My Parents banished me to my Uncle's ranch:

I barely heard the conversation muttered as I starred out the window. I was now lost in my own sea of thoughts.

Where is he?

Is he in the dark trailer still?

Where are they taking him?

...The questions all raced through my head. No doubt he was giving them hell, but I couldn't even bring myself to smile at the thought of those men having trouble with him. He was a fighter. Just like me.

I skipped dinner. It wasn't that I wasn't hungry--believe me I was starved--but I couldn't bring myself to face Jack. How could he have failed me like that? He said he was going to straighten things out with Richard.

I went and took a shower trying to wash away the sick feeling I had. Flashbacks of Jupe screaming out in terror of the wranglers flooded my mind. I threw on my biggest sweatshirt and pair of sweats and tripped on the jeans I had shimmied out of earlier.

I didn't fully fall on my face but it was enough to make me look down at the jeans and curse them thoroughly.

I picked them up and was about to throw them across the room when a small leather book dropped from the pocket.

"What the..." I mumbled as I picked up the black book. I turned it over and saw the gold print that read: Erin E. Monte

That was my mother's maiden name. I then remembered that when I had been going through my mom's box of things I had stuffed this in my pocket. The thing was like a small day planner.

I hadn't gotten a chance to go through it yet but I wasn't sure if I felt up to more memories at this point. I set the planner on my bed stand and tried to relax. But it was impossible.

Finally my eyelids started to shut slowly and I was drifting away when...

"Tigs!" Someone burst through my door.

I growled at the intruder but immediately stopped when Nate was there holding the cordless phone in his hand. I had wanted to talk to him this whole time. I wanted him to just hold me one last time. But he was holding the phone instead.

"What?" I asked, still hoars from screaming. How ironic, I was 'hoars' from screaming for my 'horse'. For some reason that just wasn't funny.

"He wants to talk to you," He held out the phone and I quickly closed the distance grabbing it from his hand. I knew what he meant by he. And that sent me into a raging fit.

Who did he think he was calling me? After what he did. I grabbed the phone and clenched it in my hand.

"Hello?" I asked making sure someone would be on the line before I blew up.

"Yes, Erin it's Richard," He sounded a little annoyed and I wondered what had him upset. It wasn't like I had taken away something he loved. "I want to know who I was speaking to."

I looked at Nate and then back to the phone, "Why..." I asked slowly.

"That man has no respect, I can't believe Jack would hire someone with such horrible people skills." I wanted so badly to laugh. I could only imagine the savory words Nate had for Richard but I couldn't physically bring myself to do it.

"Forget about it Richard." I said bitterly. "Why did you call?"

It took him a few second to respond but when he did he used his most business-like voice I had ever heard.

"I'd rather talk to you in person" So you can intimate the hell out of me "I wanted to let you know I'll be stopping by at noon tomorrow. I expect you'll be there?"

I clenched my teeth together, "Yes."

"Very well I--" I hung up the phone before he had a chance to get out his goodbye's. I hadn't been able to insult him like I wanted to. It seemed like no amount of verbal assault would have done him justice.

"Is everything okay?" I didn't notice until now that all five of the boys were standing in my door way looking intently at me. Nate was waiting for my response.

I didn't even have to say it, I guess the look on my face said it all. Next thing I knew I was sitting in Nate's lap and he was holding me tight against his chest.

Richard is coming. Tomorrow. That means he's coming to pick me up. Which means I'm leaving.

I let a few more sobs escape before whipping my eyes. Nate had his arms curled around my waist and I could feel his heart beating against my chest rapidly.

Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't I be the one who's extremely nervous...

"Wha-t er, you...so nervou-s about?" I had finally calmed down most of my sobs but my voice was still a little hoars.

"I'm not nervous..." Nate mumbled. I craned my neck so I could see him. His dark chocolate eyes were starring off into nothing. I turned as best I could to straddle him a little bit and forced him to look me in the eye.

He gave me a strange look but I ignored it and just grabbed his hand and put it up to his chest.

"You're nervous...I can feel your heart beating out of your chest." His tight jaw turned into a deep frown as he placed his hand over mine.

I could feel his heart practically banging on the wall of his chest, just itching to get out. I sat there for a full minute just feeling his heart beat against my hand. There was no steady rhythm like before. I could feel Nate's eyes burning holes into my head. When I looked up at him his heart beat sputtered again and went into a rapid frenzy.

"Maybe I am just a little nervous." Nate pulled me even closer to him--if that was possible. We were sitting there chest to chest, my own heart rate had to be going through the roof also.

"Why are you nervous?" I couldn't help but stare back into those beautiful brown eyes covered by those naturally curly lashes.

He half smiled and reached for something in his pocket. When he brought it back up again he was holding onto something. I squinted to try and get a better look but it was impossible, his hand was covering any chance of getting a better look.

"Erin Elizabeth Tiggie," He used my full name. How the hell does he know my full name? I didn't object to him saying it either though. The way my name flowed from his lips seemed so natural. "Happy eighteenth birthday."

He held out his palm and I watched as a silver chain lay coiled up in his big hand. My jaw hung loose as I starred at the ring dangling from the chain. It had a silver band that cradled a beautifully cut heart-shaped...diamond? No...it wasn't a diamond. Even in the dim lighting I could see as it threw off a hint of blue.

He took the necklace and carefully fastened it around my neck. His finger lingered around my chest where the ring sat. "I love you." I heard him whisper.

Now it was my turn for my heart to explode out of my chest. I was sure if I didn't get it under control I was going to have a heart attack. He leaned down and kissed me gently. He had just told me he loves me and now he's kissing me! I swear my heart is going to explode any second.

I pulled him even closer to me and kissed him back. It felt so good, no...it felt right. It felt natural being with him. But I couldn't get over the battle going on inside my head.

When he finally broke apart I whispered words I hadn't whispered to anyone else in a long time. "I love you too."

After holding me for a few more hours we both eventually grew exhausted. Me from my screaming fit mostly and Nate from stress. We didn't really talk much about anything. We only really whispered 'I love you's' until sleep took a hold of us.

That morning when I woke up to Nate I was strangely aware of myself. I had just told him I loved him--and truly meant it--and now I was going to have to leave.

I turned over so I was facing Nate. His arms constricted around me even tighter but I didn't mind. I watched his chest steadily rise and fall. His jet-black hair was ruffed up in a mess and he even snored a little.

But I was in love with every thing about him. And it didn't scare me anymore. The only thing that scared me right now, was Richard.

I put my hand on Nate's heart again. This time it was beating normal. Steady. It had a rythm. Bum-bum. Bum-bum. Bum-bum.

It was nine o'clock when he finally woke up.

"I have to go." He mumbled as he loosened his grip on me. I understood. Even though Jack liked Nate a lot, I don't think he would approve of Nate spending the night. No matter how harmless it was.

"I love you," He kissed me and hurried out the door.

Only three more hours until Richard is here.

I decided to take a shower. I figured that was what Nate was probably doing too. I hurried and brushed my teeth but didn't bother with my hair. I let it dry wavy today. I didn't even bother to put on any make-up. Any effort would be a waste.

I don't know how it all started but I ended up folding all my clothes and getting my things together. I pulled on a pair of faded jeans and remembered that Chase had my favorite pair. I gritted my teeth at the thought. I pulled on my Hooter's T-shirt. Anything to piss Richard off.

I almost felt like laughing a little at my reflection once my bag was packed up. My hair was in a kinky mess hanging behind my back, my jeans were a ripped mess, my eyes were puffy from crying and to top it all off I was wearing a black Hooters shirt with bright orange print.

I passed through my dresser drawers making sure I hadn't missed anything. I slammed the last drawer shut with force and something dropped off the corner. I turned to see that same little black book of my mother's lying on the floor.

I picked it up off the floor and brushed off a little dirt that was still on the cover. I couldn't help but twirl that ring around in my hand. It hung from the silver chair so daintily on my neck.

I guess this is the end. I'll say my goodbye's and that'll be it. I hated to sound too melodramatic but I didn't really care at this point.

Richard would be here in exactly one hour. I decided there was something I needed to do before I left.

*(Nate's POV)*

I hurried out of the shower and pulled on some fresh clothes. The guys were just starting to wake up. Danny was mumbling in his sleep and the twins were throwing pillows at him.

"Did you give it to her?" Ian asked as I pulled my shirt on. They had helped me pick out Tiggie's present and I swear they were almost more excited than I was.

"Yeah." I answered slowly.

"What'd she say?" Ian prodded for more information.

I rolled my eyes and pushed him away. "None of your business." I answered roughly. I was in a bad mood thinking about Tiggie's dad coming over.

"Just asking..." Ian said a little hurt. He shrugged it off though and soon the other guys were awake.

"What's the plan for today?" Steven asked as he accompanied me to the kitchen. Jack was sitting at the table already eating which was strange for him. He normally was the last one awake. He was older so we didn't really blame him.

"I don't know..." I shrugged as we served some breakfast for ourselves and sat by Jack.

"Morning boys." Jack said looking up from his newspaper.

"Morning Sir," Steven answered back. "Have you heard any word from Mr. Tiggie?"

"He called a half hour ago." Jack responded. None of us had noticed Tiggie until she interrupted.

"What did he say?" She demanded. I watched as Steven did a double take. She looked like a hot-mess. A very, very, very hot mess. I kicked him under the table and his jaw shut and he focused intently on his eggs.

She was wearing a tight pair of fadded blue jeans with holes at the knees. Her hair gave her a strange resemblance of a lion's mane. It was curled and wavy and hung over her shoulders. And that shirt...I almost choked on my orange juice. Steven just chuckled under his breath. Jack shook his head.

"Richard isn't going to be happy." Jack warned.

"Fuck Richard. What did he say?" Jack blinked back a little surprise but as usual his heart softened when it came to Tiggie. Good to know her voice is coming back.

"Richard was willing to make a deal with you," He motioned for her to sit down. She came and sat straight across from me. I felt like my eyes were glued to her. Jack cleared his throat and continued.

"He's willing to give us back Jupiter--"

"What!" Tiggie looked at Jack almost as shocked as me and Steven.

"He said he would give him back if you didn't make a fuss about leaving. And you would have to agree never to come back here." Those last words stung a little. Okay, a lot. After throwing out the big four letter word this only made things harder.

Jack followed her gaze carefully as it landed on me with eyes full of pity. She had a choice now. I could see it in her eyes.

"Tiggie, you are more than welcome to stay here with me. You can go to school here and I'll even help with college. But I'll also understand if you leave." Jack wasn't helping.

It was selfish. Absolutely selfish of me but I wanted so badly for her to stay. For me. To be all mine. And the look on her face was unreadable.