Page 38 of Spar
“That’s a great idea. Don’t you think, Tori?”
Shit, she’d done it again.
Elle saved her but shot her a look that said she had some explaining to do later.
“A fundraiser at Fit Club. Everyone loves watching the fights. We could organize some sort of fight-night. Do you think there’re enough guys willing to jump in the ring for that sort of thing?” Elle asked, looking to Ryan for input.
“I’m not sure, but I’m in. What about you, Chris?”
Chris nodded, looking to Tori. She was thankful that he’d missed the worried look his brothers exchanged. “Anything to help.”
Anxious to pull the attention off Chris, Tori turned to Charlie and Travis. “And what about you two? Willing to get in the ring for a good cause?”
“We’re in,” Travis said with more enthusiasm than she’d heard from him since he’d been back in town.
“Only if there will be ring card girls,” Charlie said. “I love a sexy ring card girl.”
Tori rolled her eyes but laughed good-heartedly. “You’re such a pig.”
Charlie winked and tossed the conversation at Jake who had been too quiet through the night. He’d barely spoken and instead sat looking miserable, stealing glances at the bar where Claire sat flirting with Reed.
“What about you, Jake?”
“You can count me in.”
Tori offered him a small smile. “Thank you,” she said then looked around the table. “Thank all of you. You guys are the best.”
Chris placed a hand on her leg under the table, and Tori jumped at the contact. His touch still seemed to do that to her — throw her completely off-balance. His hand only lingered a moment before he pulled it back up to the table and wrapped it around his beer.
She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it or not. Perhaps she was extra sensitive to the topic, but it seemed he was hiding her. Or rather, he was hiding their relationship. It made sense of course. If Ryan found out, there would be a lot of questions. She certainly wasn’t prepared to answer those questions, so maybe Chris wasn’t either. The thought stung. She didn’t want to be his dirty secret. It cheapened what was between them.
Tori excused herself from the table and headed to the bar where Claire sat watching Reed behind the bar.
Tori took the stool next to her and checked out the main attraction. “How’s it going with hottie bartender?”
“He asked for my number.” Claire pointed to a scrap of paper in front of her.
Tori glanced at the paper, smirking at the number. “That’s not your number.”
Claire sighed. “I know. I couldn’t do it. I guess I’m more upset about the whole Jake ordeal than I thought.”
“Was it really that bad?”
Claire scrunched up her face and grimaced.
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, I don’t think he thought it was any better.” She nudged her head toward Jake who was staring into his beer with a defeated look on his face.
“Maybe it’s me.” Claire banged her head on the bar. “Maybe I’m a bad kisser.”
Tori waved her off. “Oh, please. I’ve seen evidence indicating otherwise written all over bathroom walls.”
Claire smiled and playfully slapped her.
Tori was glad to see a smile on her friend’s face. It wasn’t like her to be this down.
“Maybe you two just built it up too much? I bet the next kiss will be better.” Tori hoped for everyone’s benefit that was true. She wasn’t sure the group would be the same if Claire and Jake couldn’t work it out.
Claire looked over at Jake, a wistful look on her face. “I don’t think I’m brave enough to test that theory.”
