The key to forever, p.16
The Key to Forever, page 16
Ethan knew when she’d hit her stride. The building orgasm was clear in her eyes and movements and when she shuddered and threw her head back, he increased the pressure, holding her hips steady. She wouldn’t remain still though and the movement along with the clutching his dick was going through was his undoing. He bucked into her hard as his orgasm spewed from him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ethan
The size of the concert venue surprised Ethan. He’d been to some smaller venues in Oakland and Berkeley since he’d returned home but hadn’t ventured into the city for music. Who knew if he ever would have, but tonight was different.
He expected a small club-like atmosphere, but this was a real concert venue. It wasn’t The Fillmore, but there were no tables with people eating hamburgers or chicken wings either. Matter of fact, there were no tables at all. Most of the venue was standing only except the second floor which had stadium seating.
Ethan checked his phone for his ticket stub and realized he was seated upstairs but on the side nearest the band. He ran up the stairs and found his seat, realizing his view was the best in the house. Perks, he supposed, of dating the guitarist.
The air blew cold on top of him, cooling him down from his run. He was grateful for the strong AC because the venue was filling up quickly and the throng of bodies would generate some serious heat.
Although cooler, Ethan could use a drink. He looked behind him and scanned the upstairs, his gaze landing on the closest bar. He ordered a cold bottle of water and a couple drams of whisky neat, then headed back to his seat. He could let loose a little tonight since he rode BART over and would ride back home with Tori after the concert. He still had work in the morning so he couldn’t go overboard.
A couple sat down right behind him and filled his space with a strong cloying cologne. Ethan coughed but hurriedly covered his mouth, then popped the lid on his water and took a sip.
An extremely tall woman sat beside him and smiled. She had blindingly straight white teeth.
Ethan returned the smile, a quick flashing of his own teeth, and turned back to the stage, hoping to get a glimpse of Tori.
“They’ll be out in a minute.”
Music played in the background while people filed into the venue. It wasn’t loud enough for Ethan to have misheard the woman. He did wonder why she said it. He only nodded.
“You look like you’re anxious for the band to come out. That’s why I said that.”
He definitely didn’t want to be rude, but also didn’t really have time for this woman’s small talk. This was his first time seeing Tori play with the band, and he wanted to absorb every second. He also didn’t want to give his seat mate the wrong idea. “Thanks. Yes, I know. My girlfriend’s in the band.” Ethan had no idea why he said that. He and Tori hadn’t put any labels on their relationship. If she knew he was up here throwing around the “g” word, she’d probably immediately break up with him.
“Your girlfriend, huh?” The woman smiled again, this time more wolf than toothpaste commercial. “I probably should have introduced myself first. I’m Jessica.” She stuck out her hand. “Tori’s neighbor.”
Ethan’s stomach dropped, but he shook it off and clasped her hand in a firm shake. “Ethan.”
“Oh yes, I know. Tori’s mentioned you but I didn’t realize you’d made it official.”
Clearly, she knew Ethan fudged a little in qualifying his relationship with Tori. Now it was up to him to set the record straight because if Ethan was nothing else, he was honest. “We haven’t. I guess it’s more hopeful pining on my part.” He laughed to lighten his words, but they hit a little close to home.
She leaned in, a little too near for Ethan’s liking considering they’d just met a minute ago. “I get it. Tori’s a hard one to pin down. For what it’s worth, I think you have a real chance at winning her over.” She held up her hand when he opened his mouth. “Don’t ask me any questions. I won’t betray my girl, but I’m rooting for you.”
Ethan nodded, contrition rolling off him. “I appreciate—”
“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to The Candle.” The announcer raised his arms, clearly awaiting applause.
The crowd gave it to him.
Jessica leaned in again, shouting over the clapping. “I’m so excited. She’s going to kill it.”
Ethan nodded along while watching as Tori and her bandmates came onto the stage and readied themselves to perform.
The announcer introduced the band then stepped backstage.
The lead singer stepped to the mic and the drummer tapped her sticks together and they were off.
Ethan watched and listened in rapt awe. Tori was a real-life rock star and as he watched, he realized this was what she was born to do.
“She’s incredible, right?”
“Yes.” He didn’t turn Jessica’s way, but hoped his enthusiasm came through with that one word. He didn’t want any distractions while Tori played. She became his singular focus and the rest of the room faded away. Damn, she was incredible.
Watching Tori chilled Ethan’s insides. She would discover playing guitar in a real band was what she was meant to do and there was no doubt in Ethan’s mind she would leave the city behind. Would leave him behind.
And as much as he wanted to be with her, Ethan couldn’t deny that Tori should.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Tori
Elizabeth’s phone went to voice mail again. It was unusual for that to happen in the middle of the week in the evening. She was normally home or hanging out with Amy or Mia. Tori frowned at the phone.
She wanted to pick up her good acoustic guitar she stored in her old bedroom before practice tonight. Mother and daughter were good about respecting boundaries. They had keys to each other’s places but always rang the doorbell first. If Mom wasn’t home, Tori could just go by and get the guitar, and give Maxx some love too since he was alone.
Tori hopped in her car and took off, not wanting to be late for practice. When she got to Mom’s house, she called one more time with no answer. So weird. She used her key to let herself in and Maxx’s deep bellow came from the back of the house. She went that way and he met her in the hallway, tail wagging.
“Hey, buddy. Where’d Mom go?” She scratched behind his ears then gave him long pets down his back.
“Tori, what’s going on?”
Tori jumped back, then placed a hand over her heart. “You scared me to death. What are you doing here?” She awaited her mom’s reply which she figured was something akin to her living there.
But that reply didn’t come. Instead, Mom was fidgety, tying and untying the belt of her robe.
Her robe? It was six in the evening. Why would her mother be dressed for bed already? “Are you sick? What’s going on? Why didn’t you answer the phone?”
Mom straightened her back and walked past Tori. “Let’s go in the kitchen and talk.”
Thoroughly confused, Tori followed Elizabeth into the kitchen and perched herself on one of the barstools. Maxx laid near her feet and watched her with sad eyes.
What did this dog know that Tori didn’t? Was Mom actually sick? “Mom, you’re scaring me.”
Elizabeth washed her hands in the sink and poured them both a glass of cold water, then sat next to Tori.
“I’m just going to head out.” A man poked his head into the kitchen, an apologetic smile creasing his face.
Tori nearly toppled out of her chair. In all her years being alive, she’d never seen a man in this house. At least not one sneaking out from the bedroom. “Who are you?” Her heart beat a mile a minute. At first from fright, then from the realization that Mom wasn’t scared and must know this man.
Mom cleared her throat. “That’s what I was about to tell you. Tori, this is Edgar. My, uh, boyfriend.”
So many feelings rushed through Tori at once. Thankfully her true nature took over because there was no way she could manufacture politeness right now. “Hi, Edgar. It’s, um, nice to meet you. I’m Tori. Her daughter.” She spared a moment to wonder why Mom hadn’t introduced her as such.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Tori. I hope to see you again soon under different circumstances.” He looked at Mom. “Call me later.”
Mom nodded and he left.
Maxx never moved from his spot by Tori, not even when Edgar abruptly showed up. What was going on?
When the front door shut and the key turned in the lock, Tori turned to her mother. “He has a key to your house. Mom, what in the world is going on?”
“I told you, honey. Edgar is my boyfriend.”
“Since when do you date?”
Elizabeth took a long pull of water, then turned fully in her seat to face Tori. “When raising a daughter as a single mother, you have to be careful. And I was always protective of you and never wanted to put you in a bad situation, so I didn’t really date while you were growing up or even when you lived here.”
“Okay, but this man has a key to your house. And I haven’t lived here in a while so why am I just meeting him or even hearing about him?”
Mom was busy tracing the pattern on the counter, not really looking at Tori. She took a deep breath and met her daughter’s gaze. “You’ve made it clear how you feel about that sort of thing. After Melanie’s failed marriage, you amped up your ridicule of relationships. So in the end, I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Nor did I want your judgment. Edgar understood so we’ve kept it quiet.”
“How long?” Tori’s skin prickled at her mother’s explanation. It made no sense.
“About three years.”
She should have just slapped Tori. It would have been less hurtful. “You’ve kept someone clearly important to you from me this whole time. None of this makes sense.”
“What doesn’t make sense?”
Tori threw her hands in the air. “Well for one thing, why even adopt if you knew you wanted a partner in your life? I can’t imagine someone wanting that then staying single for decades.”
“I don’t want to discuss my reasons. You’ve met Edgar now so I hope you’ll be okay with him coming around.”
Of course she didn’t want to discuss that part of all this. Boundaries were never more clearly drawn than around Tori’s adoption. She wouldn’t hold it against Edgar though. “I wouldn’t have ever minded it, Mom. I just wish you could have been open with me.” If Mom was holding all this secret, Tori wondered what else had been kept from her.
Elizabeth nodded and took another sip of her water. “Good. Because I want him to come to the cookout Sunday.”
“Does everyone else know about him but me?”
“No. Just Amy. And Melanie.”
Of course her sisters would know. Tori couldn’t get over why she hadn’t shared Edgar’s existence with her though. Three years was a long time and it’s not like Tori and Elizabeth had a strained relationship. They were completely in each other’s lives. There was a piece missing to this puzzle and Tori was more curious than ever to find out what it was. “I’m looking forward to getting to know him.”
Tears shone bright in her mother’s eyes. “I’m so glad.” She reached for her daughter and grabbed Tori up in a strong hug.
In that moment, Tori’s confusion and anger dropped away. Mom was happy. That’s really all that mattered anyway.
*
Ethan groaned and turned over on his back. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”
Tori shrugged. “Nothing.” And there wasn’t anything wrong, but she did have a lot on her mind. After rehearsal, she and Ethan fell into his bed. She loved sex with him, but tonight was probably more about forgetting everything she learned earlier. She wanted to get lost in his body and the way he made her feel. His careful touches and sweet kisses.
She couldn’t relax all the way though because in the back of her mind, she wondered if he knew and kept Mom’s secret. Mom didn’t mention Leah knowing, but she also couldn’t imagine Melanie keeping her sister’s man a secret from her best friend. And Leah would definitely tell her sons. They were close like that.
“You keep saying nothing but you’re obviously distracted.”
Tori sighed and set up, looking down at a prone Ethan. “Did you know my mother has a boyfriend?”
His eyes widened considerably. “Really? No, I hadn’t heard. Do you not like him?”
“I only met him today. And totally by accident. Apparently, they’ve been together three years. He’s called Edgar.” She thought about the handsome older man. Mom was sixty and if Tori had to guess, he was somewhere in that age group. Maybe closer to fifty but definitely middle-aged.
Ethan sat up then too. The sheet slipped to just above his knees and Tori wished she hadn’t brought this up. “Wow. I’d be so angry. Are you okay?”
“I’m not mad, just hurt.”
“I can see that too. Did she say why she kept him secret?”
She released a bitter laugh. “Only a secret from me. Apparently my aunts know and have known all along. I guess not your mom though.”
“Oh, is that why you asked if I knew?”
She nodded. Her words were not flowing well tonight. When she slipped into thoughts about Mom and Edgar, her eyes burned, and she had to blink away tears. When Ethan was inside her, those thoughts melted away.
He placed a hand on hers. “I hope you know I would never lie to you. Even by omission.” Ethan didn’t make it a habit of lying to anyone. A fact that often got him in trouble, especially with his mother and brother. They called it uncalled for criticism.
“I know. It would have been gut wrenching if you knew about this and didn’t say anything.”
He nodded. “But I also don’t go out of my way to gossip about other people. If it doesn’t concern me, I try to stay out of it.”
The air thickened around Tori, and she had to suck in a deep breath to clear it. “Which is it, Ethan? You would never lie to me or you would if it didn’t concern you?”
“If it concerns you, it concerns me. I’m just thinking if anyone bothered to tell me about your mother’s boyfriend, it would have been before they knew how I felt about you. Before I came home. I have to be honest though, I hope I’m never put in that position because I wouldn’t want to be the one to hurt you.”
That made sense. Tori laid her head on Ethan’s shoulder. “I get it.”
“What now? Did he seem like a decent guy?”
“I only saw him for about a minute and I was too shocked to form a real opinion. He seemed nice enough. You’ll get to see for yourself Sunday.”
“He’s coming to the cookout?”
Tori snorted. “Cat’s out of the bag. He may as well.”
Ethan put his arm around Tori and pulled her closer. “I’m sorry they kept this from you.” He kissed her temple and rested his head against hers.
She could seriously get used to this. Maybe she and Ethan were in the cards after all. “Thanks. You know what else is so…interesting? I’ve grown up with these women all my life. Nary a grown man in site. I’ve recently accepted that it informed all my decisions concerning dating. They didn’t need a partner so why should I? They were thriving and that’s what I wanted for myself.” She rubbed a hand across Ethan’s stomach. “Then you barged into my life and wouldn’t take a casual relationship as an option. When I started spending more time with you and wanting something more with you, I felt guilty. Like I was letting the model down.”
Ethan nodded and squeezed her tighter.
“Then Aunt Melanie decided to get married again. No notice that she’d been dating which is why it was so surprising. Especially after she said she was done with men. And now Mom.” She sighed and sunk deeper into Ethan. “It’s such a betrayal. And I still don’t understand why they kept this from me. Their excuses are flimsy at best. Nefarious at worst which I don’t even want to think about.” It was impossible to believe her mother and aunts had anything but Tori’s best intentions in mind. The math wasn’t mathing though.
“Sunday should be interesting. Are you bringing anything?”
“Yeah, I’m supposed to bring the potato salad and rolls. You?”
“As you can imagine, there’s no one in our families who wants me to cook something so I’m bringing the wine and beer.”
Tori laughed. Sounded about right. “Smart. You want me to pick you up?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks for listening, Ethan.”
Maybe there was something to this relationship business after all. She could definitely get used to this.
*
When Tori and Ethan walked into Amy’s backyard, all gazes swung their way. Maybe she should have prepared everyone beforehand but with the Edgar surprise, Tori forgot.
She leaned into Ethan. “I’m guessing you haven’t mentioned us to your mom.”
“You’re guessing correctly. You either?”
“No.” It wasn’t intentional. Between her new demanding job and snatching whatever free time she had with Ethan, it really hadn’t been on her mind. She bit her lip and her stomach dropped. Was she a hypocrite? She dismissed the thought as soon as it appeared. She’d been dating Ethan for a few weeks, not three years. And she wasn’t intentionally hiding. Here they were together after all.
Sharon was the first to recover and came over to greet them. She hugged Tori’s neck then Ethan’s then relieved Tori of the huge disposable container she’d put her potato salad in. “So what do we have here?”
Tori looked to Ethan, unsure how to answer. She’d yet to share her true feelings with him. She wanted to answer that they were casual, just feeling each other out. But it was more than that to Tori. It was taking her a minute to come to terms with her feelings though.
“We’re together.” Ethan, ever the straightforward voice in the mix of confusion.
“Is that right?” Sharon tilted her head and grinned like she had a secret. Then she rotated and looked at the rest of the group.
Tori could only imagine the shit-eating grin on her cousin’s face.
Leah was at the grill, flipping over beef ribs and didn’t hear the exchange.
