“Yeah, not even sure how, cause he didn’t even hit me that hard.”
“You lost a tooth for me?”
He laughs, shaking his head and reaching over for it.
“No! I’m keeping it. Your sacrifice needs to be cherished.”
“And you called me cheesy!”
11
There’s a shooting or something…
I don’t care. I’m just standing outside, maintaining a perimeter.
I notice Tate as she arrives at the scene with her cleaning supplies. She’s talking with Darren to the side, but I can tell she’s not into it, and I can tell by his demeanor he’s not too pleased with what she’s saying.
I wait until he’s out of view before I break off from the line; most of everyone has left anyway, and walk into the building after her. Sliding into the elevator of the apartment building with her before the doors shut.
“You guys seem happy.”
“Fuck off.” A laugh comes out before her voice lowers. “Thank you.”
“For what?” I pretend not to know what she’s talking about. “I did nothing.” Pausing, I let the weight of the moment die down. Looking straight ahead, at my reflection on the doors, I say quieter. “You should listen to what he told you and take him up on whatever he offered.”
“That wouldn’t be fair to him.”
The silence surrounds us as the world’s slowest elevator makes its way to the floor.
“So, when’s the wedding?”
“Next month.” She mumbles under her breath, and I can see the regret on her face.
All at once it makes sense to me. There’s only one reason she’s marrying him. “Darren threatened Z, didn’t he? That’s why you’re going through with this.”
“It’s not the only reason.”
“What else could it be, Tate? I mean, hell, your feelings are obvious.”
“Because I’m pregnant.” She whispers, looking at me. “And yes, he threatened Zane if I left.” One more pause. “Well, he threatened both of us.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, shaking my head as I look back at her. “How’d he take it?”
“It seems like you know him well enough to know that. I didn’t tell him that Darren threatened him.”
“Why not?”
“Cause I knew he’d go after him.”
It’s almost comical what she thinks he’ll do.
“Tate, telling him that Darren threatened you is gonna push him further than knowing he’s after him.”
“What?” she pauses, looking at me again. “How do you know that about him?”
“We were friends. His parents took me in and let me live there our senior year of high school.”
“Really?”
