Page 2 of Torn

Kenzi—one day old

Toren—fifteen years old

“We want you to be her godfather,” Asher says as he gently lays his newborn baby into my arms. I have to tear my gaze away from her spellbinding eyes to look up at him from the chair I’m cradling the baby in.

“Me?” I repeat, glancing over at the hospital bed, where Ember beams back at me with a tired, yet genuine smile.

“Yes, you,” they both say at the same time. “If it wasn’t for you, we probably never would’ve met,” Ember adds, grabbing Asher’s hand. “And we wouldn’t have this beautiful little baby. We know you’ll always protect her.”

“That’s right, man. You’re Uncle Tor now.”

I’m an uncle. And my two best friends are parents. And we’re all fuckin’ under sixteen.

But Kenzi Allyster Valentine would change us all forever. She needed us.

“Wow. I’m honored, guys. No doubt, I’ll always be here for her.”

I kick back the pang that hits my stomach. I didn’t get the girl… but I got something better that I never expected. A gift in the form of a little tiny hand wrapped tightly around my finger, huge eyes like gems staring up into mine like I was the most amazing person in the friggin’ world, and the first glimpse of what I could already tell was going to be a heart-stopping smile.

At that moment, a connection was born.

That was it.

She owned me.

My niece.

My goddaughter.

The love of my life.

KENZI

I hop off the back of the motorcycle and run my fingers through my shoulder-length hair, trying to detangle the mess. The wind is brutal on my hair and turns it into a tumbleweed in less than five minutes of being on the bike. Grabbing my hips, he pulls me against him and plants a dry kiss on my lips that tastes like dirt from the road.

“Kenzi!” A deep male voice bellows from the top of my driveway, making us both jump. “If I see your ass on the back of that bike again, we’re gonna have some fuckin’ issues.”

Jason quickly pulls away his hands, which had inched their way down to my ass. “Holy shit, is that your father?” he asks under his breath.

I let out a sigh and shake my head. My father is not one to raise his voice. Unless he’s singing onstage, of course. But never out in the driveway. And never at me. “No, it’s just my uncle.”

Jason squints at Toren before his eyes dart back to mine. “Isn’t that the guy who owns the motorcycle place in town? I think I bought my bike from him.”

“Yeah… we’re not really related, though. He’s my dad’s best friend.”

Tor is coming farther down the driveway toward us, his black leather boots thumping heavily along the stone, his eyes rivetedon the boy who just had his hands on me. “You hear me?” He points a finger at Jason, his inked arm muscles bulging menacingly. “I don’t want her on that fuckin’ bike again.”

“Yes, sir,” Jason calls back, visibly paling.

“I better go inside before he starts foaming at the mouth.” I throw my purse strap over my shoulder. “Have fun tonight at the party.”

“You could come to the party with me.” The teasing glint in his eye and his slightly raised eyebrow hints at more than just a party, and while I should be jumping up and down at the chance since he’s one of the hottest guys in my class, he seemed way more interesting from afar. Before he proved he can’t kiss and has zero conversation skills. I’d much rather stay home and read a book or hang out with my father’s friends who are coming over tonight for a bonfire.

“I really can’t, Jase. I’m sorry.”Not sorry. “I’ll call you.”

Before Jason has a chance to reply, I head up the long cobblestone driveway, glaring daggers at Toren as I walk by him.

“Hey, listen to me.” He turns and catches up to me as Jason speeds off down the street. “That kid just got his motorcycle license. You don’t get on a bike with someone who barely knows how to ride. He’s way too squirrely. You could get killed. You can ride with me or your dad or your uncles, but not some fucking kid.”

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