“I’m so sorry, officer. We must have dozed off. We’ll be leaving now,” I explain.
The other officer is not as friendly. “Have you been drinking?”
I shake my head, rubbing my eyes. “No. We were just hanging out and fell asleep.”
I nudge Tug again, and this time he bolts up. “I’m up. I’m up.”
“Tug, we fell asleep. Get up – we have to go now.”
“Huh?” He’s groggy and hasn’t noticed the policemen in front of us yet.
The nicer of the two officers tells us to be safe, and they leave. Tug and I laugh and gather our things. I pull my cell out of my pocket and check the time. It’s after four. Tug rolls up the blanket and sets it in the empty crate. He yawns and smiles.
This is my chance to tease him for all of the times over the years he’s given me shit. “One night with you, Tug, and I nearly get arrested. I’d rather swim in a pool of vomit than ever go out with you again.”
“Aw, come on, don’t say that. This wasn’t my fault.”
He fell for it. I burst out laughing, and he shakes his head.
“You’re gonna pay for that one.”
I smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Brady
The last few days could not have gone by more slowly. Rodrigo and I have been busy working on the new gym, but my thoughts always drift to Tori. Once I made up my mind to tell her everything and beg her to forgive me, she’s all I’ve been able to think about. She owns me, heart and soul, and I was a fool to think I could escape my feelings for her or ignore them somehow.
I can’t wait for this day to end so I can go home. That’s something I never thought I’d find myself looking forward to.
Chapter 29
Tori
The last few of days could not have gone by faster. Tug and I have been practically inseparable. Whatever free time we have, we spend together. We walk on the beach, share meals, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Tug is sweet, thoughtful, and, as always, funny. He makes me laugh, and, more importantly, he makes me feel good. He’s even softening his stance on country music.
What started out as hanging out with Tug to distract me from thinking about Brady has quickly become something more. Tug makes me feel beautiful and confident. Getting over Brady is easier with Tug around. Part of me feels guilty. Am I’m just using Tug? I’m still uncertain if my feelings for him are anything more than that of a sibling. I haven’t given him any reason to think differently. He must sense it, though, because he hasn’t made any move in that direction with me, either. While our relationship status may be weak, our friendship is strong, and being with him definitely helps mask my heartache.
I’m working today, and Tug is picking me up for dinner when my shift is over. I plan to ask him where he thinks things are going with us. I’m going to be totally honest with him about my feelings, both for him and for Brady.
I grab my car keys and decide to eat a muffin when I get to work. This is how I go about avoiding the parental units of the household. As the kitchen is the one room where I usually bump into them, I do my best to steer clear of it. Ever since my heated conversation with Sheila, I’ve considered packing up and moving out. I haven’t. It would raise suspicion with both Liv and Tug. I refuse to let her bully me. So I stay and hope Sheila is smart enough not to confront me again. Liv and Tug should know the truth, but it’s not mine to tell, and I won’t be the one to bring down the curtain and reveal who their parents are. I think it’s because I fear in the end Sheila will twist things around and somehow turn the messenger into the one they should be angry with.
When I arrive at the Bean, I’m early so I grab a bagel and coffee. Liv and Tyler are at a table, and I take a seat next to Liv. I bite into the bagel, and talk with my mouth full. “Hey, stranger.”
Tyler says hello and excuses himself to use the restroom. Liv rests her head on my shoulder. “I suck. I’m a lousy friend.”
She’s referring to her spending so much time with Tyler, and I smile. “It’s fine, Liv. I get it.”
She sits up, suddenly perky again. “I’m so glad you said that, because the sex is amazing. I don’t think I’ll be sleeping in my own bed for a while.”
“Way too much information. But seriously, it’s fine. I know you love me. Plus, I do remember a time when Jake and I first started dating, and I ignored you for a few months.”
“That’s right.” She smiles and sucks on her straw. “Payback’s a bitch.”
I rise from the table, then lean over and kiss her on the head. “I love you, girly, but I gotta work. I’ll see you later.”
Liv and Tyler leave shortly after my shift begins. They’re cute together, and I wonder how long it will last. Knowing Liv, not much longer. Once the honeymoon phase is over, she usually moves on.
Harrison clocks in a few minutes after me. He seems off today, and I don’t ask about it. I’m afraid he wants to discuss Brady again, and I’m not up for rehashing how much Harrison dislikes him.