Maverick laughs, “Um no, jackass, but I’d be feeling the same thing you’re feeling right now. I can tell you feel helpless. I’m just saying I get it and you have absolutely no reason to feel this way. I swear we’ll find him. Someway, somehow, we’ll find him. Plus, the most important part is you have me to help, and you aren’t alone,” he finishes with a smirk.
“God, I hope you’re right. I know it would ease Tori’s mind knowing he’s put away, even though I want to kill the bastard. I know she’s scared he’s done this to other girls. I need to do this for her, as much as for me. I feel like this is the best way I can help her.”
“Bro, are you dense? You love her and pursued her despite everything and that alone is huge. You sure can be so slow sometimes,” he says with a huff.
“Okay subject dropped. I’m taking your ill ass home and instead of calling, I’m going to stop by.”
Maverick throws his head back and laughs, “There’s the tenacious Will I know.”
“Asshole,” I mutter.
I drop Maverick off, thanking him for all of his help as well as putting me in my place, and drive straight to Tori’s. I feel anxious in my need to get to her as quickly as possible, trying my best to obey the speed limit ‘cause hell I’m no good to her if I’m stopped, or worse killed, on the way. I finally pull into her driveway, quickly jog up the steps and ring the doorbell.
Charlie answers and invites me in. “How is she?” I ask before I’m even completely in the house.
She whispers, “I wasn’t there but Shelby told me about it. It was rough, but she did it and she did a great job. She was really strong and handled herself rather well. She had a moment that she had to leave, but she went right back in. She’ll be glad you’re here. Come on, she’s in the living room.”
I follow Charlie further into the house; my need to see Tori and prove to myself she’s okay is overpowering everything I was feeling just twenty minutes earlier. She’s laying on the couch with the television on. Since she doesn’t hear me enter, I take a moment and take in everything that is Tori. Her magnificent hair is splayed across the sofa pillow and she has a blanket thrown over her. I walk over to her, “Hey baby.”
She turns and our eyes catch when she sees me. She smiles and starts to get up. “No, stay right there.” I sit down on the floor in front of the couch and she gives me her hand.
“What are you doing here?”
“I needed to know my girl was okay. I was worried about you.” I hold her hand and rub my thumb across her knuckles, loving the feeling of touching her.
Her eyes sparkle and she smiles a small smile, “I’m so glad you did. But I am fine. I did what I had to do, what needed to be done. What I should have done earlier.”
“No baby, you did it when you were ready and that’s what matters.” She doesn’t say anything, just stares at me.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispers.
“Yeah, me too.”
“What did you do tonight?”
Her question catches me off guard, it wasn’t one I was prepared for. “Oh, me and Maverick hung out and I just dropped him off.”
She accepts my answer without a second thought. I don’t like keeping this from her, but it’s something that I can’t tell her, not yet. All of sudden I feel like such an asshole for keeping things from her. From seeing her in that damn truck to this, I’m such a fucktard.
“Will you lay with me and hold me?” She looks away for a second before looking at me directly in the eye. “I need you to hold me. I need that closeness with you. Something that is pure and innocent from someone who loves me.” A single tear falls from her eye and without a second thought I reach forward and smooth it away.
“You don’t have to ask twice.” I crawl behind her, pulling her to me and wrapping my arms around her. She snuggles into my arms and it feels like home. She feels like home, this is where she is meant to be. Her hair tickles my nose but it’s nice and smells like strawberries. It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around that she’s mine. We lay there for several minutes before I hear her breathing even out and I realize she’s fallen asleep in my arms. Shelby walks in a few minutes later, smiling when she spots us.
“She finally fell asleep huh? I’m glad. She did good tonight, she really did.” She continues to tell me quietly how it all went and how strong my girl is, which I have never doubted for an instant. Shelby finishes and starts to walk out before stopping, turning around and telling me I can stay the night, if I want to. “I trust you Will and I’m grateful she has you in her life.”
“Thank you, that means a lot,” then I shake my head and say, “But no, I’m the grateful one,” I say with all the sincerity I can muster. She nods her head and walks out.
Holding her in my arms is indescribable. I look down at Tori and my heart swells for this brave beautiful girl in my arms and if it’s at all possible, I love her even more.
Chapter 31
I wake up and my first thought is I didn’t have a nightmare, but my second thought is I’m not in my bed, and someone’s strong and rather heavy arm is thrown around me, tucking me into his chest protectively. I sit up with a start as the thought fully forms in my head. My heart racing, I turn and see Will sleeping soundly. I watch him sleep as my heart begins to slow. Even in sleep he’s as handsome as ever. His perfect lips look so damn kissable and I can’t quit staring. A lock of his dirty blond hair is hanging over his eye and without thinking, my hand moves to sweep it away. It’s soft between my fingers and I linger longer than I really should, but I it feels nice. I notice a slight frown line between his eyes. I slide fingers to it attempt to lightly rub it away. After staring at him longer than I really should, and feeling like a complete dork, I decide to snuggle back into his arms. It was nice and safe before my mini freak-out. As I begin to lie back down, I hear, “I wondered when you were going to lie back down with me.” I jump a little, startled, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
“You ass! How long have you been awake?” I can’t stop the grin that creeps across my face.
“Since you first jumped up, which I realize you probably did because you didn’t expect me to still be here.” He frowns, “I’m sorry I scared you.”
“No, it’s my fault. It just surprised me.” I immediately remember he’s now seeing me first thing in the morning. I instantly begin to comb my fingers through my hair trying to smooth my bed head down.
“You look beautiful, Tori.”
I tilt my head to the side asking, “How did you know?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “It was written across your face. Your expression says you just registered that you just woke up, and now I am seeing you in all your morning glory. Personally, I love this look,” he says, eyes twinkling.
I lightly punch him on the arm.
“What was that for?”
“That was for pretending you were asleep the whole time, you faker.”
He chuckles, “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Embarrassed, I turn away.
“No, don’t look away, please?” He pleads and his face loses all traces of joking. I turn back at his serious tone. “I like that you like to look at me; touching my hair and here,” grabbing my fingers he guides them to the frown line I just tried to smooth away. “I love you touching me.”
I lean down, see his eyes widen at my nearness, and kiss him on the forehead. It’s a simple thing to someone else but Will understands it’s a big thing for me. I initiated it and that is huge for me. And by the look on his face, it is for him, as well.
“Good morning,” Charlie says walking in.
“Morning,” We both say, never taking our eyes off one another.
“What are y’all going to do tonight?”
Will sits up on the couch but grabs my hand while turning to Charlie, “Dinner at the diner tonight and then we’ll see after that.” He winks at me.
Yeah, he knows exactly what he’s got planned, I think to myself. I realize it doesn’t
scare me having Will not tell me the rest of our plans and being surprised. I trust him, especially having slept in his arms all night. I was home. I am home; with him.
He stands, kissing me on the forehead, “I’m going home to shower, and I’ll be back to pick you up about 5:00? Is that okay?”
“Yes, it sounds perfect.”
He smiles and kisses me again on the forehead, “Bye, baby, see you later.” He turns, winks at Charlie and says goodbye.
I know I’m smiling like a fool as I watch him leave, but it can’t be helped. He’s just perfect.
“Now I know how you feel watching Maverick and me.” Charlie says with a laugh.
I act innocent, “I don’t know what you mean?”
As if she didn’t hear me she says, “You weren’t kidding about the forehead kissing either. He’s got it bad for your forehead.”
I throw my head back and laugh. I laugh until there are tears in my eyes. Charlie joins with me and takes a pillow off of the couch throwing it at me. I deflect it and throw it back at her. This is how my mom finds us ten minutes later, in a full on pillow fight with her decorative pillows.
We don’t notice her right away but when we do, she stands with an enormous grin plastered on her face. “Now this—this I have missed. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you laugh like this.”
Hearing my mom’s words doesn’t make me sad, not this time. “It feels really good to laugh. I feel I’m finally taking a piece of myself back. I’m finally beginning to get the old me back.”
I spend most of the day helping around the house. I owe it to my mom to help; she’s let me skate by without helping for a while, and I know Charlie’s picked up a lot of my slack.
The day flies by and it’s getting closer to Will’s arrival time, and knowing him, he’ll be here early. I shower and get ready as quickly as I can deciding on a halter sundress that falls a little above my knees and a pair of stacked high espadrilles. My belly is doing flip-flops from sheer excitement, and maybe a touch of nervousness. I know it’ll be fine, I just need to get over being alone with a guy. But Will isn’t just any guy. He is so much more than a guy. He is my haven, my place of safety; when I’m with him I feel protected and loved.
When the doorbell rings, I hurry downstairs to be the one to answer the door. Standing before me—I swear to all that is holy—is my Will, looking fine as ever.
Did I just use the word fine?
“Tori, you look gorgeous, as always.” He takes all of me in and it’s definitely not creepy. Nope, not at all. He makes me feel gorgeous.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I flirt back. He has on a pair of cargos —Lord have mercy! He has nice legs—with a fitted tee that showcases his physique perfectly. The sight of him instantly sends me back to the vision of him, shirtless at the lake. Oh, yeah, he’s engrained on my brain.
Grinning, “Ready?” he asks. He knows damn well I was checking him out.
The embarrassment of being caught gawking doesn’t come, and I give myself a high-five. Tossing a quick goodbye to my mom, we head out to his truck. Ever the gentleman, he opens the door and lets me in before walking to his side, then grabs my hand before starting the truck. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Good,” he grins and tunes the radio to a local country station. A popular, upbeat song comes on the radio. As we drive along, he steals glances at me while quietly singing along to I Got You by Thompson Square, beaming the whole time.
I got you the missing piece that makes me feel. I got you the breath I breathe and there ain’t nothing else I need.
It’s sweet and romantic, and if I’m not mistaken he’s singing the song to me. He’s not the best singer but it doesn’t matter, the words say enough. When the song ends we chat for a few minutes before arriving at the diner. This isn’t just any diner. This place has the very best burgers and homemade french fries you’ve ever tasted.
We park, and after Will opens my door, we stroll inside, hand in hand. I love the feeling of his hand in mine and knowing everyone knows we’re together. As soon as we clear the doorway, I inwardly groan and whisper in Will’s ear, “Don’t look now but that bitch Ashley is here.”
“Too late,” he says. “It looks like she’s waiting for someone, because we both know she’d never be eating by herself.”
“Okay, you’re right. Please be right,” I nervously chuckle. The last thing I need is Ashley ruining my date with Will. She spots us and with a mischievous look in her eyes, she throws a small, smartass wave. Yes, waves can be smartass, trust me.
We’re led to our table and I’m relieved Ashley’s table is well behind us and my back is to her. Will immediately captures my hand as our waitress walks up. I’m not blind; her ogling is very obvious, but I don’t care.
Let her look like an idiot.
We place our orders and ease into conversation that’s nice, and simple. Simple in such a very good way: I can be me because I know it’s good enough for him.
Our food comes and I devour it like I haven’t eaten all day. I forget all about Ashley until I hear the most obnoxious, loud laughter that can only belong to her. Apparently, her date finally showed up, no way she’d be laughing like that by her lonesome. I attempt to ignore it, but damn, it’s like she’s trying too hard to be noticed.
Another laugh suddenly cuts through Ashley’s. It’s eerily familiar. Goose bumps rise across my entire body and the hair at the nape of my neck stands up. I notice my hands are shaking and that I’m breathing heavily. I’m frozen in fear. Something about that laugh reminds me of my nightmares. I faintly hear Will calling my name, but it doesn’t register. Even though he’s sitting right across from me I can’t see him. I’m rooted to the spot, unable to move. But I have to. I can’t sit here. I have to move, I have to get away. I force my body to stand up, cursing my feet to move the fuck on. I have to get out of here, I have to. I vaguely notice someone helping me out of the diner. I don’t fight it because I’m moving away from the laugh, not towards it. I’m guided to a truck, Will’s truck, and I’m helped inside. I start rocking back and forth, back and forth. My hands and palms are aching and itching and I claw at them, over and over.
Will’s voice finally breaks through the storm in my head, “Baby, what is it, what can I do?”
Miraculously I choke out, “Home.”
I only notice the forward movement of the truck, oblivious to anything and everything around me. Finally, the movement stops and I’m floating as Will’s strong arms carry me away. Distantly, a voice calls for Shelby and more voices are suddenly surrounding me. I don’t understand anything, it’s just noise. The floating stops and the strong arms cradle me, rocking me, soothing me. Calming sounds edge their way in and begin to overtake the laugh, but I still hear it. I hear the laugh. Briefly, awareness resumes as soft fingers wipe wetness from my face. And then, sleep overtakes me.
Chapter 32
For the second day in a row I wake up in Will’s arms, but this time I’m not smiling. No, this time I wake with fear, not from being in Will’s arms, but from the laugh. I know that laugh and it is one I hoped to never hear again. The owner of that laugh took something from me. When I begin to move, Will’s eyes flutter open.
“Tori, are you okay? I was so worried and I didn’t know what to do.”
I’m horrified our date was ruined, but I won’t blame this on me, not this time. The person that owns that laugh ruined it. “I’m sorry about last night.”
He begins to shush me, “Shush, baby they’re will be others.”
He’s always so understanding and my stomach clenches at what I need to say to him, to all of them. Just when I’m finally getting myself put back together, I feel the pieces begin to unravel once again. I take note that my mom is asleep in the recliner and that Charlie is on the floor on a handmade pallet. I’m not alone and I can do this. Everyone I love is in this room.
“I have… I have to tell you something.”
He looks at me
with compassion and understanding and just nods his head, “Okay.”
“Tori?” I hear my mom say.
As she gets up and heads toward me, I shift to give her room to sit beside me. “Tori, honey I was so worried. What happened? Whatever it is we can face it together, I swear.”
“I know mom.”
There is rustling on the floor and Charlie sits up, seeing the rest of us are awake.
Now is the time to fill them in on what happened at the diner. Taking a deep breath and doing my best to contain my nerves, I begin. “Last night at dinner I heard a laugh, one I will never ever forget. It was the same laugh as…” I don’t have to finish because they know. I can see when the realization hits their faces. I also see the anger immediately cross Will’s face.
Before Will can say anything my mom beats him to the punch. “You mean to tell me your rapist was at the same place as you were?”
I nod my head, “I didn’t see him, I only heard him.”
“Oh honey,” my mom begins, “We have to find him. I need to call Detective Harrison.”
“I know mom.”
“I’ll be right back,” she says as she rushes off to make the call and Charlie trails after her giving Will and I a moment.
“I’m sorry about ruining our date last night.” I feel awful and hang my head in dismay. I was so looking forward to it.
“Hey, look at me. You didn’t ruin anything, that piece of shit garbage did.”
Clinging to hope, I ask the question that’s weighing heavily on my mind. “Did you see his face?”
Shaking his head he says, “I didn’t, my eyes were on you the whole time, but I noticed someone sitting with Ashley.”
That’s right. I remember hearing her laugh and then…
I shiver without realizing it.
“Are you cold?” Will scoots over and tucks me into his side with his arm thrown around me.
I snuggle into him and whisper, “Cold? No, just remembering,”
My mom marches into the room with a pissed-as-hell look on her face, still gripping the phone and Charlie following on her heels. “So, here’s the bad news. They can’t do a damn thing because there’s still no evidence.” Mocking the detective’s explanation, she ‘air quotes’, “A laugh doesn’t constitute evidence.” “I know, even though you only heard his laugh and didn’t see his face, that you are one hundred percent sure it was him. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have reacted the way you did last night.” Frustrated, she throws herself into the recliner.
Heartstrings Page 13
