CHAPTER NINETEEN - KAMI

Tate showed up to get me and met me with a kiss. He held my face a moment after he’d pulled away and stared into my eyes. “I’ve missed you so much. It’s hard being away from you for even a day.” I felt the same, but hearing him admit it made my heart soar.

“I know what you mean. It’s getting tough spending the night alone in bed.” It had been our tradition of late to talk just before bed, and we’d even fallen asleep on the phone with one another like two damn teenagers.

“Yeah, you should really spend the night more often.” He met my eyes and raised a brow. “How would you feel about spending every night with me? And waking up every morning in our bed?”

The question caught me off-guard, and my breath hitched as I was unsure how to react. “Tate.” It was all I could say and my eyes filled up with tears.

“I’m not trying to push your or upset you—” he started before I cut him off.

“No, it’s not that at all Tate. It’s just that, well, I’m falling for you,” I finally admitted.

A bright grin split his handsome face and he cupped by face in his large hands. “I’m falling for you too, Kami. I love you. I didn’t want to jump into anything until I knew the time was right to tell you, but I can’t wait anymore.”

“I’ll talk with Aunt Helen and Rain tomorrow. I know they’ll understand. No one ever expected me to hang around forever, I’m sure. And it’s about time I get out in the world.”

“Well, you don’t have to do it alone. I want to take care of you, Kami.”

I let out a sigh. “I want us to take care of each other. I will still work, and I’ll contribute.”

“We’ll talk about that later in bed, where I have a better shot at convincing you to let me do for you.” He wagged his brows.

I fell into him and rose up on my toes to kiss him deeply, his tongue mingling softly with mine. It made my knees weak, and I felt the faint flush of blood from my face as the heat blossomed between my legs. “You’re going to make me want to skip the show again.”

“Then we better get going.” He took my hand and led me out.

His phone was in my seat, and I moved it out of the way. “Here, you better put this in your pocket.” He always carried his phone in his pocket, and he frowned and turned it on and then quickly put it away.

“It’s been acting up. I think I’ll turn it off and reboot it later.” He gave me a smile and started us on the road.

The club was so packed that it was hard to weave through the crowd, but we managed to do it and found a table near the front to sit at.

A waitress came up and leaned her big breasts over into Tate’s face. “You want a beer?”

“Sure. Baby, what do you want?” I looked over, and he waited on me to answer.

“You know, I think I’ll have a beer too. Draft please.” I gave her a pointed look to get her tits off my man, but she strolled away casually like it wasn’t a big deal. I shook it off and let it go. It wasn’t his fault.

I could see Rain standing toward the back and waved her over.

She crossed the room and seemed a bit anxious. “I’m ready to get this show on the road. I’ve been looking for Devin for an hour now, and he missed out on the practice earlier. I swear, I’m going to kill him if he no-shows.”

“He’ll be here. You know how he is.” I looked at Tate who gave a polite smile and looked back out to the crowd. I didn’t think he wanted any part of the conversation, and I couldn’t blame him.

“Yeah, he’s an asshole. You’re much better off with this super-stud. How are you, Tate? Are you ready to rock and roll? This doesn’t seem like your usual crowd.”

“Actually, I used to come here quite often, but my girlfriend at the time was a waitress here.” He gave me a sly smile and then looked back across the room.

“Oh yeah? A waitress, huh? Is she still working here?” Rain asked the very question I wanted to, and I was relieved when he shook his head.

“No, it was years ago. Whole new crowd, it seems.”

“Good,” I mumbled. Rain gave me a wide-eyed stare.

“So what are you two love birds up to?” She glanced back and forth between us, and I wanted to tell her so badly the good news. That the two of us were in love, and Tate had asked me to move in with him. I knew she might lecture me on how soon it was, but I was prepared for it. It was a bit soon to some, but when you’re in love and want to spend each waking moment with that person, what else could you do?

“We’re waiting on the best show on earth, from what I’ve heard.” Tate gave her a big smile as the waitress returned with our beer. He took his bottle and turned it up.

“You’re the sweetest.” He was, I hadn’t gushed on about the band like he made out, in fact, he knew that I mostly was sick of their practicing under my apartment, but he also understood how much I loved Rain. She was like a sister to me.

Someone yelled out Rain’s name across the crowd, and she turned to see Daren Craig hanging on a woman with bleached-blond hair and big tits as another guy stepped forward and waved her over.

I could see the disappointment on her face, and I rubbed her arm to try and offer support. She’d been crushing hard on Daren lately, and it was obvious he’d moved on. The other guy was still waving his arms and wailing out Rain’s name. “Thanks for coming.” She turned and went to greet the man, slapping on her best face as Daren gave her a sympathetic look. I hoped he was sorry.

“The man with the blonde is the guy Rain likes. I sure hope Devin shows up soon. She can’t take too much disappointment in one night.”

“Is there anything we can do?”

“I’ll call him.” I took out my phone and dialed the lame ass’ number. Tate watched as I tapped my fingers on the table.

Finally, he answered. “Well, if this isn’t a blast from the pasts. Are you done with that rich asshole and need a real man again? Cause I’d throw you a bone. You know, for old time’s sake.”

His words were so disgusting that I wanted to puke. “Where the hell are you? Rain’s freaking out.”

“I’m in the parking lot now. But I’m kind of busy.” I heard a female moaning in the background.

“You’re so disgusting. Will you hurry up and crawl off that poor girl and find Rain.” I hung up.

“Where is he?”

“He’s out in the parking lot molesting some poor girl.” I saw Rain across the way and got up to get her attention. “I’ll be right back.” I left him at the table and walked across the room to whisper in Rain’s ear.

“Your golden boy is out in the parking lot getting his knob slobbered.”

“I’m going to kill that asshole. He knows how much I worry, and he plays these games all the time.” She let out a long breath. “Did you see Daren? He’s obviously not interested in me anymore, but on a positive note, there’s Billy over there, and he’s more than willing.” She gestured to a rough-looking guy who seemed as if he was ready to beat someone’s ass.

“Yikes. He’s scary.”

“Tell me about it. Why can’t I meet a nice man like you did? You two seem so happy tonight.”

“Well, that’s because we told each other those three magic words for the first time before driving out.” She squealed so loud that looked over to Tate to see if he heard it, but he was sipping his beer and looking around the room. Now and then he’d peek my way.

“That’s so sweet! I’m sooooo happy for you!” She gave me a hug.

“We also talked about something else. He wants me to move in with him. I’m a little hesitant, because of what happened before, but I was hoping that Aunt Helen would keep the apartment open in case it doesn’t work out. At least for a few months.”

“That sounds like a solid plan. I mean, it can’t hurt. Talk to her, and I’m sure she will. She mentioned not wanting anyone else that wasn’t like family living under our roof, so she doesn’t want strangers for tenants.”

That was good news.

“I hope I don’t need it. I’m spending the night with him again, and we’re going to talk out the details. I’ll hit you and Aunt Hel up about it together as soon as I know when.”

“See, now I’m really jealous. I wish just once, one of these assholes would change. But that’s not the way it works, is it?” She took a calming breath and gave me a tight hug. “I better get backstage.”

“I better get back to Tate before he meets another waitress.” We shared a laugh, and I hurried back to my man.

I joined Tate at the table and finished my beer, Tate moved his chair closer to mine and ordered us a pitcher.

We enjoyed the show when Live Wired took the stage. The music was loud, and Rain sang her heart out, even dedicating one of the slower ballads to me and Tate. Devin had rolled his eyes but played well, and the rest of the band were great as usual.

Once I knew the set was winding down, I leaned in and kissed Tate on the cheek. “I’m ready to go back to your place now.”

He brushed my hair back. “Anything you want, lead the way.” He got off his stool and took my hand.