Page 23 of When You're Home
“He acted all on board when I explained the plan to him, but then when I went up to your room, he just stood in the doorway, watching me. I had to keep pretending I didn’t know my way around while also trying to tape ribbon to the bumpy popcorn ceiling above your bed. I was sweating so hard I had to go home and take a shower when I was done.”
Tori convulsed into a fresh fit of giggles. The thought of her dad not wanting high school Rhett to be alone in her bedroom… It was too much.
I love… she started to think before she squeezed her eyes shut in protest and rejected the phrase that crept into her mind. She refused to acknowledge her truth, or to give anything away to Rhett. She searched for something to say to distract from all the feelings trying to bubble to the surface.
“Was it worth it?” she wondered out loud. Her words carried more weight than she intended. Rhett exhaled against her neck, his breath warm on her skin, then bowed his head low in reverence.
“Tori, you’re always worth it,” he whispered.
She found his lips and let herself get lost in the way he kissed her, desperate to suppress anything else she may have been tempted to say.
Chapter 15
Rhett
Rhett:MaddieGirl!AreyouguysdrivingbackfromMichigantonight?
He shot off the text to his little sister once Tori had left for the night. He had tried to convince her to sleep over again, but she insisted she had schoolwork to do and that she had neglected Penny too much already this weekend. He knew she also didn’t want his parents finding her in his bed when they got home.
The Wheelers bought into the “Chandler is Rhett’s girlfriend” storyline (or at least his parents did, and Maddie graciously played along), but they all knew he and Tori were a thing, too. He refused to talk to his mom about the details whenever she pressed him on it, which wasn’t often. But Tori was right to tread lightly where Anne was concerned. It was easier to keep things on the downlow and protect his mom from hoping they would be together in the long run.
Still. He hated watching her cross back over to her yard through the broken spot in the fence.
He considered pouring himself a drink but decided a clear head was the better option if he wanted to get in an early morning run the next day. He figured if he got up early enough, he could get some miles in, hang out with Maddie before school, and then drive back to Easton in time for his only class of the day at two.
Maddie: How did you know we were in Michigan?? Did Mom tell you?
He wasn’t surprised by Maddie’s response. He hadn’t talked to her much this week, and he knew they hadn’t talked about their weekend plans beforehand.
Maddie:Nevermind. Just checked Tori’s social and saw a pic she posted from the Ledges yesterday. I’m guessing you’rehome?
Busted. But not really. He wanted Maddie to know he was in Hampton. She was one of the reasons he was staying one more night.
Rhett:I’m at the house now. I’m going to stay the night. I was thinking I could drive you to schooltomorrow?
Maddie: I have conditioning at 7 am. Bleh. We’re already halfway home… just wait up for me and we’ll hang tonight?
He let out an involuntary yawn at the thought of trying to stay awake for another few hours.
Rhett:No promises. I got up at 5:30 this morning and worked the brunch shift at Clinton’s. I’m getting up early to run in the morning anyways… just tell me what time you want to leave the house.
Maddie: If we leave by 6:30 we’ll have time for coffee.
Rhett:Deal.
He closed out the text thread with his sister and shot off a separate text to his mom. He was surprised she hadn’t already tried to call him in the two minutes since he told Maddie he was home.
Rhett:Hey Mom. I came home for the weekend and I’m at the house now. I’m going to stay tonight and head back to school after breakfast tomorrow.
He walked quietly through the empty house and made his way to the stairs. He checked to make sure the garage door was closed but didn't bother setting the security system. His phone vibrated in his hand as he hit the landing of the second floor.
Mom: Sounds great. Maddie said you’re going to take her to school in the morning, soI’ll have breakfast ready when you get home. Your father has a mid-morning flight so we can all eat together before you both have to leave.
Rhett: Sounds good. Love you, Mom.
Rhett flopped onto his bed and plugged his phone in to the charger. He shot off one more text as his eyes grew heavy, squinting from the brightness of the phone.
Ev:Good night, beautiful. I’ll be home again soon.
