The UN Series Complete Box Set (154 page)

“I came to take you to dinner,” he says simply, and it has my mind wandering off.

Tate still works for my parents’ repair shop but it’s only part-time. He, Slade, and Parker are still getting their security company up and running. They did a few jobs this week, but I’m not sure how much it pays.

He has a nice house, bike, and truck and is always spending money, but I don’t know where it comes from. And I’m afraid to ask. I’m afraid he won’t tell me or I really won’t want to know the answer.

His father had passed six years ago. He had left his twelve million dollar company to Sam, along with his house and everything else he owned. He didn’t know that he had a son. He had no idea about Tate. But when Sam placed their dad’s house up for sale, Tate bought it. I know he wishes he could have spoken to his dad before he was killed in a car wreck. Even though he never talks about it, I know he wishes he could have told him the truth. That he was his son and that he loved him. Tate may not say I love you, but I know he has a heart.

“What’s wrong?” he asks getting my attention.

I smile up at him. “Oh, nothing. Just was wondering what sounded good for dinner.”

“I’m thinking sushi.”

I nod my head excitedly. “Sushi sounds great.”

“I missed you last night,” he whispers roughly, and I know that was hard for him to say. Tate doesn’t like others to know how he feels. He would rather them know his angry side than his softer side. But I’m learning very quickly that he has one.

“I missed you too. Did you sleep well?” He’s been having nightmares quite frequently in the last week. That was another reason why I stayed at my place. He wakes up dazed and confused. Sweat dripping from him. And he looks at me with terror in his eyes. Like a lost little boy who wants someone to help him. Then his face turns hard and he looks at me as if I did something wrong and he wants to kill me. I’m not afraid of him, but I’m sure that bothers him for me to see him like that.

“Yeah,” he answers my question, but I know he’s lying. “Come on, let’s go eat and then I wanna run by your place to grab your bags,” he says.

“What for?” I ask already knowing the answer.

“Because you’re staying with me, baby.”

I laugh. “Don’t I get a say?” I tease.

“Nope.”

CHAPTER TEN

TATE

We just walk into my bedroom from dinner when Missy places her bag on the floor.

“I wanna go out tonight,” she says, bending down to dig through it.

I haven’t been out in a while so that actually sounds good. “Where do you wanna go?” I ask as I lean back against the wall and watch her undress out of her jeans and t-shirt. I’m not the type of guy who tells a woman she’s beautiful over and over, but every time I look at her I think just that. Her long blond hair falls down her bare back as she takes off her bra. I just wanna lay her down on her stomach and kiss the soft curve of it. 

She bends over to place a foot into a clean pair of jeans. I watch as she pulls them up and over her legs. My cock hardens at the thought of having them wrapped around my waist as I fuck her. I’ve been restraining myself though. She has had pain once this week, and I thought maybe our sex was what caused it.

She places a new bra on and turns around as she places a soft pink top over her head. “I don’t care. You can decide,” she throws over her shoulder as she walks to the bathroom and shuts the door. Completely oblivious to the fact that I was just eye fucking her and that I’m fucking hard now.

This week has been hard for me. Trying to adjust myself for her. I went from pushing her away for so long to wanting to be around her twenty-four seven. Last night was torture with her not being here. I lied when I told her I slept well. I know she was asking due to my nightmares that I’ve been having—when in reality I didn’t sleep at all became she wasn’t here. But that’s an easy fix. She’s here now and she’s not leaving. Decision made.

I get myself to calm down and walk into my closet where I put a new clean shirt on. I then make my way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and I find Parker sitting at the table. His stupid cat, Puss Puss, is lying on the table in front of him on its back as he rubs her stomach.

Eww. “Why is that cat on the table?” I ask.

He rolls his eyes before pulling her off and placing her on the floor. He crosses his arms as he stares off in front of him not really seeing anything. I wonder what he has been through. This week has taught me that you really don’t know your friends. I mean you see them all the time but you don’t know what happens when you’re not around. Or how much they just choose to keep bottled up inside of them.

“Missy and I are going out tonight,” I say getting his attention. “Would you like to join us?” I offer and I almost roll my eyes at myself. Since when did I start trying to help people when they were down?

He nods his head. “Yeah. That sounds fun.” Then his light brown eyes widen and his smile grows. I imagine it’s the same look he had when he saw a pair of tits for the first time when he was younger. “Can I take your bike?” he asks and I chuckle.

“Sure,” I say before turning around and walking into my room to finish getting ready. “Parker is joining us,” I say to Missy as I see her come out of the bathroom.

“Okay.” She frowns as she places her hands on her hips. “Is he riding with us?”

“You don’t want him to go?” Maybe I should have asked her first. Is that what guys with girlfriends do? Ask for permission? I almost laugh at myself for that thought. Yeah, that won’t happen. I won’t ever ask anyone if I can do anything. I’m a grown-ass man. And if they don’t like what I do then they can fuck off. That part of me will never change.

“No. That’s fine. I was just wondering because I’m sure he’ll bring some girl home with him,” she says over her shoulder as she walks back into the bathroom to grab her makeup bag.

I follow after her and come to stand behind her. I place my hands on her narrow hips and lean down to where my lips are by her ear. I watch her smile in the mirror in front of us. “He’s taking my bike.”

“Good,” she says happily, and I chuckle. “Then I won’t have to listen to him and some random chick make out in the backseat of your truck.”

I smile before I give her a soft kiss on her cheek and then pull away to finish getting ready.

Once ready, I walk into the living room to see Missy trying to hand Parker the helmet that Sam had bought me for Christmas last year. The woman still asks me every day if I wear it. And I tell her no every time. I’m surprised Missy even found it. I had it hidden in the back of my closet. Where it belongs.

“I’m not going to wear his helmet,” Parker say shaking his head with his hands up in front of him.

“You’re going to a bar. And you’re going to have a few drinks. Wear it! It may end up saving your life,” she says shoving it into his stomach.

He huffs as he leans over and takes it before she drops it. “Thanks,” he says, before he gives a little cough.

“Plus,” she adds, “it will keep you warm. It’s cold outside.”

She turns and places her jacket on before grabbing her purse by the front door. I smile over at Parker, and he gives me a smirk. “Since when did she become so bossy?” he asks jokingly.

“Since she has to put up with me.” And I smile to myself. Maybe we were what the other needed all along.

******

We’ve been at the bar for only twenty minutes when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out to see
Mom
written across the screen. It automatically shifts my mood from happy to pissy.

I don’t speak to her. Ever! I haven’t even seen her in I don’t know how long. She came to the states last year for Sam and Slade’s wedding, because she was Sam’s mother, Marie’s, best friend. I knew she would never miss Sam’s wedding, but I never spoke to her at it. And have refused to answer her phone calls. I have no use for her. I might have allowed Missy in but she deserved it. My mother deserves nothing from me. She was never there for me. Why should I be there for her?

“You okay?” Missy asks placing a hand on my shoulder.

I nod. “Fine.” Her lips frown as if she doesn’t believe me, and I try to give her a smile. I don’t want to bring her down when she is in a good mood.

“Where the fuck are all the hot women?” Parker asks as he scopes out the club.

“Well, it is still early,” Missy offers before taking a sip of her Long Island.

“I don’t wanna stay all night,” he whines leaning back in his seat. He pulls out his phone.

“Calling in a chick?” she asks.

He shakes his head. “Facebook. I took a selfie of myself on Tate’s bike and set it as my profile pic this morning. It’s already getting me some ass.”

I chuckle as Missy rolls her eyes. “You know,” Missy says tilting her head to the side staring at him. “I have this one friend. She has a boyfriend, but I don’t see it lasting long…”

“WHOA!” he all but shouts lifting his hands. “Pump the brakes.”

Missy scrunches her brows. “What does that mean?”

He rolls his eyes. “It means slow your roll.” She goes to speak but he doesn’t let her. “I don’t let friends hook me up with friends. Plus, she has a boyfriend. That’s how you meet the crazy bitches that never go away. I prefer to meet a stranger, have wild and crazy sex, and then go on my way. Never to see them again,” he finishes and then goes back to texting on his phone.

“That sounds very lonely,” Missy says sadly and he looks up from his phone to her. For a small fraction of a second I see his eyes soften. I remember what he told me while we sat at the kitchen table. I could be completely wrong, but I think Parker is lonely. But, like any other man, he refuses to show it.

“How about her?” Missy offers, trying not to point at a girl who just walked in.  

Parker pulls back his lips in disgust as he looks over his shoulder. “No,” he says flatly.

“What? She’s hot,” she defends her.

From a man’s point of view—she’s okay. Not a ten that you would jump on as soon as she walks in. She is the type who you would wait til the end of the night when you realize no one else is willing to go home with you.

I know, men are bastards. It’s been this way since the beginning, yet women still want us for some strange reason.

“She wouldn’t be hot if she poured honey all over her legs and rolled around in hundred dollar bills,” he says matter-of-fact, and I smile. Some of the shit he comes up with amazes me

“I think she has nice legs,” Missy says still staring at her.

“Good. Then you two can take her home,” Parker throws over his shoulder as he gets up from his seat and heads to the bar for another drink.

I lean back in my seat to dig my phone out of my pocket once again as I feel it vibrate.

Mom

“Mommy,” I cry out as I watch his fist hit her face.

He looks up and points at me. “You’re next,” he shouts.

I turn and run to my room. I grab my teddy bear off of my bed and run into my closet. I huddle up against the back wall as tears run down my face. It’s dark and silent in here. Most kids are afraid of the dark. But I like the darkness. He can’t see me if it’s dark. It swallows me up as if I don’t exist. Sometimes I wish I didn’t.

Why is Daddy so mad? What did I do wrong this time? I always stay out of his way.

I scream in surprise as the door bursts open and light fills the closet. “Please, Daddy...” I beg but he tears the teddy bear out of my hands. 

He then grabs my arm and yanks me up, causing pain in my shoulder. He pushes me forward, and I fall to my knees outside of my closet.

“Stop,” my mom cries running into my room. “Please leave him alone.” She falls down to her knees beside me and covers me with her body.

I cling to her sweatshirt hoping she’ll save me from Daddy. He hurts me.

“Think she can save you, boy?” he asks, and I feel his boot hit the back of my leg.

“Please stop,” she repeats.

“Such a coward. Both of you.” Then he pulls me from her arms and holds me in front of him by my arms. She doesn’t even try to hold onto me. Why didn’t she try to keep me safe? “See, son. A man is supposed to be the ruler of the house. He shouldn’t be a coward or weak. He’s strong and knows how to keep others in line.” What is he talking about? “Do you agree?’

I don’t know what he’s asking, but I say what he wants to hear. “Yes, Daddy,” I say as tears run down my face. I try to move my shoulders to loosen his grip but he doesn’t.

He looks over at my mother with a smirk on his face before he looks back to me. “Good boy. Women respect what they fear. And the man of the house deserves respect. Isn’t that right, honey?” he asks, and I hear her whimper.

He lets go of me and stands up. “I’m going out. When I get back I expect dinner.” And with that he turns and walks out of my room.

“I’m so sorry, Tate,” she cries. “I love you so much. I’m so sorry.”

“I love you too, Mommy.” I cry as I rub my shoulder.

My jaw tightens and I press ignore, before placing it face down on the table.

“You’re not gonna talk to your mother?” Missy asks.

I look down at her. “I don’t speak to my mother.” Plain and simple.

She frowns. “Why not?”

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” I say before tossing back my beer.

“But…it’s your mother,” she states, and I grind my teeth in frustration.

“Yeah, she is. And how long did you go without talking to your mother?” I snap, remembering her telling me that she avoided her family after she lost the baby.

She huffs as she sits back in her seat and crosses her arms over her chest. I can’t tell her everything. How much can she possibly take before she realizes how truly bad of a person I am? My mother doesn’t need me anyway. She has her sister in Alaska. That’s why she moved back there with me in the first place. My mother and her family are from there. Her ex-husband is from the states but she met him while he was up there on business. She had moved back here with him and that’s when she had an affair with Jack—my father. My dead father.

“Well, I think we need to hit another bar,” Parker says plopping down into his seat. “There’s no pussy here that I would fuck.”

“Excuse me,” Missy announces, pushing her seat back and stomping off to the bar with her purse.

“Trouble in paradise already?” Parker quips.

“Shut up,” I snap. The table vibrates and I growl knowing it’s my phone.

“Going to get that?”

“No.” I stare at him with narrowed eyes, waiting for him to push the matter, but he leans back giving up and I look over to the bar.

My fists tighten when I see Missy standing at the bar. The guy standing next to her is talking to her. He pulls back a little bit and I get a good look at his face. It’s the same motherfucker who had bought her a drink the night I went to the bar on her birthday.

I shove my seat back, and it hits the floor. Parker jumps up. “What is it?”

It probably shouldn’t piss me off as bad as it does. I mean, she won’t even turn to look at him. He’s the one leaning into her and speaking. But she’s fucking mine and that asshole needs a lesson anyway.

He says something, and she shakes her head. She throws her purse over her shoulder and turns giving him her back as she starts to walk away. He grabs her hips and pulls her back to his front, wrapping his arm around her waist. I watch her mouth the one word that I can’t fucking stand.
Please
. She’s begging him to release her as she tries to pull away from him.