Chapter 206: Chapter 206

Tor POV

"Why all the questions, Toren?"

"I'm curious. I met someone younger..."

Her ice blue eyes hone in on me like two bright beacons cutting through fog.

"Holy shit," she breathes out slowly. "It finally happened."

"What?"

"You and Kyra Callis. I knew it!" She smacks her palm down on the table triumphantly. "I always knew something was there between you two."

"Tessie, don't be crazy." I scoff at her but fear snakes through me. I didn't think she would figure me out so quickly. I thought I could just nonchalantly pick her brain to see if I could get some insight on how a younger girl would feel about dating an older guy. Now she's got me cornered.

She tilts her head at me. "Seriously, Tor? Come on. Stop the bullshit. Obviously you need to talk so let's just drop the charade, okay?"

It's hard to admit, but she hit the nail right on the head. I do need someone to talk to before I lose my mind from keeping this all bottled up inside me. I know I can talk to Lukas, but the fact that he's related to Kyra and Aiden still makes me nervous. I need to talk to someone who's not personally invested in Kyra.

"You have to promise that this stays between us, Tess."

"Of course it will. You look like you're about to have a mental breakdown. Your eyebrow is twitching. I knew something was up when you took off a few weeks ago. Were you with her? Is that why you went away for the weekend?"

"No, I was alone. But things were starting to happen and I needed to get away to think. Usually I talk to Aiden about everything, ya know? But I can't tell him I'm freakin' in love with his kid."

Her mouth falls open. "Wow. I never thought I'd actually hear you admit it."

"What's the point in lying to you? I love her. Like I want to marry her."

"Whoa." She puts her hand up. "Let's back it up, cowboy. She's eighteen."

"I know. I don't mean tomorrow, Tess. But someday, when she's ready to make that commitment. That's what I want."

Her eyes are wide and glassy as she reaches across the table and grabs my hand. "My God, Tor. I knew you had a thing for each other, but marriage? That's a huge step for her to even think about at her age. Aiden will flip his fucking lid."

"Why do you think I'm so fucked up?"

"And what about her? How does she feel?"

"She loves me, too. She wants the same things I want."

"Yeah, today, maybe. But she's eight-fucking-teen. Look how much I've changed in the past two years, Tor. Am I the same person I was when I was eighteen?" She raises her eyebrows at me.

"In some ways yes and others no."

"Exactly."

"So you don't think it can last? You think she'll just change? Want someone else?" I try to picture Kyra with another man and I can't. I can't even force that scenario in my head. My mind goes blank. I can only see Kyra with me, and I can only see myself with her.

"I don't know. But I think it’s a very big possibility."

I pull my hand away from hers. "This isn't helping me." I grumble. "I'm trying to be honest, and you have to hear it. But on the other hand, Tor... you guys have obviously had some kind of deep connection for years that hasn't gone away, right? So maybe it can last. I know this is hard, but only time will tell."

"I guess you're right." I nod. "But let's just say she and I are dating. Do you think we look weird together? Does she look too young? Do I look old? I don't want people staring at us."

"I know you have mirrors in your house, Tor. You're not fat and bald, for God's sake. You look great. Your body is like a damn Greek God. And you've still got that rock star look going on with the hair and tattoos. So no, you don't look old." She pauses to sip her coffee. "And don't even get me started on Kyra. That girl is gorgeous. And she doesn't even have to try, it's so unfair. She doesn't look or act eighteen, so I think once again, you're okay if you're worried about visual appearances."

"Well, that makes me feel better."

"What about conversation? Do you have things to talk about? Things in common? She hasn't turned into a babbling idiot, right?"

"Definitely not. That's not a problem for us at all. We've always had great conversations."

"How about sex? Have you slept with her?"

Memories of Kyra on top of me last night and holding her in my arms for hours afterwards float through my mind. "Yesterday was the first time we ever slept together. And it was fucking amazing."

She sighs. "A little bit TMI, but I'm glad to hear you at least waited. The age of consent is sixteen, ya know. So it's nice you waited 'til she was eighteen."

"I'm not an asshole, Tesla. I do have some morals left."

"Were you her first?"

"Yes."

She gapes at me again. "Wow. Talk about setting the bar. My first guy was a scrawny sixteen year old who barely knew where to stick it. She's going to compare every guy in her life to you. That's going to be a tough act to follow."

"Don't even say that."

"Ya know, if you guys somehow make this work, it's wicked romantic. For you to be her first and only for her entire life? That's just crazy awesome. And the fact that you'd wait for her to grow up to marry her? It's like an epic fairytale." She stares off across the room with a giddy smile on her face. "It's like every little girl’s dream. To find the Prince."

"I'm not sure I'm much of a Prince."

"In her eyes you are."

"So if we were together, you'd be okay with it?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I want you to be happy, and I like Kyra. I hate that bitch Sydni and Lisa are just stuck up."

"She's not stuck up, you just have to get to know her."

"I'll pass. Are you still dating her, too?"

"Fuck no. I'm not seeing anyone else at all. I haven't even slept with anyone for over six months. The minute I started having feelings for Kyra, I just couldn't do it."

"Impressive."

"No, it's love. I only want her. That's it."

"Mom will be ecstatic. She totally thinks you're gay."