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“Chill, bro, we’re just partying over here. Don’t kill the vibe. What’s your deal?”
I grit my teeth. Tatum closes her fingers around my wrist. “My deal is that’s my girlfriend you were about to feel up.”
He sobers, holding his hands up. “My bad, man.”
It’s ridiculous that throwing down my claim on her is what gets him to back off more than the fact she clearly didn’t want to dance with him while he grabbed her tits or ass. I don’t waste another second on him. Turning to Tatum, I clasp her chin to tilt her face up.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks babe.” She darts her gaze around at the small crowd watching the drama unfold, pausing on Kayla. Recognition crosses her face. “I could’ve handled him, but I’m glad you noticed and came over. Hi, you’re Kayla, ri—”
“You rescued your little girlfriend. Are we good to talk now?” Kayla interrupts.
I pull Tatum into my arms, glaring over her head at my ex. “No, we’re not good. I’ve made it more than clear we’re done, so you can just stop.”
“What?” Kayla scoffs, crossing her arms. “I just want to talk. Can’t we still be friends?”
“You broke up with me, remember?” I shake my head. “You’re toxic. Not the kind of friend I want in my life.”
She flings her arms to her side, snapping her gaze around at the people watching her get shut down. “Coop, I just miss you, and—”
“That’s enough. We have nothing to talk about. Ever.” I take Tatum’s hand, stomach buzzing with anger. “Do you mind if we head out for some fresh air?”
“Of course.” Tatum squeezes my hand, peering up at me with a worried expression. “Let me tell Jenny where we are so she can find her friends.”
She peels away. Kayla takes a step toward me until someone laughs and calls out desperate. Her lips purse and with a pissy huff she storms away, following the guy I told off for touching Tatum.
Some frustration bleeds away when Tatum comes back without her flamingo. I ditch my unicorn and take her hand, leading her outside. She traces the inside of my wrist with her other hand, hugging my arm as we stroll down the tiki torch-lined front walkway.
“Are you okay?” she asks when we sit on the grass further away from the party.
“Yeah.”
Sighing, I sprawl back. It’s dewy and cool against my bare back. She lays against my side without hesitation, resting her head on my shoulder. The pumping beat of my heart slows down to a calmer state. I blow out a breath, gazing up at the sky.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot,” I say.
“What made you want to change your reputation? I mean, other than getting serious about applying yourself.”
I squeeze her hand, heart rate kicking up once more. I can’t confess how I feel to her yet. But I can tell her some of the truth. She deserves to know.
“When I was dating Kayla, I thought she was my first real serious girlfriend.”
Tatum hums, listening. She twines her fingers with mine as I open up and tell her something I haven’t told to anyone.
“I’ve realized now that I don’t want Kayla, or any girl like her anymore. They’re the type who just saw me like a piece of meat. A dick to ride, that was it. Anyone who hooked up with me saw me as a good time and a status symbol.” I swipe a hand over my mouth. “Kayla never really cared about my feelings or our relationship. She enjoyed toying with me and knew I liked it when she needed me, so she strung me along.”
“Cooper,” Tatum says sadly.
She leans up to meet my eyes. I tuck her hair behind her ear and caress her face. My chest aches because the girl who believes she’s my fake girlfriend looks at me with more compassion than my real one ever did. I know she cares about me.
“Haven’t I done the same to you?” Her throat convulses with a swallow. “God, I’m an idiot. I never knew you felt like this and all I was worried about was getting you to be my first so I could get some experience points. I used you.”
“Hey, no.” I tug her down into my arms. “You didn’t use me, babe. They wanted bragging rights. I never once thought of it that way with you.”
“Promise you’ll tell me if you feel like I am? I don’t want you to hide your feelings.”
