“It’s time for bed,” she said, getting up and yawning. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“You sure will.”
She smiled. “You really did get the rough end of the stick.”
Murphy shook his head. “No, I got the best part of the deal. Have a nice night, Tate.”
Watching him take a seat, she turned away and went toward her bedroom. Her heart was pounding, and she wondered how she was going to act nonchalant around him. Murphy was completely different from many of the prospects sent to guard her.
None of them liked babysitting duty. She was never a bitch or hard work to them unless you counted the occasional party she attended. Tate knew they were doing duties in order to become a Skull. Most of them hated being around her though. She put it down to them hating how boring she was. Shrugging, she quickly got ready for bed and tried to blank out Murphy’s presence in her house.
The following Friday Murphy carried her out of the latest party she’d been invited to. She loved the feel of his arms around her. When he got her home, he held her head down the toilet as she spewed everything up.
“I didn’t mean to be difficult,” she said, groaning.
“Honey, this is nothing to what I’ve seen.”
****
Tate, age seventeen
“Men are annoying,” Tate said, throwing a stone out across the lake. Murphy was sat on his bike watching her. After class she’d walked all the way to the lake, which was located a few miles out of town. She didn’t mind the walk. It helped her to get over the heartache of another rejection. Murphy had offered her relationship advice and told her to get out there. Big mistake. The only guy she enjoyed spending time with was sat astride his bike. He was close to being patched in.
He deserved a spot in The Skulls. Murphy was loyal, and he’d never once blabbed to her father about the parties she attended.
Her father had told her Murphy offered to take care of her. She knew her father liked the thought of Murphy looking after her rather than a prospect. Once the man before her got patched in, he was a Skull.
“I take it Ben was not very welcoming of your attentions?” Murphy asked, folding his arms.
“No, he sucks like everyone else.”
She watched him climb off his bike and come toward her. He wrapped his arms around her, and she sank against him. The scent of leather and his own natural smell overwhelmed her. She wanted to soak everything up about him.
“Hey,” he said, lifting her head up by a finger under her chin. “If he can’t see how amazing you are then the bastard is not worth it.” He pressed a hand to her chest, above her breast. Tate almost swallowed her own tongue. “No man is worth your kindness if they can’t show it back.”
“You told me to get out there.”
“I lied. Don’t become something you don’t want to be. There’s nothing wrong with you. Besides, you sure know how to party, and if he can’t appreciate that, then fuck him.”
She sighed, stepping back. Tate had to create space between them before she did something she would regret. “You don’t think there’s anything wrong with me?”
“Nah. The only thing I’d change is how damn sweet you are. Someone is going to destroy that part of you, Tate, and I’d hate to see that happen.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheeks.
Her stomach tightened as she tensed. The small touch made the hairs on her arm stand on end.
“Now, get your ass on my bike. I’ve got popcorn waiting. I’m not letting you out of my sight tonight.”
Murphy dropped her off at home to finish preparations for their movie night. He left her for an hour, and when he returned his knuckles were bruised. She didn’t give it much thought until she saw Ben at school the following week. Whoever dated Ben for the next couple of weeks was not going to get the picture perfect guy.
Seeing the bruises should have bothered her. Tate couldn’t help but smile, knowing Murphy had seen to the guy who hurt her. She made a promise to herself that the parties were going to stop. There was nothing gracious or graceful about a woman vomiting down a toilet from too much alcohol.
****
Tate, age eighteen
Murphy had danced with her all night. His arms wrapped around her with his scent surrounding her as they moved together. She was so totally in love with him. He was more than her babysitter or friend. When he’d been patched in she’d been so happy for him. She hadn’t been invited to the party, but he’d come to visit her at home. Eva turned a blind eye to his presence.
Even in drink, Murphy was adorable.
When no date had come to collect her, Murphy had decided she wasn’t going to her prom alone. She’d been more than happy to go alone. He wouldn’t have any of it, offering his arm as they went to the dance.