ri

the bar and meets Tam

ened?" She puts her arm around her

"He was... fooling around with another woman in his truck." Tears fell down her face as they found a ta

say anything to you?" She asked as she handed her friend

ead in his lap; that's all I needed to know." Fresh tears

her head to look into his eyes and saw he was not joking. For a brief m

didn't need any bloodshed today. "Thank you, but no. I'm done with him! H

aybe..." Tammy wore a mischievous s

." Tori shrank in her

y even have your favorite song!" With that, she jumped up and ran to the DJ. Tori tried t

of this, am I?" She said

i took her shot and tossed it b

would've been a good idea. Too many people are watc

ed anything, let me know." He answered with a small smile. He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her gently. "Just say

et's have fun tonight." Eric s

rabbed his glass and downed his s

ked tentatively before wra

n services," Tori answered with a chuckle.

ing!" Tammy retorted while punching her palm with her

Tori shouted while standing up and looki

d time. Then, she spotted a man standing in the corner next to the bar with his arms folded across his chest. He was staring right at her. Her heart started racing, and

requested to sing. The crowd clapped and shouted as Tammy pushed me towards the small st

waiting crowd. Taking the microphone in her hand, she nodded at the D

of the sexy and sultry beat. She was swaying her body a

le presence appeared. She smiled to herself, expecting Tammy to be up there with her; she opened her eyes. To her surprise, it wasn't Tammy. It was the man from across the bar. He stood at the back of the dance floor, staring up at her with his arms at his sides as if restraining himself from approaching her. As she continued, she stared into his eyes and was lost in the ocean-blue orbs before her. She quickly noticed the rest of him as he towered over everyone there, his broad, muscular chest tapering down to long, sturdy legs that hinted at power beneath his dark jeans. His face, oh, that face was created by the Gods themselves! Solid and gentle features, but screamed power and authority. H

she sang as if singing to him with a hint of sexy need w

step forward as the crowd around her clappe

urned to provide the DJ with a thumbs-up before playing an upbeat techno track. Turning around to step off the stage, Tori noticed the beautiful man w

hile handing Tori a mug of beer. She gra

zing as always!" Tammy gushed as

she glanced towards the door and saw the eyesore from before. Going en

Tori was staring at and immediately became angry. "That son of a bitch!" She slammed her mug down o

d trying to control her anger at the man who s

l turned to see Jonas facing off with a gia

hree or four inches taller. Tori couldn't help but admire the man standing square with Jonas. His arms were at his sides, and his fists were balled tight. His hair flowed wildly down his back, and he stood tall and proud, unafraid of anything.

Eric looked nervously

Nice guy." The girls looked

now him?"

y turned to face Eric, her eyes narrowin

re them and watched the man converse with Jonas, who was

eyes as if he did. Tori felt her heart racing and her breath slowly escaping. Those gorgeous eyes were looking right at her again.

spun around to see Victor grab Jonas by the arm and lead

e door. Although she knew what it was, she didn't want any bloodshed

nd the two men squaring off, trying to intimidate each other. By the looks of it, Jonas

yelled at Victor. Jonas tried to walk around him, but V

out of here before you regret it!" Jonas looked up and s

ictor and running up to her. Grabbing both her

heek. She flew back onto the ground, hitting her head on the pavement. She felt him kick her in the leg before the sounds of pounding feet got louder. It all happened in a matter of seconds. She turned her head to see what was going on. That's when she heard the most deafening roar ever. Everyone froze. With her one ey

as ready to punch him in the face. Anger raced through her soul and fire in her veins. Raising herself, she limped ov

see or speak to you again. Stay away from me."

what?" He asked w

face as she turned back to Jonas. Staring at him, she flashed her fiery amber eyes and retur

old on the man's shirt. Jonas backed up and straightened his clothes. Shaking his h

drove away, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. Taking a deep breath,

and rubbing her arm with the other one. Tori glanced around, but

her face where he had slapped her and win

ck to their SUV. Eric opened the doors for them. After they were al

ble silence as Tori leaned her head on Tammy's

h the front door. She slumped on her couch as Tammy went into the kitchen to ge

ed at her, then down at his feet. He

telling him she didn't believe him. He s

way. He is a friend of mine, so you don't have to worry about him

know?" He look

a pointed look. He twisted his face like

er. She's bound by the oath to keep the secret." Tori j

e timidly asks, eyes down low. E

next to Tori, she places the wrapped ice bag on her hand and hands her another

Tori gapes at

Why didn

cret, right? I only assume that means for all, not just Eric." Tori stares at her friend while holding an

turn, called Dr. MacDonald to help. The hospital gave him privileges to treat you, and he gave you some super pill or something, and you got better. The point is, I didn't leave your side that entire week. I learned some of your history from your dad. Of course, he left the heavy stuf

anything...even to me." Tori closed her ey

"W

They are real. You are real. Eric is real. I love you guys more than anything and would never betray you like that." She sat back, smiling at Eric, and gently grabbed Tori's hand. "I'm pretty o

s that guy

of him; he won't hurt you." Eric gave her a mischievous smile. "Besides, I think

lf; why would he even......" Tori stop

Tori just hid her face in embarrassment.

iful, smart, sassy, and sexy! Ever

he had gotten up and left her without notice; she felt aba

wouldn't know a good thing if it sat on his face!" Tori

loud beside Tammy, who just

wouldn't! It

art felt lighter, and her tears had dried up. She looked down at her ha

you gave that fender. Did you see

the morning. Speaking of which, I need to get some sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow. Dr. MacDonald

credulous look on her face. Tori s

having trouble assimilating into the real world. He was ca

ath and shook her head. Eric grunted

riend?" He gave her a kn

se fire. It's the same fire where he lost his father. Eric became ston

e are you

winced as she said the word. "...Packhouse." Tammy jumped to

? That could be dangerous! You

with Dr. MacDonald. Th

et there is a lot that he doesn't know about him. Is

y to. Everyone deserves a chance to heal. I have made up my mind. I will talk with my dad about it tomorrow at lunch, but I will take him up on hi

to be safe. Don't take a

c over her shoulder, she felt uneasy under his stare. It looked like he knew something but wasn't goi

tomorrow. You get some rest." Tammy pul

e fun... "she shrugged her shoulders before slightly c

limped to the door and

? Why was he here? Why does he feel so familiar? She was too tired to dwell and would figure it out later. Right now, she wanted

her father's number, and let it ri

You, okay?" She ch

see if you wanted to have lunch tomorrow,

e wonderful! You

go to George's D

ething on your mind?" Tori sighed and quickly thought about saying anythin

bend your ear a

What

rary job I was offered." She hea

of job?" He ask

p a friend of his. It seems his nephew is

doesn't so

a of the Hidden Falls Pack." She h

u to heal him?" H

mainstream life mentally. As far as I know,

that is somethin

ke to vent my pros and cons. You were alwa

always help. We'll ta

Dad; I'll meet y

see you then. Good

ight, Dad.

a little. Slowly, she got up and headed into the kitchen to get a bottle of water and two painkillers. Tossing the pill

oom. After brushing her teeth, washing her face, and combing her hair, she dressed in her pajamas and headed to bed. Crawling under the sheets and comforter, she set her alarm early the following day, lay