Torn - Part 1: The Torn Series Read Online Free PDF

to me. I hadn’t gotten so drunk that I forgot anything that happened - just enough that it was an effort to remember. Mallet had backed off after our kiss. I couldn’t believe that had even happened; it felt like a dream. And I couldn’t get it out of my head. Should I tell Tyler about it? Slide it into the conversation at some point? The whole idea had been to make him jealous.
    I zombie-walked to the bathroom and got into the shower with my eyes closed. Mallet's kiss was still an echo on my lips. I didn't feel especially guilty, which in itself made me feel bad. I had to keep reminding myself that Tyler had dumped me. It was easy to forget. And just because I intended on getting him to take me back didn't mean I wasn't allowed a little fun in the meantime.
    It wasn't like I went home with the guy.
    Though a little part of me had wanted to.
    Mallet was a total gentleman the rest of the evening - even a little distant. He made sure I got home safely, even walked me to my building even though it wasn't his stop.
    "It would make him insane with jealousy if you invited me up," he'd said with a wink, but I think he knew as well as I did that it wasn't a good idea.
    "Thanks for everything, really," I said, impulsively pulling him in for a quick hug. What can I say, I'm a drunk hugger.
    "No worries," he said, smoothly extracting himself from my sloppy embrace. "I'll see you Saturday. Let me know how it goes with the ex."
    I watched him leave feeling oddly disappointed. I wanted to kiss him again.
    I was a mess.
     
    ○●○●○●○●○
     
    I tried to feel out Jen for information at rehearsal the next evening. I had a shift right after - I was working at a bar not too far from my place, so I wouldn't be able to spend the night hanging out with them.
    We rented a rehearsal space for as many practice sessions as we could - it looked almost like a classroom, complete with a chalkboard, and it wasn’t cheap. In theory I was supposed to chip in as a member of the band but they were cutting me a break until I’d played a few shows and made a little more money. I had almost no savings at the moment but I was trying.
    "It was nice of Mallet to take me home," I said, eying Jen for a reaction.
    She grinned. "He liked you."
    I tried to hide the smile that spread across my face by looking down at my bass intently, tuning it by ear. "What did he say?"
    "Aw, you're blushing!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands. "He said you were cute."
    I scoffed. Who cares about "cute?"
    "And he said he wants to bone you."
    "Oh, God," I said covering my face, and both Jen and Robin laughed.
    "You totally should," Robin said, "He's pretty hot."
    "He's the perfect rebound," Jen said. "Have a little fun while you get over Tyler."
    "I don't want to rebound," I mumbled. "Did he say anything else?"
    "No, that was all. 'She's cute. I want to bone her.' I told him he has my blessing as long as he doesn't fuck it up so bad that you quit the band."
    I blushed again. I guess that means they want me to play with them for a while. I'd thought our Sunday show had gone well, but my definition of "well" could have been vastly different from theirs.
    Practice breezed by too quickly. Even if punk pop covers weren't quite my thing, I loved playing and loved just being part of a band. I had to bite my tongue against all the questions about Mallet that came to me through the evening. I didn't want them to think I was interested. Hell, I didn't want to be interested.
    But I was looking forward to seeing him again.
     
    ○●○●○●○●○
     
    Saturday couldn’t come quickly enough. Tyler never displayed the jealousy I’d hoped to inspire, and if anything, things between us were deteriorating even further. He was barely speaking to me at all.
    I’d been getting more and more fed up all week. I wanted to see what Mallet thought - the whole jealousy thing was his idea in the first place. Maybe he could come up with another plan.
    Or maybe he’d want to kiss me