Catching Tatum Read Online Free PDF

matter how much you think you're in love, or how much he says he loves you. Got it?”
    “What is third base?” I asked. I was halfway listening to what he had been saying and halfway thinking about the bases everyone talked about. Everyone knew first base was kissing, and I always figured second base was getting felt up, hand-under-shirt-but-over-bra kind of stuff. Everyone knew what a home run was; but third base was never really clear.
    “That's what I'm telling you, Tatum—you get to decide.” As if on cue, one of the boys who had accompanied his mother came over and asked me to dance. I looked at my dad. He nodded his approval and relinquished my hand to the red-cheeked boy in a tux. While we danced, I watched the boy's mom dancing with my dad. I had never seen my dad with any woman but my mom in his arms. They were smiling at each other but his eyes didn't twinkle the way they did when he danced with my mom; still it was weird seeing him with another woman.
    “Hey ...” the boy said.
    “Hey ...” I said back.
    “Where are you from?” he asked.
    “Andrews,” I answered. Military kids didn't ask for home towns or states, they meant what base, so I gave him mine. Andrews was pretty respectable as far as AFBs went. That was where the President's plane was normally housed. I thought it was funny that the President's plane had a home base but his soldiers often didn't. The boy, probably a couple years older than me, was an Army brat but I can't remember what base he said he was from because I was still trying to figure out what my bases would be. If only I could have figured it out then ...
    On the way home Dad and I talked more; the talks got worse every time. He told me he and Mom didn't want me having sex or “giving my heart away” until I was married.
    “But then what happens if I get married and I hate the guy?”
    “That's what dating is for; you get to figure all of that out then. Work out the bugs. If he's marriage material he'll play your game your way.”
    “But I'm not supposed to fall in love? Isn't that the whole point ... to fall in love with someone?”
    “Yes, but sweetie, how many boys do you really want to be in love with in your life? It's all about those feelings. Do you want to finally get married and tell your husband he's the twentieth guy you've been in love with, or that he's the only guy?”
    Well, I knew he wouldn't be the only guy because I already had Sergio and David, and by then a few others on the shelf already. “But how do you date and not fall in love?”
    “Easy ... guard your heart like you're a soldier and it's your mission to protect it at all costs. I'm not saying you don't have to like the guy—I wouldn't want you dating a guy you didn't like in the first place. What I'm saying is your heart is yours to give, not theirs to take with smooth talk, or moves, or promises. Don't let a boy take your heart before you're ready to give it. Don't fall in love unless you're sure.”
    “OK ...” I said. I was so done with talking about it with my dad by then.
    “And there are rules as long as you live with us that you have to abide by.”
    “Like what?”
    “You don't date until you're sixteen and when you do, the boy has to ask me first.”
    “What?! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life! I'm not going to have some guy ask you if he can take me out.”
    “Then you're not going to have some guy take you out. He's going to have to have my approval or Mom's if I'm not here.” I saw his grip tightening on the steering wheel. I knew this was hard for him but also that his mind was made up, and he was where I got my stubborn from, so there was no changing it.
    “And if you say no?”
    “You don't date.” I knew about the sixteen rule for as long as I was even thinking about boys, but asking permission seemed harsh. It wasn't fair and I said so.
    “I know you might think that but that's how it's going to be whether you like it or not.”
    “Well, I