Secrets Read online

  I make my way to building 119 for my Biology course with no issues, thankfully. I really enjoy the walk over even if I am a little paranoid. The green lawns of the University are so plush under my shoes, I bet it would be comfortable to lie on. I love how the sidewalks are lined with trees; it provides the perfect canopy of shade to escape some of the heat. I’m still a little scatterbrained with this new school. I had printed out the school map before I started and studied it countless times. I get into the stuffy Biology classroom and make my way down the aisle between the desks. Sitting more toward the middle today, I have a feeling I will need to pay better attention than I did in Government. I don’t mind extra notes; I just pray I do not have to dissect any creatures. That is my breaking point.

  “Pssst… Hey… Pssst... Hey, Hey!”

  OMG, it is way too early for any idiot to try to talk to me. I glance back out of the corner of my eye. I don’t want to give them my full attention and egg them on. Oh! It’s Cameron! He’s sitting behind me and is leaning his chair back on two legs. If I tried that I’d probably crash backward since I have short legs. Lucky me.

  “Hey, Cameron. I didn’t see you when I came in or I would have said hello.” He has his signature polo shirt on, in a different shade of grey today. His white ball cap is pulled down low over his eyes and he looks tired. I bet if he stood up he’d be in khaki shorts.

  “Hey, Goldilocks! It’s cool, come sit by me.” He didn’t seem so bad at dinner, so what the hell, why not. I move beside him and try to get resituated for this lecture. Surely this man won’t talk as much as Avery does this early. I scan the lecture hall and take in each of my classmates. He’s not here, you’re safe.

  “Gosh, I hope I do okay in this class.” I turn to him and smile a fake smile. No need for everyone to figure out I’m paranoid.

  “Yeah, blondie, no kidding, why do you think I asked you to sit by me?” I start giggling a little and I hear a throat clear. A shadow falls over my desk and I look up, straight into Luka ‘Tate’ Masterson’s pissed-off glare. God, he’s even hotter when he looks mad.

  “Well, good morning, sunshine!” I say in the most cheery voice I can, and smile huge. He looks fantastic today in a pair of nice-fitting jeans leading past his muscular thighs to some black motorcycle boots. He has the top of his black button-up shirt unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up. Now that’s a man! Look at those tattoos; I couldn’t see them last night at dinner. Who would have guessed this rich boy could pull off tattoo sleeves. I can’t really make out what they are, but holy hotness, they make him look even sexier. He has that ‘I’m a bad boy, don’t fuck with me’ look, going today. Ugh, we all know I like them bad, too. With that thought, I cringe a little.

  “Enjoying yourself with Wentworth, I see. Can I join you or is this a private party?” Yep, definitely has the asshole gene. Geez, did he just growl at Cameron?

  “Of course you are welcome to sit here; you’re also welcome to get some coffee or whatever you need before you come next time.” I give him the same attitude he just gave me.

  “Oh, baby, I don’t need coffee to cum, your sweet smile will do just fine,” he says cockily and licks his lips. Geez, where did the sweet guy go who walked me to my truck?

  “Seriously, Tate! I’m just going to move.” I know I must be tomato red right now. I don’t have time for this shit. Who does he think he is talking to me like that.

  “I’m sorry, Красота (Beauty), stay, I’ll behave.” He fist bumps Cameron, and then he puffs his yummy plump bottom lip out, trying to look sorry and innocent. I just want to bite that lip. Holy shit, did I really just think that? No. No biting for me, focus. Think Biology, not man hunk with an accent. Is that Russian? I think that just raised his hotness factor even more. I am such a freaking goner. I turn away from him and do my best to pay attention to the professor. Tate keeps brushing his arm against me; I know he’s doing it on purpose. I refuse to give in and look at him. This is going to be the longest class of my life. I keep going back to the accent. Fuck, that’s hot! Not only do I have to sit next to this absolutely gorgeous guy, but I have to smell him too. He smells as good as he did last night at dinner. I think he’s wearing Hugo Boss, it’s one of my favorites on a guy and it kind of makes me want to sit on his lap and sniff him everywhere. Maybe even lick his cheek at this point, I bet he tastes like a fine chocolate caramel candy. Asshole.

  After the longest two hours ever, I skirt out of class quickly and pretend I’m in a super big hurry to get to my next class. I give a quick “See ya,” to no one in general. I wave and practically run down the hall. I’m so glad my next class is pretty close by. Thankfully, neither Tate nor Cameron is in my next class and I can keep to myself like a hermit. I sign onto London’s Facebook page to troll around some. Nobody has posted about any jail releases so I take a deep breath. I definitely need a cold shower today and a new pair of panties after that run in with Tate.

  A – Hey, chick, you should stop by the shop when you’re done with class and visit me 

  Me – Hi, Avery! Do you have anything besides coffee and tea there?

  A – Yes, ma’am, hot chocolate

  Me – Ooooo! I LOVE hot chocolate! Okay, sounds like a plan. See you in about 20

  A – Awesomesauce!!!!!

  I laugh to myself; I know she’s jumping up and down right now. That girl has so much energy all the time. Like a big happy bubble. I’m so lucky to have met someone like her so quickly. I have to keep reminding myself to be careful. I wish I could just be happy and free like Avery. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to live without looking over my shoulder. These girls all around have no idea how easy they have it. Never having to worry about who could be following them, finding them, or hurting them.

  That reminds me, I need to call London and see if she’s heard anything about him… I know she said she would text but I have to make sure he is still in jail. She’s been my best friend since we were five years old and started kindergarten, but I just have this feeling. I can’t let him find me; I can’t go through that again. God, I miss home, the sweet Texas air on Granddaddy’s land, lying in the grass and looking up at the beautiful stars. I want to go home. No, this is home now; I have to learn to love Tennessee. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to go back to Texas again. With that thought, I pull open the door to A Sip of Heaven, and paste a big, fat, fake smile on my face. My mask.

  “Hey, pretty little Emily! How’s it going?” I think Avery must be the happiest person I know. She is literally happy and smiling every single time I see her. I envy her.

  “Hi, it’s going okay, glad to be out of that boring-ass class, that’s for sure! How’s work?” Avery has on her cute little apron and polo shirt, the picture-perfect coffee shop employee today. She has her pretty, wavy, brown hair up in a high pony tail, and cute little silver coffee cup earrings dangle from her ears.

  “Eeegh, it’s fine, kind of boring, although I did see a hot man hunk, by the name of Cameron Wentworth and his dark haired God of a best friend, Luka Masterson. They mentioned something about a cute little blonde yelling at Luka, that he needed coffee. Hahahaha! Know anything about that?”

  “Oh My God, shoot me now! I did not yell at him! He was being a total grouch when I was talking to Cameron in class today, right after he sent me a sweet text this morning.” Ugh, I know my face is red. What a bum, telling on me! I’m so going to give him a hard time when I see him again. That tattle tale.

  “He texted you? Spill it!” I swear her smile just doubled in size and she has this mischievous look in her eyes. I bet the faker already knows everything. She and Cameron probably spent the afternoon gossiping.

  “Umm, yeah, he might have just said good morning.” I go sit at a table as quick as I can. I know she’s up to something just by one look.

  “Oh no, you don’t get to escape! Tell me about this text.” I smile and look at my phone.

  “It was nothing. He just said good morning and told me I look like a pop tart.” I smile to myse
lf when I remember.

  “He actually said, by the way you look like a pop tart?” She’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

  “Well, no, he calls me this name and I asked what it meant and he told me pop tart. I think he was just being silly though.”

  “Holy shit! He totally likes you! I freaking knew it when I saw him watch you walk to the bathroom at dinner. He was staring at you like you were a piece of cake he wanted to eat!” He is the one who looks as good as a big piece of chocolate cake.

  “No way, I think you were imagining things, he was kind of an ass to me at dinner. Especially about the whole accent thing, I mean, deflect much?” I’m over this conversation. Yes, he’s hot; no, I don’t need to get anyone else involved with my drama and issues. God forbid if the Monster ever finds me, what he’ll do to me if I am with another guy. I shudder and then rub my arms to play it off like I just got a chill.

  “Okay, girly, you think what you want to!” she says in a sing song voice while she walks to the counter to serve customers. I guess it’s time for me to finish this hot chocolate and get out of here. I have a ton of work to do, thanks to having to go full time to maintain my scholarship. I do love the school though, the buildings and the landscape, it’s all so beautiful. The humidity is great on my skin and hair too.

  I make my way to the counter. “Thanks for the drink, Avery, I have to head out to work on homework, I’ll text you soon though. Have fun working!” She throws her arm up and waves behind her.

  “Okay, bye, chickadee!” She’s busy concentrating on making some kind of coffee creation so she doesn’t see me return her wave.

  Shit, what time is it? I must have fallen asleep reading my book. I look around groggily and notice my phone blinking. I rub my hands over my face a few times. Oh man, I forgot to call London too. I probably look like a loon, I have every single light on in my little apartment, all the drapes and blinds closed and a chair propped up against my front door.

  A – Look who I saw again! 

  It’s a text from Avery with a picture attached of a man’s butt in jeans. This girl is crazy. I look at the clock on my phone. Ten p.m. Holy cow, I slept for hours. Great, I won’t be able to go back to bed now. I close my textbooks and neatly stack them on the corner of my little black desk I got from Wal-Mart. I put each notebook and folder next to its matching textbook. There, nice and organized. I pick my phone up again and text Avery back.

  Me – You are so silly, Avery, who on earth is the poor man you took pictures of?

  A – Your future ex-boyfriend! Luka Masterson!!!!!

  Me – You dork; he said to call him Tate. I cannot believe you took a picture of his butt! Did he see you?

  This man obviously works out. I will definitely be saving this picture to my phone so I can look at it again in the future. I may not want to go out with the guy, but I can definitely appreciate looking at him sometimes. Maybe she will get one with his shirt off that I can keep too.

  A – He knows I took it, he said I had to send it to you if I wanted to keep it. Told you he likes you!!!!!!!!

  Me – OMG! You are fired!

  A – LOL! Get dressed I’m coming to get you

  Me – No way, you don’t even know where I live! :D

  A – 1900 Adams apt 13. I’ll be there in 20, get something sexy on, 'cause we are going out

  Me – WHAT!? How do you know where I live?

  A – 19 minutes and I’m dragging your butt out for some fun.

  Shit! She’s serious. Okay, I am so not wearing anything sexy, I do not want any extra attention drawn to me and I know Avery will get plenty of attention by herself. What to wear… hummm… Cute little black dress and some hot pink stilettos, yes please. Fast, easy and I love my pink shoes. I’m going to actually put on a little darker make up, and wear my hair down. Hopefully I’ll blend in behind Avery. I have to remember to not let her post any Facebook pictures of us. I have to be careful and any pictures online is too much of a risk. He found me before when I tried to leave; I can’t let him find me again. I top my look off with some pin-up girl red lipstick and open my door. Right into Tate’s waiting smile. Arghhh! What’s he doing here?

  Chapter 3

  Tate’s eyes widen and grow dark as he looks me up and down. I feel blindsided. I can’t believe Avery didn’t tell me he was coming. I would have pretended I was still asleep. Tate’s changed since class. He has on a fitted white v neck short sleeved shirt and some light wash blue jeans. His shirt clearly outlines his muscles and his tattoos are on full display. God he looks delicious. He leans in close to me and it pushes me up against my door. I can’t let him get any closer or else I will drag him inside my apartment.

  “Tate. What are you doing here? I was just about to leave with Avery.”

  “Yeah, she’s with us, I came up to get you. Do you have a coat or something to cover up with?” He keeps looking at my shoulders and legs. God the stubble on his cheeks makes him look fantastic.

  “To cover up with? Did it get cold outside?” I’m confused, it was so hot earlier.

  “It’s nice out, but you’re showing a lot of skin with that dress on. Maybe you should wear some pants?” He crosses his arms across his chest. I don’t know if it’s supposed to intimidate me to change or what, but it’s not going to work. I can’t believe the nerve of this man. If I wanted to be controlled I would have stayed with my psycho ex.

  “You are so not telling me what to wear. I’m dressed already and this is what I’m wearing. I’m meeting Avery not you, and even if it was you, I still would not change!” I put my hand on his chest to push him away from me and when I make contact with his chest his nostrils flare.

  “Let’s just go, Avery and Cameron are waiting in the car.” He looks pissed when he turns away and stomps down the hall. Geez is this man always so broody? I thought I was too serious all the time, clearly Tate has me beat. What on Earth could possibly be so bad in his life? He’s gorgeous, has money and appears to be somewhat intelligent. I swear I’ll never understand men. We get outside and parked at the curb is a blacked out Tahoe on a lift with beefy tires. I never would have guessed in a million years Tate would drive something like this. He just earned some cool points with his choice of vehicle.

  “What happened to your Mercedes you were in the other night?” I have been told by London I am a very nosey person. I however, tell her I have special nosey privileges with her since she’s my best friend. Maybe she’s right, I am nosey. I’ll never admit it to her though.

  He glances back at me and opens the passenger door for me to get in. “I drove the truck because I wanted you to be comfortable with the extra room.” I get in and his comment floors me. He was thinking about me when he picked out which vehicle to drive? That means he had already planned to see me tonight. If he was thinking about me though, why did he have to go and be an ass to me about my clothes? Ugh, God this man is so confusing!

  “Emily! Damn girl, you look hot! I see Tate found your place without any problems.” She looks entirely too pleased with herself and it makes me want to throw something at her.

  “Glad someone appreciates my outfit, Tate wanted me to go back and change.” I give him a smug look. Take that, big boy!

  Cameron starts laughing loudly until Tate glares at him in the rearview mirror. He starts driving and doesn’t say anything for a while. I can hear Avery and Cameron talking low and Avery giggling. Yeah, they are so going to fuck, if they haven’t already. I’m a little jealous; I wish I could get with a guy and not worry about all the complications. Maybe I should have a one-night stand? It’s okay to scratch the itch, and then send them home, right? Guys do it all the time, so why can’t I? Maybe that’s what I’ll do tonight. I’ll see if there is anybody worth having a one-night stand with. I know Tate will be preoccupied, probably with multiple women. Obviously Cameron and Avery are getting close; I’m going to try to have some fun tonight.

  “So where exactly are we going anyhow?” I have been pretty much nowhere si
nce I moved here. The most I’ve seen of Tennessee so far was the highway. The rest stops I made to get here and the surrounding lakes. The drive was beautiful, lots of trees and grassy hills. The road through Arkansas was absolutely horrible, all the bumps and dips. Thank God it was a quick drive through it or I would have gone nuts.

  Avery leans forward between the seats, so close we almost butt foreheads and I jerk back. Crazy girl scared the shit out of me!

  “We, my friend, are going to OO7. It’s my favorite club in the whole wide world! We are going to get our drink on, dance on and our freak on!” She smiles manically and I smile back.

  “What is this, are we stepping into a James Bond flick?” They all chuckle around me, and I look at everyone curiously for some answers.

  “Oh no, I want to see your reaction when we walk in. You will just have to wait and see! And their martinis are out of this world! We are going to shake our booties until our feet feel like they want to fall off!” She seems to know exactly what to say to bring a smile to my face.

  “Girl, you are such a dork! I’ll dance, but no drinking for me.” Never know when I could need all my senses intact. I know one day he’s going to be waiting for me in a dark parking lot.

  “What?! We have two gorgeous men who are more than capable to carry our asses out of there if needed. You are getting toasted!” Yeah right, I’ve learned the hard way not to rely on men, I’m not about to start now.

  “I’ll dance, but no drinks for me.”

  “We will seeeeeeee!” She plops back and is pretty much sitting on Cameron. He looks thrilled about it though, so whatever, none of my business.

  Tate looks over at me and does that one arm extended thing men do when they drive. He looks absolutely delicious right now, all serious. His forehead does this little crinkle thing like he’s thinking about something really hard, then he shakes his head and faces forward again. Oh my God, what now?

  “What? What was that just now?”

  “Nothing.” Nothing my ass!