Page 85 of When You're Home
This wasn’t a fight. This wasn’t a game. Rhett couldn’t let things escalate. He had to be the adult in this situation for all their sakes.
“Look, man, I appreciate you being there for Tori over the last few weeks. And I really appreciate you helping out yesterday and today. Jake told me you’ve been a good friend to her. I appreciate that more than you know. Things might get spotty because of everything going on with her health, so don’t feel bad if you don’t hear from her in the coming weeks,” he divulged, hoping Fielding would finally take a hint and take his leave.
“I’m cool with that, as long as it’s Tori’s choice,” he countered.
“Obviously it would be her choice,” Rhett shot back.
“I’m just saying, Wheeler… You haven’t been here. I have. What Jake told you is true. We’ve gotten close. I’m cool with her dropping our friendship if that’s what she chooses to do. I guess I don’t really see her making that choice though.” Fielding shrugged as he finished his statement, but Rhett saw the declaration for what it was.
“Noted,” he clipped in response. He realized at that moment that this guy was going to be a problem. Maybe not today, maybe not this month, but he knew now that he couldn’t underestimate Fielding Haas. Rhett started walking toward the front door, intent on showing the other man out. “Thanks again for your help. Maybe I’ll see you around some time,” he said with finality.
Fielding stalked out the front door without saying another word.
Chapter 46
Rhett
“Readytogo?”heasked,glancingoveratToriinthepassengerseatofthePrelude.Hehadbeensosureabouthisplanupuntilthismoment.Nowthattheywereontheirwaytothecabin,hecouldn’thelpbutquestionifthiswastherightmove.
“I’m ready.” She reached over to squeeze his hand before he put the car in reverse.
“And you’re sure about this?” he asked as he backed out of the driveway. It was all so abrupt. He felt like he was holding his breath, waiting for her to change her mind. They hadn’t been on speaking terms two days ago. Now, they were leaving for a long weekend away at the cabin, just the two of them. So little time had passed since the concert and that trip, yet so much had changed during the last four weeks.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Tori confirmed. “This just feels right.” She looked over and smiled at him again, easing some of the uncertainty that had started to circulate in his gut. “Areyouokay with all this?” Her question came out soft and timid. “I know it wasn’t fair of me to call you after everything that happened last month. Once I realized you were going to come home for me… I probably should have told you not to come, but I couldn’t bring myself to push you away.”
Rhett gave himself a moment to process what she was asking. He wanted to be candid with her without trudging too deeply into the details of everything that was still unresolved.
“I couldn’t imagine not being here for you right now, V. I’m glad that you called me. I know things got messy there for a bit. We both know we have a lot to talk about. But this feels right for me, too.” He found her gaze and focused on her gorgeous green eyes.
“Do you want to talk about it now?” he hesitated. They needed to talk about so many things. They needed to talk about everything. He was eager to get it all out in the open, but he also didn’t want to overwhelm her or make her feel trapped by forcing a hard conversation in the car.
“I don’t even know where to start…”
“Let’s wait until we get to the cabin then,” he insisted. “No pressure. But I’m ready when you are. I’m not putting things off or hiding this time.” He looked over at her earnestly, willing her to feel his love and believe that they’d be okay.
She yawned, a deep, full-body yawn that reminded Rhett he was tired, too. Listening to music would help keep him awake and keep his mind from wandering during the drive.
“I bet you’re exhausted, beautiful. Why don’t you put on that playlist you made us for the concert, then you can close your eyes and rest.”
Tori pulled out her phone and synced up the Bluetooth to his head unit. “Yikes,” she muttered to herself. “I have so many missed calls and messages.” She sighed before the first sounds of Thirty Seconds to Mars came through the speakers. Then worry etched on her face hit deep. He couldn’t stand to see her like this. He couldn’t stand to let her think she was in this alone.
“Wait. I have something I need to say,” Rhett declared, reaching over to turn down the volume. They didn’t need to talk about everything if she wasn’t ready to talk, but he didn’t think he could last another minute with this weighing on his chest.
“Promise me we’re in this together. It’s you and me now, V. I’m done pretending. I’m done trying to control things. I want to be your partner, to be with you through everything. Just tell me what you need, let me help make it happen, and cut out all the rest of the noise.”
Tori was silent. He started to doubt the boldness of his declaration. He knew he was taking a risk by putting it all out there so early in their trip, but he needed her to know he was all in.
“I promise. It’s you and me now, Ev. I love you,” she finally replied.
Rhett blinked, then blinked again, then remembered he was driving and needed to stay focused on the road. Had she really just said that? He waited for her to admit she was just teasing him, but she returned his stare with a totally serious face. He gaped. What the hell was she playing at?
“Oh my gosh, stop looking at me like that! Am I in the car with Jake right now? You’re being so dramatic. It’s not like I’ve never said that to you before,” she mumbled.
Rhett realized she was deflating because of his reaction, but he felt too raw to try to save the moment.
“I, I just haven’t heard it in a really long time,” he stammered. He reached over and took her hand.
“But you had to know,” she insisted. “Don’t pretend like you didn’t feel it, too, like you don’t feel it still.”
