Free Saving Toby by Suzanne McKenna Link Page B

shook my head, but my eyes were on Toby. With Devlin gone,
the anger left him, and his whole demeanor transformed to one of concern.
    “You didn’t drink anything he gave you, did you?”
    “No, I didn’t.” I pulled away from Dario. “What did you mean
by ‘that’s only the beginning?’”
    Toby looked troubled as April and Dario exchanged knowing
looks. I felt like a small child, out of the adult conversation.
    “Toby, take Claudia and go sit down over there.” April
pointed towards a few chairs off the patio. “Dario and I will get drinks.”
    Before they walked away, April leaned into Toby and kissed
his cheek.
    “Always one to make quite the entrance.”

10. Claudia
    April and Dario went into the Ryans’ house to get drinks, and
the crowded circle of people loosened. A few guys slapped Toby’s back,
congratulating him on the fight, before they moved away.
    Toby twisted his head from side to side stretching the
muscles in his neck.
    We sat in the chairs April had suggested, and I faced off
with him.
    “Are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
    He leaned forward in his seat putting his head in his hands
and rubbed his forehead. “I’m pretty sure he spiked your drink.”
    “Once I tasted it, I would have known right away.”
    “I’m not talking about alcohol.”
    “You mean…” My chest felt tight. “Oh, no. That can’t be
right.”
    “You don’t believe me?”
    “No, it’s just  …  I don’t understand,” I stammered. “Why
would he do that?”
    “Would you have gone somewhere to be alone with him
tonight?”
    “No, of course not.” I shook my head vehemently.
    “That’s why. He knew he didn’t have a chance with you. He’s
been talking about you since he saw you at my house. All he had to do is be
nice enough so you’d accept a drink from him. After that, he would wait a
little while then take you somewhere.”
    He didn’t need to say more.
    Nauseated, I covered my face for a moment.
    “I was totally unsuspecting,” I groused. “Really, quite the
perfect victim. My father would have a canary if he knew.”
    “There are lots of screwed up guys out there,” he went on.
“You shouldn’t take drinks from people you don’t know and never let your
drink leave your sight.”
    A father-like speech, but I was grateful.
    I nudged his shoulder and said, “Thank you. I really
appreciate that you were looking out for me.”
    “Sure.”
    I felt a chill tingle up my arms and remembered I’d left my
sweater in April’s car.
    “Cold?”
    “Probably just nerves, but yes, a little.” I nodded. He took
off his black zip-up sweatshirt and put it over my shoulders. The sweatshirt,
still warm from his body heat, smelled musky with his cologne.
    “Thanks.”
    “Let me just grab my cigarettes.” He hesitated before
reaching over and putting his hand in the pocket. I felt his hand at my rib
cage. I held my breath as he pulled out the pack.
    “I didn’t know you smoked.”
    “I don’t smoke in the house, around Julia.” He shook the
pack and pulled one out. “Want one?”
    I shook my head. “I don’t smoke.”
    Strobe lights came on, and the music pumped up. A sizeable
crowd was dancing when Dario and April came back with our drinks. They were
laughing as they offered us beer and water. Holding the unlit cigarette in his
mouth, Toby took the bottled water from Dario, twisted the top off, and handed
it me.
    April touched my shoulder. “You okay, chica?”
    I nodded. “I’m fine.”
    “The band is amazing.” April moved her hips, swaying to the
beat. “We need to dance. It’ll put us in a better mood.”
    Dario held out his hand to her. “I’m ready, mama. Let’s
boogie.”
    April took his hand and waved to us. “Come on, Toby. Claudia
loves to dance.”
    Toby didn’t move. “I make it a habit to never dance in
public. It’s not pretty,” he said and turned to me. “But you go. I’m okay by
myself.”
    I pushed back into my chair. “No, I’m not in