AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s a good plan.” Willow grinned. “If you like, I’ll tell her that there’s something going on at the estate – something that she wouldn’t want to be around for – something peopley.”
Xander had to laugh. “I appreciate it, but I’m hoping that she’ll want to go – I don’t want to make her feel any more uncomfortable here than she already does.”
“Yeah. You’re right. But whatever it takes. Just give me a shout if I can help.”
“Thanks. Do you guys want a ride back?”
“No, thanks,” said Slade. “We’ll walk, and get Scooter his wander, sniff, and squat.”
Xander laughed, and Slade didn’t even look embarrassed. “That’s what Ava calls it!”
“Right.”
As he carried on to the house, Xander couldn’t help thinking that Slade was right, everyone had come home – and they were moving on to the next stage of their lives. As much as he loved them all, he couldn’t see himself settling into this kind of life with them. He couldn’t see Tori enjoying it much either.
Chapter Four
When Tori woke the next morning, she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, smiling as she thought about what had happened with Xander. She’d finally taken the risk – and it had paid off big time!
She wasn’t going to waste any time wishing that she’d been braver sooner. She was just going to bask in the wonderful feeling that he really did like her. That they were going to see where things might go between them. She wasn’t going to get carried away – she knew it probably wouldn’t last for long, but she was going to make the most of it.
She rolled onto her side and hugged her pillow. She wished that they’d been able to make the most of last night, but she just wasn’t comfortable having him stay over with her. And she wouldn’t have felt any better about having to face Jacob and Becca this morning if she’d stayed at the Jacobs Estate with him, either.
They were going to have to do something about that. He’d said that they would figure something out – but she didn’t see what they could do. Wherever they went in this town, there was always going to be someone looking over their shoulders.
She made a face when she checked her watch. Bentley and Alyssa would have gone out to work a while ago. They wouldn’t be any the wiser if Xander had stayed here with her. But that wasn’t the whole point – part of the problem was how she felt about it. She rolled out of bed. She just didn’t feel comfortable in this house – she never had.
Once she was showered and dressed, she managed to sneak in and out of the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a muffin without Simon catching her. She was tempted to go back up to her room and hide out there, but she needed to do better. This was her family home; she had every right to be here. She knew that most of the issues she had with the place only existed in her own head – and that they wouldn’t get any better until she faced them. So, she went to the family room and sat in there.
She wanted to call Xander and see what he was doing today. Of course, she wanted to see him – to be with him – but even apart from that she’d like to hang out with him. The two of them were the only ones who didn’t have work or lives here. Everyone else would be busy.
She took her phone out eagerly when it rang, hoping it was him. It wasn’t. It was her mom.
“Hi, Mom. Is everything okay?”
“Good morning, darling. Everything is wonderful in my world. I hope one day you’ll get used to the idea that I call just to talk to you – not because anything’s wrong.”
“Sorry.”
“It wasn’t a complaint.”
Tori pursed her lips. She wished that she could just relax with her mom. Both Bentley and Willow had gotten used to this new, more mellow version of the woman who’d raised them. They got along great with her these days – and even said that she was fun.
Tori could see it. She was different; she was relaxed and happier than Tori had ever known her. But that didn’t mean that Tori was able to relax with her – even though she’d like to.
“I know. Sorry. Shoot!”
Her mom laughed. “It’s all right. Really. I just wanted to check in with you. See how you’re settling back in.”
“I’m not settling here – I’m not back to stay!” The words were out before she even thought about it. She wished she didn’t feel so defensive.
“I know. I didn’t think you were. I didn’t mean it that way. I just meant settling back into normal life after the tour and everything that happened with Callie. That’s how you usually say it when you get back after a tour – that you’re settling back into regular life.”
“I know. Sorry.”
Her mom didn’t say anything.
Tori let out a short laugh. “I’m doing my best to not apologize for apologizing again.”
