Tate's POV
I sprayed the counter with more disinfect and continued to wipe, making the counter glisten. I huffed a breath and put the cleaning supplies away.
"Anything else Robbie?" I called out.
He came back out from the back storeroom and threw the towel over his shoulder.
"Nope. That's it." He crossd his arms and leaned against the doorway, eyeing me as I collected my duffle bag.
"Okay sweet, uh I'll see you tomorrow?" I questioned and he didn't respond, just kept staring at me.
"Where are you staying tonight Tate?"
I was really hoping he wouldn't ask. I didn't have a clue, I was just gonna wonder around until I found a suitable place to sleep.
"I'll find somewhere, no worries." I gave him a half smile and started making my way towards the door.
"Tate!" He called out last minute and I turned around to face him. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Fuck why do you do this."
"Do what? I barely know you." I pull my eyebrows together in confusion.
"You... you try to be so independent. I can't let you just walk out of here." He tried to explain but it still made no sense.
"Uh, yeah you can? I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."
"Uh, no I can't." He mocked my sass. "You don't know these streets. One wrong turn and you'll end up in the wrong side of town. No way."
Before I could respond he had made his way over to me and pulled my bag over his shoulder.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," He mumbled under his breath but I could still make out what he said. "You're staying with me."
He started walking towards the back, expecting me to follow. He turned and looked back at me.
"Well.... C'mon." He said blankly and continued to walk. I had no choice but to sigh and follow.
We got outside and the crisp air wrapped around me, making me shiver. He threw my duffle in the back of an old red pick up truck and held open the passenger door for me.
"Thanks." I mumbled as I climbed in. He walked around and jumped in, starting the truck and then rubbed his hands together for warmth. After adjusting the heater and radio, he pulled out and we were on the road.
"You're not secretly gonna rape me or something right?" He laughed, but I remained silent, not joking at all.
Been there, done that, don't want to go back.
He turned and looked at me, and after noticing my expression he cleared his throat to become serious again.
"No." He muttered, almost offended that I even suggested it.
The car ride was silent after that, and I peered out my window looking up at the big building towering over us.
"I've never seen anything like this...." I thought out loud. He looked at me with his eyebrows pulled together.
"What, a city?" I nodded and he raised an eyebrow. "And where are you from?"
"Uh.." I debated about lying. I would be safer if nobody had a chance of finding out where I was, but he seemed like a potential friend and I knew I couldn't build that off a lie. "New Orleans."
"Shit... that's pretty far."
I didn't respond and wanted to change the topic more than anything.
