Addicted

Tate

"Hey, boy." Jerry glanced up at me as I walked into the shop, feeling like a new man. Something about even contemplating having Val in my future made all the difference. I wanted to find a way to show her I was the good man I hoped she believed me to be. I'd come up with a million ways to convince her to be mine, but it all seemed rather trite. She deserved far better than me, but I wasn't humble enough to give up an inch as she granted it to me.

"Hey, Jerry. How was business yesterday?" I pulled on a ball cap and moved up to start working to lift and old Ford truck that sat in the middle of the garage.

"Busy as hell. I told you that I need you to get serious about coming in more often. I can't do this seven days a week bullshit, anymore. We're going to have to hire someone else or get you guys to step it up." He gave me a stern look.

I let out a sigh, but nodded. "I understand, Jerry. I'm just trying to figure out where my future is. I have eighteen months of school left, and I honestly can't imagine throwing that away, but I realize the opportunity you're giving me is a great one, too. I really do."

"I know, boy. Chew on it some, and maybe we can work around the school thing and just give you some more hours. You only go a few hours a day, right?" He handed me the wrench I was looking for.

"Yeah. It's only four hours a day." I started to include the fact that swim team was going to take up quite a bit of time, too, but decided against it. No one would understand my need to swim, and to combat their disapproval or lack of understanding was only going to leave me edgy, which was something I didn't need.

"Good. We'll figure it out. Just let me know when you decide if you want more responsibility and money. Okay?" He patted my back and left me there to stew in my thoughts.

I barely had time to study with the forty hours I was squeezing in at the shop on top of school and the swim team. Now that I'd made the decision to pursue a relationship with Val if she agreed, she was going to have to have some of my time, too.

A growl left me as my shoulders tightened due to the stress of trying to work everything out in my head and coming up short.

Sharon's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Tate, some guy is here to see you, hun."

"Alright. Tell him I'll be right there." I reached up and unscrewed the bolt I had been tugging at while Jerry was talking. After getting it undone, I moved back and laid my tools down and pushed them out of the way.

I wasn't expecting anyone, but then again, I rarely was. Sharon knew Sam, so she would have mentioned that it was him if it was.

An older man with salt and pepper hair and a tight smile turned as I walked up.

"I'm Tate. How can I help you?" I started to cross my arms over my chest, but decided maybe looking closed off wasn't my best move. Besides, the guy looked important. Maybe he was from the college or the police station. Maybe they needed me to come down and talk about testifying against Daniel.

"You can start by realizing that trash like yourself doesn't have a place in my world." The old man's expression grew angry as he poked his finger into my chest.

"Whoa. I'm not sure you have the right guy, mister." I pushed his hand back. "Don't poke my chest again."

"I'll poke you as many times as I want, and you'll not do a damn thing about it." He poked me again, and I smacked his hand away.

"I'm warning you, old man. I can be respectful all day long in the face of a lot of shit, but someone picking on me isn't happening." I took a step toward him, and damn if he didn't move toward me.

"I'm Valentine's father, and you, little man, are messing with the wrong girl. You'd better back the fuck up or I'm going to make your life a living hell. Do you understand me?" He looked me in the eye. Suddenly, everything made sense.

Someone had told the great David Scott about me and Val, and he was here to force me out of her life before I really ever got invited into it.

"Not sure what you're talking about. Val and I are friends, and-"

"No, you're not. She doesn't have friends that we don't approve of, and you're not on the list. Stay away from her or not only will I get your mother's piece of shit abusive boyfriend off the hook for what happened yesterday, but I'll shut this shop down, I'll have your mother fired from the hospital, and I'll get you ejected from UMN so fast it will make your tiny head spin."

"Fuck you," I mumbled as terror raced over me. The man wasn't at all intimating physically, but he could pack a serious punch with his power.

"Yeah, that's what I figured you'd say. Funny how you poor kids only have a few words to grab when you're in a bind." He smirked. "You've been warned, Tate. Don't come near my daughter again."

"And, if she comes near me?" I couldn't help but push him.

"Then, you push her away. Hurt her. I don't care, but you'll suffer far more than she will from this stupid, pity-relationship. There's no way she'd be with a guy like you, and you'll do yourself a favor if you back off now. No need to get your hopes up; she's a Scott, whether she chooses to act like it most of the time or not." He tilted his head slightly. "Good day."

I stood there in shock, unable to move or say anything. I'd never in my life had someone be so rude to me, and certainly not some chick's dad.

"That's not good," Sharon mumbled from behind me, and I realized she was there, which only left me more embarrassed.

"Wow. He was a total dick." I ran my fingers through my hair and turned toward her.