Tamed and Free

Chapter 15: Gatlin

Gatlin woke up by her self that next Monday morning to her alarm going off for school. Deacon and her spent all of Spring Break together. Going to on hikes, working, taking the dogs for walks, hanging out with Merida and Takoda, running errands on Saturday and ending almost every night at ACE. Her dream life. However, the alarm spun her back to reality. He went home the night before so he could get ready for his first day of school. She got up and got ready for school, putting on a Simply Southern t shirt and jeans with a pair of her flip flops. Gatlin grabbed her turquoise backpack and headed out the door with Beau.

As always, Gatlin stopped at her mama's house before anything. All Spring Break was a fuss trying to get through all the cars parked in the driveway to where Gatlin just created a different path. Today, all the cars were still there, but leaving one by one for school. Gatlin watched a heavy set brunette get in a car with a skinny brunette and leave, so she took that spot. 

Going up to the door she watched teenager after teenager leave in their cars. Finally, she saw her sister. "Hey Sara Beth."

Sara Beth had straightened her dye blonde hair. She had on a American Eagle shirt and tight jeans. Her makeup was heavily done for school. "What Gatlin?" She said while trying to pull up the Victoria Secret bag she used as a book bag and her coach purse on her shoulder. 

"Was just being nice. Mama in there?" Gatlin continued inside. Her mama was already up and making her some Mountain Dew in the kitchen. "Hey mama. The cleaning lady is coming today, right?" As she made her way through all the plates, cups, empty cigarette boxes, and other trash laying around the house. 

"Hey baby." Evelyn said while Beau got beside Sadie who was laying beside her, "She is. I need to tip her a little extra today." She hugged her youngest daughter while walking into the living room, Beau jumping on the couch beside Evelyn, "You heading off to school?"

Gatlin helped her mama into the living room, "Yes mama." She pulled out her wallet and handed her mama some money, "For the tip. Take it out of my rent this week."

They talked a little bit about what was going to happen today and even planned for tonight Evelyn and Sara Beth to meet Deacon. They said their good byes and Gatlin left, leaving Beau with her mama.

When Gatlin got to school, she immediately found Takoda and Merida in the lunchroom, talking. Since Spring Break and Gatlin telling Merida she knew about them, she noticed they were more cuddly and loving to each other. "Hey guys!" Gatlin sat down on the other side of the table. "Guess what?"

"The dragons escaped from New Zealand and are coming to attack all the dolphins?" Takoda asked as he scooted a little farther away from Merida. He knew Gatlin knew but didn't want to make it uncomfortable.

Both the girls stared at him. "Ummmmm. No." Gatlin answered.

"What made you think that was the Guess what answer?" Merida questioned.

Takoda shrugged, "I don't know. I panicked." 

Merida rolled her eyes at him. And then looked back at her best friend, "What's happening?" 

"Deacon is going to meet my family tonight. Just mama and Sara Beth. I'm inviting him to El Padres for it." Gatlin sounded excited. The other two smiled just as big, excited to see their best friend happy.

The bell rang and they headed to their lockers. "Have y'all seen Deacon today?" Merida asked. "I haven't seen him yet."

"No but we talked a last night before he left. He said he would be here." Gatlin opened her locker and got ready for her class. Merida and Takoda each had a locker by her.

Ashley, Gatlin's ex best friend, walked by with a group of friends, one of them being Markus, "Oh did Gatlin finally find her a guy?" She mocked. 

"Yeah. Let's see y'all sluts try to take him from her this time." Merida snapped back. 

The group with Ashley laughed, "If you're worried about us taking this man, then he wasn't yours to begin with, Gattie." Ashley cocked her head to the side as she smirked at that.

Gatlin rolled her eyes. "I'm not worried about if y'all can take him from me. It's more y'all can't reach his level."

Ashley got right in Gatlin's face and whispered, "Want to make that a bet? Cause you know Markus wasn't that hard to persuade when he realized how big of a prude you are." 

Takoda moved beside Gatlin and Merida on the other side. Gatlin looked at both of them cockily. "You know what, Ash? I don't keep my men on leashes. If they want to stray to less than they can. Obviously Markus over there couldn't handle someone with their shit together. But did he tell you that he asked me on a date last week?" Ashley's face dropped. She looked over at Markus that wouldn't look at her. "Oh he didn't?! Well I guess he's tired of girls giving it up to anyone and everyone. But you know, Ash, I remember you asking if we could hang again, too. But I turned you down. Must suck."

"Oh poor naïve Gatlin. I only asked you because you looked pathetic and I felt sorry for you. Plus, you have your own place. But after Jeff walked out this week, Sara has basically had full control of the house." Ashley back up a little to her friends.

Gatlin's face dropped. What did she mean Jeff left the house? "What?" Gatlin asked Ashley.

"You didn't hear? Jeff and Evelyn got into a fight because you had that guy over at your place. Evelyn told him that you were her daughter and that he doesn't have control over you, especially since you paid to build it and pay her rent. So he packed up his things went to his moms. He gave her divorce papers yesterday. Oh, and Jacob left this week, since you didn't go see him." 

Gatlin pushed through them and started running. Her heart was pounding, worried about her mama. She didn't care about Jacob or Jeff. Gatlin found Sara Beth talking to one of the football players. "Hey Cruz. I need to speak to my sister."

"Wait. You guys are related?" Cruz said in disbelief.

Sara Beth, looking angry, "Sadly yes. I will call you tonight." She grabbed her sister's arm and walked her into one of the classrooms. "What do you want? I was just about to have him. You ruin everything." She grunted. She looked over at Gatlin and saw her crying and holding her elbows. Her emotions changed to big sister protective mode, "Look, Gat. What's wrong?" She hugged her.

Gatlin wiped the tears from her eyes, "Is mama really okay? Ashley told me Jeff left. Was it really because of me?" 

"Gattie." Sara Beth held her. "Mama is okay. She knew this was coming. He's not asking for anything. He left because mama wasn't going to force you to be unhappy for an image. He also left because he demanded me to be in the house at eight every night and nobody was allowed over anymore. And I pissed him off by having everyone over." She rubbed her little sister's back. 

Gatlin held her sister for a little bit. And then looked up at her. "Let's skip today. Go get mama and go down to the beach today. We can use my Jeep. You grab the dogs and I will get Deacon to come with us. Sounds like a plan right?" 

"Actually. That does sound like a plan." Sara Beth answered. The girls walked to their respectful cars and got in. Sara Beth called their mama. Gatlin called Deacon.