“Nuh-uh. You will not toss your brat in my general direction. I’ll bring you home in a little while, but I’d like some more info.”
“We all want lots of things, but it doesn’t mean we get them.” My tone came out sassy and full of disrespect. I’d never pushed Tatum to respond in any sort of way, and he looked utterly perplexed.
Finally, he let out a long breath. “Would you like to stand in the corner for a few minutes?”
The corner was a beautiful but hated tool. Tanner and Jesse frequently stuck my ass there when I wouldn’t or couldn’t calm myself. I trusted Tate more than anyone, but I had to get myself together without his help. “Please don’t put me in the corner. I’ll never stop crying if you do.”
“Then you need to share just a little bit. What bad things are you referring to?”
I didn’t want to share, but it was serious and my family could easily be in danger if things played out badly. “This guy who thinks I put him in prison is supposedly finding a way out. He’s not up for parole, but if anyone has enough connections to break out, it’s him. Chet hates me, even though I didn’t do anything.”
“Out with it, Tot.”
“Ugh, you sound like Jesse.” Chewing on my thumbnail, I tried to figure out how much to tell my brother. “I slept in some questionable places in L.A. I guess this dude committed some pretty serious crimes while I was asleep on the couch. I, uh, had taken a double dose of sleeping pills. He could have literally committed a crime on top of me and I wouldn’t have stirred. Regardless, he believes I’m the cause of him being in prison.”
“I won’t tell Jesse, but it could get brought to his department. Wouldn’t it be better to have someone you trust taking care of it?”
“Yeah, I guess, but please don’t share unless it becomes an issue.”
“Understood. Sit on the couch, Tia. I’ll get some blankets and make cocoa and popcorn. Okay?”
Tatum was probably a really good Daddy to Marissa because his gentle assurance, combined with the handling of the situation, sounded perfect. There was more to being someone’s dominant than enforcing rules and doling out discipline. The dynamic sounded better to me every day. If only I could get out of my head and admit it. However, I was mortified since I’d thrown a fit in front of Tate.
“Okay, Tater.”
“Tonight is about relaxing.” Tatum wrapped his arms around me. “Will you do that for the rest of the night?”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “I just don’t enjoy being home without any sort of plan.”
“I’ll help you come up with a plan, but not today.” He cut through the remainder of my bullshit. It was imperative for my brain to rest, and yet I could not.
“You have a beautiful home, two amazing partners, and a secure job. I have nothing.”
“You have more support than you realize.” Tatum waggled his eyebrows.
Begrudgingly, I pushed out of his arms and sank into the couch cushions. “I guess.”
“Me. Jesse. Rissa. Tanner. Mom and Dad.” He rattled off the people who were closest to me. “Have you called Kendell yet? I bet she’d love to hear from you. What about Gage? You’re his favorite cousin.”
“I’m not doing theReturn to Falcon Creek WorldTour, Tater.” I pouted. “Everyone is busy living their own lives, as they should be. No one has time for me.”
“That’s what you keep telling yourself, but you’re looking at it from the wrong view, Tot.”
“Rissa and Jesse couldn’t even stay long enough to talk to me.”
“They both wanted to see you tonight, but circumstances out of their control occurred,” he insisted. “Rissa was gabbing non-stop about how excited she was to spend time with you. Jesse also wanted to spend time with you, but he’s been covering shifts to bank leave time.”
“Why does Jesse need leave time?”
“Shit.” Tate ran his hands through his hair. “They are both going to kill me.”
Chewing my lip, I waited for him to give me some type of reason.
“Promise you won’t tell anyone.” He held out his pinky finger.
I looped mine in his, promising to keep the secret, though I was worried. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“Marissa is pregnant.”