“Actually, I don't have one ...” Wyatt responded.
Avery raised his brow and gave him a once-over studying his body language. “Is that right?” Avery tittered. As he tried to be the bigger man here.
Wyatt chooses not to stoop to his level. Much as he wanted to punch that smug smirk off his face. Wyatt scoffs, shaking his head. “How do you do it, everyday man? Be nothing but a resident douchebag. You like to screw people every opportunity you get. How do you sleep at night?”
Avery leans up as they were standing face to face. A simper appeared on his lips. “Quite well, thank you,” Avery said.
Wyatt scoffs, rolling his eyes. Why does he even bother with him? He'll never understand how his mind works.
“See, the way I understand it, this town is full of secrets. You can use it to your advantage or miss a golden opportunity to expose their weakness. I take matters into my own destiny. Unlike most of these pitiful saps, I'm not in it to make friends. In the end, it's what you do with the information. That'll make you a better judge of character. It's like this, would you rather be in your brother's shadow forever?” Avery walked away, letting him ponder his thoughts.
Travis, who was lurking over for the past few minutes was watching them. Having jittery thoughts. He will not lose his baby brother to that hoodlum. Waiting for him to leave within earshot, he walked over, checking on Wyatt. “Dare I ask what the hell that was all about? Wondering if he made any kind of deal with the devil so to speak.
Wyatt shook his head. Why was he concerned about even being in the loop of this conversation? “Just talking man, no big deal.”
To his knowledge. Travis wasn't too sure. He stopped his brother from leaving and wrenched his arm around. Wyatt had a dour look on his face. “Wrong, it is a big deal. Stay the hell away from him. If I find out you—”
Wyatt felt the grip tighten as he tried to wiggle free. Travis and Wyatt may not see eye to eye on a lot of things. The two things they have in common, their love for the girls and football. Honestly, they never had any bonding moments. Not yet at least outside of the football team.
“You aren't the boss of me Travis. Get the hell off me.” Wyatt shoves him away.
Travis sighs, drinking a huge gulp. This was going to be a long night ... And here I thought I wasn't going to have anything to worry about? He snorts walking away.
Chapter 30
Kandace, who arrived home as fast as she could, still enraged by what Kelli did to their brother. Katrina was out on a date with a secret boyfriend the kids don't know about yet. “Kas?! You here!” She yelled all over hoping she didn't miss him yet. She didn't hear a response; she was about to text him when someone called her.
“Kandy?” A familiar voice asked, coming downstairs. As a bewildered Kasper assumed she was at Travis's tonight for the party.
Kandace hugged him as she breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank god you're okay,” she said as he released the hold shortly afterward.
“What are you doing here? Thought you were getting ready for the party?” He tried stopping Torrie from going but failed every time.
“Kelli told me what she did.” She blurted out, which left Kasper puzzled, to say the least.
“R-really?” Kasper felt like he got suckered punch once again.
“Kas, I am so sorry you went through, whatever nightmare Kelli put you into.” It's a habit she needs to break. Sometimes she wishes she didn't have to worry about what other people thought.
Kasper knew Kandace had always been the compassionate one. He loved that about her. At the same time, he wished she ignored what everybody thinks. He had a long time ago. “Kandy, you don't need to apologize. This is her doing. But, I should have realized she would stoop this low. I mean, we both know how evil she is. What lengths she would go to get her way.”
Kandace, who hated to agree with her brother, when she thought Kelli couldn't be any more loathsome. Kandace ponders a thought. “Are you still going to her party?”
His eyes narrowed the floor. The truth was he was still debating on this himself. He's been trying to get a hold of Torrie, but she hasn't returned any of his texts yet. “Can I get back to you on that?” The only response he could give her at the moment.
“I don't blame you for deciding. I mean, Avery showed up before I left.”
Kasper scoffs with the information Kandace told him. He was still furious with her actions. Damn it, Kelli, what the hell are you trying to do? He thought to himself. “Are you serious?” He asked as she shook her head, yes.
“Travis wasn't thrilled about his visit either. I also think she has some evil scheme in store for Torrie tonight. She was all pretty hush-hush this past week when Torrie said she'll be there. She beamed with excitement.”
He groans with fret texting Torrie again, not receiving yet another call or response. He started to get suspicious of her whereabouts. Where the hell are you Angel? Hoping Kelli didn't succeed in this idiotic plan of hers. “Are you going to be okay here?” Kasper asked standing up.
She nods watching him in a frantic concern for Torrie's well-being. Kandace stopped him for a second by the arm. “Kas, whatever you're going to do, be careful okay?” Kandace was unsure what Kelli's true intentions were for tonight. But, after learning she's capable of anything, everyone needs to keep their game face on. Plus, with most of his fellow peers drinking tonight, it may not be safe to walk by herself.
He nods and digs his phone out to call Ethan along the way there. “Hey, it's me, we have a problem.” Closing the door behind him.
Kandace sighs debating on what to do next.
《***》
Kasper arrived at Ethan to find him outside of his home.
“You sure this is a good idea?”
Kasper didn't have time to answer his question. To him, all he cared about was finding her safe. “No, but Torrie isn't returning my calls, Kandace said she might be going to the party soon. Oh, guess who else showed up?”
Ethan stares at him trying to read his face. He got it in five minutes. “Please for the love of God, don't tell me ...” Ethan assumed Avery wasn't a party person, hell he isn't even a people person.
“Yep,” Kasper said in one irritating word.
An exhausted sigh came out of Ethan's mouth. How many more rounds? They knew there was going to be another battle coming soon. Ethan was curious about something. “Ryder and Christian?”
Kasper shrugged. All he cared about was ending this war with Avery one way. Tonight, it will end. Whether he ends it himself or dies trying. Kasper noticed Ethan's blanched face. He was willing to fight solo if he couldn't go through with it. “You ready?”
Ethan shook his head, his conscience made him feel guilty, for what he said about Eileen in front of Michael. Ethan knew what he needed to do. They didn't want him to be involved in this mess anymore. He deserved a break. “But, we made a deal to fight until the end, right?”
Kasper rolled his eyes with a snort, knowing how cheesy that was without saying a word. He wished he had better friends sometimes.
Ethan watched him for a minute before following him. Knowing what he was thinking. “What? Come on, man, It wasn't that cheesy!” Ethan yelled trying to catch up.
“Yes, it was,” Kasper shouted as Ethan laughs, jogging up next to him.
《***》
Finally, arriving at the party was Torrie, who has been wondering why Kasper has been texting her. “Will you two slow-pokes come on, the party had already started,” Torrie told them.
Eileen who was second-guessing her plan and started to get nervous. She stopped in front of the beach condo. “I—I uh, don't know about this ...” Eileen doubted herself as a fidgety Caden was trailing behind.
“Y—yeah what she said.”
Torrie can tell he doesn't want to be here any more than she does. She rang the doorbell anyway. It was too late to back away now. “Oops ...”
Seconds later Travis opened the door. His eyes
half intoxicated and beaming with delight. “Well ... look who decided to join our humble abode?” Travis said, half-drunk as he sways back and forth.
Torrie found it rather amusing. Knowing the golden quarterback can't hold his liquor. “Keep an eye on him,” Torrie told Eileen who nodded.
Eileen trailed Caden behind leaving Torrie to keep an eye on … well ... him.
“Aww Rubey, I didn't know you cared about me.”
Oh, trust me I don't. She muttered as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder as she nearly lost her own balance due to his body weight. The alcohol on his breath was starting to get to her. “Oof come on big boy sit down.” She guided a wasted Travis towards the couch, patting him on the shoulder. She noticed how crowded it was beginning to get inside.
《***》
To her surprise she spotted Avery of all people lurking, he was one of the fewer people left sober. She walked over to make small talk. “Who the hell invited you?”
He grins hearing her voice. “Nice to see you too toots.”
Torrie rolled her eyes, letting him continue.
“If you must know, it's the woman of honor herself, Kelli. She paid me to protect her from your temper-tantrum boyfriend.”
Torrie tried to figure out what's going on without asking. Torrie raised her brow forgetting for a second. “My boyfriend? Who?” Torrie facepalmed herself minutes later. “Oh, right, my brothers with you?” Torrie knew if he's here they aren't far behind.
Avery shook his head. “Nope, been all by my lonesome since I arrived.”
Torrie snorts as she spotted Kelli talking to someone who looked very familiar to her.
《***》
No way that can't be who I think it is … She moved into the crowded room. Bumping and squeezing past the drunken idiots. She lost sight of Kelli and the mystery woman as well.
“Torrie?” Someone called her name.
Torrie gawked at her best friend. It might've been a few years since their last encounter. She still looked the same. More tanned and less gothic. “Marlowe?” They embrace for a hug.
Marlowe was happy to be home. Torrie's eyes never left her gaze. Marlowe blushed to feel her eyes staring at hers. That first kiss never left her mind.
“I thought you were in California?”
Marlowe nodded. Marlowe knew she had to explain her rare appearance here. All she wanted was to make up for lost time with her bestie. “Yeah, I am Kelli offered to pay a round trip. She said you were missing me?”
Torrie raised her brow. A huge grin appeared on Kelli's face across the hall. Torrie caught her from the corner of her eye. She did huh? Thinking to herself. Starting to doubt her true intentions. I mean, this is Kelli after all.
“Well if I may,” Kelli interject breaking up the happy reunion.
Torrie noticed she was buzzed like Travis was.
《***》
Kelli stumbles over spilling her booze in her hand. Marlowe holds her laughter in.
“I tried to figure out whatever this little connection between you two.”
Torrie rolls her eyes. Folding her arms across her chest. Glancing at Marlowe for a brief second. She shrugs her shoulders unsure herself what's going on.
“Connection?” Torrie repeated her statement.
“On why you suddenly left, it had something to do with Torrie. What else could've made you disappear?”
Why was Torrie even surprised about this invitation to the party? A sham just to what—Humiliate her?—To show Kasper she wasn't capable of being in a relationship? Turning her head to meet Marlowe's vision. “You do not need to explain anything to her. Look at her Marlowe! She's wasted, to begin with. All this is—is nonsense.” Torrie reminded Marlowe who Kelli was.
An unsteady Kelli titters. “I am not drunk!” Kelli yelled in a demanding tone.
Marlowe knew all this was a setup. Part of her hoped Torrie missed her. Typical same old Kelli. Nothing was ever going to change. “It's not like she'll remember this tomorrow,” Marlowe said in a light whisper pleading with her.
“Are you sure? You don't ...” Torrie knew she didn't have to reveal her secret.
Marlowe was okay with herself either way. Whether it came out or not. She was glad Torrie will always put her feelings first. That's the one thing she admires about her. “Everyone's going to find out, right? What better way to come out with my former peers?” Marlowe shook her nerves away by taking a deep breath. “Okay, Kelli you want to know so bad?”
Kelli nods leaning in as Marlowe whispers. Torrie spotted a grin across her face from across the room.
“Really? Very interesting.” Kelli walked away satisfied. “Move out of my way!” Shoving people left and right.
《***》
Torrie laughs, turning her attention back to Marlowe, who came back. “What did you tell her?”
Marlowe smirks, clutching her cup. “The truth, that I kissed a girl and got caught,”
Torrie smirks, finding that hard to believe.
Marlowe knew Torrie could always read people. She could never lie to her. “No, I told her I got in trouble for shoplifting, and, my mom got a job transfer. I have missed you though Torrie. California isn't the same without you.” Marlowe brushed some hair behind Torrie’s ear.
“Really? The sun, the beaches … it's that boring, huh?”
Marlowe chuckles and realized how close they were. She noticed Torrie didn't back away. “Well, it does have its perks. But, it lacks personality.” She had to know. Marlowe needed to end this flirting once and for all. That's the main reason she took Kelli up on her offer. It was nor or never, Marlowe leaned in to kiss her.
Torrie was dumbfounded, to say the least. That kiss brought the two back to the night at the park. But, it had a different feeling to her this time around.
Their time was brief as footsteps approached the two. The fellow couldn't believe his eyes. He wasn't going to admit it turned him on. This was not the time to get worked up. “So, this is why you have been ignoring my calls?”
A disturbance interrupted making Torrie jump back. She recognized that voice in an instant.
Kelli giggles as she lurked on from afar. “I couldn't have planned it any better.” A hammered Kelli said all giddy.
“Kas?” Was all Torrie could manage to blurt out. Her eyes were dancing back and forth looking nervous at both of them.
Marlowe gulped down her drink swallowing hard. Wondering if she crossed the line right here? Giving Kasper a glance over. He's not that bad looking. She thought and knew Torrie always had great taste.
Chapter 31
With Kasper fighting his way through the crowd. His mind wandered back to Torrie kissing another person. That person wasn't a man … but, a woman? Part of him found it hot as hell, but he was questioning his feelings. Why the hell am I bothered by this? He asked himself. Yeah, they had their fun flirting games the past few months. Was he starting to have feelings for her? He shook his head. He needed a distraction. The reason why he came here in the first place was not about his love life. It was to settle things with Avery once and for all. “I can't deal with this now.” Kasper took his focus off Torrie. His mind went one way, but his heart went another.
“Kasper!” Squealed Kelli who walked up to him tipsy from the reek of booze.
He smelled it on her. With Kandace not here, and Travis passed out somewhere. Nobody with a level head was running this party. Or if you can even call it a party anymore. “Kelli, don't you think you had enough?” As she was drinking in front of him.
He snatched her booze away.
“Hey!” Stumbling to even stand up straight. “You're pissed at me because you found out what I did.”
He glares at her still furious about that. Kelli tried to compose herself.
“Why do you assume I'm pissed at you?” Despite the fact that Kasper was at this moment.
“Y-you think ... that I hate Torrie since she stole you from me. I don't even know
why I did it in the first place … that, and the Avery thing.”
Kasper drank the rest of his sister's booze. He can't handle three things at once. That drink helped calm his own nerves though. “You know what Kelli, go sleep it off before I say something I'll regret.”
Kelli rolled her eyes as she bumped into people wanting to be alone. She found one of the bedrooms in the hallway and closed the door behind her.
True Love:Follow Your Heart Page 25
