How He Broke

Finding Answers and The Beach

I managed to end up back at the park, memories of last night flooding my brain, replaying every second over and over again.

I stopped under the tree across from the sidewalk, approximately twenty feet away from the exact spot where Tate had kissed me.

I could still taste his lips on my tongue, that intoxicating feeling overwhelming all my senses.

I allowed myself to get lost in a daydream, replaying the moment with him like a movie.

I smiled at the distant memory.

"Come here often?" A familiar voice spoke.

I looked up, seeing Tate towering over me with a goofy grin.

I felt my heart skip two beats, maybe three.

"Not until recently." I smiled back.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked.

I shook my head, scooting over for him.

He sat beside me, our knees touching, sending a shockwave through my body.

"How was your night?" Tate asked casually.

"Well I walked home." I answered with a laugh, glancing over at him. Seeing his dimples made my heart swell.

Tate shook his head with a chuckle, "I see." He nodded.

We sat in silence, both staring out into the distance. I strangely didn't feel uncomfortable beside him. In any normal scenario I would be incredibly awkward. Nothing was normal about Tate besides his appearance that was very clear.

"I was looking for you." I blurted out of nowhere, my brain even caught off guard by my sudden admittance.

I felt my face heat up, not daring to look at him. Tate simply chuckled softly, and out of the corner of my eye I saw him look at me.

My heart stopped only momentarily seeing his smile even for half a second. "I'm always around here somewhere." He said. I nodded.

There was so much I wanted to ask him, so much I wanted to unload onto him but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

"Was he mad?" Tate asked, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

"Who?" I asked, finally turning to face him.

"Matty." He answered.

I shrugged in response, "I guess so."

"Did he touch you?" Tate asked without looking at me.

"What?" I spoke, taken off guard by his question.

"Did he touch you? Yes or no, Sage?" Tate spoke seriously. "I know how Matty can get when he's angry," He began to explain, but I cut him off. "No. He didn't touch me."

I watched as Tate relaxed, breathing in a sigh of relief.

I wanted to ask what he meant, but it didn't feel like the right time to, especially not after how tense he got when he asked.

"Can I take you somewhere?" Tate asked, changing the subject.

Without hesitation I said yes, fully trusting him.

He smiled as he stood, offering his hand to me. I thanked him as I took it.

He pulled me up in one swift motion. "I may not have some kickass motorcycle, but I do have a pretty bitchin bicycle." He laughed as we approached it. "You can even ride on the pegs, but if you're lucky I may even let you ride on the handlebars." He said jokingly, giving me a playful wink.