Chapter 8: Girl Talk

Tatum's POV

"So, who's the new guy?" I ask, kicking my legs above my head as I watch Sammie from my spot on the bed.

Sammie leans her head against the front of my dresser and smiles. "His name is Oscar. I met him online last week and we went on a date last night. He's nice."

I raise a brow at her. "He's nice? When a girl says a guy is 'nice' it usually means he's a dickhead."

Sammie snorts and shakes her head. "Tate! I don't know what you're talking about…"

I laugh and bring my hands to rest underneath my chin. Sammie and I haven't had a chance to have a girls' day for a little while now, so it's been nice just hanging out in my bedroom and talking about boys and what has been going on lately. With our busy schedules, it's been hard to meet up for long enough to talk properly.

Between studying, writing my book, and daydreaming about Nico, it's been hard to keep up with Sammie's life too, which I feel slightly guilty about. When she texted me last night after her date asking if she could come over, I immediately agreed because I knew a catch-up was long overdue, and I wanted to hear all the details about her date.

"Okay, so he's nice. What else can you share about him?"

Sammie scratches her chin and chews on her bottom lip deep in thought. If she has to think this hard about what to share about this guy, he may not be worth her time.

"Well, he's tall, has brown hair and brown eyes. He's studying at UCLA to be an engineer. He did mention his ex-girlfriend about ten times. I began keeping count after the fourth time. And what else… Oh! He had strong political views… and not in a good way."

My eyebrows shoot upward in surprise. "Sammie! This man is screaming red flags. Are you freaking color blind?"

Sammie waves me off with her hand as if this man bringing up his ex and talking politics on the first date isn't one of the biggest red flags I've ever heard.

"It's fine, Tate. I don't want to be quick to judge after the first date. I'm all about giving people a chance until they show me if they're worth my time or not."

I love this girl, but she is too kind and caring for her own good. If I were the one who had gone on a date with Oscar, I would've been running for the hills the moment he left to go to the bathroom.

Or maybe I'm just as blind as she is.

When I first met Jaiden two years ago, he seemed like the perfect gentleman who could do no wrong. It was like I was living in a fantasy dream world because I couldn't stop thinking how damn lucky I was that Jaiden was interested in me. Throughout the two years we were together, he showed no signs of red flags that would make me want to rethink my relationship with him. He showered me with love, gifts, and happiness.

Looking back, I think I was just a naïve girl who didn't know a damn thing about love or what she wanted in a man. As a result of that, I lost two years of my life with a man who didn't deserve me, and I'll never get those years back.

"Just be careful, okay?" I say pointedly, wanting to ensure that Sammie can hear the warning in my voice and know that I'm not messing around. "These might only be just some of his red flags. I'm sure there will be more to come so just stay safe."

Sammie playfully rolls her eyes. "I'm not going to end up on one of those true crime podcasts that you listen to if that's what you're worried about."

"I wasn't thinking about that, but now I am."

Sammie laughs and shakes her head. "Anyway, enough about me. I want to know what's going on with you. How are things with your dad? Has he laid off pushing you to continue being an accountant in the future?"

I push myself off my stomach and move to sit cross-legged on my bed with my hands in my lap. "It's funny that you mention that because he has laid off me about that. Much to my surprise."

"You're kidding?" Sammie's mouth forms a little 'o' as she stares at me wide-eyed. "What changed?"

I shrug my shoulders, wishing I too knew the answer to that question. The conversation we had about my future a few days ago still feels like a blur as if I dreamed the entire interaction and my mind is forcing me to believe it was real.

I tell Sammie about how my dad came home from work the other night and asked to speak to me. I had just been lying in bed working on my novel so I was tired and not in the mood to have a big conversation, but I was pleasantly surprised. When my dad told me he supports my dream of pursuing a writing career and won't stand in my way but actively support me, I almost fell to the floor from shock.

After all the arguments we went through and the back and forth on this whole accounting degree, what made him suddenly change his mind and decide to take a step back from pushing so hard for this to happen? I couldn't come up with an answer, so all I could do was stare back at him in amazement.

The only condition of my dad helping me follow my dreams is that I have to finish the last year of my degree as a backup plan for the future should I ever need it. I'm hoping that won't be the case, but I know the odds of someone becoming a full-time writer is slim, so I will work extra hard on making my dreams come true.

"So, yeah, that's what we talked about. Trust me, I'm just as shocked and confused as you are, but who am I to question him when he is finally on my side for once? I'm grateful he's finally taking the time to listen to what I want and not what he thinks is best for me."

"It seems he's finally turning over a new leaf," Sammie says, nodding slowly. "I couldn't be happier for you, Tate. You can finally follow your dreams! Do I still get to be your beta reader for your book?"

I smile at my best friend and nod enthusiastically. "Of course, you do. You'll always be the first person I go to when I need advice on the book. All writers need one of those."

After catching up on a few other topics like school and assignments, Sammie wiggles her eyebrows at me, ready to change the subject. I already have a feeling I know where this is going.

"So, how is Phoenix doing? Have you seen him again since you ran into him at Mario's?"

I shake my head. I want to tell Sammie I see Nico every night in my dreams, but I'm not ready to admit that I'm thinking about my dad's star pitcher and my first one-night stand every time I close my eyes.

"No, and it should probably stay that way. My dad would kill me if he knew I was hooking up with one of his players. You know how protective he is."

Sammie waves me off with her hand. "Tate, just live a little. Your dad can't stop you from hooking up with Phoenix f*cking Reid even if he knew about it. You should live your life the way you want to, okay? If you want to hook up with that insanely attractive man again, then go for it. I'll make sure no one is standing in your way."

I blush at Sammie's words and try to hide behind my hair. I know she's right about my dad not being able to stop me from doing what I want with my sex life, but I don't need the extra drama of what he would do if he ever found out. I'm staying away from Nico as a courtesy to him, despite how f*cking difficult it is.

"I appreciate the support, but I've got this handled."

Sammie pouts and bats her eyelashes at me as if she were a small dog begging for food. Those big brown eyes always work on me, tearing down my defenses.

"Okay, well if you don't want to hook up with him again, can we at least go watch him play this week in the first game of the season? I know you may not like baseball, but I do. Please, Tate?"

I want to say no because I'm not a baseball lover, but I must admit that I wouldn't mind seeing Nico again, even if it is from the stands watching him play. There is nothing wrong with looking even though I can't touch. It may not be my best idea, but what could possibly go wrong?

"Fine, we can go. I'll run it by my dad first to let him know and see if he can get us sky box seats." I smirk at Sammie, and she grins. The perks of being the coach's daughter. I feel a little guilty that the only reason I'm showing any genuine interest in my dad's line of work is because of his attractive star pitcher, but I try not to think too deeply about it.

While Sammie talks about how excited she is for the game on Friday night, I pull my phone out to text Nico. I thought it might be a good idea to give him a heads-up that we'll be coming to watch. I tell myself I'm texting him for that reason alone and not that I'm secretly hoping he'll be thrilled that I'm coming and want to meet up. The thought has me clenching my thighs together.

Tatum: Hey! I know you gave me your number for emergencies, but I thought I'd let you know that Sammie and I will be attending the first Cats game on Friday night. Maybe I'll see you around :)

When I didn't get a response from Nico a couple of hours later when my dad got home from work and Sammie had to leave to go home, disappointment flooded my chest, as well as regret.

F*ck. Maybe I shouldn't have sent Nico that text message.