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?”

“Yes, Chris has assured me it will be done by then.” Ryan placed both hands on her shoulders. “Relax, I won’t let this screw up your big night.”

Only slightly comforted by Ryan’s assurance, she let him guide her to his office and sat down in the chair in front of his desk. “It’s not my big night. It’s Autumn’s big night.”

Ryan nodded. “You did a good thing putting this all together. I’m proud of you.”

“You’re the second person to say that to me today. Is this what it feels like to be the golden child? God, no wonder you’re so impossible. If anyone else tells me what a good thing I’ve done, my ego isn’t going to fit through the door.”

She smiled at him across the wooden desk, and Ryan chuckled softly, nodding. “Enjoy it. I’m sure you’ll do something to knock yourself off the pedestal, and I’ll be right back on top as the better Calloway in no time.”

Tori rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You can have the title back. I don’t like all the pressure. Speaking of pressure...” She grinned and leaned toward the desk. “…when are you going to take Elle off the market?”

“She is off the market,” he practically growled.

Tori bit back a laugh. “You know what I mean. Is she the one? Do I finally get the big sister I always wanted?”

Ryan raised his eyebrows but smiled as he responded. “You would have hated having an older sister.”

“Probably true, but Elle is fantastic. So, when are you going to pop the question?”

“It’s only been a couple months. Don’t you think she’ll freak if I ask her to marry me less than six months after meeting her?”

Shrugging, Tori admitted to herself she had no idea whether most women would consider a proposal so soon to be rushed. “I don’t know. You are planning on proposing though, right?”

Ryan opened his desk drawer and slid a red box across the table. After prying it open, she gasped as she saw the round-cut diamond ring sitting inside. “Oh, my gosh, Ry. It’s perfect. When did you buy this?”

“A while ago. I’ve been holding on to it, waiting for the perfect time.”

“What’s wrong with right now? Seriously, go, right now.” She pointed to the door, waiting for Ryan to pick up the damn box and storm out.”

“I can’t just ask her. It has to be perfect.”

Shaking her head, Tori handed the ring back. “With the choice between having that big rock on her finger now or waiting for some contrived perfect scenario, I’m pretty sure Elle would choose option one.”

Ryan frowned as though he wasn’t convinced. “Ya think?

“I know,” she said, standing and leaving her brother with a twenty-thousand-dollar decision in his hands.

 

 

“You definitely need a bigger bed. My feet hang off the end.”

Eyeing his feet dangling off the edge of her white comforter, Chris stroked Tori’s hair as she nuzzled closer to his chest.

“You’re out of luck. A queen won’t fit through the door, and a king-size mattress would take up the entire room.”

“A bed is all you need.”

Flashing him a smile, she pulled away and slipped his t-shirt on over her head. “I’m hungry. Want anything?”

“Oh, I’m hungry alright, but not for anything you got out there.” He crossed his arms behind his head and let his eyes rake over her bare legs and just-fucked, messy hair.

She laughed happily and disappeared out of the bedroom. Sitting up on the bed, Chris grabbed his boxer briefs and tugged them on. He felt like a damn ox in the full-size bed, but it did have one perk — guaranteed body-to-body contact.

Tori returned with a tub of ice cream and two spoons. Tossing a utensil at him, she sat on the bed and held up the Ben & Jerry’s where he could see the label.

“Still like Phish Food?”

“I haven’t had this in forever,” he admitted, digging a spoon into the tub.

They ate in silence, smiling with chocolate-covered lips.

“Ry’s gonna propose,” Tori said, holding the spoon up to her mouth.

“I’m not surprised. He’s been done-for ever since he met Elle. I’m glad.”

“Me too.” She nodded. “He’s worried about making it perfect, in the usual Ryan-Calloway-Type-A-personality way.”

“A proposal deserves to be perfect.”

She shot him a look, raising her eyebrows.

Typical Tori, she never reacted the way he expected. “You don’t think so?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Tori said, wrapping her lips around another big bite of ice cream.

“So, you think he should just toss her the ring over breakfast and say, ‘Hey, wanna wear this?’”

She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “Sure, why not?”

“I’m no expert on proposals, but I think they should be a little more thought-out. Besides, from what I’ve heard, you’re in the minority on this. Most women like an elaborate, romantic proposal they can brag about to all their friends.”

“All I’m saying is if I have to choose between a guy walking around with a ring in his pocket for months waiting for some perfect moment or tossing it to me while I eat a bowl of cereal — I pick the second. Buying a ring and giving it to someone is special enough.”

“And what if the guy wants to make it special? It’s not just about the woman.”

“I guess, but I’d still rather have the ring on my finger.”

“Noted.” Chris sat forward and pointed to his jeans lying on the floor. “Can you hand me my pants?”

Tori gaped, not moving.

“I’m kidding. And I certainly wouldn’t carry a ring around in my ratty jeans.”

“Right, I know. I mean, we’re nowhere near there.”

“Right,” he added, watching what looked like disappointment take over her face.