Chapter Twenty #2
“Nah,” I waved my hand. “I practically grew up on a ranch that’s now run by five women, so I felt like I had loads of sisters.”
Tori’s eyes widened. “That’s so cool that the ranch is run by them.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t fuck with any of them, they’re badasses.” I glanced at my phone that I’d left on the table, seeing Maddy hadn’t returned my call yet. I flipped it facedown so I didn’t keep getting distracted.
“I’d love to be a badass,” Tori sighed.
“Being a doctor at rodeo events is totally badass, you’re already there.”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
I cocked my head, studying her. “Not the dream you thought it would be?”
“No, it is,” she insisted, stirring her drink with the straw absentmindedly. “Just not sure what’s next for me once this season finishes. Do I go back to a practice or look for something more fulfilling?”
We were interrupted by the food arriving, steaks sizzling and the delicious scent of proper grilled meat wafting over me. Then I looked down at the poutine.
“That looks disgusting.”
Tori laughed. “You’ve got to put that out of your mind and try it. Trust me, Valkner.”
She scooped a forkful up and held it out towards my mouth.
I glared at the unappetising mound on the fork before I closed my eyes and opened my mouth.
She pushed the food in, and the flavors immediately burst onto my tongue.
French fries which tasted like heaven combined with the salty tang of the cheese curds and the savory beef gravy.
“Oh wow,” I groaned as I chewed.
“See! I told you, you gotta trust me.” She watched me with glee as I shoved another mouthful in, my steak forgotten.
“I was wrong, I’m so sorry. Forgive me,” I implored her.
She laughed and the sound made me smile. For a moment I felt lighter than I had in a long time, like the weight of misery and grief that had cloaked me was lifting.
We talked through dinner, she told me about growing up in Colorado, how she became a doctor and life so far in Calgary. The steak was delicious, just as she said it would be and I vowed to always trust her.
I paid for dinner which she tried to fight me over, but I insisted. I was so grateful to her for taking me out and blowing away my sad cobwebs that this was the least I could do to thank her.
We decided to leave her car where it was and got an Uber to the bar she mentioned and when we arrived, I let her pick my first drink.
We perched on stools at the bar, the music thumping so loud it was ricocheting around my chest. When a fluffy pink monstrosity was put in front of me, I flicked my stare to Tori and raised a doubtful eyebrow. She put a hand over her mouth, covering her giggle which was super cute.
I began to protest but she interrupted.
“You said you’d trust me!” she yelled over the music.
I glanced back at the drink, my eyes darting between the mountain of sticky, sweetness that was giving me a toothache just from looking at it, and Tori’s bemused blue stare.
Sighing loudly, I plucked at the cotton candy that stuck out from one side and shoved it in my mouth.
The sweet, candy taste hit a craving I didn’t realize I had.
Then I pulled the drink towards me and sipped from the straw.
A vanilla kick followed by the tang of raspberry had my eyes watering at the tart sweetness but actually, it was nice.
Not as heavy with sugar as I was expecting, it was refreshing.
“After a meal like we just had, you gotta have something sweet, right?” she asked, her expression unsure for the first time that night.
“Damn, how did you know?” I groaned and took another pull on the cocktail.
“Whoa, go slow! There’s a fuckload of vodka in there and this is how they trip you up,” she nodded wisely.
The same drink was placed in front of Tori. She dived right in and before I knew it, we were three cocktails deep each and I was feeling a little warm buzz.
“Let’s try this one next!” Tori shouted, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. She pointed at the menu and the pun in the drink name had me; Never Gin Kissed.
“Done! Two please,” I called toward the bartender.
Two drinks later, Tori giggled so hard at something I said that she nearly fell off her stool. I wrapped an arm around her waist and steadied her.
“And here was me th-thinking you could handle your liquor,” I slurred slightly which made her laugh even more.
“I did warn you about these.”
“You did. You’re so wise, Tori Something,”
She wrinkled her nose. “Something?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know your last name.”
She looked away. “You’ll laugh.”
I held up my hand. “I promise I won’t, scouts honor.”
“It’s Moorey.”
“Tori Moorey?” My mouth worked overtime staying flat and eventually gave up and I started laughing.
“You promised!” she jeered, throwing her straw at me.
“I’m sorry,” I held up my hands in defence. “I wasn’t prepared for the rhyme.”
She shook her head at me, her grin still on her face. Damn, she had a really nice smile.
“I’ll be back,” I said and headed towards the bathroom. I checked my phone, realizing I hadn’t looked at it for a couple of hours now. I saw I had a reply from Maddy.
Tough Girl: Sorry, I was on a date! Free now?
The words blurred on the screen and I tried to blink them into focus.
A date.
She was on a fucking date.
Not missing me. Not pining after me like I was for her.
The idea had my heart sinking in my chest. Had me feeling sorry for myself again.
Fuck, love sucked. It hurt like a motherfucker and I didn’t know how to fix it. I left her on read, not equipped in my drunken state to reply appropriately.
I stumbled back out to Tori who took one look at my face and her own expression dipped in concern. “You okay?”
“I need a drink.”
She squeezed my shoulder. “Good thing we’re at a bar then. How about some shots?”
I looked at her and she waggled her eyebrows which had me fighting a smile. “Sure.”
Eventually we were asked to leave as it was closing time and we stood on the pavement outside, the fluorescent lights reflecting in the rain puddles around us.
“Well, I helped you out with one of the things Frank suggested,” Tori said, taking a step closer to me. “Want me to help you out with the other?”
Raindrops collected on her lashes and I watched as she blinked them away. I didn’t know if it was the alcohol or the heartbreak but I suddenly needed Tori’s offer of comfort more than air to breathe.
So I dragged her against me and covered her lips with mine, tasting the sweetness of our evening together and trying to forget about the hazel eyed girl back home who had my heart and soul.
Tori could have my body.