The Rutherford Twins {Book One}

Chapter 48

Nancy's P.O.V

"Uhm...yeah? Okay... Yes. Sure. Mhm..." I fumble around with words, unable to say something coherent.

It's not my fault. Tory is calling me as early as 8am this morning!

"You sound...uncomfortable. Is it just me?" Tory checks.

"What? No! I'm not uncomfortable, Tory. Your call is just... I don't know, unexpected? I didn't know you'd actually call me first. I thought I'd be the one to do so." I explain calmly, enjoying the comfort of the warm sheets.

I hear a soft laugh leave him. "Well uh... No. I should have called yesterday, but I was super busy with the restaurant. You know? The cooking and all... I also thought to call in the evening, but I saw you were live. In fact, I noticed your live call from Facebook. Someone shared it."

Someone shared it when it was still live? On Facebook?

I'm happy about that, but at the same time, I'm not. Is it just my brain not functioning properly cause it's past 8am or what?

I'm not even on Facebook; have never been on that app. Since preteenhood, I felt like Instagram and Twitter are the confirmed 'big person's app'. Facebook isn't just a place I like. To me, it's just not legit which is funny because it's the same person that owns Instagram and Twitter - not technically, because it's Jack Dorsey that owns Twitter.  But they work differently.

To me.

I remember the first and last time Nina joined Facebook. We were 11 years then. She barely stayed three days in the app, before she deleted it. When I asked her why, she said- and I quote: "the friend requests I get is annoying. There's no privacy; too many false news, annoying stickers and stupid people on it." Yup. Those were Nina's words. Her feedback alone discouraged me from even bothering to get the app. I mean, any tiny hope I had, to try the app, was destroyed when she shared her experience.

"...and did you join in the live stream?" I ask instead.

I didn't know Tory has an Android phone. He said he had a small one. I'm a little confused as to how he was able to see the link on Facebook.

"No. I saw it through Lucy's phone. We were together when she blurted it out. She watched it, but I didn't. I went to bed."

Oh. Well that explains it.

He was with Lucy.

I nod slowly, even though I know he can't see me. "How is she?"

"Who?" He asks.

"Lucy. You just said you guys were together when she blurted out about my live stream. How is she doing? How's she holding up with her boyfriend and Uncle?" I ask carefully. Better to do so than provoke Tory; thereby making him regret calling.

For now.

"Oh... She's doing just fine. Getting better everyday." He says coolly and I can mentally picture him shrugging.

"Okay."

"So, how was your New Year yesterday?" He asks.

"Uh... It was okay. I guess. I'm alive. That's what's important."

You're alive, but that note said last Christmas may be your last.

Keep quiet, subconscious!

"Okay. That's good. Uhm, are you free later today? It's just that uh, I'd like to speak with you...in person."

Okay; not gonna lie; this has me interested. "What?" I breathe a chuckle. "I thought you wanted me out of your life? What changed?"

He keeps silent for a few seconds, before speaking. "Everyone deserves a second chance."