Page 15 of Shielding Rosie

“Why are you getting all weird that I don’t have a curfew but you don’t either?”

“My mom doesn’t have to worry about me. I don’t drink, and no one is going to try and take advantage of me.” I quickly push away any emotion I have of thinking my mom would actually worry about someone taking advantage of me. Honestly, if I didn’t go home tonight, she might not notice.

“I bet I could take advantage of you,” I try to tease. Thankfully the car is dark, and he can’t see me blushing. I’m surprised I said it to begin with. Then again, I’ll say a lot of things to move the conversation away from my mother.

“You can take anything you want from me, Rosie.” I love the way my name rolls off his tongue.

A moment later, we pull up to Jack’s house. “Wow,” I whisper at seeing the mini White House with large columns out front.

“You like it?” Tate asks while finding a spot to park.

“No, it's kinda gaudy,” I say, and Tate lets out a deep chuckle.

“Wait for me.” He hops out of the car then comes around and opens the door for me. Once again, he takes my hand in his and leads me toward the house.

The outside is already filled with cars, but we don’t go through the front door. Tate leads me around the side of the house and to the back where there’s a pool area. It’s already covered and cleared out because the weather is turning cold.

I hear the music way before we make it to the back glass doors that slide open. The basement, or what looks like a club, is already filled with people. I don’t recognize many people, so I instinctively lean into Tate.

“Rosemary!” Desha calls my name as she comes over. I didn’t know she knew my name. She sits beside me in one of my classes, but we’ve said like five words to each other. “I was hoping you’d come. I’ll steal her while you go say hi to everyone.” Desha tries to pull me away by grabbing my other hand, but Tate doesn’t let go of me.

“It’s fine,” I reassure him, not wanting to hold him back. “Go and see your teammates. I’ll hang with the girls.” I force a smile so he relaxes even though I’m just as tense as he is. It might not be the worst thing to make a few friends.

“Okay, but only a few minutes.” Tate gives me a quick kiss before he releases his hold on me.

“He’s possessive,” Desha says as she pulls me towards a group of girls around a small bar. “You should be careful with that.”

The only thing I try to be careful with when it comes to Tate is him breaking my heart. He could easily do it, and if anyone is possessive, it’s me. I’m just better at hiding it in fear of scaring him away. He’s all I really have.

Gosh, I sound pathetic.

“I’m not worried about Tate,” I say, then Desha hands me a drink in a plastic cup. Not wanting to be a prude, I take a sip of the red drink. It’s not that bad, and I can’t taste alcohol. I don’t drink, but there might not be any in it.

“Tate? He’s kind of a dick,” a really tall blonde says and rolls her eyes. “He thinks he’s better than everyone.”

I’ve never met her before. She’s beautiful, and I’d remember her face. Another girl suggests the same, but I’ve never seen Tate be rude or a dick without reason. I ignore the jabs, not wanting to get into it with them, and take another sip of my drink.

“So are you two fucking?” Desha asks, and I almost spit out my drink.

“He’d split her in two. The man is packing,” the blonde laughs, like she knows from experience.

“You can stamp virgin on her forehead,” another random girl adds, her eyes running over me.

It’s then I notice that everyone else has changed. The girls at least. They have gone from jeans and football shirts to short dresses while I’m still in the same thing I put on this morning.

“That’s why Jack wants in there so bad.” Desha rolls her eyes. “What’s with the football team and their obsession to be the first one?”

Oh god, I have to get out of here. The way they are talking sounds nothing like the Tate I know.

“Is there a bathroom?” I go with the easiest excuse to leave.

“Up the stairs.” Desha points.

“Thanks.” I slip away, not really needing the bathroom, but I could give myself a once-over to make sure I’m not a total mess.

When I get to the top of the stairs, I feel winded and fuzzy, but my drink is still half full. There’s no way I’m drunk off half a drink.

“You all right?” A hand grabs my elbow, and I glance up to see Nathan, Jack's dad. Normally, he’s in my house and now I’m in his. This is weird.

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