurried to my car. “It’s freezing,” she shivered.

“Then why were you waiting outside?” I questioned as I pulled away.

“I couldn’t get out of that house soon enough,” she grumbled under her breath, looking out the window. “I hate it there. I just want to get away.”

I didn’t bother asking her about her home problems. It wasn’t my business, and besides, I knew all about how easy it was to become trapped.

I drove to a local coffee shop that was open all night and that we’d often used for homework nights before. I ordered a latte and a muffin. I normally didn’t indulge in such frivolous things, but since Trent had bought the groceries for me the other night I had the extra cash to treat myself.

I sat down at the table in the corner and Tatum left to order herself something. I pulled my books out of my backpack, sighing heavily at the amount of work I had to do. It never seemed to end. For once, I wanted to be like everyone else. I wanted to be able to sleep in and go out with friends. I wanted to let myself be with someone. But I couldn’t do those things. I had to focus on getting through school and making high enough grades that I got accepted into the nursing program. I had to be able to take care of Ivy and Tristan. My mom and step-dad didn’t do it now. It was all on my shoulders, and I was beginning to bow under the pressure. I was one person and I could only handle so much.

I removed the lid from my coffee so it could cool down. Tatum returned, pulling her blonde hair into a ponytail. She looked exhausted, with bruise like shadows under her eyes. A part of me wanted to ask her if everything was okay, but I knew how much I hated being asked the same thing, so I kept my mouth shut.

I opened one of my books, flipping to the right page. I felt too tired to do homework, but I didn’t have a choice. I only hoped we’d both be able to finish in two hours. I needed to get some sleep before class tomorrow. It was our last day before break and while we weren’t starting anything new, I was sure they’d give us plenty to do for the few days we got off. I had learned early on that there was no such thing as a break.

I took a tentative sip of coffee, not wanting to scald my mouth. It was the perfect temperature though. Griffin, the owner of the coffee shop—that was really a coffee shop, restaurant, and a place for local musicians to perform—always got everything just right. I had never really talked to the guy—he was older and always pretended to be grouchy—but he seemed like a cool guy. He kept the place open round the clock. He and his wife mostly ran the place, with the help of a few employees. They did a really good business with all the local college kids.

An hour later I was out of coffee, had eaten my entire muffin, and thought if I read one more word I might fall over.

“I’m getting more coffee,” I told Tatum as I stood.

She nodded in acknowledgement of my words, but didn’t look away from her laptop.

“Same thing?” Griffin asked as I approached the counter.

I nodded. “No muffin this time, it was delicious though.”

He punched something into the register and gave me the total. “Yeah, my wife makes them from scratch. Best muffins in the whole world.”

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