CHAPTER SIXTEEN
F riday, had finally arrived. I survived the rest of the week. Tate hadn’t been to his locker until today. Wednesday almost every girl arrived at school with blonde hair.
He cut his eyes at me as if it were my fault. Tate thought it was funny at the time he mentioned blondes were freakier. Now not so much. They broke their necks to wave and speak to him. He didn’t bother eating lunch at school either. He left campus. A snow storm was coming to Haven River. Great time to be snowed in. I had to make it up to him this weekend. If I didn’t, he’d tell everyone in Haven Saints high to go to hell. I didn’t think he was above kidnapping me.
“Good morning, sweetheart.” Lake wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“Morning.”
“Are we still on for tonight after the game?”
“Yes, we are on. Can’t wait.”
“Can you hold my backpack open? ”
“Sure.”
I retrieved my books from my locker and slipped them into my bag.
A slinky girl in four-inch stilettos caught my attention. “What the hell?”
Lake peeked over his shoulder.
She staggered down the hall. “Tate.” She raised her hand.
“Tate.”
His eyes widened as the girl approached.
She smiled wide and placed her hand on his shoulder. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back.
“I’ve waited for this very moment. I knew you’d grow bored with her.” She glanced at me and snarled.
What was happening?
She became lost in his dreamy eyes. “Tate, baby, I’ve been patient since I arrived here in November. I didn’t want to come forward right away. I wanted to give you time to get over the bitches who threw themselves at you. You are my forever crush.”
He removed her hand from his shoulder like it was trash. “What’s your name?”
“Regina Bright.” Her smile widened .
“I am not interested in a relationship. The single life is better for me at this time. You’ll have to find your forever with someone else.”
She slipped her arms around his neck. “You’ll come around.” Her lips crashed into his.
Tate stood like a deer in headlights. He gripped her arms and pushed her back. His puffy lips were stained with red lipstick.
His horrid gaze met mine. “I’ve fucking had it, Chelsea,” he roared.
“Fix it.” He stepped closer.
“Call this shit─”
My hand flew over his mouth. “You know we can’t be a couple anymore.”
Regina appeared at his side, hanging off of his arm. “You don’t need her. She’s last years trash. You have me now.”
Tate grabbed my arm and leaned into my ear. “If you think the spanking was bad after we left Matts. That’s nothing. You will pay dearly for this. Chelsea, you will be on your knees all weekend starting tonight.”
We were supposed to spend the night at Matt’s but Tate told him he needed alone time with me.
He stepped back and glared at Regina. “There’s no me and you. I told you. I’m not interested in being in a relationship.” He snatched his arm out of her grip and stormed down the hall.
Her fists landed on her hips. “Clearly you bring out the worst in him.” She glowered.
I curved my finger under my lip. “Do I hear a Tennessee or Alabama twang?”
“Sweet Home Alabama. Best place to live in the south. Hated we had to relocate to Georgia,” she frowned.
“He said he didn’t want you. So move along.”
She closed the space between us, glaring down at me. “Oh, bitch I ain’t going nowhere. I’ve staked my claim on Tate Forrester. Already told daddy he’s going to be his son-in-law.”
My heart stopped.
“You aren’t listening. He doesn’t want you or anyone else.” I growled.
“Oh, why because he wants his little princess back. He’ll learn real soon he doesn’t need you. If I catch you around my man. I’ll make you pay.” She turned on her heels.
“You won’t do a thing,” I stated through gritted teeth.
Her head snapped around. “I like playing with fire. I’ll burn up that little gold car of yours. The first time empty.” She grinned before walking away .
The tiny hairs prickled my skin. The bitch was really crazy. Fuck, I didn’t anticipate this.
“What is going on at this school?”
“Lake, too much.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet. There has to be a restraining order against her. I’ll have a friend look into her.”
SUCKING DOWN AN ICE tea, I peeked across the lunchroom. Regina stood aimlessly, scanning the room for her prince charming. She wouldn’t find him. I knew where he was, though. Marisa, Mason and their band of cronies snickered at her expense. Regina turned their way, waved and walked toward Marisa.
“No.” I read her lips.
Regina spun on her heels and sat at a table across the noisy lunchroom. I lowered my head and rubbed my brow, peeking at Marisa. She whispered something in Mason’s ear. He snickered.
I leaned my head on Connie’s shoulder. “Did you hear about my crazy run in with the new chick?”
“Chelsea, the entire school can’t stop talking about the nut job. Every girl has chosen not to flirt with Tate.”
I sighed. “This is all my fault. ”
“Why do you say that?” Trevor stabbed the meatloaf with his fork.
“Maybe we shouldn’t have broken up. There wouldn’t be any crazy chick issues. She’s the only crazy girl at this school. I’m convinced.”
Rocco cracked a smile across from me. “Oh, no there are more. She just happens to be the craziest.”
I flashed a plastic smile. “Thanks for the crazy report. Rocco, I need you to look into her. Tell me what you find. Is this her first transfer? Any restraining orders? The make, model, and license plate of her car. She’s threatened to blow up my car.”
They gaped.
“I will get on that asap.”
“Are you inviting Kelsea out with us tonight?”
He grinned. “Yeah, she’ll be there.”
“Cool. I have to go.”
“Are you sure it’s safe to walk around alone?” Megan asked.
“I’ll be fine. I have protection.” I winked.
I ducked out of the lunchroom and walked to my right. I’d have to take the long route. Didn’t want to make it obvious where I was going. Once in the lower level of the building, I peeked up and down the hall to make sure I wasn’t followed. The door creaked open as I squeezed inside. ‘Smells like teen spirit’ blared through the speakers. Tate laid on the weight bench. His muscles flexed as he bench pressed the weights above his head. I scanned the empty room. Hm. Why was it empty?
Arms crossing my chest, I strolled over. He looked at me but continued his workout.
“Tate, are you still upset?” I yelled over the music.
He placed the curl bar on the stand.
“Why are you in here alone?”
He towered over me, drying his face. “Stressed out, Chelsea.”
He ripped off the gloves and tossed them aside. Chest heaving, he stared into my eyes. Tate scooped me up into his arms. He stalked into the locker room. His lips devoured mine.
“Tate, we can’t.”
He scowled. “I’m fucking done, Chelsea. You’re my woman and I don’t give a shit who knows.”
I stroked my fingers through his dark damp hair. His tongue traced along my neck.
“Guy’s are always working out. How did you luck up with alone time?” I moaned.
“I told them to get the fuck out.” Anger poured over his words.
“Don’t worry. No one will come in here until I’m gone. ”
His lips crushed mine again. “I need to be inside you now.” Tate lowered me to the floor long enough for us to peel our clothes off of each other.
He reached into the shower and adjusted the water temperature. The shower wall shielded us from the rest of the locker room.
Tate intertwined our fingers and led me into the shower. I peered up at my boyfriend. If he said no one was coming, I believed him.
His fingers swept over my bare shoulder. “We were apart for over a month, Chelsea.”
My name sounded like velvet silk flowing from his lips. My core heated. I was turned on the second he was in close proximity. I almost felt I was hungrier for him since he returned. Maybe because I didn’t know if he’d die in London.
“I’ve been robbed.”
“What?”
“I can’t get over my brother asking for your hand in marriage. Only I was supposed to ask you to marry me.”
My head dropped against his chest. I couldn’t bear to stare into those sad blue eyes.
“Baby, I promise we are stronger together. We can’t allow them to win. We will prevail. Look at me, Chelsea. ”
I lifted my head from his pounding heart. Tears streamed down my cheeks.
How would we really get through this? I had to figure out a way to make it right. To save our relationship. Or they would destroy our future.
“Tate, trust me when you propose to me it will be my favorite moment in time.”
He smirked. “I hope so.”
“I know so.”
Clutching his broad shoulders, I hopped up into his arms. His lips slipped along my collarbone.
My legs loosely hung around his toned waist. Tate’s lips fell over mine as he slid inside me.
“Oh, so good. I love you so much. Don’t ever forget that.”
His brow wrinkled, and he stopped his movements. “Why did you say those words? Chelsea, don’t do anything crazy.”
Gripping the nape of his neck, I shoved my tongue past his lips.
Tate plowed into me. His tranquil blue eyes held mine. “Don’t do anything crazy,” he repeated. “Promise me you won’t.”
I intermingled our lips again. “I love being with you, Tate.”
“Chelsea, you are my home. ”
“And you are mine, Tate.” My head dropped back against the wall as he slipped deeper inside me. He gripped my trembling thigh.
“Shit, Tate. Oh, yes.” My orgasm washed over me. He didn’t let up.
Tate’s eyes hooded. “I won’t give you up. I’ve waited too...long to make you mine. Chelsea,” he groaned as he stilled inside me.
He caressed my back as he ferociously took my lips again.
“I will not let you out of my sight this weekend.” He smiled as he slid out of me.
“Bring your game console. I owe you an ass beating.”
He chuckled. “In your dreams, Chelse.” Tate placed me on my feet.
“I want to see your face behind the team bench tonight.”
“Yeah, I’ll be there.” We dried off.
“Can I persuade you to wait a little while longer to tell everyone we’re together?”
His nostrils flared. “No.”
“Listen, I think Marisa and Mason sicced crazy Regina on you.” I sighed.
“She threatened to blow up my car if I came near you.”
His fingers froze over his crisp white shirt buttons.
He turned white as a ghost. “What the fuck? ”
“Yeah. At lunch she was looking for you. She turned to Marisa and began walking toward her. Marisa told her no. Regina obeyed.
He slipped on his navy slacks. “Did anyone hear her threaten your life?”
“Lake did. I have Rocco looking into her. I wanted you to come bowling with us tonight but...”
The wheels were turning in his head. “Yeah, I get it. We can’t risk your life. Call the precinct and ask for Officer Bailey. File a restraining order against her.”
He cupped my face. For the first time I witnessed fear in his eyes. “I’ll be at the bowling alley, but I’ll keep my distance. Inform your father about the turbulent situation, but tell him you’d like to retain his services. That will keep our mothers in the dark.”
“Sounds good.”
“For now on you’ll be chauffeured everywhere you go.”
I nodded against his head.
Tate slipped my skirt over my hips and pushed the button through the hole against my back. “There’s no way I’ll lose you.”
He smoothed his hands over my arms and kissed my lips.
I buttoned my jacket upon walking out of the weight training room.
∞
Officer Bailey said he’d check the criminal database to see if Regina had any previous complaints against her. I told him my attorney would be in touch.
Dad paced the living room. “What the fuck is wrong with Tate’s brother and Marisa?”
“I don’t know. But I’ll take crazy for two hundred, Alex.”
His eyes narrowed. “This isn’t funny, Chelsea.”
“I know, Dad.”
“Luckily, my friend Alex Finch who’s a retired marine was available on short notice. He will drive you wherever you have to go. Tell Tate I said hiring a driver was a good call. The Bentley will remain in the garage.”
“Yes, Dad.”
He sat on the sofa and pulled me into his arms. “I never knew my little girl would go through so much just to get through high school. You really think the crazed girl is mixed up with Marisa and Mason?”
“I have a gut feeling.”
“Mr. Finch will give you a taser and mace. He specialized in explosives. He will sweep the vehicles every day. He’ll also keep an eye on surveillance at the house. Don’t give anyone other than Tate the new gate code.”
“Got it.”
THE CROWD ROARED, STANDING to their feet as Haven Saints number one shooting guard made another three.
Cupping my hands around my mouth, I shouted from behind the team bench. “Go, Lake.”
My friends and I consumed a mountain of snacks much like we’d done at the football games. Tate ran up the court in his navy and white jersey, hands in the air ready for the ball. Stephen passed the ball to Tate, he dribbled then made the jump shot.
We cheered.
“Keep up the good work Haven Saints,” I yelled.
A sickening feeling swept over my body. Someone was watching me. Didn’t know who. I kept my cool offering a weak smirk to Mr. Finch guarding the gym double doors.
Tate appeared cool calm and collected on the outside. On the inside he was beating himself up. I knew because we spoke before the game. Tate wanted to skip the game. He definitely wasn’t in the mood to go bowling later. He persuaded Stephen and a few other players to hang out.
I was thankful for Mr. Finch coming to my aid on short notice.
“Are we playing guys against the girls tonight?”
“Yup, and I’m bringing a date.” Trevor smirked .
“Oh, I wonder who it is,” Megan giggled.
“It’s a surprise. She doesn’t attend Haven Saints either. The chicks at this school are crazy.”
We burst into laughter.
“Rocco, Kelsea seems sweet.” I bumped his shoulder.
“That’s because she is. Everyone’s not crazy like Regina,” he laughed.
“Watch your mouth, geek boy,” I heard from Ms. Alabama.
A cold chill swept up my spine. I peeked over my shoulder. “Get lost, bitch.”
“I heard you were a spunky little thang.”
She wore a ton of dark eyeshadow and that damn deep red lipstick. Her long blonde hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. Her short skirt and low cleavage blouse left nothing to the imagination. I glanced up in the bleachers.
“Who told you that?”
“That little gossip girl Jaime.”
I nodded. “It appears you’re in the wrong section. Slutty and desperate sit in the nosebleed section.”
She balled up her fists. “You little─”
“It’s time to move along, Ms.”
“Who the fuck are you?”
“Security. Move it along. ”
She threw a tantrum as she stalked higher into the bleachers.
“Thanks, Mr. Finch.”
“I’ve got your back.”
Tate braced his palms on his knees as he stared at me. My boyfriend was about to lose it. I considered leaving. Then I decided I’d stay and support our team.
I stood and threw my fist in the air. “Go Saints.” My friends joined in at my side cheering.
Lake threw the ball in the hoop at the sound of the buzzer. We jumped up and down.
“Yes! We did it. Haven Saints won by one point,” I yelled.
Lake ran over and pulled me up into his arms. “Did you see that? I hit the game-winning shot.”
“Yes.” I hugged him tight.
He placed me on my feet.
“Lake, I’ll wait for you.”
He backed away. “Ok. I’ll be out soon.”