“Best be on your way so you aren't late. It’s not like you could handle two anyway, Scott.” Tori’s brow arched.
“We’ll see about that.” Scott stripped off his jacket. There was no chance in hell he’d pass this up.
The band at Gypsy Sally’s drew a larger crowd than he anticipated, and that concerned him. Normally, he liked this place. It wasn’t too high-key on a weeknight, so he figured it would be good for Tori, but as they weaved their way through the sea of sweaty bodies, he began to wonder if he made the wrong call.
Thankfully, he was able to snag one vacated table. “What do you want?” Scott grabbed the menu and started perusing it.
Tori let out a breath and fiddled with her necklace. It was the one he’d sent her months ago. “Just a beer and some sliders if they’re still on the menu.” She released her hold on the charm and rested her chin lazily in her hand.
Scott grinned. “I take it you liked the present.” He reached over and ran his fingers along the raised dots.
“It’s lovely.” She ruffled her hair and adjusted her sunglasses that made it nearly impossible to read her expression. Why wear them tonight and not last night? It was almost like she was trying to shield herself this evening.
He’d considered telling her he was leaving the field but still felt it was too soon to fire that shot. Slow and steady wins the race.
“I’ll be heading out tomorrow morning,” he told Tori in between swigs of his beer. “You up for another night with me?”
“Of course.” She smiled wryly, her mouth twitching in the corner. He couldn’t tell if she was upset at the prospect of him leaving or having him around longer than just one night.
The band came out on stage. Scott reached over and put his hand on her leg, “It’s about to start.”
After the first set finished, she leaned into him and placed her hand on Scotts shoulder. “I have to use the restroom.”
“Ok.” He rose to take her, but she motioned for him to stay there.
“I’ve got it. You save our seats, or we’ll lose them.” She had a point. If he got up with her, they’d forfeit their spot.
Scott looked over the room, the sea of people, the tables so close together… “You’re out of your mind.” He scowled.
She frowned right back at him. “I’m not a toddler, Scott. I can do this.”
He responded with a snort. “Fine, go ahead and trip and fall, get lost, see if I care.” What a stubborn bitch she is at times.
“If I get stuck, I’ll swallow my damn pride and ask for help. It’s not like I haven’t navigated this bar a thousand times nearly blind from liquor. Just save our seats, ok?”
She snatched her cane off the table and flicked it open, stood, and headed to the bathroom before he had a chance to protest any further. Scott noticed people at the next table looking and whispering. His dark eyes glared right back at them, almost daring them. Why do people think it’s acceptable to gawk? When they met his hardened gaze, they quickly darted their eyes.
Scott watched her as she weaved her way in and out of the of tables and down the steps. He cringed as some dude stood, and his chair toppled behind his drunk ass. Fuck. He prayed she didn’t trip over it and do a face-plant right on the floor of the bar. Thankfully, her cane caught it, and she gracefully maneuvered slightly to the left around it, sticking to the landing below as her guide. It was like the parting of the Red Sea as she walked through the crowd, and those that didn’t move, her cane would hit, they’d shuffle out of her way, and she’d press on.
Jesus, it made him sweat watching her navigate across a small bar. How the hell did she ever manage in the city?
She turned around once she got to the entrance of the coat room that led to the restrooms, turned in Scott’s direction, and gave him a triumphant bow, followed by the finger and a grin. He doubled over laughing at her adorableness, and his heart warmed. Same old Tori.
He watched her disappear behind the wall, and the waitress came over. “Did you lose your date, sexy?” She leaned over and collected the empty bottles, deliberately sticking her tits in his face. “Anything else for you tonight? A beer, some shots, maybe a cute brunette to take home with you?” she rubbed his back.
Scott grinned at her. She had tits large enough that the black T-shirt she was wearing did nothing to conceal them. Her long dark hair was pulled into two ponytails, making her look mischievous. He was accustomed to getting hit on constantly, and usually, he took full advantage of it. He only had his sights set on one woman tonight. “She went to the restroom; we’ll have one more round, please, and then you can close the tab.” Scott scanned the bar for Tori.
Tori made it through her peeing nightmare and emerged from the ladies’ room. Just get through the coat room, stick to the outside edge, and make her way back up the stairs and through the tables again. No big deal.
Except the musicians had come back on the stage, and the old wood floor vibrated from the bass, drowning out any audio feedback. Her ears were useless. On top of that, the beers had kicked in, buzzing her brain. Too many months of forced sobriety, and she’d become a lightweight. She turned the corner too fast, dizzied, and lost her balance, bumping into someone.
“Hey, bitch. Watch it!” a drunken voice spilled in her direction.
Her cheeks grew hot. “I’m sorry, asshole, but I can’t see you. Maybe the long, white fucking cane and dark glasses could’ve clued you in,” Tori bit back.
Gotta love that liquid courage. It made her navigate a bar blindly and let go of the filter on her damn mouth. Scott was right—she was out of her mind.
“Awww, shit man!” a second male voice piped in. “She’s blind. Check it out!” Air hit her face from the wave of a hand. Two young college boys, she determined, sizing the situation up. He continued to spew out his slurs. “But damn, she’s fucking hot as hell.”
Her heart started pounding in her ears, rivaling the blaring music. On top of being cornered by two men, she was turned around and not sure what direction to head. No, not here, not now.
She listened. Music is louder to my left, just go left.
She lifted her chin and feigned confidence, even though her body was breaking out in a sweat of panic. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way now.” She tried to weave past them, but she was met by the boy’s chest.
“Dude,” the first man chimed back in and then hiccupped. “I’m sorry, but you don’t have to be a raving bitch because you’re blind.” A hand touched her face, pulling off her sunglasses. She recoiled as the odor of beer and marijuana rolled off his hot breath as he pushed her against the doorway, invading her space even further. “Damn, girl. You’re fine, even with that scar. Let me make it up to you.” He ran his finger down her cheek. Tori wanted to shove her cane up his ass.
Tori swatted his hand away, causing her glasses fall to the ground with a crack.
Drunken frat boys were the worst. She had no patience for them in college and even less tolerance now. She turned to head back to the table, cursing herself for being so damn overconfident. A firm grip clutched her bicep, pulling her backwards. “Hey, I was trying to apologize to you. You don’t have to be a cunt.”
Scott had to be watching this all go down, and she could guarantee he was crossing the bar at that very moment. “Let me know how the floor tastes.” Tori grinned smugly.
She barely got the words out before a strong hand was on her chest, gently but firmly pushing her out of harm’s way. The smell of his cologne hit her nostrils. Scott.
Scott didn’t say a word, but she heard a gurgle that she only could assume was Scott’s hand on her aggressor’s throat, followed by a thud as his body hit the floor.
“You need to pick up your friend when he catches his breath,” Scott’s voice boomed behind the music.
“Y-ye-yes sir…” the second male’s voice shook.
Scott slung his arm around Tori. “I turn my back on you for five seconds, and you get yourself into a bar fight.” He pulled her in clos
e, grabbed the back of her neck, and kissed her forehead. “You crazy woman. Let’s get out of here before the cops show up and you get my ass thrown in jail.”
“Where to?” the driver asked as they climbed in the cab.
“Someplace quiet,” Tori whispered to Scott. Tori was done with bar crowds for the evening. Maybe forever.
Scott directed the driver to the National Mall. She didn’t say a word during the cab ride, and he let her be. She clung to Scott’s arm as they got out and began their stroll. Finally, after some time, she spoke.
“We’re by the Washington Monument, right?” The flags flapped overhead in the breeze.
“Yeah, we are,” Scott said, impressed.
This was one of Tori’s most favorite places in the city at night. She breathed in the fresh air and let her mind’s eye remember the magnificence of how the light of stone contrasted against the navy sky. She held tight to that memory.
“Sorry to be the damsel in distress tonight,” she joked. “How cliché is that?” She shook her head. She was still clinging tighter to his arm than she needed to. She loosened the death grip on his bicep, keeping her cane close to her side as they strolled. “I was about to punch the guy myself before you beat me to it.”
Scott laughed loudly. “I know you could handle it, but it was much more fun for me to. You can’t deprive me the privilege of choking a guy out.”
She curled her nose. “Yeah, I would’ve missed his face by a mile…but it would’ve been fun to try. I put up a good fight.”
“Yeah, I know. I remember Amsterdam.” He chuckled and ran his finger over the scar on her right bicep.
“That was one crazy trip.” Her mouth quirked up, and she went back to her silence. God, she’d missed him. Her throat constricted, and her eyes filled with moisture. She blinked and turned her head away from him. You’ve been lonely and been through a life-changing event. Stop overanalyzing.
She swallowed hard. “Nice night,” she remarked on the weather for lack of anything else to say.
“Yeah, there’s a full moon out this evening. It’s bouncing off the reflecting pool, letting off this amazing ambient light.”
She tilted her head down and smiled. “Sounds beautiful.”
Living in DC, people could easily take for granted the beauty of the city, the architecture, and its history. Tori never grew tired of it. Her heart ached. She missed it so much.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
“No, it’s fine. The grief is fading slowly.” She shook her head, upset at herself for making him feel bad. “I want people to describe things for me. I think what scares me the most is forgetting and the memories disappearing…”
Scott grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in fiercely, catching her off guard. He planted his lips to hers, giving her a kiss so deep that her knees went weak. “I promise I won’t let you forget.” Scott squeezed her tightly, burying his head into her hair. “I won’t ever let you fade into darkness. I swear it, Tori.” The heated words poured off his tongue, the flames threatening to engulf her as his warm promise seared to her fragile heart. His hands cupped her cheeks, and she knew his fiery gaze was boring into her.
Losing him could ruin her, but how can you lose something you don’t really have? Tori cleared her throat, trying to find words to say—anything to regain some sense of control—but she came up empty. He still hadn’t let go of his embrace on her.
What are we doing here?
“Scott…” Maybe it was time to ask the where-is-this-going question she never asked. Her heart raced at a rabbit’s pace in her chest, so heavy she could hear the rhythm of it. Thump, thump, thump.
Before she could get the words out, Scott yanked her by the waist, and she was off her feet, being lifted through the air. She sucked in a breath as someone behind her stumbled to the pavement and yelled out in agony. Scott planted Tori firmly on the ground. “You ok?”
“What the hell?” Tori squeaked.
“Teenagers. Skateboards.”
Tori let out a heavy breath. So that was the thumping. Not her heart. She stifled a chuckle at her own stupidity.
“Dude, you about ran over a blind lady,” one of the kids chimed.
“Holy crap, lady. I’m sorry,” the second boy said.
“You ok. kid?” Scott left her for a moment to help the kid up.
“Yea, I’m fine. I’m really sorry.” The young boy sounded like he felt terrible.
“No harm done.” Tori waived her hand as the kids skated off. Well, there went that moment. “So that was fun. Twice, you’ve had to save my ass tonight. So much for me not looking totally and completely inept.” She frowned.
“I think you need to be wildly fucked, and you’ll feel much better.” He chuckled and planted a kiss on her forehead.
And just like that, all the emotional tension was gone. “I think you’re right. I haven’t been fucked nearly enough this past year. So, I expect a couple good fuckings before you take off tomorrow. Deal?” She patted his chest.
“Oh, you better believe it.” He gave her ass a firm squeeze.
Their footsteps echoed along the pavement, and the warm summer, evening breeze tickled her skin. “They want me to come back to work. It’s ridiculous if you ask me. My director’s been calling me for the past month, since I got home. I’ve been avoiding her. I know she’s only doing it out of kindness. I dunno… Maybe they think it’ll look good for their PR to employ someone who’s blind. It will show how culturally diverse they are,” she said half joking.
“Oh, stop. You have plenty to offer.”
“Maybe…” She wasn’t so sure. “They should’ve fired my ass after all the bad press I gave them.” She chuckled awkwardly. “I don’t know if I can show my face there again.”
They offered her a job in Baltimore at the rehab center, teaching sculpting and other crafts to the students, but there was no way she’d leave DC. The idea of getting back into art was scary. It couldn’t possibly give her the same satisfaction it used to. “I don’t know what to do next. Like, where do I go from here?” All her newfound freedom did was make her realize how trapped she truly was. “I’m getting used to this, as much as I guess someone ever can. Grasping a new reality isn’t easy. You know.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I suppose I do.”
“It didn’t help that you were a stubborn mule.” She curled her nose.
“Says the girl who just got in a bar fight by refusing help. Hello pot, I’m kettle. Nice to meet you.” He laughed loudly.
She jabbed him in the side. The man had a point, though.
“It’s a balance to learn when to swallow your pride and ask for help, or when to tell others to back off. I struggled with that balance after I lost my leg. I owe you a lot for getting me through that time in my life.”
“You owe me nothing.”
“I get it. You don’t know where you fit right now. What you don’t realize is that you pushed me back into the game. If you can do that for me, you can do it for yourself.”
They strolled along, a quiet ambience looming in the night breeze. Water splashed in the fountains as they passed the World War II memorial.
“I loved this one, especially at night with the lighting.”
“Ok, how’d you know this and the monument?” he asked.
“My ears still work, dork. Flags waving, water trickling, sounds people don’t normally pay attention to because they’re too busy looking.”
“Except for skateboarders, apparently…”
Tori elbowed him in the side. “Asshole.”
“It’s a beautiful memorial.” He stopped and sucked in a breath. “Did they have the shrinks come in your room afterward?” he asked with an edge to his tone then started walking again.
“I had to go to group therapy every week,” Tori groaned. “It. Was. Awful.”
To say she was a bit closed off was an understatement. Her way of dealing with things was not dealing with things. They tried to dig at that
in therapy, and her strained relationship with her mother, but she kept that coffin nailed shut.
“This has been a bitter pill to swallow, but therapy isn’t going to bring my sight back. My old life is gone. The best I can do is try and rebuild.”
“So, since you’re being candid right now…” Scott faltered for a moment. “Are you ever going to give me full disclosure on the Nathaniel situation?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Tori brushed it off. God, he’s as bad as all the reporters poking his damn nose into my business.
He patted her butt.
“What the hell are you doing, you crazy man?” She giggled.
“Putting out the fire in your pants, you little liar,” he teased. “Come on. What was the deal with you two? You and a congressman… So unlike you, the bohemian artist that doesn’t give a shit about politics.”
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do.” Tori lifted her chin, knowing that was an absolute lie. Scott knew her better than anyone else. “Why do you care so much?” It’s not like he hadn’t slept with half the women across the globe.
Scott let out a big, displeased huff. “Because it’s weird. You and Donaghue make no sense whatsoever.”
Exactly. Because I wanted to see if I could, and it was the biggest damn mistake of my life. And she sure as hell didn’t want to talk about it.
They walked in silence for some time, crossing the street to the FDR memorial, and Scott regaled her with all his historical knowledge. “Did you know the FDR memorial was set up like a park but divided into four stages, each stage representing FDR’s time in office?” They’d reached the point where they were weaving in and out of the large pillars engraved with bronze in the middle of the memorial.
“You could become a tour guide. You’re a wealth of knowledge, Scott Harris,” Tori feigned enthusiasm.
“Ass.” He laughed. “You know there’s braille on that wall.” Scott nudged her.
Chasing Fire: (Fire and Fury Book One) Page 19
