Page 100 of Broken Rock

‘Why not?’

‘Because like I said, he’s a fucking idiot that’s why. You hear that, Tate!’

Tate buries his head further under his arm and ignores Gregg.

‘Are you really sure that’s all it is. I mean, has he done this before?’

Gregg gets up and fills the kettle. ‘Yeah, he’s done it before. Not for a while, mind you, but it’s not a first. My dear friend can put it away when he wants to. Always could do. There’s a reason he’s been told to steer clear of alcohol too. Infuriating git doesn’t know when to call it quits.’

She pulls the blanket off the back of the couch and drapes it over Tate then joins Gregg in the kitchen. ‘Are you okay, Gregg?’

He crosses his arms and shrugs. ‘Not really. He was getting over it, Chloe. Why the fuck would he do this? He’s going to have one hell of a hangover in the morning. Serves him right.’

Chloe doesn’t respond. Gregg is angry but she knows it’s only because he cares about Tate. That’s why he’s as upset as he is. ‘Have you told Dillon and Luke?’

He shakes his head. ‘Doubt he’d appreciate me spreading this around. Best to keep it to ourselves.’

‘Tate said you were the one who helped sort them all out when you joined the band.’

Gregg looks surprised to hear her say that. ‘Really?’

‘Yes. He speaks very highly of you.’

‘Did he tell you why they toned it down?’

‘Well, no. He just said they did when you joined.’

‘I used to be a Garda.’ Gregg laughs at the look of shock on her face. ‘Yeah I know. I can be serious when I have to be, believe me. I joined after school and stepped away about a year and a half ago to work with Tate. Having an ex-cop hanging around put a bit of a dampener on their partying. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no saint. I didn’t sit back and not partake, but Tate, Dillon and Luke... well, there was no keeping up with them. Fuck, Chloe. I shouldn’t be saying this to you of all people.’

‘No, it’s fine. He told me about that side of things and how much what happened terrified him. That’s what I don’t understand? Why would he do this? Why now? I thought he was okay.’

Gregg takes a deep breath then looks over at her. ‘He’ll kill me for this but fuck him. Tate’s been getting fan mail and I’m not talking the nice kind. They know about his pre Tate Archer past and keep waving it in his face.’

‘You mean about his father?’

‘So he told you about that? That’s something I guess. They’re fucking with him and clearly it’s working.’

‘Has he gone to the Garda about it?’

‘He told me about it when he got out of rehab. Well, he did after a lot of kicking. He’s not a fan of talking about what’s going on in his head. He wouldn’t let me get some old mates to investigate it. He said there’s nothing on the letters that would give them anything to go on.

‘He’s probably right. It’s not the first time he’s been sent not so warm-and-fuzzy letters. One guy even thought Tate was sending his girlfriend secret messages through his songs. There are some interesting people out there. All they can do is keep a file and leave it at that. I’m guessing this slip-up has something to do with that. We’ll have to wait until his lordship comes to properly and is clear-headed enough to spill the beans. Unless...’

He pulls open the cupboard under the sink and peers into the bin. He takes out a scrunched-up piece of paper and smiles. ‘That was easier than I thought.’ Gregg unfolds the page and they both stare at what drove Tate over the edge.

It’s a picture of Tate sitting on the beach with her on his lap. Typed under the photo in thick bold print is a single line of text.

What did she do to deserve a fuck-up like you?

Gregg leans on the counter and chews the inside of his cheek as he stares at the page. ‘Well, that’s not particularly friendly. You know where this was taken?’

‘Bray seafront. He took me shopping for art supplies then we had a takeaway in the back of his truck. We went for a walk on the beach after. Someone was watching us?’

‘You’re dating Tate, Chloe. Someone’s always going to be watching. This takes it to a new level though.’ He leans down and digs in the bin again. ‘There’s something else.’ He smooths the second piece of paper and Chloe instantly knows something is seriously wrong. She’s never seen Gregg look so angry.

‘Do I want to know?’

Gregg wipes a hand over his jaw. ‘I don’t want to know. I shouldn’t be reading this.’ He folds the page and slips it into his pocket. ‘It’s a page from the report his social worker did when he was put in foster care. It’s got bits from an evaluation they did on him. About his suitability for permanent placement with a family and how being used as a punching bag would affect him long term. How the hell did whoever this is get their hands on it?’

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