Tate
If there is something Liam can do, it’s eat until the cows come home. I’m not kidding you. He can eat for an army and still not put on any weight. But then he does work out a lot and burns off so many calories playing football. He has to train with the team four nights a week, spends a session in the gym most mornings before school. This guy is dedicated to his sport and one day for sure, I know that Liam is going to be a hot shot. In school he already is.
That is precisely why it makes my life so difficult. All the girls want him and I am so sick and tired of seeing them all flirt with him, touching him and just getting in his face. I wouldn’t say he adores the attention. Much. Okay, maybe just a little bit. Denver loves it, oh my God that boy loves the attention. I honestly don’t know how Lilly puts up with it. Love and trust I guess.
I have come close to wanting to slap some of the girls that fawn all over Liam. All of this never bothered me before, I was just a kid but I’m not kid anymore. I’m growing up and so many things are changing that it’s scary. “It’s all part of becoming an adult.” My mom had said. I didn’t of course tell her I fancied Liam or had the biggest boy crush ever.
Actually, if I’m perfectly honest, I wish I didn’t. It aggravates me that I feel this way about my best friend. It makes me so damn angry that I know at times I can be awkward and difficult and Liam can’t read me.
Talking of Liam, he is practically standing inside our large triple fridge. “What are you doing? Get your disgusting body out of our fridge. Damn it, Liam that is unhygienic sticking half your body in there.”
Although looking at his rear view does have some attraction since he does have one of those tight butt things going on. All that training, even though he claims it’s all his genetics. Ha. I mean I love his parents of course I do, they’re like my second parents only his dad could never be described as sporty. His father, Patrick isn’t fat but he is on the larger side and definitely has a stomach. That I put down to all his mother’s home baking and cooking. That woman sure likes to cook. I thought my mother was the award winner but hell no. Liam’s mom can bake for America.
“I’m hungry.” He says not budging whilst I ogle his backside some more. It’s a good view. I wish you could see it.
“When aren’t you hungry. Here get out of the way.” I leave looking at his view, shame but I do need to get his face and half his body out of our fridge. “What do you want to eat.”
“Oh, I don’t know. You fix me something Tate.” He says it with that voice that is like a purr, my insides melt and of course I’ll do anything for him. Liam knows that. This is why he does it. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always done whatever Liam has asked. And sometimes it has gotten me into trouble.
Like the time he said we should try climbing up his mother’s trellis and pretend we were burglars. He had bought us these weird balaclava things to wear, black. We were only eight years of age and I was, if I’m honest a bit scared to be a big girl’s blouse about it. The thought of climbing his mom’s trellis with all those prickly, thorny roses all over it, didn’t hold much appeal.
Anyway, he made me wear the balaclava and gave me a pair of his mom’s gardening gloves, needless to say they were huge on my tiny girl hands and off he set. Climbing up in front of me like some koala. I was only half way up when I heard his mother’s voice. “What on earth are you doing up there? Get down right now Tate or I will call your mother.” That was before she saw her very own son right up ahead of me. “And you, Liam get your butt down here right this second.”
There have been other incidences but right now, I’ve got these arresting blue eyes looking at me with raised eyebrows. “Well Tatey matey, what are you going to make me?”
“I don’t know. Get out of my way and I’ll take a look. What about chicken breast sandwich with jelly and some salad?” He cocks his head to the left like he’s thinking about it. “Or you can have some cold salmon, I could whizz up some scrambled eggs if you like.”
“Thinking.” He says and takes a seat lazily on one of our high stools at our island.
“Well think quickly, we’ve got homework to get done. Besides you’ll be eating in an hour.” I remind him. “You’ve not got long to grab something here, do some homework, get back to yours and be ready for practice tonight.” I start taking random stuff out of the fridge, he’s not going to make a decision. No, not Liam. He’s going to wait for me to make it for him. I start to butter some crusty white bread, his favorite.
“It’s cool, Tatey Baby.” Okay so when he calls me that, it makes my inside go mushy and my stomach flutters. I know he only sees me as his best friend but still, the whole Tatey Baby thing, it really gets to me.
“So where are you and Jennie going tonight then?” I ask him wishing I hadn’t bothered.
“Nowhere special. Maybe go grab a couple of games of snooker then hang in my truck.” Right. Well now I really wish I hadn’t bothered asking him. We all know what hanging in his truck means.
Liam I watch Tate as she huffs and puffs making me my chicken sandwich and some salad. She effortlessly slices up some tomato and cucumber and adds a bit of lettuce and a drizzle of my favorite vinaigrette. She’s adorable and I couldn’t wish for a better best friend.She makes me smile, she’s always willing to help me and if I’m down and having a real rough day then Tate is there for me. Always and forever. That’s out little motto. We’ve had it since were six years of age when we sat in her tree house, sprawled out on the blue and pink cushions her mom made and linked our pinky fingers and swore an oath. No matter what happens, no matter where we are, no matter what anyone says, we will be best friends forever and always. She’s my girl.I know the guys and the girls rib us about being an item but seriously we’re not. I can guarantee that Tate only sees me as the kid she met all those years ago. Damn it, when I go to college I’m sure going to miss her. It is going to be so weird witho
TateDon’t ask me why, but going up the stairs with Liam trailing behind me, I get the distinct impression he is checking my butt out. Or do you think it is wishful thinking on my part? This being a teenager crushing on your best friend sucks. Sucks. Sucks. The heat is rising and I can feel my face is as hot as a smoking grill.Then he says, “hey you’re not putting on weight are you?” And laughs. Well that is enough for me to stop abruptly and turn on him.“Don’t be so rude, of course I haven’t. Besides it’s gross you checking out my butt. You’re supposed to be my bestie. Stop it.” I huff off up the stairs as he laughs behind me.“Hey I was just kidding. Don’t be so sensitive. I was joking. C’mon Tate you’re as thin as a rail. You even have flat pancake boobies.” He sniggers. I’m close to slapping his face.“Really? Well it’s a good job we’re not dating then isn’t it, you moron.” I reach the top step, turn left and walk along our hardwood floor to the fourth room on the left where my
TateI open my laptop and my notebook and start on my assignment. “I told you, Liam. I’m not doing yours as well. Deadline is next week so I suggest you get your butt off my bed and start doing some work.” I flick to my music app on my mobile and begin playing one of my favorite artists, Taylor Swift.“Yeah in a minute.” He says still with his eyes closed. I roll my eyes. I know I’m going to have a late night whilst he is out at practice then with Jennie, doing his too.I hear his mobile ring and then his voice. “Yeah, what’s up babe?” Who is he talking to and calling them babe? It makes my stomach drop and my chest tighten. Those are the words I want to hear him saying to me. I bet it’s fucking Jennie.“Sure, tonight after practice. I’m still on. I’ll swing by and pick you up from yours.” He is silent no doubt Jennie big tits is telling him all sorts of mind blowing things she’s going to do to Liam tonight. I feel sick. Physically sick.“Yeah, no problem. It’ll be fun. I can bring a
Liam I couldn’t ask for a better best friend than Tate. She means the world to me and if anyone were to hurt her, they’d have me to answer to. I feel like a heel asking her to do my assignment but honestly I hate history so much that it kills me. I’ll make it up to my girl for sure. Maybe I’ll ask dad if we can take a trip in his jet for the weekend and head out to somewhere different. I’ll have a think about it. Maybe to her favorite place in Oregon to hike the Tamanawas Falls Trail. She loves that and it’s only a quick two and a half hour flight. We could camp out under the stars. Brimming that I can make it up to Tate, I run down the stairs in her house to the front door. “See you later, Liam.” Her mother calls out as she crosses the entrance foyer to go into their kitchen. “See you soon, Mrs H.” I open the door and step outside. It’s still warm at five p.m and practice is going to be another session of working my butt off and sweating like a pig. Still I love it. I’m passionate
Tate “Hey Lilly. I’ll be ready in half an hour.” Lilly smiles at me on the vid call. “Fantastic. Just checking in with you, Tate to make sure you’re still coming out with us girls later.” “Absolutely. What should I wear?” I’m a bit nervous about going with them all to the house party, usually I refrain from these. I’m not as ambitious at dressing as the others either, especially not like Tammy. She’s a regular short skirt, open blouse type of girl. That’s not my style. “Wear something casual. I’m wearing this.” Lilly says and moves back a bit so I can check her outfit out. She’s wearing cut off shorts that are frayed at the bottom and blue denim. “I love your halter top. I’m so into hearts.” “I know, I just love it. Picked it up from D&G last weekend. Something like this would suit you.” I love Lilly, she’s so adorable and sweet and always has something nice to say to everyone. “Yeah maybe this weekend I’ll go shopping. I’m just finishing up my assignment then I’ll get ready.”
Tate The music is so loud, I can hear it from the end of the drive where my father has dropped me off. “Don’t be too late. You sure you don’t want a ride back home, Tate?” He asks. I can tell he is concerned, this is my first house party. Neither of my parents is used to me going out into the big world. Just kidding, what I mean is they are hiding their nerves very well and not making a big deal of me going to my first ever party. Sure I’ve been to the school discos. But they are governed like we’re babies with teachers milling around, some even joining in the dancing. Like we want to see that. Ugh. It grosses me out so much. “I’ll be find pop. Honestly it’s just a bunch of kids. Besides you know Lilly and Tammy will be here.” He squeezes my hand that sits on my lap. I’m not going to admit it, but I’m as nervous as hell. There are so many kids outside sprawling masses of them on either side of the drive, on the front steps to this grand house, it’s painted white with a dark green fr
Tate “Hey girls.” Tammy shouts out despite the fact that we’re standing right in front of her. She’s swaying, the beer bottle is in her left hand, she takes a hefty swig. I want to remove it from her and throw it in a bin. “You’ve taken your time. Let’s get you both a drink.” To my surprise Lilly steps in. “I’m driving, Tammy. No drinking for me. Besides it’s a school night. I cannot be doing with feeling shit in class tomorrow. I’m driving Tate home later.” I smile, so grateful that at least two of us aren’t going to be getting wasted. “You two are such spoil sports. You need to have some fun. C’mon just one little drink.” Lilly is firm and shakes her head. “We’ve just go there and you’re already drunk, Tammy. Can’t you slow down a bit?” “Don’t want to.” She takes another swig from the bottle of beer. “You wanna take one of these.” And from inside the cup of her bra she pulls out a small clear plastic bag with some white pills inside. “Jesus. Tammy.” Lilly grabs the bag. “What i
Tate Why is he even here? I’m waiting for my breath to come and for my heart to stop freefalling. He winks at me. The cheek of it, I wish he knew exactly what that does to me. It makes me melt when his electric blue eyes make contact with mine. I can feel my palms beginning to sweat. “What are you doing here?” I ask Liam as he has one arm draped around Jennie’s shoulders. He has no idea how I feel about him and I am trying my damn best to keep it that way. Only it is so fucking hard. Hard. Hard. “Thought I’d just drop by since Denver was coming to meet Lilly.” He drawls. That soft, sexy voice of his. Jennie pushes herself closer into Liam and lays a possessive hand on his chest. The bitch. I hate her as she stands there so close to him. I want it to be me. Liam is wearing black jeans, a black Versace t-shirt and black dessert boots. He looks so frigging hot that if I wasn’t so angry at him for being here with her I’d probably be lusting after him more than I am right now. My hear