“You want something from me I can’t give you,” he replies, voice sounding hoarse.
What was his deal with commitment? Did he have a bad relationship? Maybe something to do with Bella’s mum? It felt like I was paying for another woman’s mistakes. I don’t think he realised we were in a relationship, just without the label. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to bring it up, because it would probably make him run scared.
“I know Tag,” I murmur. “But then don’t expect me to do what you want. If I want to move out with whomever, I’ll do it. And you can’t exactly say anything now can you?”
A muscle ticks in his jaw. “You just said you were mine.”
“I did, and I mean it. But like I also said, I’m yours, but you’re not mine. What is it you once said to me? Oh right, you’re always single. So are you single Tag? Even now?”
My voice breaks on the last few words.
“I haven’t been with anyone but you since we slept together,” he says, scanning my face.
Was he asking me to read between the lines? Go by actions and not words? I could do that, but eventually, I would want to hear the words from him.
Suddenly, he stand and walks to me. Gripping my towel, he pulls it off me and lets it fall to the floor. “You’re mine, Clara. I’m glad you know it.”
Then, his mouth is on mine, and I forget what we were arguing about in the first place.
*****
The next day, Tag has gone to pick up some lunch for us when there’s a knock at the door. Wondering who it could be, and hoping it wasn’t Xander dropping by again, I rush to the door and open it.
“Clara!” Bella yells, drawing my gaze down to her.
“Hello cutie,” I say to her, then lift my eyes back up to the woman standing next to her.
Kaley. I was finally meeting Tag’s ex-girlfriend.
“Uh hi,” she says, smiling nervously. “I’m Kaley. Is Tag home?”
I shake my head. “He just went out. Will probably be another ten minutes or so.” I open the door wider. “Would you like to come in?”
Kaley nods and steps inside the house, Bella’s hand in hers. We all walk into the lounge room and take a seat. “Can I get either of you a drink or something?”
Great, now I was playing host at Tag’s house, to his ex and their daughter.
This is awkward as hell.
“We’re fine, thanks,” she says. “I have a last minute appointment I need to go to, so I was wanted Tag to watch Bella.”
I look at her. “No school today, Bella?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. Can I do your hair again? It’s so red and pretty.”
I grin. “Of course you can. You know where the stuff is.”
She smiles and jumps off the couch, walking straight to the bathroom where I keep my brush and accessories.
“She really likes you,” Kaley says, bringing my attention back to her.
“She’s a great kid.”
“That she is,” she murmurs. “Tag is really happy, you know? I don’t think I’ve seen him this happy.”
I swallow, feeling a little shy. “Thank you.”
Why did I just thank her? I have no idea.
“I cheated on him,” she blurts out, looking down at her hands. “I hurt him. Then, he started sleeping around. You’re the first woman he’s been serious about since me.”
I want to say that “serious” isn’t a word I’d use to describe our relationship, but I keep my mouth shut.
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask quietly.
She fiddles with the hem of her t-shirt. “You will be around Bella if you and Tag are together. I want us to get along, be friends at least. So, I just wanted you to know, Tag and I are friends and friends only. Like I said, I ruined what we had and… yeah.”
“Okay, thank you for your honesty,” I say after taking a few seconds to process what she is telling me. She didn’t have to be so cool about her ex dating another woman, but she was. She was thinking about her daughter. She could have been a bitch and told Tag she didn’t want Bella around another woman, but she didn’t.
“I’d like it if we were friends,” I say, nodding.
She smiles kindly just as Bella walks back into the room. “Are you ready?”
I giggle. “I’m ready.”
She turns to her mum. “Mum watch me make Clara even prettier.”
Kaley grins. “I have a few minutes, but then I have to leave.”
Tag walks into the house about ten minutes later and stands in the frame of the lounge room door, watching me sitting on the floor, Bella doing my hair and Kaley laughing.
His responding smile takes my breath away.