Content

Chapter 1

Natalie's POV
I felt the music swirl around me. I let everything go. I did just what the My Darkest Days song said. I moved my body. I opened my eyes for a fraction of a second, just in time to see the group of gang bangers walk in. I turned around, letting myself be lost in the music again, but I felt their eyes on me. Every time it was someones first time in here, they stared at me. I'm not surprised, nor am I worried. Not only was I taller that most of the girls in here, standing at 5' 11”, but I was also the only one that wasn't deathly pale. I was more of a caramel color from my Mexican and Nigerian ancestry. Everyone else was white as snow, either naturally or from make up.
The song ended and it became Hip Hop Hour which only happened when a drug deal was about to go down and the visiting party didn't like the music. Sighing in frustration at the Mac Miller song, I walked over to the bar. While I was waiting for Dominic, the bartender, to finish with someone else, one of the guys from the gang walked over.
“Ay, can I buy you a drink?” he asked me.
I finally looked up into his face. When I say up, I mean WAY up. He was my kind of guy. He didn't really fit in with the rest of the group but they accepted him, just like the people here at the club accepted me. But he was definitely not a guy I'd want to piss off. The rest of the group he was with had all black guys in it and usually gangs were all the same race. This guy was white. He was a little tan but definitely Caucasian. He was at least five or six inches taller than me which said something considering my unique height. He had a very chiseled face with a jagged scar going down the left side that slightly disfigured the corner of his left eye. He was extremely built. As in he could probably bench three of me. The thing is, he looked maybe 17, 18 at the oldest.
I shrugged as Dom came up.
“Is it the usual chicka?” Dom asked me.
“Yea but this guy has my tab for the night.” I answered
“Hold up,” the guy cut in, “I asked if I could buy you A drink, not all your drinks.”
Dom set down the medium $1.50 cherry coke in front of me.
“I hope not even 2 dollars won't break the bank for you wigga.” I snorted.
He scowled at me, “I'm buyin your drinks. I think you should be a little nicer than that.”
I smirked at him and picked up my drink. As I started walking away, I realized he wasn't following me.
“Well are you coming to sit with me or not?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
The guy looked back at his boys and got a nod from what must have been the leader and followed me with swagger in his walk. I sat down at the table and I began sip my coke. I studied him more closely. His eyes were almost white because of how blue they were. His shoulders were probably 2 feet wide and broad. His pants sagged a bit, not as much as most but quite low. I couldn't tell what color his hair was because he had a purple bandana under a black flat billed hat. He had a black shirt on that was huge on him with some black Nike airs. Honestly he was hot...in a rugged bad boy type of way.
“So what's your name ma?” He asked me in his low sultry voice.
“Natalie.” I said before replacing my mouth onto the straw and looking at him expectantly.
“I'm Tate.” he said, giving me a grin and pulling the straw out of my mouth and putting it into his.

Tate's POV
We walked into some freak show underground club. They were playing some type of that wack ass rock music that had a little bit of rap to it. We knew eyes were on us when we walked in. We looked back at the crowd with boredem. Everyone knew how this shit went. We were in charge. This was our turf. You mess wit any of us an you gonna get a cap in your head. The first person we saw though was a fine looking girl right in the middle of the dance floor. She looked like them except they were all pale as fuck and she...wasn't. I'd compare her to my moms caramel squares she makes for Christmas. She noticed us looking at her and turned her back on us. Wow...she had an attitude. You could tell just by the look she gave Jonjon. No one gave Jonjon a look like that. As if he wasn't anything except another nigga lookin at her. Jonjon didn't usually do deals but this group was getting a little independent and he need to settle some stuff with them.
The changed the kind of music when we got to the back. They always did when we got to these places. We were dealin an these people didn't want to make the dealers mad cuz it could get pretty messy for them.
“Big boy,” Jonjon called me over to him, “go over and talk to that miss that gave us sass earlier. She seems your type.”
I looked over at her with her black skinny jeans, converse, and a tight band t-shirt very doubtful.
“She's tryin to prove that just cuz she's black or Mexican or whatever, don't mean she can't do her thing. You the only white boy at the top. Go over and feel her out. I ain't sayin you gotta marry her. I'm just sick of seein you mope around when we got our girls around.”
“Ight man. Call me over if you need me.”
He just nodded at me and then turned his head to the emo guys sittin across the table. I walked up to the girl. She was standing at the bar waiting for the bartender.
“Ay, can I buy you a drink?” I asked
She turned side ways so she could look at me better. Of course I could see her better now too. She had big brown eyes with heavy black make-up around them. She didn't have anything on her lips from what I could tell but they looked great with out it. She had high cheek bones and her hair was jet black and was really long. Her shirt had some band called Asking Alexandria on it and her converse had drawings on the white parts. Her legs were real long and she was taller than most girls. She had curves that were out of this world and had me unintentionally licking my lips. I don't think she noticed though cuz she was busy checkin me out. I could tell the scar on my face had her curious but, unlike most girls, she didn't ask questions.
She just shrugged. The bartender walked up and asked her if she just wanted the usual. Damn, if she's friendly with the bartender she's gotta come here a lot.
“He's got my tab tonight.” She said nodding towards me.
“Hold up...I said I'd buy you A drink, not all yo drinks.”
The bartender putdown a plastic restaurant cup with pop in it.
“I hope not even a 2 dollar cherry coke will brake the bank for you wigga.” She said smirkin at me.
Did she really just call me that? I worked hard for my boys to respect me. I'd earned the right to jump anyone that called me that and this girl gonna say it to my face. I said somethin about me buyin her drinks so she needed to be nice to me. She just smiled and started to walk away. I didn't know what to do. Whenever I needed a girl, I just found some hoe lookin for a good time. They threw theselves at me, not the other way around. Just when I was gonna walk back to my boys she turned back around.
“Well are you gonna sit with me or not?” she asked kind of sounding bored.
I followed behind her after getting a nod from Jonjon not sayin anything. Instead I watched her hips sway. I'm not sure if it was on purpose put they swayed with the Mac Miller song and it had me mesmerized to the point I barley noticed she'd gotten to a table.
“So what's your name ma?” I asked while she sipped on her cherry coke. It was kinda drivin me crazy, not even gonna lie.
She took her lips off of the straw for a second to say, “Natalie.”
“I'm Tate.” I said, taking the pop that I bought away from her and taking a drink from it.

Chapter 2

Natalie's POV

I looked at him and raised my eyebrow. He gave me an innocent look. He had really pretty eyes. I couldn't get over how pretty they were. The scar just highlighted them. I had just opened my mouth to say something to him when I felt something vibrate in my bra. I turned my back to him so I could get my phone out. It was brother calling.
“Hey...I gotta take this.” I told Tate.
He nodded and grabbed my hand and led me out the back door of the club.
I finally answered the phone to an irritated Nate.

Me: Hey bro...what's up?
Nate: Where are you?
Me: Where do you think Nate? I always go out...you know that.
Nate: I know, I know...I just don't want you to get into trouble.
Me: I've been doing this for over a year now and I have yet to have trouble. I'm always home by midnight and I keep my grades up. Those were your only rules.
Nate: I'm sorry for worrying sis. I know how horrible it is for you to actually have a steady father figure in your life.
Me: Nate...I'm not getting into this with you right now.
Nate: Like hell you aren't! You won't talk to me in person so I'm gonna tell you right now. You need to get over yourself and stay home at night. Running away won't help anything and neither will drinking away your sorrows.
Me: Why would I drink Nate? Does that make sense to you? And I did have a father figure for over half of my life. I had a dad until you chased him off by saying he killed mom and now he's dead because of you! If you hadn't pissed him off he wouldn't have been drinking that night and I'd be back in Texas instead of intruding on you and Macy's perfect life.
Nate: Your a little spoiled bitch! I never chased him off. He drove himself to that and you know it. You're right! You ARE intruding on me and Marcy's life by being a selfish little brat that parties all the time. It's your fault they're dead! If they hadn't had you mom wouldn't have gotten depressed and dad wouldn't have started drinking in the first place!”
I screamed and threw my phone at the brick building I was standing next to. It shattered into pieces and I started walking, completely forgetting about the guy who had been standing right next to me.
“Hey! Hey Natalie!” I heard him call out behind me, “Hold on a sec. Do you need a place to crash for tonight?”

Tate's POV

I over heard everything that her brother said to her. He hit pretty low. She was pissed too. She had thrown her phone against the building next to us. She started to storm off into the night. I don't think she realized that I was still there.

Before I changed my mind, I called out to her, “Hey! Hey Natalie! Hold on a sec. Do you need a place to crash for tonight?”
She stopped and turned around to look at me.
“You barely even know me.” she pointed out.
“Yeah, but I know how it is with family troubles.”
She nodded slowly and said, “Thanks...I'm gonna have to pick up some clothes though. I have school tomorrow.”
I nodded back and told her to wait while I ran back inside.
“Ay man,” I said to Jonjon, “Natalie needs a place to crash. You mind if I bounce?”
He smiled at me and pounded my fist.
“What did I tell you man? She's perfect for you. And she's gonna keep you on a leash...I can already tell you're whipped. Go ahead and make her a real woman.” He laughed.
I walked out and lead her to my black 2012 Cadillac. I even opened the door for her just like I know my mom would want me to.
“So where we headed to?” I asked when I got in.
She told me an address that lead us to a neighborhood that was probably the nicest in town. I tried not to look around at the huge houses. We pulled up to a house with a white picket fence, I almost gagged about how perfect the house was.
Natalie saw my face and chuckled.
“I know. My brother and his wife are kind of uptight.”
I pulled up the driveway and stopped behind a silver BMW. She got out and walked up the steps and through the double doors. I sat and waited...and waited...and waited. I finally got pissed off. Is his chick tryin to play me? Cuz if she was I was gonna bounce and she can stay here with her rich ass brother. Of course that was before I heard something crash from inside.
I jumped out of the car and ran inside. I didn't know where I was going so I just followed the screams that lead me up a huge staircase. I ran into the closest opened room and found some dude standing over Natalie. He had his fist raised and she was crying on the floor with a cut across her forehead. Next to her was a broken lamp.
“Ay!” I yelled pulling my pistol out from my belt and holding it sideways, pointing it at him.
He turned around real fast and his eyes got big when he saw the .45 aimed right at his fucking head.
“Who the hell are you?” He asked me.
Ignoring him I looked at Natalie.
“Get a bag and put as much stuff in it as you can. I'll buy you whatever you forget.” I told her.
She nodded quickly and started scrambling around. I kept my eyes on this little bitch who thought he was a man. I've killed men, I've stolen cars, I've even blew up a meth lab. Something I will never do is beat a woman. If it takes beating on a girl to make you feel like a man, you obviously got problems.
Natalie jogged back from what I'm guess was the bathroom and nodded to me. I put my gun away and looked at her brother.
“If you report this to the police, believe me...I'll find out and you're gonna suffer long and hard before I pop a cap in your ass.”
“Come on! We have to go before Macy gets back!” Natalie whispered hurriedly in my ear.
I turned and ran down the stairs behind her.
“Don't come back you little cunt!” Her brother yelled at our retreating backs.
We ignored him and hopped into my car. I pulled out of the driveway and sped down the road. The first thing I thought as she leaned over and kissed my cheek softly was that Jonjon was right. This girl already had me whipped.

Chapter 3

Natalie's POV

I had managed to get upstairs into my room before Nate came up and started yelling at me. It hadn't taken long for him to react to me ignoring him while packing my bags. He began pushing me. I hit the wall hard, knocking down a picture of me and my dad. He threw my lamp at the wall above me and a piece came down and slit my forehead. I couldn't help but scream blood murder.
Neither of us had noticed Tate had some in until we heard the cock of a gun and him yelling at Nate. He told me to get all of my stuff and that he'd buy me anything I'd forget. I hustled to get everything around before Macy showed up. She'd call the police on the spot. I ran into my room and told Tate we had to leave. After Tate basically told Nate that he'd torture him to death if he called the police, we ran out to Tate's car, Nate yelling at me from the doorway.
We sped down the road and I couldn't help it. I leaned over and kissed Tate on his prickly cheek. He smiled slightly but kept his eyes on the road. We slowed down as we got back into his neighborhood. We went down a couple side streets and pulled up to a small cream colored house. It wasn't nice compared to Nate's neighborhood but the house was the most well kept on the block. There were tulips planted around the oak tree out front and in the flower beds in front of the main windows. This didn't look like the house of a bachelor...
“Okay. Don't go crazy on me but I live my mom still.” He said to me.
“Well I guess it depends on how old you are.” I answered scrunching up my nose.
“I'm 17 but I dropped out of school a couple years ago. She doesn't agree with my...line of work. I think she might like you though. I've never brought a girl home before.”
I nodded hesitantly but got out of the car and followed him quickly. He unlocked the door and put in a very long and complicated security code.
We walked in and he called out, “Mom! I'm home!”
“I'm in the kitchen bubba!” called a tiny voice.
Tate blushed slightly at the use of his nickname and lead me into the kitchen. There was a short, chubby woman with shoulder length blond hair standing in front of the stove.
“I was just going to call you for-” she began as she turned around and saw me.
“Hello,” I said, “I'm Natalie-Natalie Croft.”
“Mom...I was wondering if Natalie could stay here for a while. She's going through some tough time with her family right now and needs a place to stay.”
The woman's eyebrows scrunched together.
“Do you have a job?”
“Mom!” Tate objected.
“It's fine Tate,” I assured him, “No, but I have a little over 500 on me and I can get a job if I need one.”
She nodded slowly and a warm smile formed on her face.
“Okay...it's fine with me as long as I get 200 a month. That includes me cooking and cleaning. Do you go to school?”
“Yeah. I'm a senior right now. I have most of my credits though so I only go to school half day.” I replied.
I liked this lady. She was letting me stay here, but with payment. It made me feel more independent. I'd be able to come and go freely without her on my back about it.
“I'm Tina by the way,” she said walking out of the room and up a narrow set of stairs, “I'm going to bed if you guys need me.”
“Night mom.” Tate called out.
I smiled at how he was obviously protective of his mom. I wish I had someone like that.

Tate's POV

I really hadn't thought my mom would've asked for rent from Natalie. I was surprised when Natalie was okay with it. After mom went to bed, I grabbed Natalie's bag from by the door and locked everything up. I took no chances what so ever with my moms safety. I brought her bag to my room. She walked in behind me and looked around. I hadn't really expected to have a girl over otherwise I would've picked up. There were clothes thrown everywhere and my bed was unmade. We stood there awkwardly for a second until I spoke up.
“I'm gonna go take a shower. You can just toss my stuff into a pile to make room for yours.”
“Okay, sounds good.” she answered, not meeting my eyes.
I grabbed a clean pair of boxers and basketball shorts and walked into the bathroom. I didn't really know what I was supposed to do about her. I was just gonna have her crash here for the night but that ideas out the window. But how can I just let her go back to her brother? He's a fuckin douche and he deserved more than a warning.
I sighed as I walked back to my room, my body still dripping water. She was laid down but she wasn't asleep. Her eyes were on me when I walked in and I felt them on me the whole time I put my bandana and hat up in the top shelf of my closet. My eyes locked eyes with hers as I laid down next to her. It was so weird for me. Usually when I was in bed with a girl, I had them moaning my name, not just looking at me like they were waiting for me to do something.
“I set the clock for 6:00.” she finally said.
“Okay. Wake me up at 6:30.” I answered.
She just looked at me.
“Thanks Tate.” she said.
“No problem. What he did wasn't right and you needed to get out of there.”
She just nodded and closed her eyes.
“How old are you.” I asked before she completely fell asleep.
“16. I skipped 6th grade.” she said before turning her back to me and falling asleep.
Damn. 16 years old and she had me twisted. And I really didn't even mind.
She woke me up at 6:30 like she said she would. This girl had kept me up all night though. But it wasn't her touching me or anything. This girl snores. Not really loud but loud enough to keep me up. I thought it was kind of funny though. Who knew a sound so bad could come from a girl so pretty.
I struggled to get up and to the bathroom. When I did get there, Natalie was hoggin up the bathroom. She was all bouncy and happy and stuff. How did people do that? The sun wasn't even up yet.
“Just go. Pretend like I'm not even here. I have to keep straitening my hair otherwise it's gonna be crazy.” she told me.
So, being the half asleep idiot I was, I dropped my drawers with her still talking to me. I hadn't realized what I had done until it was too late and I didn't wanna seem like a fool. I played it off like I did on purpose. She did a double-take and she blushed a little bit. Then she turned back to the mirror and began talking to me about finding a job.
“Don't bother. I'll pay my mom for you. Just focus on school. You have four months till you graduate.”
“Tate...it's fine-” She started.
“No. I'll cover your rent. I don't want you getting caught up in your work and droppin out like I did. Dumbest thing I've ever done...and I've done a lot of bad things.

Chapter 4

Natalie's POV

I woke up before my alarm went off. Tate was sprawled on the full sized bed beside me. I thought that I'd get my own room but I was okay with this. I looked at his body as he slept peacefully. The scar on his face wasn't as strained. There was a thick barbed wire tattoo around his right bicep and a cross with the name Tracy on it on the left side of his chest. His body was toned, that's for sure. Too bad it was always covered by one of his baggy shirts. His hair was a dark brown, darker than mine even, and it was cut short...kind of in a preppy boy fashion. I couldn't help but giggle a little, thinking of him as a preppy little kid.
I glanced at the clock and realized I had to wake him up in 10 minutes. I jumped up and grabbed a dark purple tank that said Fox on it in big sparkly letters and a black, pleated mini skirt. I put in all on in record time and changed into a lacy pair of undies from the boy shorts I had been wearing.
“Tate...Tate!” he grumbled a little bit from being woken up, “It's time to get up. Remember...you have to take me to school.”
He finally opened his eyes all the way even though he was obviously still half asleep. I went into the bathroom and put on my make up and had just started to straighten my hair when a still tired Tate walked in.
“I gotta take a piss.” he mumbled
“Just go. Pretend like I'm not even here. I've gotta keep straightening my hair otherwise it's gonna be crazy.”
Instead of walking over and standing at the toilet with his back to me like a normal guy, he dropped his shorts. I was in shock and could help but look at him up and down. I could feel my mouth fall open. I felt myself blush really bad but I blew it off when he seemed not to care. Even though I'm a bad ass, I had never seen any of a guys...business. I wanted to save my innocence for the right moment. Tate had kind of half ruined it. If whoever my first time was with had one that size, I'd be freaked out of my mind.
Trying to change the subject, I started babbling about getting a job. Tate basically told me to shut up. He said he'd pay his mom and for me to focus on school. He doesn't understand that I've focused on school for my whole life. I'll be graduating a year early and I declined when they offered to have me skip my freshman year too. I had a scholarship from NYU waiting for me and I was only going to school right now to get some of my prerequisites out of the way. I tried to get him to understand but he didn't listen. Whatever. He just needed to hurry up and get ready.
We finally got out the door with 15 minutes for me to make it to school. He opened up my door for me and then got in. With his driving, we made it there within 10 minutes. People stared as he got out and opened my door.
“If your brother shows up, call me.” He said in a low voice.
“Alright, but I don't have your number...” I said hinting.
He grinned at me and said, “ I put it in there already .”

I smiled back at him and turned to make my way to Albany Central High School. People still stared at me when I walked through the doors. They were in shock and I couldn't blame them. I was loner. I had no friends and I was quiet. I was okay looking but I knew they were wondering how I got it in with a guy like Tate. He was good looking and he repped. Of course I was wondering the same as them...

Tate's POV

I waited until she was just about to walk through the doors before getting back into my car. I knew people were starin at us. They always did. It didn't help that we're not the same color. But the fact that a few of the guys that go here were under my control made me feel okay with leaving her here with her brother runnin the streets. I could send out a hit. If he gets within 10 feet of her, he'd get some ballistic therapy.
My phone went off. It was Jonjon's ringtone. I sighed but answered anyways. Nobody ignores Jonjon.
"Ay boss. What's up?"
"Haha I didn't think you'd be up yet. I thought you'd still be in bed with that girl from last night. Hahaha." He joked.
"Naw man. She moved in with me. He brother's beatin on her.

I needed to know what he wanted. I had to call around and make sure we had people watching Natalie and I had to call my man at the police department to tell me if her brother ever tried, or tries, to call me in.
“Anyways, we got some cold footers down on Bay Street. Go down there and warm them up a bit. If they still don't wanna run with us, take care of it.”
“Check.” I said before hanging up.
I never liked dealing with cold footers. Most of them were around 13 or 14. They were just boys lookin for something stable. Honestly, no matter what the police and school tell you, being in a gang is stability. Well it is as long as you do what your told. Now if you go snitchin to the cops or another gang, you got trouble. Sometimes it isn't till you're already in lock up, but it's even worse there cuz then your stuck with them everyday unless you or them get moved. Most of them got it worse than me. Their parents beat up on them, their parents did drugs, they didn't have parents, their step parents or aunts or uncles molested them...I had it good compared to them. I had problems with my family, everybody did. Mine just weren't very bad. Dad left me, my mom, and my sister for some skank he was screwin on the side. So instead of living in a neighborhood like Natalie's, like we used to, mom, Tracy, and I moved here, to the ghetto.
I went to our meeting house on Bay Street. Nico and Joshie were sittin outside smokin. I hated it when I used to have to “smoke”. All smokin meant was that you sat outside and looked for anything funny. It wasn't the part where you'd have to be outside in any weather to watch. It was the smoking part. Even the sight of smoke would make me nauseous. But we all had to do it. It was somethin you did when you'd been in for a little bit, but not long enough to be trusted with business.
They nodded to me when I walked up and opened the door to let me in. I went into the living room where five rooks sat there lookin scared shitless. When they saw me, they looked confused but even more scared. Neither reaction surprised me. They were confused cuz I was white and they were scared cuz of how big I was. I sat down in the recliner and leaned back.
“Any of you boys hungry? No? Okay...Nico!” I called.
Nico came jogging in.
“Yeah boss?”
“Go get me a box of them damned ho-ho's you got me hooked on.”
Nico tried not to grin and walked away, towards the kitchen.
“Now,” I said turning to the boys, “I heard you boys are getting cold feet. That right?”
One of them nodded a little bit but the others looked at me like they just peed themselves.
“Don't worry about it. We all do at one point. I was sittin in this same room a few years ago. Jonjon, you'll call him boss, was the OG back then. He was the one who came and talked me and a couple other guys into staying. It's more than you realize right now. It's a brotherhood, a family. A family who sticks with you through all the shit."
Nico walked back in with the box of ho-ho's.
"Even ask Nico. He's not all the way in yet but when some niggas at school started giving him shit, they ended up in the hospital. We protect ours."
I finally got a reaction out of them. They were going to start the process tomorrow.
When I showed up to the school to pick Natalie up, I couldn't find her. I looked through the sea of multi colored faces but still couldn't spot her. Getting out of my car, I walked into the school.
"Ay," I said to a brother wearin our colors, "You seen Natalie?"
He nodded and pointed to a door down the hall.
I walked up to the door, but before I could walk in, I started listening to the noises coming from inside. Instead of silence, I heard a beautiful voice. It was Natalie's. The only reason I knew that is because i heard her tell people to stop. She critiqued whoever was in there and then began again.
The song sounded like something I'd hear on the radio or something but it was still one of the most beautiful things I'd ever heard.

Chapter 5

Natalie's POV
I was hanging out in the band room with Jonah, Blake, Monica, and Camille when I noticed someone standing outside the door in a purple shirt. Those guys had been following me all day. I figured Tate told them to watch out for me. They took it to the extreme in my opinion. Someone bumped into me in the hallway making me drop my stuff and suddenly there's some guy getting into the kids face about showing respect to a woman. I assured the kid that I wasn't mad and walked away.
"Okay guys, lets try this again. I need heavier bass and a little less key board." I told them, turning back to the front of the room. With the microphone in my hand, I waited for for my entrance. Monica and Camille came in with the the bluesy ooo's and I eventually joined in with the beginning lines to Rumors by Adele. I don't really like the mainstream stuff but even I couldn't deny this girl could sing.
We really started getting into it and I began to move around a bit more. We were practicing for the All-City Band Festival. I finally realized the figure standing at the door was Tate. He walked in after he realized I knew it was him. I smiled as I sang "Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds. She made a fool out of you, and boy, she's bringin you down!" and walked him over to right in front of the band, who were giving me skeptic looks.
I sang "to" him and danced teasingly in front of him. I watched as his eyes lazily watched my body, catching every turn and curve, every crease and movement. I felt beautiful under his eyes, as if no one could compare to me. But I broke the spell. I had to. There was no way in hell I was gonna get involved with this guy.
"But rumor has it he's the one I'm leavin you for." I finished, winking at him. I saw him gulp slightly.
"Okay guys. See you on Friday. It's our final practice until the festival on Saturday."
They nodded at me, grabbed their stuff, and walked out. I turned to look at Tate.
"Damn girl. Didn't know you could sing like that." He said, smiling at me.
"There's a lot of things you don't know about me." I answered turning to grab my bag but hiding a smile.
He murmured something that sounded like "Hope to change that" but all I did was give him a confused look. He just shrugged and turned and started walking out. I followed close behind him. I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't help myself. I watched him walk. He had a swagger that could only come naturally, not forced. His purple shirt was kind of baggy and his pants sagged just to where you could see the top 4 inches of his black boxers. I couldn't stop myself from licking my lips. He turned around just as I started licking my lips and he smirked.
"Enjoyin the view?" he said with that sexy, low voice of his.
"Whatever kid. I gotta be somewhere. What are you doing here?"
"Where do you gotta go? Ain't no way in hell I'm letting you go somewhere without me. Your brother could show up." He asked, avoiding my question.
"I have dance practice."
He looked confused, "You go to dance classes?"
I snorted, "Fuck no. I'm part of a crew. Crypt Crossers. We're finishing up a routine for a battle on Friday."
"Jesus, for having no friends and bein into that rock shit, you do a lot of stuff."
I just shrugged and slid into the passenger seat in his car. I already knew how much of a contradiction of myself I was. I really didn't like hip-hop music. I was a metal head all the way. But I did love the way the beat would pound and my the air around me. I was a good dancer and even the doubtful Jamion (our crew leader) couldn't deny it. The Crypt hadn't really wanted me to join but after seeing me dance at a club one night, they couldn't let the chance pass them by.
Tate got in and started the car. I pulled out my iPod and hooked it up to his iPod jack. Then I turned to Make it Rain by Travis Porter and blasted. We started driving to Base Park, a park with a bridge that we danced under. The song changed to Show Me the Money by Petey Pablo. This is the part I couldn't wait for. We were mixing those two songs and another one and during this part, me and the other 2 girls in the crew were getting a solo. It's gonna be B.A. and everyone knows it. It's too bad really...that the gun shots barely warned me.

Tate's POV
We pulled up the the park she practiced at and Natalie got out. I hopped out and started walking next to her. It seemed like everything happened in slow motion. The Escalade drove past slowly and the window began to roll down. I saw the barrel of a gun start to come out of the window. First thing that came to my head? To save Natalie. Actually I lied. The first thing that came to my head was "Oh shit". I dove and tackled Natalie to the ground, covering her body with my own.
4 shots rang out and I was just waiting to feel a searing pain on some part of my body. But it never came. Instead, I heard crying from about 30 feet away. There was some black guy bleeding out on the side walk. Natalie turned and saw what I was looking at. Her eyes got wide.
"Jamion!" she cried out, jumping up and running over to the guy, blood bubbling out his mouth.
Watching a guy bleed out was nothing new to me. Half of the times I'd seen it, I'd been the one who shot em. I heard sirens a few blocks away and I snapped back to attention. The cops didn't have nothin on me but I still didn't wanna be brought in and get interrogated. I ran over to Natalie and dragged her away by her arm.
"We gots ta go ma. I don't need no 5oh gettin into my business." When she still kept tryin to get away and back to the guy, I knew I had to hit her low.
"They'll bring you in and then send you to live with Nate again."
Without a second glace back, she ran ahead of me, hopping into my passenger seat. I glanced at her as we were driving back to my place. She had tears coming down her cheeks but she didn't make any sounds. Jesus Christ...broads these days got no backbone.
When we pulled up to my house, my moms car wasn't there. She worked a 5-1 shift tonight. Natalie didn't get out of the car until I pulled her out and lead her inside. I had to duck to get through the door as usual. I walked into the living room where she had turned on the news. There was a Breaking News line at the bottom of the screen. It said "Drive by shooting, Victim in critical condition and is not expected to live".
"C'mon. Let's go to bed." I ignored the clock that only said 6. Neither of us were hungry and there was nothing else to do.
She must've been thinking the same thing cuz she followed me up the stairs and into my bedroom. I had just started to turn around to ask her if she wanted me to step out so she could change when I was suddenly pushed onto the bed. Before I understood what had happened, she was on top of me, pinning my arms above my head and a sneaky grin on her face. Usually, I could've easily sat up, but my arms felt like lead. She only let me go for a second...only so she could take off that tank-top she was wearing. TJ (Tate Jr.) got excited faster than usual. That damned lacey bra she had on we makin me forget everything...except her. She smirked when she felt TJ on the inside of her thigh. I felt my face turn red. She dipped her face close to mine. She licked her lips a little and then kissed me. It was all over from there.

Chapter 6

Natalie's POV
I woke up to Tate covering half of my body. I can't believe we did that. I couldn't ever see myself doing anything like that...especially 3 freaking times. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 10:30. There was no way I was going to school. I'd just text the band later. Suddenly, Tate's phone started going off. All he did was let out a snort. I reached over him and answered it.
"Hello?" I said, my voice low and husky from sleep.
"Ay..uh..is this Tate's phone?" said some guy
"Yeah. Hold on. Lemme wake him up."
"Tate," I said shaking him, "Baby, get up. there's someone on the phone for you."
"Hmmm..what?" he said gruffly.
"Babe. There's someone on the phone for you." I repeated
"Mmmmm..who's it?"
"Who's this?" I asked the man on the phone, "He said it's Jonjon."
He bolted straight up at this, the sheets only coming up to his waist, and grabbed the phone.
"Ay man, what's up?" he said reaching for some basketball shorts thrown on his bedroom floor and slipping them on, "Naw man, I ain't busy."
He started to walk out but then suddenly turned around and said, "Hold on a sec." He bent down and kissed me softly, but passionately, on my lips. Oh...THAT'S how I could go 3 times.
He grabbed a pair of clean boxers and a wife beater and walked out. I slumped into the pillows and blankets surrounding me. I had had boyfriends before and never did anything more than kiss them. Did it make me a slut to sleep with a guy who I'm not going out with? Are we going out? I could tell he was... experienced just by the way he touched me and made me feel. He knew what he was doing. I was just lost and letting my instincts take over rather than think too hard about anything. The first time, I'd surprised him. The second time, he had wanted another go. By the third time, my adrenaline was pumping and I was needing it more.
As I looked around the room that I had lost my virginity in, I couldn't help but feel as if it was missing something. I shook it off and texted the band that we'd meet up for a dress rehearsal at 5:30. I wish I was closer to the girls in the band. Honestly the only reason I was in it was because they needed a lead singer. Camille was doing it, but she was average and they over heard me singing to the radio while I was in a classroom alone. I was just a puzzle piece and I understood that. I just wished we'd make more of an effort to be friends. This was one of those moments when I wanted to be back in Texas with my elementary friends so I could call them and give them the whole story. But life never does exactly what you want.

*Sorry for her part being so short..I just didn't know what to have her do at this point. Tate's will probably just be his "work" stuff except more in depth. And a hint? When I skip a long period of time, it usually means only boring stuff would have happened and something exciting's about to happen after the skip! Can you guess? ;D*

Tate's POV
I drove down South Avenue, lookin for Jonjon's house. He got some new product in and wanted me to come over and try it out. I wasn't really into it as much as usual. I was too busy thinkin about last night. I was her first. I was Natalie's first. I must be real fucked up in my head to do that to a girl. She made me feel things I didn't even know a nigga could feel.
I pulled up to Jonjon's and walked inside. There was already smoke everywhere. It was like a heat box. I rolled up into the living room when Jonjon and some other boys were sittin and listein to "I Need A Dollar" by Chris Webby and Mac Miller. The blunt they were passin was just handed back to Jonjon when I walked in.
"Well it's nice to see you again Big Boy" calling me my nickname name, "Haven't seen you in a while. I guess that ma gots you on lock down already."
I chuckled as I sat down, "You could say that. Her brother's crazy man. I got her stayin at my place now."
He whistled an passed me the blunt. I inhaled real deep and held it in for a few seconds before letting it out slowly. I started to feel the effects a few hits later. I suddenly had the feeling of wanting to see Natalie. I stood up really fast.
"Ay man. I gotta get back home to Natalie. Dat okay?"
"Yea. Ima call you tomorrow night. We got some business to take care of."
I nodded and then walked out. Driving home was as easy as always. The first couple times, I had to get used to driving with the road always looking like it was moving back and forth. Now it was like second nature. I pulled up to my house and went inside.
"Nat! Natalie!! I need you right now!" I called out.
She came runnin down the stairs in just a tank top and some lacy baby blue underwear.
"What? What's wrong? Is everything okay? Is your mom al-" I cut her off with a kiss. I couldn't help it. When I'm high, I let my little buddy be my guide instead of my head and that lace...damn that stuff was turnin me on.

I had her backed up against the wall and my hands on either side of her head. I leaned down farther and bit her neck making her moan. Her body shook when I nipped her ear lobe. I started to rub my body against her, grinding my hips into hers. I unzipped my pants, pulled down her underwear, and wrapped her legs around me. And as we slid down the wall onto the floor, I knew she owned me.

Blah

Natalie's POV
I'd been living with Tate for a little over a month. I found a job at a pet shop a couple blocks away from his house so I had to drop the band and my crew. Jamion's funeral was small. Only the crew had shown up. We decided to break up the crew. Jamion started it so, in his memory, he ended it too. It was his life and we weren't gonna go on with out him.
I started to get a little sick, throwing up maybe once or twice a day. It started maybe two weeks after Tate showed up high and we did it in the hallway of his house. I had just been glad his mom hadn't walked in. We hadn't done anything more than kiss or make-out since then. We kind of started going out without realizing it. Anyways, I went to the doctors to get checked out. I already had an idea of what had happened, I just wanted proof. I wanted to know I wasn't crazy or just paranoid.
Dr. Manson walked back into the examination room. He flipped through my papers as he sat down. It felt like agonizing hours instead of just a few seconds. He nodded to himself, took a deep breath, and looked at me.
"Well Miss. Croft, it looks like you're pregnant. Maybe a little over a month along."
I felt my breath hitch. That's what was missing that first morning. The "protection". I knew I was going to keep the baby. I'm against abortion and there's no way in hell that I'm giving my baby to another family. I had lost my parents, therefore, I refuse to give my child up willingly.
"I'm going to prescribe a prenatal medication. It's over the counter so I suggest going straight to the nearest store and picking some up. Follow the directions on the label. You HAVE to take them every day, otherwise your child may be born with defects." He took a deep breath and kept going, "Eat healthy and do moderate exercise every day. Yoga is a poplar one but walking for about 30 minutes a day will do. Try to find a OB/GYN close to where you plan to live."
And with that and a "good luck", he left me alone. The words "pregnant" kept going through my head. That's when I realized I'd have to tell Tate. And then I thought again. No I don't. Tate wasn't ready to be a father. Whenever he's not with me, he's off doing business with his gang friends. I'd met them a couple times, but Tate didn't want me to be around them. I didn't want to anyways. They looked scary and mean. They were like a second family to Tate though. He would never give them up for a baby and a girl and I would never have my child involved with that shit.
After going to Walgreens to pick up a flavored water and the prenatal pills, I took the bus back to Tate's house. On the way there, I started thinking. I've already been emancipated from Nate and I have a valid reason to drop out of school. I have a couple thousand dollars in the bank. I could just move back to Quintana. I missed the dry Texas air next to the gulf. It'd be good place away from all of the gangs and people of Albany to raise a baby. Tate would never be a good father so I'd just have to suffice as both mother and father.
No one was home when I got there. I went inside and looked around. This wasn't my home. I was an intruder here. His mom could barley stand me. Tate said he wouldn't be home till late tonight and his mom had a double shift. I ran upstairs and started stuffing all of my clothes and bathroom stuff into my suitcase. I booked a flight for the next afternoon on my phone. After calling a cab, I called the job I had only had for about a month and told them I'd pick up my last pay check in an hour. I didn't tell them where I was going because I didn't want Tate to find me.
I decided to write a note for Tate and leave $100 to keep his mom quiet. I looked at the words I had written and felt a tear roll down my cheek. I wanted to stay so bad, but my choices didn't just effect me anymore. Now my life was just for me and the baby.

Tate's POV
When I got home, I couldn't find Natalie. I checked every room in the house. When I got to my bedroom, all of her stuff was gone. Was she pissed I didn't come home till late? She never acted like it bothered her before but women were crazy. Then I say the envelope on the counter.
After taking out the two 50 dollar bills, I read the letter.
Dear Tate, You have no idea how hard this is for me. I was getting so comfortable staying here with you and your mom. I'm sorry to say I can't stay anymore. Something came up and it's something I know you would never be able to handle. Maybe in a few years I'll come back and explain. There's nothing you can do for me. It hurts me so much to have to leave. That's why I left before you go home because if I was saying these things to your face, I'd probably break down and tell you thr truth. But, and this may sound cliche and corny, you can't handle the truth. The only thing I will say, is that I was starting to fall in love with you. Everything you couldn't stand about yourself, I loved. I loved that you were different. Everything about your looks made you who you are. Everything about your personality made me fall harder. I want you to know that you mean the world to me. For right now, you're the best thing that ever happened to me. You'll always have a place in my heart. I'll love you more than you'll ever know, but I'll also always have a piece of you with me.
Love~ Natalie P.S. The money is to give your mom an extra thank you for letting me stay. I always had the feeling she didn't like me but she's a good woman and raised a good son.

I could see a couple spots where the paper had wrinkled a little bit from getting wet. She was crying as she wrote this for me. I had no idea why she'd leave. Then I started crying. Angry and confused, I punched the wall closest to me, breaking all the way to the foundation. Just then my mom walked in.
"Tate! Natalie! I got take out!" she called from the front hallway.
Hearing Natalie's name made me cry harder. Mom walked in and stopped with a shocked look on her face.
"Tate! Baby boy, what's wrong?" she said in her soft voice as she wrapped her chubby arms around my shaking body.
I cried harder and handed her Natalie's letter and the attached money. I watched her read it. She sighed and shook her head.
"I knew she was worth nothing. She's right though. I never did like her much."
I sat there shocked. Instead of yelling and screaming like I wanted, I walked out to my car, after slamming the door. I angrily drove to Jonjon's. He said he had some work I might be interested in. I had turned him down, thinking I could go home and hang with Natalie. Guess that's out the window now. At least nothing was holding me down now.

Soooo...how do you guys like the big news? From here, the POV's might change everyother chapter or sometimes not at all. But trust me, this is not the last Tate has seen of Natalie. I'll be skipping long lengths of time because the pregnancy process is very slow sooooo..yea! Comment! I' going to try telling all of the people that have favorites the book about new updates. Thanks!

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

This is a filler. Basically it's just a quick update on how Tate and Natalie are doing. After this, I'll probably skip a long length of time because like I said before, the pregnancy process is sloooooooooooww!! Alright, well ily all!

Natalie's POV
The cab dropped me off in front of a Comfort Inn right off the highway in Quintana. I glanced around and had a double take when I saw something at the end of the street. The ocean. I had missed it so much. I knew this is where I had to stay. I had to give my baby the best life possible and the only way I could do that is without Tate being a role model.
I grabbed a paper and checked into a room. After sitting down and grabbing a pen, I got down to business. I need a job and a place to stay. Yeah, I had some cash saved up, but it would only last maybe a month or two. I also had to have money for baby stuff. I've seen enough 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom episodes to know that this will be one of the hardest things in my life.

Tate's POV
The cop slammed me up against his car. I could barely hear anything. Lights were flashing, sirens were blaring. I saw them drag Jonjon out of the house. I knew I wouldn't get anything as bad as him. Maybe ten years at most with possible parole. This is what I get I guess. I was warned before I got in deep that this could happen but to keep my mouth shut no matter what. That won't be a problem for me. My mom won't even wanna look at me once she find out everything. And Natalie.........Natalie isn't around to make me do anything.
I got sentenced ten years with a possibility of parole after 5 years. I got on that bus with all the other convicts. At least I wasn't headed to some cold place like Jonjon, who was put in a level 8 prison in Pennsylvania. Instead, I'm headed to Texas. Ye fuckin haw.

Chapter 9

*5 1/2 years later*

Natalie's POV
"Colton Tate Croft! Get you little ass over hear right now!" I yelled to my now almost 5 year old son.
He scuttled over to me like a puppy with his tail between his legs. He had tried to run into the toy store next door again. I couldn't stay mad at him though. His eyes were big and blue like...his father's. His skin was naturally a bit lighter than mine, but the Texas sun made him more of my color. Colton was a big boy, just like his father. After 21 hours of labor, he was born November 14th at 24 inches and 11 pounds 13 ounces. Like I said, he was a big boy. He still is. Everyone assumes he's in 2nd or third grade when he doesn't even start school till next fall.
"Awww...I'm sorry for yelling at you little man," I said cuddling up to him, "I was just scared you'd get lost okay baby?"
"Okay mommy...awre you done shopping? I'm tiwred and I'm hungwy." He said, his lack of "r"s being very obvious.
I laughed, "Okay son. We can go now. How about we stop at Bonnie's for some dinner and then head home?"
He nodded enthusiastically. Bonnie's Dinner was his favorite place to eat. I totally understand because the waitresses there dote on him like a small prince. They also give him a free root beer float if he's good, which he usually is. We drove there in my little Taurus, Selena Gomez blasting. He was more like a 13 year old in the fact that he thought she was "hot". It was pretty funny when he'd flirt with teenagers at the mall.
We stepped into the air conditioned diner with relief.
"Natty! C.T.! Why haven't I seen you here sooner?" Anna squealed, hustling over to us. She was a a tiny blond with a pixie hair cut and large green eyes. She completely adored Colton. Her, along with most people, thought "Colton" was a mouth full so he was christened with the nickname C.T. even by the little kids at his daycare.
"Hey Anna," I said giving her a quick hug, "Colton wanted something to eat before we went home from shopping."
"Well of course he'd want to come here! He knows we serve the best root beer float on a hot summer day like this one!" she giggled, kneeling down to his level.
She walked us to a booth on the opposite side of the dinning room from a big group of rowdy looking guys. I was very grateful for that.
After taking our drink orders of Mountain Dew and chocolate milk, Colton started squirming.
"What is it big boy?" I asked him, using my nickname for him.
"I gotta go potty. Will you please bring me to the bathwoom?" He wined
I heaved a dramatic sigh, "I guess..........."
He giggled and followed me past the group of guys and went into the bathroom with me. After waiting and waiting and waiting, I opened up the bathroom door.
"Big boy! You better hurry up, otherwise I'm gonna leave without you!"
"No mommy! I'm coming! I sweawr!"
I was giggling to myself when I heard a voice. A voice I hadn't expected to hear again.
"Natalie?"

Tate's POV
The day I got out happened to be the day some of my boys got out too. One of them had family in Texas and got a Yukon dropped off for him. He invited us on a road trip down to some small town on the coast called Quintana. We went to get some food from a tiny diner and we'd been in there all of ten minutes when a chick walked in with a little boy. The girl looked a little familiar but I forgot about her. My boys were crackin jokes about her.
"Damn, she's fine." Marcus said.
"I know! If she didn't have that kid, I'd have her on the table right now! "Mmmm! Papi! More more more!" she'd scream" Fancisco laughed.
We were all loud and joking, glad to be out of prison up in San Antonio. The girl walked towards the bathroom, the little kid holding her hand talkin non stop. I quit paying attention to them until I heard the girls voice. The beautiful voice I hadn't heard in over five years.
"Big boy! You better hurry up, otherwise I'm gonna leave without you!"
My head turned at the sound of my old gang name. Then I realized who it was. It was her. It was Natalie. When your in the lock up, you forget almost everything about the outside. Things change, people change. Including her by the looks of it. Her blond streaks were gone, along with the fringed bangs. She was only wearing a little bit of make up, only some mascara and some slightly sparkly lip gloss. Instead of a black mini skirt and lime green and black checkered suspenders and a tight shirt advertising a band, she was wearing light denim Capri's with a light blue razorback tank top. The only thing that reminds me of the old her is the same beat up and drawn on converse.
"Natalie?" I managed in a strangled voice.
She stopped dead and turned her head around slowly. The little kid rushed out of the bathroom saying, "See mommy? I made it! You didn't leave me!"
My eyes stayed to him. He looked about 7 but talked as if he was 5. He had familiar blue eyes and skin a little lighter than Natalie's. How can she have a 7 year old son? I was with her and I know for a fact she was a virgin when we got together. He suddenly walked up to me, his eyes wide.
"You have tattoos? A lot of tattoos. Mommy won't let me have a tattoo yet. Only the ones you have to put on with watuwr but they don't last fowevuwr." He said looking a little pissed.
Trying to calm him down a little bit about the tattoos I said, "You have to wait till you're waaaaay older. How old are you buddy?"
"My name is NOT buddy. It's Colton Tate Cwafowrd and I'm four only till November 14th then I'll be five. I'm the tallest kid in my class. Mommy says my daddy was really tall too. Does that count?"
I stared at him for a second before saying, "No. It doesn't count boy. Go sit at your table. I need to talk to your mommy."
He must have heard the authority in my voice cuz he shuffled back over to their booth. All the guys had been dead silent.
I stood up and grabbed Natalie's wrist, "I'll be back in a few. Keep an eye on the kid. Make sure he doesn't get in any trouble."
They nodded and I pulled her out the front door of the diner. I stopped and turned around, waiting for the explanation that should have been given 5 1/2 years ago.

Chapter 10

Natalie's POV
Instead of doing what any normal struggling single mother would do and telling him the truth, I yanked my arm away from him,turned on my heel, and walked back into Bonnie's.
"Colton. Come here. I'll have Anna drop our food by later." I called out to him. He scrambled out of the booth and sprinted towards me.
Tate was still standing outside while when we started walking to my car. I buckled Colton into his booster seat but was slightly pushed into the car. Tate turned me around and looked me in the eye.It was weird seeing him. He was more muscular than he was when I got pregnant with Colton.
"If he's my son, you have to tell me. Is this why you left? Have you seriously been here this whole time?" Tate asked, his words coming out fast.
"I don't owe you any explanation. You chose your life. I chose mine." I spat in his face.
I had finally maneuvered my hand to get a hold of the drivers seat door handle. I pushed him away and took the car keys from my pocket, before slipping into the car. I had just started the car when Tate started knocking on my window and began yelling "You have to tell me! Come on Natalie!"
I sped down the road, being careful not to run over Tate. Then he'd have an excuse for me to stay. I couldn't help the couple of tears that rolled down my cheek. I glanced at the mirror and quickly looked back at the road, hoping Colton hadn't seen my tear stained face. We pulled into our apartment building about 10 minutes later, even Colton knowing enough not to talk.
We got into our tiny 2 bedroom apartment and I turned on an episode of Go Diego! Go! and went into the kitchen. Why the hell was my life so messed up? When I moved here, I found a job at a gas station and lived in a motel for 5 months before I could afford a small studio apartment above a shoe store in town. I got my GED during the time before and a few months after Colton was born. Now I'm a manager at a bridal shop and make $15 dollars an hour. I made me and Colton a life as fast as possible. I haven't had one boyfriend or even prospect since I left Tate. Colton was the only male I needed in my life. Now here Tate shows up out of nowhere and is on the verge of ruining it.
I Slid to the ground with my face in between my legs. I could her the voices of the little cartoon explorer that was entertaining my son. Then I heard another voice. Aw shit. How the fuck did he know where I lived? I jumped up and ran into the living room where Tate was sprawled on the couch while Colton was laying on his belly on the floor, looking up at the screen, completely under its spell.
"What are you doing here?" I hissed at him, trying not to tip Colton off.
"What does it look like?" He taunted with a humorless smirk, "I'm spending quality time with my son.
I swear I felt a vain pop in my forehead. I waved him into my bedroom down the hall. He walked in, his swagger completely gone. When I had closed and locked the door, he turned around to face me, fire burning in his eyes.
"What. The. Fuck. Natalie." He said tensely
"Don't talk to me like that," I snapped, "I had to do what was right. There was no way in hell I's ever let my son be raised around all of that bullshit you got yourself into."
"You didn't give me a chance!" He said, his voice rising.
"Shhh! I didn't have to. I already know what would have happened. You would have talked me into staying there with the baby. Then you'd stay in with your gang. There was no way that I was gonna let my son be a fucking recruit for some heathen bullshit before he could choose for himself!"
"Why didn't you say anything in the letter huh? You were long gone by then!" He said accusingly.
"What was the point? I couldn't stay is all I knew. I would have given you an ultimatum. Either the gang or us. You would have picked the gang and you know it. I decided to live in blissful innocence totally unaware of what you would have chosen rather than be abandoned and KNOW that you loved them more than me or at least your own child. It's really not that hard of a concept Tate."
He quieted at this. He knew I was right. He would never have given up his boys for a kid.
"By the way...why are you even around here?" I asked
"I...I was up in San Antonio and some friends wanted to vacation here for a bit."
"Why were you in San Antonio?" I pushed.
He sighed deeply, "I was in lock down. The night you left, I went back to Jonjons for some business supposed to go down. Turned out it was a set up. This guy Nico had ratted us out. I only got 10 years. I'm on parole right now actually. Jonjon got the chair last week after they moved him down to Florida."
So...he just proved me right. He hadn't been fit to be a father back then. I'm not even sure about now, but I thought hard. Maybe he had grown up some. Maybe I could give him a chance to prove himself.

Chapter 11

Tate's POV
The kid sat on the bed opposite of mine staring at me. I stared right back. It felt like we were sizing each up. The little bastard was exactly like me no doubt. Not only in his looks (minus the scar and that I was white and he was tanish) but how he acted too. He was a little mamma's boy just like me. He was a little hard ass just like me. He was a little smart ass.......just like me. I didn't know how I was supposed to tell my mom. She had kicked Tracy out when she was a senior in high school for getting pregnant. That was about 10 years ago but it feels like yesterday. Mom forbid me to ever see her when she still actually lived in town. After she moved, she hadn't left any information as to how I could get a hold of her when I wanted. Now I have a 9 1/2 year old niece that doesn't even know me.
I looked away first. The kid was good, but i was getting hungry and I was sure he was too. The only way Natalie let me take him for the night was if I followed all of her rules. He ate dinner between 5 and 7. He had to be asked if he had to use the bathroom every hour. He got a snack between 8 and 8:30. He had to go to the bathroom at 8:45. He was laid down for bed at 9.
Looking at the clock, I saw that it was 6:13. Perfect time for dinner.
"What do you want to eat son?" I asked him gruffly.
"I want chicken nuggets fwum McDonald's and fwench fwies and a ice cweam sundae." He said sternly. Jesus this kid was strict as a mo' fo'. I nodded and pulled on my shoes.
When I looked up, he was still sitting on his bed.
"Well? You gonna get ready or not? We got places to be kid."
If his face wasn't so tanned, his face woulda turned bright red, "I-I can't tie my shoes." He said looking at the ground.
"Can't never did a damn thing boy." I huffed at him. I saw his eyes get hard. Colton got to his feet and stomped over to his shoes, slamming them onto his feet. He tried over and over again, but couldn't get it.
I sighed and knelt down beside him.
"Son...you can't do it."
He looked up at me with his big blue eyes and said, "Can't never did a damn thing boy." and went back to trying to tie his shoes.
Like I said. He's a little smart ass. I couldn't help feel proud. Finally, I talked him into letting me tie his shoes. We drove to a McDonald's down the street from our hotel. There was a play land and when he saw it, I swear to god that kid just about peed himself.
I let him play while I bought our food and brought it into the play room. I couldn't but smile to myself as he screamed and laughed with the other kids. As I was sitting there watching him run around, a girl sat at our table.
"Hi..." She said all shy and stuff.
"Hey." I said, only glancing at her for a second before looking back at Colton.
"Which ones yours?"
"The little boy with the Nike's on." I said, pointing at him as he bolted through a see through tunnel.
"He's definitely a cutie," she laughed, "Mine's the one running behind him. He just turned 6 last week. His names Justin."
"Colton will be 5 in November." I looked at her again, "Where's his dad? Working?"
She shrugged and looked away, "Justin was kind of a surprise. I went to a party. Got drunk. I remember who his dad is. He just doesn't believe me."
I nodded in understanding.
"What about Colton? Where's his mom?" she asked.
"I donno. Doing her own thing. Taking a break from Colton. Tonight's my night to have him."
She nodded again and looked towards our boys. I took the chance to check her out. She had pretty blond hair that went to her mid back. It was pulled into a side pony. Her eyes were an electric blue and her skin was porcelain white. She was probably the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Actually second best, but I wasn't gonna think about her right now. I already knew I lost my chance with Natalie.
Her son, Justin, had light brown hair but the same eye color. He was kind of short, but then again I was comparing him to Colton who was like a giant. He was all skin and bones though. Colton was a meaty boy but not fat and I was glad.
As I sat there and watched Colton play with his new friends, I couldn't help but be thankful to Natalie. Not only had she given me a great son, but she had also made the decision to keep me away when I could have done harm to him. Looking at it now, I think I would have been more mad at her if she would have stayed.

Chapter 12

Okay everyone!! This will be the 2nd to last chapter! After that there's going to be an epilogue. This chapter will be short..so sorry! lol I'll be starting a new book soon! There is going to be a "blurb" about it after the epilogue!

Natalie's POV
Tate brought Colton back the next day around 4. I grabbed Colton and squeezed him. It was the first time in his whole life that he had spent a whole night away from me. Meaning it was the hardest night of my life. I looked him up and down, checking for bruises or scratches but coming up clean (thank goodness). I finally turned and looked at Tate. Jesus he was so good looking. And the way he looked at Colton...I saw in his eyes exactly what I knew was in mine. That love that you can ever only have for one person. Tate, like everyone else, was under Colton's spell.
"Did you have fun?" I asked Tate.
"Well he didn't do anything too illegal so naw...not really." He chuckled
"Daddy bwrought me to McDonalds and I made a new fwriend. His name's Justin!" Colton raved.
I was kinda surprised he was so open to calling Tate "daddy" but I guess I better get used to it. Tate said his goodbye's and I couldn't help feel pain. My first love was not in love with me anymore. There was nothing I could do. I needed to move on. I thought the reason I never got another boyfriend was because I wanted all my time for Colton, but actually it was also that every time a guy would ask my name or number, I'd remember Tate. I just couldn't believe that he had a life without me. Now there's no chance because I kept his son from him.

Tate's POV
When I walked back to Francisco's truck I borrowed, it felt like I was walking away from my family. I drove back to the hotel, my mind running circles. It was terrible what I was feeling. I had had a son for almost 5 years and I was so irresponsible that I couldn't even try to find his mom to find out why she had left. I'd be in his life, that was for sure. But I was gonna get cleaned up. I can't have a family and the gang. The only reason why I had stayed in was cuz Jonjon was my boy. Now he was dead and gone.
I dialed my mom when I got inside. She needed to know she had a grandson. She also needed to know I was out of prison.
"Hello?" Some guy with a deep voice asked.
"Uh..ay. Is Tina there?" I asked skeptically.
"Yeah. Who's this?"
"Her son?" I actually wanted to say "WHAT THE FUCK DOES IT MATTER? I'M ASKING FOR HER NOT YOU MO' FO'!"
Instead, I heard shuffling and a couple whispers.
"Tate? Baby is that you?" My mom asked.
"Yeah mom. It's me. I'm out on probation."
She squealed, "I have to catch you up on so much! When are you coming up? I can send you a plane ticket!"
"Actually mom...I kinda found something out. I have to stay down here."
"Tate. You better not be getting back into that gang shit. You just got out. You don't need to get in trouble again!"
"That's not it mom. Natalie's down here. This is where she went when she ran off."
I heard my mom snort, "Psh, now what? The little skank is trying to crawl back to you? She's irresponsible and she used you Tate!"
"NO!" I yelled, "She did what was right! I was too messed up and immature for them!"
"........Them?"
I sighed, "She was pregnant. That's why she ran. She didn't want me endangering the baby. I proved her right though didn't I?"
"How do you know it's even yours? She could have gotten pregnant right after she left or even right before you guys met!"
"She was a virgin with me mom. And trust me. When you meet Colton, you'll see there is no way possible for him to be anyone's kid except mine. He looks like a dark version of me. He even has my blue eyes. Mom. He's mine."
She was quiet for a moment. Finally she spoke.
"I admire her for protecting her child and I understand why you have to stay down there. But if she tries to take him away from you again, I'll have her head."
"I don't think she will unless it's not safe mom. So who's this guy that picked up the phone?" I said, trying to change the subject. It worked.
"Me and him met last year at a conference in Manhattan! You're gonna love him Tate!"
I chuckled. Maybe things can work out......

Epilogue

I've actually decided that THIS will be the epilogue! Yayness! :D

10 years later, Colton's POV
Charlotte ran after my legs, trying to tackle me to the ground.
"Not gonna happen squirt!" I laughed evily.
She hated it when I called her that. Of course it's not my fault that I got my height from our dad and she got her height from mom. Mara and Monte ran in and tackled me too. I couldn't help but laugh. It was great to be the big brother. Mom waddled in, Scarlet on her hip.
"You kids are gonna be the death of me!" She groaned. She was pregnant with my first brother. I was really excited to say the least. Having 6 sisters is irritating sometimes, especially when Charlotte gets crushes on my friends.
"Raaawwrr!!" My dad barreled in, Lena and Sadie giggling as they latched onto his legs.
I don't think my mom realizes how it was before dad found us. She told me the story a while ago. I remembered anyways. I remembered how much my mom missed dad. She'd wake me up in the night crying and I'd comfort her. Needless to say, I was glad when dad came around. I look up to him more than anyone will ever know.

Natalie's POV
My family was all sitting in the living room. To this day I can't believe how far Tate and I have made it. I was pregnant with out 8th kid. Yeah. I know. Crazy, right? I barley had wanted one kid while I was in high school. Now I have Colton, Charlotte (who was born about a year and a half after Tate got out), Mara and Monte our identical twins are 8, Lena who's 7, Sadie just turned 5, Scarlet is 3, and now our second son, Drayton, was on his way. I could go into labor at anytime.
This is the life I had dreamed of, all those lonely nights. Tate working as a mechanic and me as a 7th grade English teacher. Our kids all good in school and extra stuff. It was a great feeling. It was me and Tate. We had gone through tough times. Our ups and downs made our family what we are today. My brother had made everything up to me. A few years ago, he called and told me he had gotten help for his problems. So now he has a crap load of nieces and one, almost two nephews, and a brother in law who still didn't like him. After that, we found Tracy, Tate's sister, and her new family. Turns out she had moved to L.A. with her daughter and got a family of her own. Now Tate and I have 1 niece and 2 nephews.
I will never regret my decision to run away from Tate. I think Tate is glad too. It made him realize he had to clean up his act. Now, him and I have the perfect family we both always wanted.

All done!! Hope you liked it! I was gonna make a more dramatic ending but me and my friend are starting up another book so I need to focus on that one instead. I'll post a blurb about it in a day or so ((:

Blurb for "Supernatural"

Hey everyone! Here is the blurb promised for my friend Niamhmolloy and I are writing together! It's getting along pretty well if I do say so myself (:

Catrina Proctor is running for her life. The organization is after her. If it wasn't for her purple eyes that marked her as a Sight, she'd be fine running the streets. No one knows about the Sights; the marked people who see the past, future, and present. No one but The Organization that is. When Catrina is captured, she was sent to the prison where they keep the Sights who see the future which is the most coveted and valuable Sight. When her and a few others devise a plan to escape, Catrina is not only running from her past as an abused child, but her future as a prisoner and test subject. Little does she know, there is one person on the inside that will do anything for her, even if it means loosing his life.

Hope you go and read it! It's gonna be pretty legit (:

http://www.bookrix.com/_title-en-niamh-and-tori-supernatural

Imprint

Publication Date: 12-19-2011

Dedication:
Dedicated to those people who have to live through tough stuff, whether it's being a teen parent or trying to get your life on track. Just know you're not alone.

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