Page 97

Chapter Twenty

Lincoln

Grabbing my bag out of the back seat of the Camaro, I climb out of the car and stare up at Tate’s house, sighing as I try to work up the courage to walk up there and knock on the door. My mind drifts back to the last time I was here, watching the woman I love more than anything break in front of me as all my lies crashed down around me and the piercing ache that’s been plaguing me since that morning intensifies. I would do just about anything to be able to go up there and wrap my arms around her right now but if I tried, I’m much more likely to get tased or shot… again.

God, what the hell was I thinking lying to her?

I knew there was no way it could end well but I just kept pushing forward because I couldn’t bring myself to walk away from her. I still can’t. Just seeing her in the clubhouse two days ago, filled with the magnificent fire of hers that I love so much, I know I’ll fight to win her back until I take my very last breath. Although, knowing my girl, it could take that damn long. My leg aches as I take a step and I fight back a smile. Even when her heart was breaking right in front of me and I hated every decision I had made over the last month, she had me enraptured.

But that happens anytime she walks into a room.

Shaking my head, I round the car as my phone starts ringing. Glancing down as I pull it out of my pocket, I silence it when Blaze’s name pops up on the screen, anger barreling through my system. I take responsibility for my part in all this but it doesn’t change the fact that if Blaze had just manned up in the beginning and told everyone the truth, I wouldn’t be in this position. I understand he’s in pain but his judgment was off. We count on him to look out for all of us, something he hasn’t done since Sarah died because he’s been swallowed up by his grief.

The front door opens as I reach the top step and Theo steps forward, crossing his arms over his chest. I stop, meeting his gaze.

“Thank you for coming,” he grunts and I nod.

“Of course. I’d do anything for her.”

He shakes his head, taking a step toward me. “No, there is none of that shit. You are the first man she’s trusted, maybe ever, and you shredded her heart so you are here to keep her safe and that’s it.”

“I can’t walk away from her.”

He steps up to me, getting in my face with the same look Tate gets when she’s pissed. “You better figure it out or I will put you in a box. I’m not playing around and you better not either.”

“I get that you’re trying to protect her, Theo, but she is the love of my life and I’m never going to stop trying to win her back.”

He lets out a sardonic laugh, taking a step back as he shoves his hands into his jean pockets. “The love of your life, huh? Man, if this is how you treat someone you love…”

“I made a mistake,” I admit, glancing up. My eyes meet Tate’s in the foyer. Her expression is vacant as she stares at me and I realize just how much work I have to do to get her back. I would rather she rage and scream at me right now. “Tate…”

She arches a single brow before slowly turning and walking back to the couch where she flops down and grabs her book. I will her to look up at me, just once to let me know that I’ve still got a fighting chance but her gaze stays locked on her book, looking completely unaffected by my presence. Hopelessness weighs down on me as I rack my brain for a way to express my remorse.

“I’m serious,” Theo says, dragging my attention back to him but it’s half-hearted as I keep glancing over at Tate, hoping to catch her looking at me. “You will not hurt my sister again.”

I nod. “You’re right, I won’t but not because I’m going to leave her alone. I will win her back and I’ll spend the rest of our lives making this up to her.”

He scoffs and rolls his eyes. “You know what, Dude. You do you. Right now, Tate is five times scarier than I could ever be. It’s your fucking funeral.”

“I’ll be all right.”

“Yeah,” he muses, nodding. “Or you’ll be dead. I know which one I’m hoping for.”

Without another word, he turns back into the house and stops in front of the couch. “Hey, T, I’ve got to get on the road.”

She smiles and my chest aches like a bitch. I wish she’d smile at me like that.

“I know. Please drive carefully in the dark, okay? And call me as soon as you get back to Charleston.”

He nods. “I will.”

She stands up and they wrap their arms around each other, seemingly in their own little world as they say good-bye to each other. Finally, he pulls away and grabs his bag from the floor.

“Hang in there, ‘kay? And call me the second anything happens. I’m going to be a nervous wreck worrying about you.”

She rolls her eyes. “Right back at you. Just because you’re in Charleston doesn’t mean he won’t come looking for you.”

“I can take care of myself,” he assures her and she growls at him.