Addicted

"I really like this girl, Mom. She's not like the other girls that I've been interested in, and honestly, she's so far out of my league that it's almost funny." I crossed my arms over my chest and glanced down toward the ground as I began to pace back and forth.

"What do you mean, she's out of your league?"

"She's a Scott. As in David Scott's daughter." I shrugged and glanced up to find my mom sitting calmly. Not the reaction I expected.

"And?" She reached for a coffee mug that sat just in front of her. "What's your point?"

"My point? This man is like a god around here. He's a billionaire." I moved to stand on the other side of the table and pressed my hands to it as I gave her a look. "You don't know the Scotts, obviously."

"Honey, everyone knows who David Scott is. Just because he's a wealthy guy who treats everyone like crap doesn't mean his kids are the same, right?" She reached out and squeezed my hand. "Is the girl like her father?"

"No. Not at all, from what I can tell, but I'm honestly just waiting for the other shoe to drop." I moved back and started to pace again. "She's so damn beautiful, Mom. She's into me, from what I can tell, but I'm not the man for her. I'm tired of shallow relationships. I'm ready to start looking for someone I can build something real and long-lasting with. You know?"

"I sure do. I feel the same." She got up and let out a loud yawn. "You're categorizing her into the wrong group, Tate. You do this with everyone and everything. You can't generalize people, though you've tried to your whole life. She's probably very different from her family. Most people are."

I nodded. "Maybe so. Night, Mom."

Anger burned through me as I pulled my phone from my pocket. I needed to clear the air with her. I was no better than the asshole who'd broken her heart a few days before. Taking her back to the party without saying more than two words was a jerk move after throwing her into the friend-zone. What was I doing? Everything about this girl made my body ache with need, my heart warm with the potential of my first solid relationship.

I texted her the first thing that came to mind.

Me: Val, what did you have to do to get me that try out the other day?

Val: I scored the first three points at the intramural games. Why?

Me: Why did you do that for me?

Val: Because I recently learned that being nice is free.

My heart melted in my chest as I read and re-read her message over and over. She wasn't at all like her family and I was a dick for closing myself off to her before anything could even start between us. Why I would deny myself the opportunity to get to know a woman like her was beyond me.

Me: Forgive me for tonight. I don't know what I was thinking.

Val: I don't know what you were thinking, either, but there's nothing to forgive.

Me: See me again.

Val: I'm going to the library tomorrow. You're more than welcome to meet me there. Nothing more than studying between two friends, but the invitation is open.

Between two friends... Shit.

I agreed to meet her just after lunch and called Sam to make sure he was okay before starting the shower.

"Hey, you. You at home?" Sam's voice was filled with sleep, which was a little surprising.

I'd almost expected him to stay at the party, even though I left. He was the kind of guy who might

walk into a room of strangers, but they would all be friends of his within no time.

"Yeah, I'm about to jump in the shower and then head to bed. I just wanted to apologize for tonight. I was a jerk."

"Yeah, you were." Sam chuckled. "It's whatever, dude. No one could tell you anything when we were kids, and they can't now, either – me included. You'll figure this shit out with your mom, your job, and with the pretty girl you tossed aside tonight."

"Tossed aside? Harsh, man." I walked to the hall closet to grab a towel.

"Maybe, but I can tell you that if you're interested, you need to get back in there. When I went in to say goodbye to her and her friends, she was surrounded by a group of guys. I guess she plays basketball or something? She must be damn good because those guys were singing her praises. One in particular."

My stomach tightened with a combination of regret and jealousy. "I'm an idiot, okay?"