Chapter 22 Tate
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
TATE
“How dare he,” I mumble to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly after I just stormed out of Spencer’s house like a bat out of hell. He’s further breaking down my walls with every second we spend together. I can’t allow that to happen, so it had to end.
I shouldn’t have told him about my ex, but the truth is that wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg. What I thought was love was just someone using my body and getting off on having total control over me.
Never again.
Caleb was all compliments and charm until he got me into his bed, handling me without care.
He was a senior, and I was a freshman with zero experience bottoming.
Looking back, I realize he was using me for sex, but at the time, it was exhilarating.
Everything was new, exciting, and I wanted to try it all.
I thought he was showing me how much he wanted me, but he was only being selfish and taking advantage of me.
Caleb doesn’t know what love is, and I doubt he ever has.
Ever since then, I’ve protected my heart from any possible vulnerability. I don’t get close to the people I fuck. It’s as simple as that.
Spencer was the first guy to show me something worth changing for.
I shake away thoughts of the kind, dependable man who has never let me down. I don’t deserve him. He’s too good for me, and he shouldn’t have to deal with my unprocessed trauma.
My stomach rumbles, yelling at me for bailing on dinner.
Whatever. Turning up the music, I focus on the road as the sun begins its descent behind the horizon.
It doesn’t take long to pull up to Bumz, and it’s already packed despite not being dark yet.
I’m not surprised. It’s a bonfire night, and local beers are half price.
I have to park in the back of the lot since it’s already so crowded.
I didn’t bother changing my clothes or getting dressed up in anything fancy. A loose tank top and Bermuda shorts will have to do. Even my nail polish is chipped. Crunching through the sandy gravel, I make my way through the parking lot and follow the path to the back of the line.
Damn, it’s packed.
“Hey, Tate!” I peer around the people in front of me and spot Kaylee waving near the entrance.
I wave back with a big, fake smile on my face.
It’s not that I don’t like her, I’m just not feeling like myself tonight.
She’s with a bunch of girls I don’t know, and I really hope she doesn’t try to pull me into the group.
I’m here to drink and forget my problems, not chit-chat.
Luckily, it’s their turn to go inside, and they all disappear into the bar before she can ambush me.
My mind is distracted, and my stomach is empty, so I’m not sure alcohol is the best idea, but I guess we’re going to find out. Once I show my ID to the bouncer and pay the twenty-dollar cover, I head straight for the bar.
“Hey there, I’m Zeena. What can I get for ya?” The friendly bartender with long blue hair smiles at me kindly.
I glance at the chalkboard specials, choosing the first thing I see. “I’ll do the IPA special.”
“Good choice. That’s my favorite.” Zeena winks at me, and I actually smile back, feeling a tiny bit better already.
She grabs a plastic cup, filling it up right in front of me.
“That’ll be four dollars, hun,” she says, setting it on the small napkin.
“Plastic only on bonfire nights. Make sure you toss your cup in the trash when you’re done. ”
“Got it. Thanks.” I hand her a five before disappearing into the crowd and weaving my way through people until I find the back door.
The patio is absolutely stunning, with small, gas fire pits set up all around the deck.
Bumz is right on the beach, so the ocean is on the other side of the dunes, crashing rhythmically against the shore.
Despite how cozy these cute little fire pits look, I walk past them and follow the boardwalk across the dunes until I see the giant bonfire crackling loud enough to rival the sea.
“Whoa,” I mumble to myself, taking another sip of my beer before I carefully walk down the sandy steps. Looping strands of oversized lightbulbs illuminate the bar and dance area, while the roaring bonfire lights up the sea. It’s beautiful. Whoever planned this event did an amazing job.
Clusters of people are scattered everywhere—having conversations by the fire, dancing on the makeshift dance floor, and hanging out at the adorable, thatched-roof tiki bar.
I happen to make eye contact with the bartender, and he gives me a nod in greeting.
Heading his way, I quickly chug the rest of my beer and toss my empty cup into the trash can before ordering another.
“Are you here alone?” the bartender asks, handing me a full cup. His dark hair is shaved on the sides and curly on top, flopping over his forehead in a non-threatening sort of way.
Regardless of his friendly appearance, I eye him suspiciously and take a sip of beer instead of answering the question.
“So I can look out for you if you are,” he clarifies, his light blue eyes boring into me.
“My mama taught me not to talk to strangers,” I retort skeptically.
“Wise woman. My name’s Arlo. You?”
“Tate,” I reply with a furrowed brow.
“Nice to meet you, Tate. Now we’re not strangers. Come see me if you have any problems tonight, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree hesitantly, wandering away from the bar and heading toward the fire like a moth to a flame. I appreciate the offer, but nothing’s going to happen. I’m here to relax and forget about my problems. That’s it. No drama.
Beach bonfires are a Crescent Bay tradition—despite the summer heat and humidity—and this one is huge.
Tall flames reach for the sky, glowing blue and orange against a sparkling black backdrop.
There are probably a dozen beach chairs set up around it, so I grab one before they’re all taken, making sure I get a view of the ocean.
Small embers float into the cloudless sky, while I sip my beer and relax. I lean back into my chair, letting my vision blur as I focus on nothing but the crackling fire in front of me. Closing my eyes for just a minute, I take a few deep breaths to clear my jumbled head.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but I told Daija where I was going, so I’m not worried about it. She agreed to give me two hours, then Jake is going to drop her off, so she can drive my car home.
When I finally blink my eyes open again, a nightmare comes to life, and I nearly jump out of my skin.
“You,” I gasp, stunned speechless when I come face-to-face with the man who broke my heart freshman year. The man I was just talking about, as if merely saying his name summoned him like Beetlejuice.
Or the devil.
He smirks dangerously, and goosebumps spread across my skin. “Long time no see.”
“What are you doing here, Caleb?” I spit out his name like it’s a disease and sit up straight, acting unbothered even though I’m feeling intimidated by the way he’s looming over me.
Dear God, please don’t let him say he’s transferring back to CBU for grad school or something.
I’m not sure I could handle that.
Caleb is three years older than me, and I have no idea what he’s been up to since he left. I blocked him on everything.
He broke up with me at the end of freshman year before moving home to go to his local college a couple of hours away from here.
But he didn’t leave amicably or gracefully.
At his going-away party—that I planned—he got drunk, tried to hook up with me one last time, and then lashed out when I said no. I will never forget his cruel words.
You’re nothing more than a warm hole at the end of the day. I never loved you, and neither will anyone else. Get over yourself, Tate. You’re pathetic.
He took my virginity and then my heart, before stomping on it like I don’t matter. Like I’m worthless. Seeing him now, I still hate this man.
“Aww. No hug? Didn’t you miss me, baby?” His smile is predatory, and his bright green eyes roam my body like the cold-blooded, slithering snake that he is.
“Don’t ever call me that.” I fold my arms across my chest protectively.
Caleb always knew how to get under my skin. But things are different now. I’ve grown up a lot since my first year of college, and I won’t let this pathetic man affect me any longer.
I steel my spine and repeat my earlier question. “What are you doing here?”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist. It’s got nothing to do with you. Don’t flatter yourself.” He huffs out a condescending laugh, shaking his head and trying to make me feel small.
“Then get on with your visit and fuck off. Away from me.”
Caleb’s smile flattens into a thin line. “Last I checked, it’s a public beach. I’m just here to sample the local beer with my boyfriend. Simple as that.”
His arrogant smirk returns when he looks to the side, holding his hand out for someone as they trek through the sand.
A larger guy steps into the flickering light from the bonfire, threading his fingers with Caleb’s.
He has long, dark hair and even darker eyes.
There’s something eerie about him, and I really don’t like this situation.
I glance to the side, checking to see if the tiki bar is still in sight. It’s not. A small wave of panic rushes over me, but there are a few other people around us, so I’m not worried. Nothing’s going to happen. I’m fine.
“This is Marco. My boyfriend. He just graduated from CBU, and I’m helping him move in with me.”
I don’t know what takes over me or where my filter goes, but the words are out of my mouth before I can think twice. “Into your mama’s basement?”
Caleb barks out a loud, cruel laugh before leaning down into my face. “Cute. Did you finally grow a backbone? You jealous little bitch.”
Fuck him.