Page 150 of Between Never and Forever
Jonah’s voice rings out from the couch.
“The Hometown Heartless have run the gamut of tabloid headlines from praise to contempt.”
“A plus plus, Jonah. Great job!”
Brynn is beaming at the guitarist, and he throws a thumbs up her way without looking up from the coffee table book he’s flipping through. This isn’t the Jonah I remember from Miami, and I can’t help but wonder what bullshit he’s been through since making it big. Whatever it is, it’s changed him, and it doesn’t look like for the better.
“Welp, I was thinking we could hang out on the roof,” Sav says pulling my attention back to her “We can jam on the acoustics. Maybe let Boss show you guys what she’s learned so far.”
“I can play ‘i wanna be there’ almost. G, C, D, G.”
“I hear you’re doing great,” Torren chimes in, and Brynn grins up at him.
I clear my throat with my eyes on him, and when he looks at me, I make sure my face conveys the threat.Don’t mess with what’s mine.
When everyone heads to Savannah’s roof, I hang back, positioning myself in front of Torren so he has to stay with me. For a minute, we just stare at each other, and when he opens his mouth to speak, I put my hand up, stopping him. When I speak, I keep my voice low and steady.
“Whatever is going on with you and Savannah—this publicity stunt of an engagement and the touching and anyunrequitedfeelings you might have—let’s get one thing straight. She’s not yours. She was never yours. Get rid of the fantasies. Stop looking at her like she’s your forever. She’s not. She never will be.”
He glares at me, eyes hard on mine. I watch his jaw pop with the way he must be grinding his teeth.
“I suppose you think she’s yours?”
“I know it. So do you. But if you want to fuck around and find out, be my guest.” I smirk. “I think I’d like seeing you humiliated, and it’s been a while since I’ve busted my knuckles on your face. I kind of miss the feeling.”
Torren scoffs and shakes his head.
“You have no idea what you’re getting into with her.”
My shoulders tighten, and I grit my teeth. It’s not an insult or a threat. It’s said reverently, and that makes it worse. He honestly thinks he’s in love with her. I almost feel bad for him. Almost.
I step closer and cock my head to the side as I scan his face.
“You’ve had almost a decade with her, yet she’s still mine. That ring she wears? Might as well be scrap metal. Know why? Because I knowexactlywhat I’m getting into with her. I’m the only one who’s ever known.”
I take a step back and my face softens.
“You think you love her. Fine. I get it. But this is the only time I’m going to say it. Get over it. I won’t say it twice.”
I turn without another word and head up to the roof. Savannah raises an eyebrow when she sees me, and I wink, then sit in a patio chair next to Brynnlee. Ten minutes later, Torren appears, and I don’t miss the way he keeps a distance between himself and Savannah. Good.
After Red lights a fire in the small firepit, they bring out two acoustic guitars and play some songs. It’s even better than before. Even Jonah perks up, seems almost revived. He sings along when Brynn plays. He claps. He even plays a few songs on his own. By the time Brynn falls asleep in the lounge chair, it’s two in the morning and the atmosphere feels charged with promise. Something positive. Even I’m excited, and I don’t even know what for.
Sav tries to convince her bandmates to stay the night, but they insist on going back to their hotel because they fly back to LA in a few hours. Sharon tells me she’s going to take Brynn back to her place. She doesn’t even ask if I want to stay with Sav. She just assumes, and though I probably should, I don’t correct her. Red carries Brynn to the truck and buckles her in, then disappears into his room with Ziggy after making sure the gate and the windows are locked up tight.
Then it’s just me and Savannah in the kitchen. Alone. She nudges my foot with hers.
“Hi,” she says with a grin.
“Hi.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Alright.”
“How’s the head?”
“It’s been worse.”
