Page 105 of Tate
Okay, he was probably reaching. Giving himself a reason to stay in her life. Because he’d given the picture of the man he’d seen in the background of the last fundraising event to Sly. He’d checked it out but found nothing and dismissed him as a bystander. Probably he was right.
Probably.
They left the party after two hours. Dixie and Elijah Blue grabbed an Uber for their hotel, and the rest headed over to the Musicians Hall of Fame to Universal’s gig. Tate spotted Luke Bryan, a guy whose music he actually listened to, onstage as Glo worked her way behind Carter through the crowd.
Sloan had folded his hand into hers like they belonged together.
He saw Glo ease hers away. But not before Sloan put his hands on her shoulders and leaned in for a photo.
Tate stuck his hands in his pockets.
“Kelsey and I are bugging out,” Knox said after Carter had introduced them to a slew of executives. “We’ll grab an Uber to our hotel.”
Tate checked his watch—it was well after 2:00 a.m.
Glo must be exhausted.
Time to wind up this pony show.
He wove through the crowd, still going strong, and found Sloan standing with his arm around Glo’s shoulders. “Sir,” he said, keeping his voice even.
Sloan turned and frowned.
“I think we should be going.”
“I think you need to step back, Security.”
Glo was talking with one of the artists from Little Big Town. She glanced at Tate as if hearing the conversation, and something of gratitude streaked through her eyes.
And that was justit.
“I don’t think so,” he said and reached past Sloan. “C’mon, Glo. You’re exhausted. Let’s go.” His hand closed around her arm.
Sloan pushed him back. “Get your hands off her!”
Whoa—what?Tate stepped back, held his hands up, frowning.
Glo stared at Tate, a little horror on her face.
“Sorry,” Sloan said to the group. “We’ve had trouble with this one. Gets a little handsy with Glo sometimes.”
Handsy? Oh, he was going to dismantle the guy.
“Stop.” Glo turned and pressed her hand to Sloan’s chest. “Tate’s right. I’m tired. Let’s go.”
Tate’s jaw clenched, and Sloan’s eyes narrowed, but Sloan turned to Glo and nodded. “Of course, honey,” he said.
Honey?
Tate drew in a breath and followed them outside, through the crowd.
The downtown lights lit up the night, the air warm and woven with the smells of late spring. He opened the limo door for Glo and Sloan, but as soon as Glo got in, Sloan shut the door and turned to Tate.
“We’re going back to my place, and you’re not invited.” He pressed three fingers into Tate’s chest. “So, get lost.”
“No, actually, you’re not. Glo is my responsibility tonight, and she’s going home.”
Sloan shook his head. “I don’t know who you think you are, hotshot. And yes, I know all about your little weekender in Montana, but Glo is back in her real life now, and here I’m in charge.”
