She sighed, and buried her face deeper into Tatum, slightly surprised that it was possible at that point. She was pressed so tightly to the redhead that she was pretty sure the only way they could be closer was if they were naked. “My mom caught us over break one day, um…going at it in my room. I didn’t know she was coming home early. She like, freaked out and dragged Abi out of there by her hair. It was so fucked up. She called the school and told them I wouldn’t be back from break. I told Abigail later that I would just go live with my dad, he didn’t care either way. Then we could just like, you know, go to school together and not have to worry. But I guess some things are just too much for some people. She broke it off saying that she loved me but there were a lot of things that were just going to tear us apart in the end. She said she knew there would be a girl out there who would stick around to deal with it instead of running away, but that just wasn’t her. I couldn’t really blame her I guess, the whole thing was super messed up. My mom was threatening to tell the school she like, took advantage of me or something.”

Mackenzie wanted to tell Tatum that she didn’t want the redhead to be a conquest but something real, something more. She held her tongue however, she didn’t want to tread into that territory right now. It was too risky, things could still blow up in her face and then they’d be back to square one again. Besides, Tatum had made it pretty clear that she just wanted to be friends, it would be inappropriate for her to continue pushing the subject. The kiss above her ear was nice however, and it did make the ache in her heart lessen slightly.

She made a small noise of protest as the redhead broke their embrace but was immediately awestruck when she looked into the other girls eyes. The love and sincerity that was pouring out of them was almost too much for the blonde, but she wouldn’t break the gaze. She listened to Tatum speak with rapt attention, blushing as the girl reached out and pinched her cheek. She couldn’t believe that Tatum would think that, but she couldn’t exactly blame her. She knew how the girl felt, the uncertainty and insecurity about if people were using you or not.

“Babe, you’re not pathetic either.” The pet name had just slipped out, she wished she could have taken it back. It wasn’t a term that friends in their situation could throw around lightly. But it had happened, and they could only move forward. “I could never get tired of you, you’re like my numero uno! I love, everything about you. I wouldn’t change a single thing. You just, get me and I get you. I’ll happily beat up the haters though, ass holes.” She smiled at the redhead, poking her gently in the abdomen. “You’re perfect just the way you are Tatum Donnelly. I won’t ever get enough of you.”

She felt her blind rage flare up as the girl talked about Frankie, how could she ever say anything like that to the redhead? Mackenzie unconsciously let out a low growl, switching into her protective mode as she saw the tear fall down Tatum’s face. She pulled the girl back to her, snuggling up to the redhead, this time resting her chin on the girls head. She drew the blanket around them and gave Tatum a comforting squeeze.

“One,” She started, squeezing the girl lightly for emphasis again. “I would be the happiest woman alive if you broke up with Frankie tomorrow, but I don’t want you to feel like you should because I said that. I would probably be terribly torn between comforting you, ripping her head off and trying to jump your bones.” She laughed lightly, “Although I’m totally kind of kidding about the last part. Kind of. And two, that is a horrible thing to say to anyone. Especially you, I might have to go punch her face again.” She was only kind of kidding about that one too, she wanted to go find the stupid French girl and wail on her until she took back what she said. She had seen the hurt across Tatum’s face when she admitted it to Mackenzie. No one hurt her redhead like that.