Page 157 of One More Kiss

Phoenix

I WAS STOOD UP.I knew what that meant and had never experienced the feeling before. I wrote a note for Tori to meet me for lunch and give me her answer. Homecoming was by far one of the most important dances during the school year. I wanted everyone to see Tori on my arm as I walked with her through the school’s doors. But by her lack of appearance in the lunchroom, I was given my answer. Little did Tori know; I was not one to back down.

I could tell she had self-esteem issues during our time together at the fair. Every time I gave her a compliment, she would blush and then deny my truth. I knew right away I needed to compliment her more often, and then maybe she would see the truth. It seemed like she didn’t believe I would want to spend time with her. God, how I did, but unfortunately other things came up, band practice, school, and I had no clue where she lived until now.

I knew I shouldn’t have followed her home, but dammit, I felt like she gave me no other choice. Did she like the chase? Or did she truly think I would accept her ignoring me during lunch? Tori would find out today that I wasn’t one to be ignored. If she truly didn’t want to be with me or attend a dance, then she had to give me the answer up close and personal.

After dealing with Tori’s brother, which I didn’t know who he was until he showed off his protectiveness and then walked into the house, I tried once again to talk Tori into going to the dance with me.

“Please,” I practically begged, “Give me one chance. That’s all I’m asking.”

As I caressed her palm, I felt the zap. How could Tori be blind to our connection? Couldn’t she see I was smitten. Shit, I was lost from the moment I first laid eyes on her. I loved her but couldn’t reveal that fact because if I did, it would probably scare her away. For some people, this type of revelation would be too soon, but not to me. I felt different around Tori. I felt giddy, like someone willing to throw everything away just to spend a moment with her.

Tori huffed as she seemed to move closer to my touch. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Her words spoke against what her body showed. She wanted to be around me, I could tell, but she didn’t seem to want to allow herself the feeling of pure happiness. Being around her gives me that feeling, and I hoped she felt the same.

“It is. Just give me this one chance,” I replied, stepping a little closer.

“That’s all, don’t get any closer. You don’t need to be all over my daughter,” a man said from behind the screen door.

He opened the door and walked closer, stopping right in front of Phoenix.

“Dad,” Tori screeched, “We’re not doing anything. We’re just talking.”

“Just talking, my ass,” Tori’s dad bellowed to her, and then looked at me. “I need you to stay further away. And if you can’t respect my wishes, then you can get into your piece of shit vehicle and leave my property.”

He meant business. I could tell, so I followed his rules even though I didn’t like it. We weren’t children and it sucked to be treated as one. The last thing I needed was to be on Tori’s dad’s shit list.

“Yes, Sir,” I replied, then stepped back from Tori.

She huffed and said, “Dad, could you please let us finish talking.” He listened and stepped back. “Nothing’s going to happen.”

Her dad said, “You damn well right nothing ain’t gonna happen. Not on my property.”

His lips were pursed after saying what he said, and his eyes seemed to be wide as if he dared me to go against his wishes. I wanted Tori, but I wasn’t going to be stupid about it.

“Felix, leave them alone,” a woman’s voice screamed before she showed up on the scene.

Tori looked just like her, so I assumed that was her mother. She was frowning at Mr. Felix as if she wasn’t happy with him. I had a feeling she was on our side, but I didn’t want to count my eggs before they hatched.

Mr. Felix grunted. “I’m just making sure he knows his place.” He pointed his finger at my chest before bowing out and following Tori’s mom’s statement.

It looked like Mr. Felix had no problem listening to Tori’s mom and internally I grinned because as soon as she fussed him, he folded. He seemed like such a badass to me though. I could tell his wife was his weakness.

I waved to Tori’s mom before she turned away. “Hi, Tori’s mom.”

She stopped in her tracks, and said, “Hello. You can call me Mrs. Ellen.”

I nodded. “Sure, Mrs. Ellen. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she said, smiling. “Now, you two be good.”

With that statement, she turned and walked deeper into the house with Mr. Felix right on her heels. I didn’t want to make things worse so soon after meeting them, so I figured it was about that time to leave.

“I probably shouldn’t stay much longer considering your dad will more than likely love to kick me to the curb,” I said, grinning outwardly this time.

Tori rolled her eyes and ran her hand through the long, brown strands of her hair. “Yeah, I usually don’t have any male visitors so I’m sure you’ve almost given him a heart attack.”

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