Page 46 of When You're Home
He cocked an eyebrow. “If?”
“If… When… You know what I mean,” she told him breezily. “Come on, Wheeler. Don’t make me late. The sooner I get in there, the sooner I get to leave and come home to you.”
Chapter 27
Rhett
Hecouldn’tcontainhissmileastheywalkedintothesideentranceofClinton’shand-in-hand.Everythingaboutthemorninghadfeltlikeitwasunfoldinginhighdefinition.Hisfeelingswereunfiltered.Hisheartfeltlikeitwasfinallyplayingfullout.Hewasjustsodamnhappy.ButasheturnedtokissTorionemoretimebeforehershift,heheardit.
A shrill laugh that sounded like it belonged in a sorority house opposed to Clinton’s on a Sunday afternoon.
His head snapped toward the sound as his eyes grew wide in recognition. A high-pitched exclamation followed the laugh, and although he couldn’t make out the words, a deep sense of knowing settled in his gut. As soon as the voice registered, he looked back at Tori. He had unknowingly dropped her hand. Or had she pulled away first? He met her gaze, searching.
Searching for what, exactly, he didn’t know. It’s not like she would have recognized Chandler’s voice the way he just did.
Tori’s brow furrowed in response to his visceral reaction. She knew something was suddenly wrong. He wished more than anything he didn’t have to be the one to tell her what that something was.
Lia pushed through the kitchen doors with four plates in her arms before he could say anything. She nodded at both of them in greeting. Rhett moved ahead of her to hold open the door to the main dining room.
“Thanks,” she responded, a sad smile barely reaching her eyes when she met his gaze. “You better get in there,” she added quietly, but not quietly enough. She glanced past Rhett to Tori before walking deeper into the restaurant.
“Rhett?”
Fuck. He dragged in a choppy breath before turning to Tori.
“What’s going on?”
He took two strides back to her, desperate to close the space between them. “I don’t know what’s going on for sure. But it sounds like Chandler might be in there.”
“Wait, what? Chandler? Here?” Each word came out as a question. He felt as blindsided as Tori sounded.
“I don’t know, but I think I heard her voice just now. Shit… I’m so sorry, beautiful. This is stupid. But I’ll figure it out. Why don’t you go clock in on the kitchen computer? I’ll come find you once I know what’s going on for sure.” His voice sounded calm, but the confusion and the edges of anger were already swirling into a tornado of fury in his mind.
Tori’s brow furrowed even deeper. Her green eyes assessed him for a few tense seconds before she lowered her chin once in agreement and turned toward the kitchen. A nervous energy spread through his body, fueled by the anxiety of Chandler possibly being at Clinton’s and the realization that he had no idea what to do or say if his suspicions were correct. He reached out toward Tori for comfort, but he was too late. She had already turned and pushed through the kitchen doors.
Rhett walked into the restaurant and spotted her immediately. Chandler’s shiny blond hair cascaded in curls down her back. She wore a hot pink, fitted sweater and her usual dark jeans. Her back was to him as he stalked toward the bar. Her loud, high-pitched laughter carried over all the other sounds in the restaurant, sending a chill down his spine.
“Chandler. Hi.” He plastered a fake smile on his face as he came to stand next to where she was seated.
“RHETT!!!” she exclaimed about four octaves higher than necessary. She attempted to turn her body toward him and stand up at the same time, resulting in a sort of awkward crash off the barstool into his arms.
Rhett’s whole body tensed as he locked in on Chandler’s eyes.Godamnit, Jake. Before he could even help her back onto the barstool, her lips were on him. He felt the slickness of her shiny lip gloss as her mouth moved against his. He smelled the tomato juice and vodka on her breath, confirming his suspicions.
“Hey there,” he responded tersely, gripping Chandler by the hips to steady her as he helped her back onto the barstool.
“Surprise!” she exclaimed, giddy as she looked up at him. Rhett shook his head in disbelief. Chandler was tipsy, borderline drunk. Jake had let her get drunk. Chandler was drunk, in Clinton’s, and Tori was just about to start her shift. Bottomless Bloody Marys would be the death of him.
“Are you so surprised to see me? Did I surprise you, Rhett?” she probed, running her hand up and down his arm as she spoke. He shifted away from her touch, leaning into the wood while trying to subtly discourage any additional physical contact.
“Yeah, I’m definitely surprised.”
“I thought for sure you would be on to me when we talked this morning!” she continued, her voice still louder than necessary.
Tori had emerged from the kitchen and strode toward the main dining room. Rhett felt her pass him before he even looked up. The tension radiating off her body was palpable. He was so attuned to her, especially after this weekend. What he wouldn’t give to reach out and pull her into a hug right now. He needed to get this situation under control.
Rhett shot daggers at the back of Jake’s head, willing his best friend to turn around and notice him standing there. “I can’t believe you’re here. It looks like you’ve been havinglotsof fun with Jake,” he accused, nodding toward the empty glass in front of Chandler.
Jake spun around at the sound of his name. His expression was a combination of exasperation and dread.Good. Rhett wanted him to squirm. What the hell was he thinking letting Chandler hang out here and get drunk?
