Chapter 4 #2
"Your back will hurt if you keep sitting like that," he added.
"As much as I love hearing your unprofessional medical opinion, I'm trying to read here."
"Alright," he said, "but you can lean back. I won't bite, you know?"
"I know that," I said.
"Then what's the problem?"
"If I lean back, will you please stop talking?"
"Yeah," he said.
"Fine." I eased back an inch, still not touching him. "Oh look, I feel so much better."
"Freya."
"What?"
With a heavy, put-upon sigh, Tolliver reached one long arm around my waist and pulled me back so that I was flush against his chest. He moved me with little to no effort. I was pretty sure I gasped like a fool. Hopefully, he didn't hear it.
Unlike me, Tolliver's breathing was totally normal.
I knew this because I could feel each inhale and exhale.
"There," he said. "Isn't this better?"
"Mmm," I said while thinking: better, worse, warmer, more tortuous and definitely more distracting.
"Just relax, and let me know when you want me to turn the page."
I gave a small nod.
Knowing I'd never get any reading done like this.
Absolutely convinced my heart was about to explode out of my chest.
Glad I had already taken a shower.
Wishing I would've put on perfume or something because Tolliver smelled so good. Better than any teenage boy had a right to. With how close we were, it was impossible not to breathe him in on every inhale.
As my back muscles released, I found that I could, in fact, read like this. We got to the end of a chapter and started another. Tolliver was much taller than me, and before I knew it, without conscious thought, my head rested back against him. His sharp intake of breath made me jolt.
"You okay, Stone?" I asked, turning my head.
"Never better, Kent." His voice sounded slightly deeper. "Keep reading."
"Okay, if you're sure..."
"I'm sure."
I kept reading. Tolliver turned the pages.
The system went like clockwork, better than I ever would've thought.
And I couldn't deny that something about being close like this was cozy.
He had to reach around me as his other hand stayed planted beside my hip, not touching but there.
His chest was hard but impossibly comfortable at the same time, his legs bracketing either side of my body.
Almost like he was giving me a strange yet warm hug.
It was actually, surprisingly lovely.
That was how my dad found us a couple of hours later. My head resting against Tolliver's chest, his arms around me as he turned the page. Dad cleared his throat. Startled, I sat up too quickly, accidentally nailing Tolliver in the chin with the back of my head.
"Sorry," I said, reaching toward his face, "you okay?"
Tolliver waved me off as he touched his jaw. "All good. Is your head okay?"
As his hand went to my hair, I laughed a little hysterically and stepped out of reach. "Course, I'm fine." Ignoring my nerves, I said, "Dad. What's up?"
My father stared at me then Tolliver. He looked amused but also concerned about the position he'd found us in. Shifting his focus back to me, he said, "I came to remind you of your PT appointment."
I nodded. "I know. I have my alarm set."
Just then, said alarm went off, and I silenced it quickly.
"Anything else?"
"Your mother also requested your help at the aquatic center."
I crossed my arms. "She just wants to make sure I'm not rotting away in my room."
"Yeah well, that makes two of us."
"I'm sure she can find someone else to assist."
"And I'm sure she'd rather have you there."
Yeah, to boss around and tell me how I'm wasting my time trying to be a musician.
"Freya."
"Fine," I said, relenting, "but if it goes badly, I'm holding you responsible."
"Deal," my father said, and we pinky-swore on it like we always did. Then he ran a hand through his hair. "Also, can you catch a ride to PT? I would take you, Frey, but someone hacked one of the sites I provide security for. The owners are freaking out, so I'm a little slammed at the moment."
"I can drive," I said.
Any amusement fled as his expression turned serious. "You absolutely will not."
"But—"
"The doc said no driving for the first 48 hours. Remember? Not to mention that wrist."
I opened my mouth, but Tolliver beat me to it.
"I can take her," he said.
When Dad's eyes shot to him, Tolliver added, "Seriously, it's no problem."
"Thank you, but no," I said.
Tolliver's icy blue eyes met mine. "Why not? Anything you need, remember?"
"Well..."
"It seems like a good offer," my father said. "I think you should take it."
"Thanks for your unsolicited opinion, Dad," I said then looked to Tolliver. "I like to get there 15 minutes early, which means we have to leave in five."
"Sounds good," he said, striding out of the room. "I'll go start the car and meet you downstairs."
As he left, my dad met my gaze. His expression seemed knowing and way too observant.
"So, Tolliver seems nice," he said.
I rolled my eyes. "Too nice if you ask me."
"Hmmm. It looked like you enjoyed your buddy read." Dad's eyes twinkled even as he frowned. "Maybe a little too much."
"Dad, please."
"Seriously, you should probably read in the living room from now on, at least when he's over."
"Fine—although my plan is to scare him off, so I doubt there'll be a repeat performance."
My father's brow furrowed. "I think you may be underestimating him."
"We'll see."
"Tolliver seems pretty determined, Frey."
"So am I."
"I assume you have a plan?"
"Of course," I said, patting my journal. "Wrote it out before he got here. It's very official. There are bullet points and everything."
"That's my girl," he said.
Dad chucked me under the chin as my lips tipped up.
"Oh also, is hockey your favorite sport now? Asking for a friend."
I groaned.
"You know your Uncle Becks will be devastated it's not soccer anymore."
"I never even liked soccer. Or any sport for that matter."
Dad grinned. "You said 'liked'. Past tense. Interesting."
With a shake of my head, I walked up to him and patted his chest. "Love you, Dad."
"I love you, daughter. Even more than you love hockey."
"Which is zero percent, so I'm glad to hear it."
As he laughed, I headed downstairs and out to meet my chauffeur for the day.