Page 55 of Too Close To Call

Bode stares me down. “How do you feel about never seeing her again? You do love her, right?”

I don’t even have to think about the answer. Tori’s been in my heart since we were fifteen. “Yeah,” I say softly. “I love her and that’s never going to change.”

“Then cry me a river, build me a bridge, and get the fuck over yourself, man. She left here without hope of a relationship with you. Do you not know that someday, maybe sooner than you think, some guy is going to realize what a catch she is and make a move on her? Don’t let your fear of rejection, or the idiotic notion you aren’tgood enough,hold you back. You need to start fighting for what you want and you want Tori. You do want her, don’t you?”

Do I want her? Hell, yes. I want Tori and I want Daisy. I don’t even care what I have to do to make that happen. Move? Relocate my business? Nothing is too much to ask to have them both in my life.

“More than anything. But it may be too little, too late.”

“Since Tori has been here, I’ve seen you more relaxed and smiling than I have for years. I’ve watched the brother I grew up with return and I thought we’d lost him forever. You’ve been happy with her and Daisy and, damn it, that makes me happy. Don’t make the mistake of letting her go without telling her exactly how you feel.”

I never told Tori I love her. That was my first fucked-up mistake. I look at Bode and wonder where all this insightfulness is coming from. He’s never spoken this passionately. It has to be Kimberly’s influence.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice sounding scratchy and raw. “Thank you for always being the brother I need, even when I need a kick in the pants.”

“My pleasure. It killed us all to watch you go through Dale’s death and the end of your career. We never understood all you were going through. I wish we’d known. You needed us all back then. We saw you hurting and there was nothing we could do to take the pain away. You have another chance with Tori. It’s time for some honesty, man. It’s time.”

I stand up with purpose and hope filling my chest. “You’re right. I take a deep breath and nod. You’re right about all of it. Maybe you aren’t such an asshole after all.”

Bode slaps me on the back and grins. “No, I am, because I’m leaving you now in your time of need to go home and nail my wife. The kid should be asleep by now.”

When my brother leaves, I sit for a few more minutes, devising a plan of action. I know it’s late, but I also know I need to act quickly. I check the time and I swear. I won’t be able to make the next ferry. I don’t want to wait until the last run of the day. That’s too long. I need to go now.

I drop my head and growl out loud. If I don’t talk to Tori tonight, I have this itchy feeling that it will be too late.

I pull my phone out and make a call. It rings twice and then a grumpy voice says, “This better be good. Do you know what time it is?”

“I’m sorry, Uncle Rod, but this is an emergency. I need you to delay the ferry until I can get there. I’m leaving my house now.”

“What the hell, Case? I can’t just stop the ferry because you’re running late. There’s a schedule for a reason.”

I have to leave now.

“Yes, I know but… Please, I need to be on that ferry. It’s important or I wouldn’t ask.”

I hear Jen’s soft voice in the background. They must already be in bed. I feel bad, but what can I say, I’m desperate. Uncle Rod did stupid shit when he was dating Jen. I know he’ll understand. “Fine. But this better be good. I need to call now before they leave the dock. You’re cutting it mighty close.”

My heart finally starts beating again. I knew he’d get it. “Thanks, Uncle.”

“Hey, you owe me an explanation when you get back.”

“Definitely. I promise.” Hopefully with Tori by my side. “And Uncle Rod, one more thing… can I get a ride to the ferry? Maybe you could drive my car and get a ride back home. I might have had a few beers tonight. I’ll fill up on coffee on the ride to the mainland.”

I wince at the colorful comment yelled into my ear and quickly disconnect the call.

CHAPTER 18

TORI

A reflection of headlights flickers through the windows of my bedroom. Leaving my unpacking, I pad barefoot to the front of the house to see who’s coming by this late. Carina, if I had to guess, even though I’d spoken with her earlier when I arrived back home. She was going to bring Bella over tomorrow, but maybe she decided to bring her over tonight.

I recognize the sound of the engine even before I see who has pulled into the driveway. My heart flutters with hope. I dash to the door and Case is just getting out of his car when our eyes meet. I want to run to him. I want to think that the reason he’s here is for me. But I’m afraid to get my hopes up.

I step out onto the porch and Case stops at the bottom of the steps, our eyes never leaving each other’s. I can’t read them and I’m impatient to know why he’s here.

Only three steps separate us, yet it feels like more. I can’t stop myself from blurting, “The day Dad died… I hate myself for saying those things to you. I didn’t mean them. I wanted you to feel the pain I was feeling. Sending you away was wrong. Ending your career was all my fault.”

I hold my breath and wait. He already knows this, but if we have a chance of being together, it has to start with honesty and forgiveness.

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