Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
It was the best night ever.
Aurora looked so confident on stage. There was no hesitancy, no fear.
I didn't know if she realized it or not, but Felix's eyes were on her more than they were the crowd.
Yes, HERS was the star of the show—the guys were good, and unlike in the hallway, I noticed Ryker managed to perfectly nail his twirl/toss with the sticks.
But for me—and Felix obviously agreed—Aurora shined even more. She was clearly living her best life.
I was glad we made the trip.
If only to see her flourishing.
"That was the best concert ever," I said.
Viola laughed. "Yeah, you mentioned that."
"Like a hundred times," Scarlett added, but she looked and sounded ecstatic.
"Well, did you see her?" I shook my head. "She was brilliant."
"She was," Lottie said. "I can't believe our Ror was up there just flying."
"Her playing sounded amazing," Viola said.
Scarlett nodded. "It really added something to the band's sound."
"Best concert ever," I said again, and they laughed.
Glancing over, I nudged Tolliver with my arm.
"What did you think, Stone?"
"It was great," he said. When four sets of eyes landed on him, waiting for more, Tolliver smiled. "The only thing that could've made it better would be seeing you guys up there too."
As we got to our hotel room and walked inside, I tightened my grip on my violin case.
"Here we are," Scarlett said, scanning the room. "Um, I didn't plan on five people. Sorry."
I saw what she meant.
There were the standard two double beds.
But where did that leave...?
"I'll sleep on the couch," Tolliver said.
I frowned at the boxy, low-to-the-ground, likely-too-small-for his-tall-frame sofa. "You sure you'll be okay there?"
"Yeah." As if to prove his point, he sat then laid down. Although his feet were slightly hanging over one edge, the guy looked comfy as a clam. "It's perfect. I can sleep anywhere."
"Alright, if you're sure."
"No worries, Kent."
With that settled and the girls all getting their things ready for bed, I went to the side of the room. It was about time for me to call my dad. On our previous talks, I hadn't mentioned Tolliver. But I knew I had to do it this time. Taking a deep breath, I hoped for the best.
"Freya," he said, sounding like he was smiling. "How was the concert?"
"Unforgettable," I said. "Dad, Aurora looked so good."
"Glad to hear it."
"Seriously, she's having the time of her life. We could see everything, and the music was phenomenal, even if we were in the nosebleed seats."
Scarlett raised her voice. "Which was exactly where we wanted to be, so Ror wouldn't spot us."
That was true.
I'd specifically asked Scarlett to make sure we got seats that wouldn't put us in her sightline. Everything had worked perfectly. Part of me was still waiting for the fallout.
Dad laughed. "Was that Scarlett?"
"Yeah," I said, "she's here, and so are Voila and Lottie."
"Tell them I said hi."
"Dad says hi," I relayed the message, and their answering replies tumbled over each other.
"Sounds like a lot of people in that room," he quipped.
"There is." That was the best lead-in I could've had, so I charged forward. "Hey, Dad. I need to tell you something."
"Is it bad?"
"Not really."
"Did something happen? Are one of you hurt?" he said anxiously.
"No, we're fine," I said, hearing his sigh of relief.
"You scared me. For a second, I thought there was something wrong."
"Well..."
"Freya?"
"Okay, so don't freak out, but Tolliver's here too."
Complete silence.
"He was at the gas station—remember, you told me to get gas? Anyway, he got in the car. I think he was worried about the long drive."
No answer.
"I didn't have the heart to throw him out, you know? So yeah, he tagged along. Lottie showed up unexpectedly too. She, Viola, and Scarlett are here. And..."
"Are you telling me," Dad said slowly, "that Tolliver is there. Now. In your room."
"It's everyone's room—but yes," I said.
"I thought he wasn't supposed to get back until tonight."
"He and his brother came back early."
Dad paused. "Is there another guy in your room?"
"No," I said as if that was ridiculous. Because it was. "I barely know Hudson."
"Thank God," he said then added, "So, there's only one hockey player in there?"
"Yeah, Dad. See? It could always be worse."
It was supposed to be a joke, but my father didn't laugh.
"Freya, it's almost midnight," he said.
"I know, the concert ran long. I didn't think—"
"No, you didn't."
That brought me up short.
"Why did you wait to tell me until now?"
"I didn't want to worry you," I said quietly.
"Well, mission not accomplished," he said.
"Am I grounded?"
"Yes, until you're 50."
"Dad."
"You are grounded," he said with a sigh. "So grounded. But I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to tell me. Thanks for that, I guess."
"Of course, I told you," I said. "You're my dad."
There was a long exhale then, "I love you, kid. Even if you are trying to drive me into an early grave."
I smiled despite myself. "I love you too."
"Okay, now let me talk to Tolliver," he said.
"Why?"
"Because I want to remind him what'll happen if he tries anything with you."
I rolled my eyes. "Dad, there are three other people in this room who are all related to me."
"And one who isn't."
"It's not like that. Tolliver and I, we're just friends."
"But you want it to be more," he said. "And I'm sure he does too."
"I..."
"Just put him on, Frey. I promise not to scare him—too much."
Turning, I forced a smile when I realized everyone had stopped whatever they were doing to listen. They quickly started moving again, and I walked to the couch, held out the phone to Tolliver.
"My dad wants to speak with you," I said.
He nodded. "I thought he might."
The conversation was brief. Dad did most of the talking while Tolliver nodded along or said "Yes, sir. No, sir. I will." By the time, they hung up, I was desperately curious to know more.
"So?" I asked.
Tolliver shrugged. "He's worried about you. Well, me being here with you."
"Was that all he said?"
"He asked me to meet the uncles."
"Uh oh."
"I told him sure."
"You did?"
"Yeah, but I won't follow through if you don't want me to."
"No, it's fine," I said, biting my lip, knowing the gist of what meeting the uncles entailed.
A warning, my cousins had told me. It was their way of laying down the law with whoever wanted to date us.
I wasn't super scared for Tolliver, knew he could handle himself. But... "Don't let them intimidate you."
"I won't," he said.
Tolliver shot me a smile, and as he handed back my phone, our hands accidentally brushed.
Sparks.
Tingles.
All the sensations raced up my arm and made a beeline for my heart.
"Don't worry, Freya," he said. "I can take care of myself."
I nodded. "Yeah, I know."
"Like you said, we're just friends. So, he really has nothing to worry about."
Tolliver searched my expression then stood.
"I'm going to get ice. Anyone want anything?"
No one did, so he slipped from the room.
And I was left to ponder what I really wanted.
* * *
Friends.
It was a good word.
One of the best in the English language.
Yet, as I looked inside myself, trying to understand everything I felt for the boy sleeping not six feet from me on the couch, I found so much more than that.
My head was racing.
My heart was too.
I put it down to post-concert excitement and everything that happened.
Usually, when I felt like this, I would play.
But I couldn't...
Looking down, I saw my violin and stopped.
I could.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice the alcove with the small stage in the lobby downstairs.
There'd even been a sign that said, open mic night.
It was probably all closed down now. My cousins and Tolliver fell asleep at a quarter past midnight.
But energy was coursing through my veins.
I'd slept on the way here, and I felt wide awake.
And my emotions were screaming at me to do something.
So, I did.
Moving as silently as I could I grabbed my violin case, made sure I had my room key, and headed for the door.
"Can't sleep?"
With a gasp, I turned toward the couch, saw Tolliver who was now sitting up.
"I thought you were sleeping," I whispered.
"Nope."
"Well, I was just going downstairs for bit."
"Want some company?"
I nodded. "Sure."
We rode the elevator down together and walked to the front desk. The lady working there was nice, said it was fine if Tolliver and I wanted to sit in the alcove, and yes, of course, I could play—so long as it wasn't jazz.
I assured her that it wouldn't be then walked onstage.
There wasn't really time to warm up.
But I loosened my wrists, played a few notes, made sure my violin was in tune.
"I may be a little rusty," I warned Tolliver.
"That's okay." He took a seat at one of the tables. "Pretend I'm not here."
With a nod, I closed my eyes.
But all I could see was him.
Looking concerned when we first met.
Then smiling at me.
Rearranging my bookshelves.
Dancing with me in the living room.
Jumping into the car.
Saying I was beautiful.
I hadn't known what I was going to play, but suddenly, I did.
Resting the violin on my shoulder, it felt like something I was missing finally fell into place.
My bow held at the perfect angle, I started playing.
The melody was slow and sweet with hints of elation and yearning.
Enchanted by Taylor Swift. It was one of my favorites, one of the first songs I'd learned to play on my own simply because I loved it, felt it in my bones.
I couldn't count how many times I'd played it alone in my room.
But this was the first time I fully understood what the person who wrote it must have been feeling.
Tolliver inspired me to play this song, but I didn't look at him once.
Instead, I allowed myself to sink into the music.
To disappear into the notes. To feel every phrase.
My vibrato sang, rose and fell, capturing the brightness mixed with melancholy.
And as the final note softened to nothing, I looked up.
Tolliver started clapping.
"Amazing," he said.
I gave a small bow.
"You're...that was amazing, Kent."
The clapping got louder, and I noticed my cousins were standing nearby.
"We agree," Viola said.
"Gorgeous," Scarlett said.
"So pretty it made me cry," Lottie put in.
"I thought you guys were asleep," I said.
"We heard you leave and decided to be nosy."
"Plus," Viola added, "Uncle Thad texted and said to keep an eye on you and Tolliver."
"He didn't." I said.
Scarlett nodded. "He texted all three of us."
For some reason, that both impressed and made me love my dad even more.
Tolliver offered a hand to help me off the stage, and I took it.
"Thanks," I said.
"For what?" he asked.
I shook my head, not ready to tell him the extent of it, friends running through my mind on repeat. "Just for being here."
He scoffed.
"I mean it, Stone. Sometimes, that's enough."
Tolliver gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "There's no place I'd rather be, Kent."
As we rejoined my cousins, I was smiling so hard it hurt.
"Again, beautiful job," Viola said. "Can we go to sleep now?"
I laughed. "Yeah, we have a long drive tomorrow."
"Don't remind me."
Part of me was grateful for those hours spent in the car, I thought as Tolliver's hand remained in mine. It would give me time to think about everything.
Especially, what I should do next.
Because I was definitely sure I was in love with Tolliver Stone.
I just didn't know how to tell him.