Chapter 2 #2
Torin blew out a sigh, running a hand through his dark hair. “Apparently they had a mix--up in schedules but didn’t prioritize fixing it because they were told we would all be at the underwear shoot. I dunno, it seems suspicious as hell, but Ace checked it out and made changes.”
Oh. I guess that made sense, if they thought we were all at the shoot… Still seemed like convenient timing, though. Like somehow our attacker knew the security would be gone.
“Do you…” I started to ask, picking at my blanket nervously as I carefully avoided Torin’s eyes. “Are you… Um, are you angry at me for lying?”
Torin didn’t answer immediately, and my stomach dropped with dread.
“Yes,” he eventually said and my chest clenched tight. “I was at first. Like…really mad. But that was overshadowed by the fact we thought maybe you wouldn’t survive, and the thought of losing you forever was so much worse. Skye explained that the company knows, and that helped.”
I bit the edge of my lip, feeling like dirt.
Telling him about the blackmail and Miles felt like I’d be making excuses, so I just swallowed hard and wet my lips.
“I’m sorry, Tor. I never… Ugh, that’s not true.
I deliberately lied and deceived you—-all of you—-and I didn’t really care about the consequences because I’d unfairly judged the whole team before ever knowing you. ”
He took hold of my hand, stopping me from picking at the blanket threads as he wrapped his fingers around it. “That was then. What about now?”
My throat tightened, and I let out a shaking sigh, trying to fight back the looming tears. “Now…now I think I’ve made a huge mistake, and I’m going to pay the consequences when everyone finds out. And it’s going to hurt so much more than I was prepared for.”
Torin was quiet for a moment, thoughtful. Then he gave a huff and nodded. “Well, then, don’t let them find out. You’ve got me and Skye looking out for you now, and—-” He paused, giving me a puzzled look when I raised my gaze to his once more. “Does Minnie know?”
I shook my head, my face heating. “No.”
His lips curved in a grin, and he snickered. “Gold.”
I wrinkled my nose, an uncomfortable guilt curling through me. I needed to tell Minho the truth, but fuck if I wasn’t convinced he’d be hurt and betrayed by my deception. And the idea of hurting him? Incomprehensible.
“So are we okay, Tor? This changes nothing, right?” It was said with a heavy dose of hope because I really liked the friendship we’d built.
Torin gave a small headshake, smiling. “Oh, Short Stack, this changes everything. Now I don’t feel guilty about doing this.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he cupped the back of my neck and gently touched his lips to mine. Shock caused a small squeak to escape me before my brain caught up to the fact that Torin was kissing me, and I surrendered to my desires as I kissed him back. Because it was Tor, and I liked him.
“I’m sorry, Noah,” he murmured with a small groan as he pulled away, only to immediately kiss me again like he couldn’t resist the magnetic pull of our lips.
His were so soft and full, like he was crafted just for kissing me.
It was wreaking havoc on my emotions, and my whole body buzzed like I’d stuck my finger in an electrical socket, but I sure as fuck wasn’t sorry.
“For what?” I whispered when he released my lips once more.
Torin bit his lush lower lip as he studied my eyes from just a couple inches away, then his grin was back and it set my heart soaring.
“For taking advantage…and for the fact that I fully intend to steal you away from Minnie because I have been quietly infatuated with you for far too long already. I’m sick of being quiet for the sake of the team. ”
Shock rendered me speechless, and I just stared back at him with wide eyes until a loud knock on the door made me gasp.
Tor slid off the edge of my bed and back into his chair just a split second before Jared—-with his baby strapped to his chest—-let himself into the room, and I just sat there with my mouth agape and my emotions in a tangle.
Jared cocked a brow at me, then glanced to Torin and back. “Hi…am I interrupting something?”
I swallowed hard, words failing me.
“Nope,” Torin lied with an easy smile. “I was just telling Short Stack how glad I am that she’s awake. I better go call Skye, or he’ll skin me alive.” He stood up from his chair, then leaned in to drop a kiss on my hair as casually as if we did that sort of thing all the time.
Jared said nothing, just watched him leave before giving me a very curious stare. “Is that new?”
I nodded sharply. “Very.”
He tilted his head thoughtfully. “Cute. I like him.”
I rolled my eyes and groaned, scrubbing my hands over my face before wincing. Everything hurt, but I’d temporarily forgotten while Tor held my attention. “I’m not discussing my love life with you, Jared. Come here and show me Miss Isla, please.”
My manager chuckled, taking Torin’s vacated seat and unbuckling the carrier.
“Kelly is in the lobby. She’s been running interference with the rest of Team Olympus.
I figured you’d wanna see Isla, though.” He lifted his chubby baby out of the harness and turned her to face me. “Say hi to your Aunty Noah, Isla.”
I smiled, feeling weirdly emotional all over again. “Awww, Jared. She looks like…”
He rolled his eyes. “Like a baby? Yes, I’m aware. Fuck, you’re hopeless, Noah. All right, tell me how you’re feeling and how you want to proceed.”
Jared was a natural, rocking baby Isla in his arms while getting me up to speed on everything that’d happened since Ace and I were attacked. He didn’t have long before my nurse was back, this time with a doctor in tow, and Jared was ushered out. But it was enough to calm my frayed nerves.
As far as Jared was aware, nothing had changed. Ace didn’t know, nor did the rest of the team, and my place on Team Olympus was still solid.
The relief was staggering, and that in itself worried me to no end.