Elias
After I calmed Tori down, we talked. I didn't want miscommunication between us.
"Look, I know our ideas were wrong, but I would never discard your feelings. I know you felt crushed when you heard me say you're like a kid sister to me. I wish I would have never said it," I said, being honest about my regret.
"It's hard when you like someone because of how they treat you. You would listen to me when others ignored me. You know my likes and dislikes. I felt special," Tori sniffled with her head down.
"You are special. Never think you aren't," I said.
Tori lifted her head with tear-streaked cheeks. I reached over and brushed away her tears with my thumb.
"Did you mean what you said? About falling in love with me?" Tori asked with furrowed brows.
"Yes," I answered, nodding my head. "Did you mean what you said?"
"More than you know," Tori whispered.
"Oh, I do because I see it in your face," I replied.
I learned you could see Tori's emotions through her facial expressions. Most people overlook it, but I didn't because I read lips a lot. I studied faces while growing up, especially when my hearing aids quit working. You learn to interpret reactions and emotions.
"I hate how Bradley uses my insecurities against me, and I let him," Tori mumbled.
"Then stop letting him get to you. When people see your weakness, they will exploit it. Some people get a kick out of bringing others down. It doesn't make them look good," I reasoned.
"I know," she sighed.
I know what I'm talking about with people. I saw the negativity from people when they found out I'm deaf. Some of the girls I dated treated me like I'm damaged because I had a disability. It's part of who I am, but it doesn't define me. It never has and never will.
"Now, I have to talk to my dad," I mentioned.
"Why?" Tori asked.
"Because it seems Don Wilson decided not to drop the lawsuit after your dad threatened him."
"I don't understand why someone would want to pursue a lawsuit after what their family did to others. Don Wilson abused his kid."
"I know, but not everything has good intentions. It's bullshit." I shrugged.
"Don Wilson is an asshole."
I arched an eyebrow at Tori. Then my hearing aids decided to go on the fritz. I caught bits and pieces of Tori's conversation, then held up my hand. She looked at me as I pointed to my hearing aids. Then I signed, "My batteries are dying. I have to replace them. Did you want to come with me?"
Tori signed back. "Sure, why not? Plus, I have to talk to Deacon."
"What happened with Deacon?" I signed.
"I took my anger on him. I thought he told you about my crush after we pinky swore at twelve."
"Wait. What?"
Tori looked at me with confusion. "Wait. You didn't know Deacon knew about my crush?"
I shook my head. I watched Tori's expression change to surprise. Deacon never told me about Tori's crush when he found out. He mentioned a few weeks ago like it was no big deal. I thought he said it to push me into spending time with Tori. Yeah, little brother and I will have a chat.
*********
Tori
I followed Elias out of my room and house, then walked with him to his house. When we went inside, he went to Nora to get new batteries. I went to find Deacon.
I knocked on Deacon's door and opened it to see him lying on his bed, looking at his phone. I took a deep breath and walked over to him.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"Oh, is that because you thought I broke our promise when I didn't," Deacon said, not looking at me.
"Deacon! You tool!" Elias yelled.
Deacon sat up as Elias marched into his room.
"You knew Tori always had a crush on me but made me believe it was recent," Elias snapped.
I looked at Deacon as I crossed my arms.
"Yeah, because you would have never seen the forest for the damn trees," Deacon snapped, standing up.
"So you did break your promise," I huffed.
"No, I never told Elias about your crush when we were younger. I mentioned it a few weeks ago because I knew you both had feelings for each other," Deacon confessed.
"What?" Elias and I exclaimed.
"What? Did you think I didn't the kind of friendship you have with each other? I saw how you both acted towards each other. People thought I was dumb growing up, but it doesn't mean I don't see how people feel about each other. Most guys wouldn't take time to listen to a girl when she talked about things she likes," Deacon answered.
"That's doesn't mean anything," I said, shaking my head. Elias talked to me when I was younger, to be excellent.
"Oh? Let me ask you something. Did Bradley bring you Slurpees because you love them? Did he ask you what your favorite color is? Or know your favorite flavor of ice cream? Did he bother to check on you when you were sick?" Deacon asked me.
I looked at Deacon. "No, Elias did," I said, furrowing my brows.
"Because Elias liked you but didn't want people getting the wrong impression, including us. When you ignored him at the beach, he turned off his hearing aids because you hurt his feelings," Deacon snapped, taking me back.
I turned and looked at Elias as he looked at me, not saying anything.
"Tori, you want the truth, but not the truth about your actions. It's okay for people to feel bad when they hurt your feelings, but not when you hurt someone else's feelings," Deacon told me.
I stood there, not knowing what to say.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, not looking at Elias or Deacon. I felt horrible.
"Okay, we were both jerks to each other," Elias said as my head snapped up. I looked at Elias. "It doesn't change the way I feel about you."
Elias reached over to me and pulled me to him. He leaned his head down as he kissed me.
"Well, that's gross. Could you go into another room and make out?" Deacon asked.
"You're an ass," Elias said against my lips. I giggled as he pecked my lips then led me out of Deacon's room.
As soon as we entered the hallway, we heard yelling.
"This is bullshit!" Matt yelled.
Elias and I looked at each other and made our way to the kitchen. We saw Matt reading papers as Nora stood there, furrowing her brows.
"I thought that asshole dropped the lawsuit!" Matt snapped.
"I would contact your cousin," Nora reasoned.
"Jaime retired from doing law. He's not practicing anymore," Matt said.
"Couldn't he recommend you to someone?" Nora asked.
Matt shook his head. "I'll call dad and see if he knows someone who can help."
I looked at Elias. "I need to talk to my dad. I'll see you later."
Elias nodded as I kissed him, then left. I found dad working on the lawnmower in the garage.
"Matt's in trouble," I said.
My dad stopped and looked at me with confusion. "What do you mean?" He asked me.
"Don Wilson is suing him for assault," I mentioned.
Dad set the lawnmower down and grabbed a rag, wiping off his hands. He stood up and made his way next door. He knocked, and Elias answered it.
"Where's your dad?" Dad asked.
"On the phone with Grandpa. He's trying to figure out legal help," Elias answered.
"Tell your dad not to worry, and I need to see the paperwork," dad mentioned.
"Okay," Elias said.
We followed Elias into the kitchen. He got Matt's attention. Then Matt ended his phone call. Matt handed my dad the paperwork. He read through it, then gave it back to Matt.
"I warned Don Wilson, and he didn't listen. Bring your paperwork to my office tomorrow, and I will countersue," dad said, surprising Matt, Nora, and Elias.
My dad wasn't bluffing when he told Don Wilson to drop the lawsuit since he's an attorney. The ace in the hole was Bradley Wilson, who struck me, and I'm a minor. Since Bradley is eighteen, he's in deep shit. Plus, you add in the abuse Conner suffered. Don Wilson is in deeper shit. It couldn't have happened to a more friendly bunch of jerks.