Til Death Do Us Part || Tate Langdon

a promise

      You were taken aback by her unmatched audacity, and had to take a moment to collect yourself.

   "You gotta believe me," you spoke as calmly as you could. "Those rumors are nothing more than just that, rumors. It's not true in the slightest. I know him."

   "You heard what I said," she said callously. "Find somebody else to waste your days with." You opened your mouth to protest further, but she cut you off and said, "And if I find out you're still seeing him, you won't like what happens. That's a promise."

   Tears stung your eyes and threatened to spill out, but you stomped up the steps like a child before you could give Thea the satisfaction of seeing how her words affected you. You flopped onto your bed face first and hoped with all your heart that Tate would be ready to run away together soon-- not seeing him anymore wasn't even in the question.

*****

      A few days after work, you, Del, and Remi were hanging out at the local dead mall. There were only about 5 active store left in the entire thing, but they were good ones that always had discounts due to low foot traffic. You'd all gotten some snacks from the food court and sat inside, due to it being late November. You told them everything Aunt Thea had said to you about not seeing Tate anymore, and right after you two had finally slept together no less. They both requested romantic details later, but had many questions now.

   "So I guess that means he had a good reason for standing you up at Bart's party, huh?" Remi asked sassily.

   "Definitely," you replied. "But I can't give you guys too many details, for both of our safety." Two confused pairs of eyes studied your face, waiting for you to say you were just kidding: you weren't.

   "For our safety?" Delaney repeated, then popped a soft pretzel bite in her mouth.

   "Yes, I know it sounds crazy but just trust me," you replied. "All I can say is... it's his mom. She's kind of insane. And if I end up going away, don't be surprised."

   That last bit had them sitting up and both shooting questions left and right, but you calmed them.

   "I'm talking about running away with Tate," you clarified; this did nothing to relax them. "Nothing's set in stone yet, but please believe that he's not dangerous and he's not a bad guy. If I disappear, I'm safe with him."

   They looked at each other skeptically, but ultimately decided to be supportive. With some devious suggestions and dishonest planning, the three of you made a deal that would allow you to keep seeing Tate until he was ready for you two to run. You would tell Thea you were going to Delaney's and then do it, in case she followed you. From there, Del would drive you to Tate's and leave then pick you up later, so your car would stay at her house should your aunt drive by. You promised your friends you'd tell them before you two did anything, and that you'd keep in touch once you were gone.

DECEMBER 2023

      For more than a week, your plan worked beautifully. You told Tate what was going on, which increased his hatred for Aunt Thea. The face he made when you talked about her almost spooked you a little. The good news was that all throughout the week he had been telling you at least every other day that he was getting more and more confident about you two going away together.

   One Thursday a few hours after work, you cleaned yourself up at home and went happily down the stairs to visit Tate.

   Aunt Thea stopped you, "Delaney's again?"

   "Yeah," you kept your tone steady. "She is my best friend after all."

   "Mhm... well you need to worry less about your friends and more about moving out." You were about to explain yourself, in a slight lie of course, when she continued after thinking for a second, "Matter of fact, remind me again why you aren't paying me rent?"

   "Because I work full time?" you offered with a hint of attitude. "I'm saving to leave, trust me." That was true, but more for you and Tate to live out of your car for a while and not a nearby apartment. "And if I start paying rent, it'll only take longer to save and get out of here."

   She squinted at you maliciously, then turned away, silently giving you permission to leave. 

   After driving to Delaney's house and giving her gas money, it was around 7 when she dropped you off in front of Tate's house. You were almost to the gate when someone called your name from a few houses down: Constance. Your heart dropped as she approached, but you tried to remain calm and look unfazed.

   She leaned casually against a few of the metal bars and said, "I take it since you're still around, he must have told you."

   She knew that you'd found out about Hugo. You looked away for a split second, then swallowed hard before responding, "Yeah, but, I don't care. Trust me. It's not something I even think about anymore."

   She raised a brow and the corner of her mouth quirked up, "Really? Something that dark and you're this indifferent about it?"

   "I don't know why you'd think I care," you pulled your cardigan a little tighter around you as the wind blew, then shrugged, "He kind of had it coming."

   She threw her head back with a dry laugh, then said, "And here I thought you were in love with Tate."

   You were growing more confused by the second: what did your being in love with Tate have to do with her killing his father?

   "I-I am," your brows furrowed.

   She shook her head with a smile then halted your world when she said, "Well I suppose, if you still come to see him knowing he's committed suicide."