Page 117 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
I don’t look at him as I grab a water and move to the opposite couch. “You heard that?”
“It’s not that big of a bus.”
I finally make eye contact, studying him carefully. I contemplate just coming out and asking. I almost change my mind to avoid yet another uncomfortable interaction, but I’m tired of feeling off-center. I’m tired of theconfusion. And so far, nothing good has come from beating around the bush, anyway.
“Okay. So, you’re not going to puff up your chest and tell me to stay away from him? To be careful? Where’s the jealous, possessive act you’ve been throwing around recently? You’refartoo calm.”
His smile stretches into a full-blown grin, and he sets his guitar on the floor.
“Does it bother you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to be jealous and possessive?”
“No. But I want to know what to expect. I don’t like being caught off guard.”
“Fair.” He nods, pausing briefly before explaining. But when he does explain, it just makes me more confused. “That wasbefore.”
I sigh with irritation. “Beforewhat?”
He shrugs. “Before I figured shit out.”
I cock my head to the side. “What shit? Quit speaking in riddles. It’s annoying.”
Torren laughs, then braces his elbows on his knees, leaning forward. The move confirms what he said moments earlier. It’s reallynotthat big of a bus...
“You’re mine, Firebird, and he knows it. I’m just waiting on you.”
I force a scoff to try and hide the way my pulse picks up pace. I look away in hopes that he doesn’t see the blush rushing to my cheeks.
“In your dreams, King.”
He nods. “Yep. Every single one of them.”
31
CALLIE
“Stopping for dinner in ten.”
The driver’s voice rumbles through the bus intercom around 9 p.m. I sigh and drop my e-reader on the bed beside me. I’ve been holed up in my room for the last few hours, avoiding the rest of the bus. There are too many pheromones floating around out there. It’s making my head spin. Every time I think of Torren’s confession, my pulse picks up speed.
You’re mine, Firebird. I’m just waiting on you.
He’s justwaiting on me.
Goddamn it.
Slowly, I trudge out to the front of the bus, finding Torren and Jonah lounging on the couches. Torren’s got his guitar on his lap again, and when he glances up at me with a smile, I gesture to the guitar.
“So, which came first, the acoustic guitar or the bass guitar?”
“Acoustic. Then electric. Then bass.” His smile flickers as he sets his guitar on the floor. “My brother taught me. He actually plays piano, too. Tried to teach me that, but I wasn’t interested.”
I put a palm over my heart and gasp like I’m wounded. He laughs.
“Sorry. Not everyone is as skilled as you on the keys.”
