Page 47 of Between Never and Forever
Torren’s face turns angry, and he shakes his head.
“No, I didn’t even know what was happening. I just saw your friend attacking Sean, and Sean is my fucking brother. He practically raised me, Savvy. But now, this Levi dick has to come in and pretend to be some gallant hero saving you from danger. It’sSean, Savvy. He’s not a rapist. Your friend overreacted.”
I take a step toward him, pointing right at his chest. It’s taking all of my strength not to yell. Not to smack him. I’ve never been good at curbing my temper. Now’s no exception. When I speak, my voice is shaking.
“You don’t get to rewrite what happened, just so you feel better about it. You sure as hell don’t get to talk shit about Levi. I don’t care Sean’s your brother. The truth is the truth. Sean forced himself on me, and Levi did what he did to protect me. Unlikeyou, and you gotta sit with that.”
Torren’s jaw pops as he clenches his teeth. His nostrils flare. He closes his eyes briefly, then opens them and sets them on me. I don’t know what to expect. If he’s going argue some more or apologize again, but I’m fifteen seconds from saying fuck it and leaving him in this alley. I’m so busy glaring at him, that when his phone rings, I actually jump.
His face wipes of the irritated expression and it’s replaced with excitement. A bit of fear. He goes a little pale as he pulls his phone from his pocket, locking his eyes on me as he answers.
“Mr. Hammond. What’s up, sir?”
My ears perk at the name. Hammond. That’s Torren and Sean’s contact. The man with the phone camera’s boss. I watch Torren’s face as he listens. I read into every muscle twitch. Every eyebrow dip. When his lips start to curve into a smile, I find mine mirroring his.
Oh my god.
Oh. My. God.
“Thank you,” Torren says into the phone. “Thank you so much, Mr. Hammond. We’ll be there first thing Monday morning. Yes. Okay. See you then.”
He hangs up and slides his phone into his back pocket, then turns his smiling attention on me, one eyebrow arched playfully.
“Hey Savvy. Wanna go on tour?”
“Oh my god, are you kidding me?” I yell, then clasp my hands over my mouth to smother my uncontrollable giggles. “We’re going on tour? We’re really going on tour?”
Torren nods, looking like an excited doggy bobblehead on a dashboard.
“Starting next week if we can get our shit in order. Three months. Miami all the way up the coast to finish in New York City.”
I squeal, move to launch at him in a hug, and then halt myself. His face falls, the picture of remorse, and I wince. I feel bad, but not enough to follow through with the hug. I clear my throat and gesture to the door that leads back into the bar.
“I’m gonna go tell Mabes.”
I don’t wait for his response. I just rush into the bar and tackle Mabel in the hug I almost gave Torren.
“Whoa, babe, what’s up?” Mabel rasps with a laugh. I pull back and give her shoulders a shake.
“We’re fucking goin’ on tour, Mabes, that’s what!”
“What? Tour?”
“TOUR!” I kiss her cheek and move to step away. “Go find Torren. He’ll tell you about it. I’m out of here tonight, though. Levi leaves tomorrow. I’ll call in the morning, okay?”
Mabel groans and grabs my hand, tugging me back in for another hug.
“Don’t be lame! Come hang and celebrate with us!”
“I can’t,” I say with a laugh. “Tomorrow, okay?”
“Ugh, fine, bitch. Tomorrow.”
I smile and start walking backward.
“We’re going on tour,” I call to her, and she squeals, clapping her hands.
“Tour!”
