Spar (Sweetbriar Lake)

by Rebecca Jenshak

  Tori ran to the kitchen for plates and silverware, calling out over her shoulder. “Wait, what’s Ryan doing going back to the gym at nine o’clock at night?”

  “He didn’t say exactly. Some sort of preparation for the fundraiser. What’s the emergency?!” Elle repeated once Tori was settled back beside her.

  Tori bit her lip and stared hard at her brother’s girlfriend. Involving her was a terrible idea. “What does Ryan know about me and Chris?” She grabbed a pillow from the couch behind her and buried her head under it, her muffled voice speaking over Claire’s and Elle’s giggles. “Oh my God. I feel twelve years old.”

  She sat up and looked at Elle, waiting for her response.

  “You mean, does he know you two are banging?” Elle said, and Claire doubled over in a fit of laughter.

  Tori felt her face heat.

  “You’re blushing! So, you are banging Chris. I knew it! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you blush,” Elle commented with a grin.

  Tori reached for her wine glass. “I’m not sure I have ever heard you say the word banging before.”

  “So, does he?” Claire interrupted, looking at Elle. “Does Ryan know they’re banging?”

  Tori shook her head before Elle could speak. “Surely not, or Chris would be dead by now.”

  “What makes you think he’d be upset?” Elle asked as she studied Tori carefully.

  “Ryan never wanted me dating his friends growing up. He was a total cockblock. Chris isn’t just his friend. He’s his best friend.”

  Elle gave her a small smile and squeezed her hand. “Why not talk to him? Tell him how you feel about Chris. I think he’ll be a lot more understanding than you are giving him credit for.”

  Claire snorted. “That would require her to actually talk about her feelings.”

  She shot Claire a look and then turned back to Elle. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I’ll talk to him.” She looked at Claire, who didn’t seem convinced. “After Friday night. I don’t want to risk anything messing up the fundraiser.”

  “You won’t tell him before then, will you?” Tori pleaded.

  “I promise I won’t say anything, but I have a terrible poker face, so you better hope he doesn’t ask me.”

  Elle grabbed the wine bottle and filled their glasses. “Now tell me all about the banging.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  “How are you planning on hiding this from Tori?” Chris asked as he watched ten of his best and fastest guys move Tori’s items from her office in preparation for the wall demo.

  “Tape it off and put a sheet up. I don’t think she’ll get too curious as long as she thinks we’re just doing some work on the ceiling. Hell, I’ll tell her the ceiling leaked if I have to. I want it to be a surprise. I can’t wait to see her face. Are you sure you guys can get it done by Friday night?”

  Chris nodded, confident in his men.

  “Thanks, man. I appreciate it. I’m just about done here. Wanna grab a drink?”

  “Nah, I think I’m gonna stay here in case they need me.”

  Ryan smiled at him and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “What?” Chris asked.

  “You’re avoiding going home.”

  Chris stared blankly at him and wondered if that was true. He hadn’t done it intentionally, but the idea of going to his house didn’t sound appealing either.

  Ryan shook his head. “I don’t understand you two.”

  Chris blew out a long breath. “You know, I think I’ll take you up on that drink after all.” He followed Ryan out the door, and they were soon on their way.

  Cliff’s was quiet, only a few tables were taken; Chris and Ryan made their way to their usual spot.

  “I called Jake. He might swing by before his shift.”

  “You don’t have to do all this. I’m fine.” Chris was annoyed that he was being thrown a pity party — and even more annoyed that he did indeed feel pitiful.

  “All what? Having a drink with my two best buddies? Maybe it’s about me, asshole,” he said and leaned back casually, stretching out his long legs and arms. “I don’t see near enough of the two of you anymore.”

  Chris remained standing. It was his turn to get the first round, and he had a feeling he was going to need something strong. “You mean, since you and Elle are attached at the hip,” he said flatly.

  Ryan just grinned happily, the blow not even fazing him. The motherfucker was that happy.

  Chris shook his head and stalked up to the bar. “Two shots of Southern Comfort and two Bud Lights.”

  Charlie appeared by his side while he waited for the drinks. “We thought we might find you here.”

  Chris looked over to the table to see Travis sitting with Ryan.

  “You here for the pity party, too?” he mumbled and caught the bartender’s eye. “Two more of each.”

  “Nah, tracked you down to tell you the good news.”

  Chris shrugged off his pissy mood long enough to see his brother’s excitement. It was contagious — the big, goofy grin on Charlie’s face.

  “What good news?”

  “I did it. I bought the apartment building. Still some details and a lot of paperwork to iron out, but I did it!” Charlie rambled on excitedly. “Good work on the place, by the way. Your updates really sealed the deal for me.”

  Chris stared in shock. “You got Matt to agree to sell the apartment building to you? When did you do all this?”

  “Yep. Spent most the day there. The old man tried to play hardball, but I used my master negotiating skills.”

  “You mean you offered him more money than he could turn down?”

  Charlie smiled even bigger and grabbed a beer as the bartender set them down on the bar.

  “Was he sober?”

  Charlie shrugged. “As sober as he ever is.”

  “How are you going to manage that place and keep up with your real estate business?”

  “I’m surprised at you. I figured you knew my plan even before I had it worked out.”

  Chris held the beer up to his mouth and waited for Charlie to continue.

  Charlie turned and leaned back against the bar. He motioned with his beer at Travis. “Travis needs a job, and we both know he’s not destined for construction.”

  Chris couldn’t argue with that.

  “Does Travis know the plan?”

  Charlie kept right on grinning. “His exact words were, ‘Not even if it were the only job in the state of Missouri.’ He can’t lay around on your couch forever being a whiny shit head. He’s had a rough couple of years, and now it’s time to pull his shit together.”

  Chris tipped the shot back in his mouth and felt the whiskey warm a path from his throat to his stomach. “Hopefully, that’s not the same pep-talk you gave him.”

  Charlie picked up his shot and offered cheers to the air. “Nah, I just dangled an apartment in front of him like a carrot. He gobbled it up.” He swallowed the shot and grimaced as he pulled the glass away from his lips.

  “An apartment. What the fuck?” Just when Chris thought things were under control, Charlie was always swooping in and mixing it all up. It was infuriating and exhausting.

  “Why do you insist on drinking this swill.” Charlie shuddered as he sat the glass down on the bar. “You didn’t really want him crashing at your place forever, did you?”

  “You talk like it’s some big imposition. Someone needs to watch out for him. I can’t do that if he’s holed up in an apartment across town.”

  “Maybe it’s not an imposition for you, but think of him. No thirty-three-year-old man wants to be shacking up with his little brother.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “He’ll manage the apartments until I can find someone else, and he gets free rent in return. I think he needs this. Especially if there’s any chance of him staying in Sweetbriar.”

  Chris cursed under his breath. He couldn’t really argue.

  “I promise I will check in on him weekly.
”

  Chris cocked his head and raised his eyebrows.

  “Daily. I’ll check in on him daily. You gotta let me help. You don’t have to take care of everything on your own. Stop trying to steal all the glory.” Charlie winked.

  Chris sat at the dining room table, a cold cup of coffee in front of him. He’d slept like shit last night. His bedsheets smelled of Tori, and his thoughts bounced back and forth between how much he wished she was beside him and how worried he was about Travis. His brain and his dick were so confused at the back and forth he’d finally gotten up and worked out. It hadn’t helped.

  A wince and a grunt from the living room were the only indication that Travis was awake. SportsCenter was on mute, and he stared ahead at the TV in a trance.

  “Coffee?” Chris asked.

  The covers were thrown off, and Travis made his way slowly to the fridge. It took everything Chris had to bite his tongue and tell his brother he’d sleep a hell of a lot better if he didn’t insist on sleeping on the couch.

  “Your pills are on the counter!” he called after Travis.

  Travis grabbed a beer and twisted the top off. “I don’t need the pills. I need you to stop banging around in the gym in the middle of the damn night.”

  Chris turned the coffee mug in his hands and wished he’d kept his mouth shut. Despite Travis’ speech at the hospital about getting his shit together, he’d been a complete ass ever since. Chris contemplated what to say without coming off like an overbearing father instead of a supportive brother.

  “Let me guess. You’re worried?” Travis asked, eyeing him over his beer.

  “Am I that damn predictable?” Chris stood and emptied his mug in the sink. It seemed everyone knew him better than he gave them credit for. They’d been calling his shit all week.

  Travis smiled and took a careful sip. “It’s either that, or you can’t sleep in your own damn bed without realizing what an ass you were for letting Tori leave.”

  “Thanks, man. I appreciate the early morning pep-talk.”

  A look of pain, or maybe regret, passed over Travis’ face.

  “It’s fine. I am a mess. Obviously.” He waved a hand in front of himself. Un-showered, unshaved, bags under his eyes, pissy mood — yeah, he needed to get his shit together, too.

  “If you’re worrying about me, don’t. I know what you did for me, and what Charlie is doing for me. I’ll do my best not to screw it up. It’s not a lot of fun being the loser White brother.”

  “We’ve all had our share of screw-ups.”

  “Yeah? Funny, I can’t remember any of yours. Unless you count letting Tori walk out.”

  “Why won’t you let it go? The plan was always for her to move back.”

  “Fuck the plan. If it’s what you wanted, you wouldn’t be sitting down here wallowing. Maybe I’m not the best person to give advice, but I know you, and I know how you feel about her. Not a lot of girls like her out there. Might want to consider deviating from the fucking plan.”

  “Alright, alright. Your advice is noted. Let’s get you moved out before you get up on your soapbox again.”

  Tori counted aloud as she did sit-ups in the living room. By sheer determination and the willpower to control one stupid thing in her life, she made it to fifty before stopping for a break.

  She lay back on the carpet and stared up at the ceiling. She should get up and get ready for work. Or go back to bed. She didn’t move. Call it masochistic or just laziness, but she didn’t have the energy for any of it. So far, nothing but repetitive exercise had made her feel any better — not food, not Claire, not even The Golden Girls. They’d never failed her before.

  She picked up her phone and thought about calling Chris for the hundredth time. She wanted to believe that nothing had changed, but then why did everything feel so broken and hopeless? Ugh. She was becoming a drama queen, and there was little she loathed more than a self-absorbed drama queen.

  After peeling herself off the floor, she tossed her phone on the couch and headed to the shower. She had one leg into the tub shower when her alarm system went off. She stilled, panic coursing through her veins, while she listened for any sound of the intruder.

  “Shit! Shit! How do I turn this off? TORI!”

  Tori wrapped a robe around herself and hurried out to the living room. She breathed a sigh of relief once she had eyes on a frazzled Claire pressing buttons on the alarm.

  “You scared me half to death,” Tori said over the alarm. “There,” she said more quietly after the alarm was silenced. “What are you doing here?”

  “Making sure you didn’t swallow a bottle of pills.”

  “Nice.”

  Claire walked through the tiny apartment, holding several bags. She dumped them onto the bed. “I’m kidding. Well, sort of. I was a little concerned. You look tired.” She rambled on as she picked through the heap of clothes now discarded all over the bed. “I need help picking a dress for Friday night.”

  Tori sat on the edge of the bed. All thoughts of a peaceful shower were shot to hell. “Ah, yes. Your big date with Reed.”

  “Yes.” Claire clapped. “I can’t decide.”

  “Where is he taking you?” Tori asked as she sifted through the pile.

  “He didn’t say.”

  “Okay. Not much to go on. Casual?” Tori pulled out a basic black dress and held it up.

  Claire’s eyes sparkled as she pulled out a red lace dress. “I was thinking something with a little more wow-factor.”

  Tori grabbed the garment and threw it back in the pile. “You know, I’m a little surprised you agreed to go out with Reed. You and Jake… Really no shot of that happening?” “She handed her friend a black, strapless dress she’d seen her wear out before.

  Claire held it up in front of her and turned to the mirror. “I’m sorry if it’s weird for everyone. I’m sure the whole thing will blow over soon, and things will go back to normal.”

  She eyed Claire carefully, wondering if she believed that. Tori wasn’t so sure that was true, or that Jake and Claire were really over for good.

  “Alright, I’m outta here. I’ll drop off the extra signs I made for the fundraiser Friday morning.”

  “It won’t be the same without you there.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. I’m really proud of you, though. You know that, right?”

  Tori nodded and wrapped her arms around Claire, hugging her tight. “Call me after the big date. I want to hear all about it.”

  She walked Claire to the door, closing it behind her friend then leaning her back against it. Things were changing. Their tight group would never be the same without Claire. She was the heart of the group, always pulling them all back together.

  Loosening the robe, she headed back for the shower only to get one foot inside the bathroom when a knock at the door boomed through her apartment.

  “You have impeccable timing, Claire!” she yelled as she walked to the door and swung it open.

  “You,” she gasped, her lips pulling into a big smile as she let her eyes wash over Chris’ large form standing on her doorstep.

  “Me.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Long story. Can I come in?”

  “Oh, right. Yes, come in,” Tori said, opening the door wide and watching in fascination as Chris marched into her apartment. The low ceilings and small space closed in around him.

  He looked around like he hadn’t been in her apartment before, which, considering he’d so carefully overseen the special updates, seemed unlikely.

  “I was helping Travis move and thought I’d stop in since I was in the neighborhood. The place looks good.”

  “Travis moved in where? Here?”

  Nodding, Chris sat on the couch. His long legs barely squeezed between the white fabric and the wooden coffee table in front of it. “Charlie got a wild hair to buy this place and put Travis as acting manager.”

  “Whoa,” she said, plopping down on the couch beside him.

  “
Yeah. Whoa.”

  Pulling her robe tight around her waist, she studied his face. His mouth was set in a straight line, and his forehead crinkled with worry lines. “I figured you’d be happier about getting him out from under your roof.”

  “I liked knowing where he was all the time. What if he runs off and gets into trouble again?”

  “You aren’t going to be able to stop that even if he’s living with you. Besides, I think it’ll be good for Travis to be on his own. Roommates at our age isn’t as cool as they were ten years ago.”

  “Was it that bad?” He nudged his shoulder against hers.

  “For me? No. But I was sleeping with my roommate. That makes it a little more tolerable.”

  “I miss you.” His face softened, and one side of his mouth turned up. “My bed isn’t the same without you hogging the covers.”

  Squeaking in protest, she punched him in the leg. “I did not.”

  “You did. I had to spoon you to keep from catching pneumonia.”

  “Likely excuse.” She wriggled closer to him, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Wanna have a slumber party tonight? You can even stay over at my place if you bring your own blanket. I’d hate for you to get cold.”

  “I’ll be here. And neither one of us is going to get cold tonight.”

  Tori skipped up the stairs to her office. She stopped at the top, gaping at the large plastic sheets draped from ceiling to floor and hiding her office.

  “What the heck? I thought you were doing minor repair work,” she said, catching Ryan as he walked out of his office. She marched forward and pulled at the covering to get a glimpse of the damage of her office. First, her apartment and now, her office? It seemed no place was safe from the chaos of her life.

  Ryan stepped in front of her and walked closer, causing her to step back. “Uh, don’t go in there. It’s not safe.”

  “What happened?”

  “It looks worse than it is. They just have it taped off because of all the dust. Safety hazard and such.”

  Panic coursing through her, she careened her neck around Ryan to get a better look. “Are they going to be done by Friday?”