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Chapter 17

Tate

Nothingon a wonore you Teddy’s car wasn’t in the driveway and her garage was empty, but there orkers in the house, which ularly Didn’t she?

I’d been back from Reno for a few days and she hadn’t answered any of my calls, not that I blamed her I was an ass to her for no reason, and worse, I’d abandoned her when she needed my protection Now she was determined to do without it, even if it compromised her safety Stubborn damn woman

As soon as Max called me in Reno, I hopped on my bike and returned to Mayheone froain And Teddy was nowhere to be found

Not at her office, where a pretty young thing in a tight sweater had greeted me and told me she was in a consultation An hour later another pretty young thing, this one in a short skirt said she was lasses said she was out to lunch Yeah, I got the iving up

I sat outside in sters filed out of the office and locked up at the end of the day Teddy still hadn’t materialized but I didn’t think she stayed away There hed at the irony of her now using evasive techniques when I needed to find her I called her again, hoping she would at least pick up and tell me to fuck off

But she wouldn’t I knew she wouldn’t, because of how I’d left She was used to people not wanting her, particularly after her usefulness to them had run out, and I’d shown her that I was no different than countless foster faraphers — and men

The phone rang init was Teddy “What’s up?” I tried to sound casual, but the sound of my brother’s voice pissed me off

“Are you finally off your fucking period,out so whatever the fuck you’ve done, fix it”

I laughed “Based on these cra”

“Don’t be a smartass, Tate I’m serious”

Yeah I knew it “I was an asshole There’s nothing to fix because she won’t even answer my damn calls”

Max sighed but I could hear the frustration and stress he carried “Mine either and now I knohy Jag sent us this invitation You know anything about it?”

Jag? I should have known Teddy would let nothing or no one slow her down I felt a s replaced so quickly, but I kneas unjustified “I do I know that you both need to be there, which is why I’ll pick you guys up”