Page 59 of When You're Home
He leaned forward to match her posture, desperate to make her hear him. “Tori, why would I believe you right now? It’s never been over between us,” he hissed. “You’re drunk, and you’re angry. I’m not about to let you throw away everything we have and everything we’re going to have because of one bump in the road. There’s literally nothing you could say to me right now to convince me otherwise.”
Tori tried to scrub the moisture out of her eyes. “You’re right,” she croaked, tears silently rolling down her cheeks. She nodded solemnly. “There’s nothing I could say to make you believe me.” Acceptance passed over her expression. She pulled her knees into her chest and lowered her head, letting out a muffled cry.
“What can I do for you?” he implored. He wanted so badly to pull her into his arms, to close the space between them and take care of her like he had all weekend. But he also knew she was hurting right now, and he was the cause of her pain.
“Just help me up. I’m ready for this day to be done, too.”
Rhett nodded, pushing off the shower bench to rise up before offering his hand. It had to be a good sign if she was willing to accept his help.
“I brought up your things,” he told her, pointing to where he’d left her phone, keys and cover-up on the nightstand. “Maybe just stay here tonight?” He couldn’t stand the thought of her trying to walk downstairs past everyone in the sunroom and hot tub.
She nodded wordlessly, already pulling back the sheets on her side of his bed.
“Do you want a shirt to sleep in, V?” he asked as he walked into his closet to find something more comfortable for her to wear. When she didn’t respond, he glanced over to find her already lying in his bed, turned on her side.
He reached into the closet for Chandler’s overnight bag and slung it over his shoulder before turning off the lamp. The day was finally done.
“Goodnight, beautiful,” he whispered even though he knew she was already asleep. “Tomorrow will be better,” he promised out loud for his own sake.
Chapter 34
Rhett
RhettplacedChandler’sbagintheguestbedroombeforeheadingbackdownstairs.HewasseriousaboutwhathehadsaidtoTori:thisnightneededtobedone.
He strode into the sunroom, ready to give out directions and wrap things up. The hot tub had cleared out, and Jake had gotten out the plywood panel they kept under the couch for beer pong. Fielding and Dempsey were boisterously facing off against Teddy and Tiff. Lia and Cory were huddled together on the couch, deep in conversation. Chandler, Jake, Cole, and Anwar were all lined up at the bar.
There was an awkward charge in the air as he made his way over to Cory and Lia first. He could feel all eyes on him, no doubt because of the scene he had caused before he demanded Tori follow him upstairs.
“Hey,” he greeted them cautiously. “Are you guys staying over?” They knew the party rules—stay over or get a ride home—but he still wanted to make sure they were safe.
“I haven’t been drinking,” Cory replied. “I’ll drop Lia off on my way home.” Rhett nodded curtly and walked away, anxious to put distance between himself and Tori’s two best friends.
He let out a sigh as he walked behind the bar. He stretched his arms long against the familiar wood, leaning forward before looking up at the people seated before him.
Their looks ranged from curious to annoyed to sad. He focused on Cole and Anwar first, choosing his words carefully. They had both eagerly wagered in on Fielding’s bet. He couldn’t wait to get them out of his house.
“We don’t fuck around with drunk driving. Are you all staying here tonight?” he asked, waving his hand in the general direction of the beer pong match to indicate he meant everyone in their crew.
“That’s the plan,” Anwar confirmed before downing the rest of his drink, “although I can’t make any promises about Teddy and that waitress.”
Rhett glanced over to the game and saw Teddy wrap his arm around Tiff’s shoulders. He watched for another moment as Tiff stood up on her tiptoes to whisper something to him. She looked just as into him as he was her.
“Okay. Make sure someone calls them a car if they want to leave. For anyone staying, there’s a couch out here, but it gets really bright in the morning. There are also two couches in the living room, another one in the den, and a huge sectional down in the basement. There are tons of blankets plus a full bathroom in the basement, so that’s your best bet.”
“Sweet.” Anwar nodded appreciatively before reaching over the bar and helping himself to the bottle of vodka.
“Hey, Rhett, listen,” Cole started. “I know we haven’t hung out that many times, but I wanted you to know that we were just joking in the hot tub about Tori. I didn’t realize…”
“We’re not talking about that now,” Rhett cut him off, glaring at the other man.
“It just seemed like…” Cole tried again.
“Leave it alone, Cole,” Rhett replied through gritted teeth. He felt Chandler’s eyes on him from the end of the bar, but he was relying on her impeccable manners not to ask what they were talking about.
Rhett moved over to stand in front of Jake. “I need to be done for tonight.”
“You and me both, man,” Jake responded as he blew out a long breath. “Hot tub is off and covered. I’ll crash down here once these goons wrap it up.”
