Page 39 of Tattered Souls

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Bros Before Hoes Text Thread

Me – Get to Tatum’s. Help the girls load up her stuff. Take it to my place. Spare bedroom.

Carter – I’m headed to pick up Harlee. She just called me. We got it, man.

Ethan – Leaving the school now. I’ll stop and grab boxes.

Alec – On my way.

Dom – I got his SUV. I’m here now.

Bronson – Got some boxes left. Bring what I got. Also called a few local buddies.

Me – Thanks, guys.

Once Tatum was settled in my passenger seat, I rounded the hood and caught Chief’s eyes. He looked into the car, then at me, and jerked up his chin.

Then, I climbed in, started my car up.

I looked at Tatum and saw her eyes staring at the house.

Her body appeared to be tense, and I hated that for her.

I pulled away from the house and heard her whisper, “First place that was ever mine. And another man fucking tainted it.”

I didn’t know what to say to that.

But words fell from my lips before I could think about it. “Then you don’t have to worry about my place. Don’t plan on ruining shit. It needs a woman’s touch anyway.”

Then I felt something in my chest swell, fucking pride.

She smiled.

***

We made it to the hospital, and the nurse took one look at her face, then asked, “Did he do this?”

I felt my spine straighten.

But it was Tatum who took care of that. “No. This man would never hurt me.”

The nurse nodded and then gestured for Tatum to follow her.

I had to bite down the wordsover my cold, dead body.

I filled out the forms and handed them my credit card.

I was led to her room and told to wait there.

I was sitting in a chair waiting after they took her back for X-rays.

My phone had pinged with a text just then.

Mom – I’ll get a care basket ready for Tatum. Let me know when you make it home. I’ll bring it right over.

Me – She’s currently getting X-rays.

Dad – Your mother just cursed.

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