Page 25 of Spar
“Easy. Let me help you,” Claire said, coming in behind her.
Chris appeared on the stairwell, wet hair and sans shirt. Tori watched as he pulled a t-shirt over his head.
It really is“a crime to cover all that up.”
Oops, I may have said that last part out loud.
Chris jogged down the stairs and froze when his eyes landed on her. His eyebrows furrowed like he was trying to assess the situation.
Her vulnerabilities bubbled to the surface under his tight scrutiny, and she hated that he’d flipped the situation so that she felt like the one who had done something wrong. He was supposed to be the one on trial tonight, not her.
“How much did she drink?” Chris asked, looking beyond her at Claire.
“Three margaritas.” Claire handed him Tori’s purse and keys.
“She’s this lit from three? That’s impressive,” Charlie said from the couch, saluting her with the beer bottle in his hand.
Tori squirmed out of Claire’s and Chris’ grasp, kicked off her heels, and flounced onto the couch between Charlie and Travis.
“Do you have another one of those?” Tori asked, pointing at Charlie’s beer.
“Have mine, darling.” Charlie handed over his Bud Light, walked to the fridge, then returned to his seat with a fresh one.
Chris glared in her direction but didn’t speak.
“Travis, it’s so good to see you,” Tori said, throwing herself at him to wrap him in a bear hug.
She’d always liked Chris’ brothers, but she had been closer to Travis than Charlie growing up. Travis was only a year older than Chris, so Tori had hung out with him more than Charlie when they were kids. That had changed as they got older. Charlie came back to Sweetbriar more often than Travis, but the memories of childhood were a strong bond.
“Ah, easy killer,” Travis said, wincing in pain as she squeezed him.
“Oh my God, it’s not just your face. What the hell happened to you?” Claire said, forcing Tori aside and examining Travis. “Broken ribs?”
Travis nodded.
“You should get it checked out. Broken ribs could cause internal issues, and even if you’re lucky enough to not have done any more damage, you need some pain meds to help you breathe easier until they’re healed.”
Travis shook his head as Chris responded, “We’re taking him in first thing in the morning.”
Claire nodded. “Take him to see Dr. Lawrence. She’s the best, and she’ll be discreet.”
Travis groaned. “I’m right here. Don’t talk about me like I’m a child.”
“Then stop acting like one,” Chris said through gritted teeth.
Tori watched the busy room around her through a haze. She felt small and insignificant. She’d been planning on waltzing in there and giving Chris a piece of her mind, and instead she’d been force-fed a slice of humble pie to see him taking care of his injured brother.
Tori placed the beer down on the coffee table in front of her and headed up the stairs. She needed a moment to deal with her own insecurities and to get out of the ridiculous getup she was wearing. She could barely breathe in the dress, and her neck ached from the weight of her thick tresses piled on top of her head.
She pulled the bobby pins from her hair and released her locks down her back, tilting her head and rolling her neck from side to side.
A prick of awareness sent goose bumps over her skin, and she turned slowly, finding Chris leaning against the doorframe watching her. She ignored the pit in her stomach and the racing of her heartbeat.
“Can you help me with the zipper?” Tori asked, turning her back to him.
He stepped forward without saying a word and placed his rough hands on her shoulders. He turned her to face him.
“What’s wrong?”
