Page 68 of Fierce-Hyde

He wasn’t sure if she was yet but didn’t want to admit that.

“How long are you going to try to see if she is?” CeeCee said. “I’m not sure I like you could be putting more of an effort in than her. That isn’t what a relationship is about.”

“It’s not,” his mother said. “But it’s Hyde’s business too.”

“That’s right,” he said. “My business. I’ve got it covered. Or under control.”

“I doubt that,” CeeCee said.

“Don’t be a brat,” he said. “You’re only able to get away with so much because we feel sorry for you.”

“Now you’re being mean and a brat,” his mother said. She was smiling though.

“It’s the truth and you know it.”

“Maybe a little,” his mother said. “And it’s not like your sister has had much serious dating history that she can hand out expert advice.”

“Burn on you, CeeCee,” Hyde said.

“When do we get to meet Tori?” CeeCee asked. “I want to meet the woman who is making you doubt yourself and make sure I set the record straight. I don’t like she did that to you when you were in the hospital worrying about me.”

His sister had her arms crossed and he knew he made a mistake saying that part. “Don’t be mad at her. She had her reasons and I don’t want you holding it against her.”

“CeeCee,” his mother said. “Don’t get in the middle of this. It’s Hyde’s life. The fact he hasn’t looked at his phone once since he’s been here means that some positive things have changed.”

He laughed. “I shut all my notifications off other than texts. Not because of Tori, but because it’s the right thing to do. It’s not that important that I know everything going on in the world.”

“I’ve been telling you that for years,” his mother said. “You need to figure out what is important in your life and then focus on that more than anything else. You’re on the right track.”

“And I don’t want to see you knocked off it,” CeeCee said.

“I won’t be,” he said.

“I hope for your sake you’re not,” his mother said. “Because I’ve seen you put a lot of effort into a relationship in the past andthen get burned. I’m not going to be happy if it happens to you again.”

Neither would he, but he’d be watching out for it now.

21

EMOTIONAL PHYSICAL RELEASES

“I’m surprised you’re having lunch with me and not your boyfriend,” Raina said on Wednesday.

Tori kept the frown from her face.

She wouldn’t exactly use the word boyfriend just yet.

She wasn’t sure what they were.

Sunday during the day, she hadn’t heard a word from him but told herself not to get worked up.

She wouldn’t put a ton of pressure on what they had or did that weekend. So by seven that night, she’d sent him a quick text just saying she’d hoped he had a nice day.

He replied fairly quickly that he visited with his sister and mother and wanted to know how her day was.

She said she was with Raina.

They pretty much ended it after that.

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