Page 19 of Faithless
“Hell yeah, I would. That sounds dope.” I let her roll her eyes before continuing. “But really, it makes sense for me to come with you. Your parents have fought their fight. Daren and Lily got each other to think about, so they shouldn’t go. I know you can handle yourself, but it only makes sense for you to have backup.”
Rori shook her head, the worry clear on her face. “Idon’tfeel like I can handle this, I’m way the fuck out of my element here. But that doesn’t mean you need to get involved, Torr.”
“Actually, that’s even more reason for me to get involved,” I pointed out. “If you’re not prepared, who else is gonna save your damsel ass?”
Rori laughed so hard, she nearly fell off her swing. She hated being referred to as a damsel, so I teased her with it as often as I could. For all of her confidence and boldness, I could see the insecurities she tried to brush off. Always comparing herself to her twin brother. Stepping out of her parents’ tall shadows. She truly was the brash, take-no-shit biker chick everyone knew, but sometimes she played it up to hide some of those fears.
You could be a damsel,I thought.Just for me. I’ll keep your secret safe.
“Fuck you,” she threw at me once she recovered. “How are you gonna live without pussy on tap, huh? It’s gonna be slim pickings out in the desert. Unless you’re into fucking cacti and tumbleweeds.”
I was used to her throwing that in my face, but it still cut me every time. A repeated reminder that she would never want me.
“I’ll live,” I answered dryly.
“Sure,” she scoffed, turning to rock back and forth in her swing again. “I won’t see you for months when we get back because you’re gonna be buried in an avalanche of ass.” She paused, tilting her head. “Ifwe get back, that is.”
“We will,” I said. “Besides, I’m Daren’s best man. I’m gonna have to come up for air sometimes.”
“Ew.”
“You’re the one who said ‘avalanche of ass’, not me.”
“And I already have regrets,” she sighed. We sat in silence again for a few moments until she nudged the toe of her boot against mine. “So you’re really coming with me?” Her voice went quiet, almost a whisper.
“Hell yeah.” It wasn’t even a question in my mind. As if I’d last a single minute sitting on my ass here in Four Corners while she rode off into the great unknown by herself. Even if she’d never told me, I’d still find out and chase her down. “What’s a damsel in distress without her Knight in shining chrome?”
“Torr!” Rori palmed her forehead. “You didnotjust make a pun with your last name.”
“I sure as fuck did.”
“I’m gonna kill you before this is over,” she groaned, covering her face with both hands.
“Well, until then, I’ll be your backup. Your right hand, whatever you need.”
She peeked over her fingers and her eyes crinkled with a tiny, but genuine smile. “Thanks, Torr.”
I nodded as I stood from the swing, immediately stamping down the fluttering in my chest. “We should probably tell your folks, huh?”
“Yeah.” She rose from her swing as well. “Let’s get this show on the road, I guess.”
A white dove settled on the fence surrounding the playground as we headed toward our bikes. I glanced at Rori, but she had no reaction. There was no fear or confusion in her eyes now, only resigned acceptance.
Well, now.
The voice in my head made all my hairs stand on end. It felt ancient and everywhere, in my head and on the surface of my skin like a breeze. Possibly feminine, but it was hard to tell. I stared at the dove, who just cooed at me impassively.
This will certainly be interesting,the god said.
8
RORI
“Torr’s going too?” Gunner raked his hands back through his hair, gripping it like he wanted to rip the strands out.
“I am,” Torr confirmed, standing next to me.
“And he knows…?” Mom trailed off, looking between the two of us.
