Page 73 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
I ask the question even though I already know the answer. His smile falls briefly. His brow furrows for just a second, then his expression is light and carefree once more. If I’d blinked, I might have missed the change entirely.
“No younger siblings. I have an older brother, as you probably know. We don’t have the best relationship.”
“That sucks,” I say because I don’t know what else to say.
I don’t know how Torren feels about it. Last I heard, his brother was in prison, so I really have no idea if the lack of a relationship with him stings. I know it’s not the same thing, but for as much grief as Glory Bell gives me, it would still break my heart if we weren’t on good terms. Even when I was with the band, I called every few days to talk to her. I sent her postcards from all the states we played in. And she might act like she can’t stand me sometimes, but she still keeps those postcards in her jewelry box. She texts me multiple times a day. She loves me. She’s just a teenager.
“It is what it is. I don’t have a great relationship with any of my family, to be honest. I share my birthday with my mom, and she didn’t even pick up when I called. She never does.”
“Wow. And here I thought my mom only talking to me via text right now was bad.” I say it lightly, attempting to add some levity, and the way he smiles makes me think it works. “Is your family still in Florida?”
I realize my mistake the moment the words leave my mouth—revealing my hand, my knowledge of him—but it’s too late to shove them back in. He doesn’t seem to mind that I know where he’s from, though. I suppose he’s used to people knowing these details about him.
“Yeah. Same town I grew up in. It’s a black hole. No one ever leaves.” He says the last part quietly, almost sadly, as he flicks some ash into a small ashtray on the patio table.
“You left,” I say. “You got out.”
He huffs out a laugh and widens his eyes at me.
“I did. And that’s one of the reasons my family disowned me. They think Iput the band before them. Before my brother.” He purses his lipsand gazes out at the Strip for a moment. “They aren’t wrong, though. I did. I’d do it again. This band is all I’ve ever wanted. Heartless is my family.”
The silence stretches once more, but this time, it’s not awkward. I prop my elbow on the arm of my patio chair and rest my chin on my fist. I’m getting tired, but I don’t want to leave him just yet.
I roll Torren’s words over in my head.
This band isall I’ve ever wanted. Heartless is my family.
I felt like that once. With Rocky, Ezra, Pike, and Becket. They were like a family to me, and I’d only been with them for a short while. But The Hometown Heartless? They’ve been together for a decade. That’s a long fucking time. I don’t even know if I can begin to understand the depth of their connection. No wonder Torren and Sav had such a hard time letting go of one another.
“Hey, what happened with your band?”
My shoulders stiffen at Torren’s question, and I turn my eyes on him. He’s watching me intently, nothing but genuine interest on his face. I blink a few times before deciding what to say, and then I force a smile.
“Just didn’t work out. And then my mom had a stroke, so I had to move back home to help out.”
“Shit. I’m so sorry, Callie. She’s okay now, though?”
He sits upright and leans toward me. Interest morphing to concern. Sympathy. Literally every emotion looks sexy on him. It almost ruins the moment.
“Yeah, mostly. She’s doing better than she was. That’s actually why I agreed to do this. We have medical bills, obviously, and she needs more physical therapy, but it’s not covered by insurance. Eighty grand is going to make a huge difference.”
Torren blows out a slow breath. “Well, I feel like a fucking dick now.”
“No, don’t,” I say with a laugh. “I’m sorry for being such a pain in the ass. I hope you don’t have buyer’s remorse.”
Torren smirks and gives me a little shrug, and I roll my eyes.
“No, I’m kidding. You’ve been great. No buyer’s remorse here.”
I laugh. “Well, good. Because I’m going to try my best to stick it out for the whole three months.”
Torren’s smile softens, those green eyes of his glittering as he holdsmy gaze. For a moment, his eyes drop to my lips, and my breath catches. When he locks his eyes with mine once more, there’s an intensity in them I’ve never seen before. It’s a look I’m going to dream about, and when he speaks, I know I’ll be playing his words on a loop for the rest of the night.
“I really hope you do, Calla Lily. I really hope you do.”
21
CALLIE
