Lesson 46- Good communication is talking and listening. It’s like playing catch, everyone gets a turn.

I start to get light headed and realise I’m not breathing. I draw in a shocked breath and it’s like the sound startles him or something because Torin immediately backs away. In fact he gets up and returns to his own seat on the opposite side of his desk. I stare after him. What the actual hell was that? I don’t know if I should be running, jumping the guy or just full on passing out. Is swooning a real thing? Because I’m starting to see the appeal. My heart is beating a mile a minute and my thoughts are racing. I know he technically just said that he feels lucky to have me as a friend, but damn that felt different. Was Torin FLIRTING with me? Do I WANT him to be flirting with me? I mean the guy is hot as hell, but our situation is a little weird and I doubt that flirting would simplify things. Okay, I need to slow down. I don’t even know if he was flirting. Torin’s social skills leave something to be desired, he might not have meant that the way it sounded… Well now I want my phone so I can search online for ‘tips to work out if a guy is flirting or just being nice.’ I do my best to examine his face, trying to work out what he meant by that just now but his expression is a perfect poker face with only a hint of a smile. It doesn’t help me at all. Maybe I should just ask him? I open my mouth to speak.
“I-” Torin cuts me off.
“The conversation we had the other day, about if you are my guest or my prisoner, how I will need to make a decision eventually. I haven’t forgotten it. I know that you aren’t happy here, or at least you won’t be happy here forever. But I still don’t know what to do about it. I… I can’t just let you go. There’s too much at risk. Not to mention it isn’t safe for you either. But I’m not stupid. I know that the longer I keep you here the more unhappy you will get, and the less likely you are to remain my friend. I want to figure this out but I… I just need more time.” He explains, a slightly pleading tone leaking through his words. I nod slowly.
“I can wait a while longer. But if you lie to me again I think you’ll discover my patience does eventually run out.” I warn.
“I understand.” He agrees seriously. I hop to my feet.
“I should get back to work, this break wasn’t exactly scheduled. I just decided it was time to talk and didn’t want to put it off any longer.” I say cheerfully, heading towards the door.
“Rina… Thank you.” Torin calls after me and I just shoot him a smile before leaving his office.

I know I said I was going back to work, but before I do that, I want to check in with Kyle. He was really stressed out, so I should probably tell him that Torin and I talked things out before he starts going grey or something. I think it will be worth the extra minute. I wander into the kitchen where he’s just beginning to clean up. Catcher and I will serve whatever food is left and put away any leftovers, but Kyle is done cooking for the night.
“Hey Kyle.” I greet him brightly. Kyle whirls around to face me, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Why are you so happy? Did you pisss off the boss again?” He asks, sounding resigned and mildly frightened. I roll my eyes at him.
“Nah, he and I had a chat. We’re cool now. So you can stop sneaking around. The fight is over, we talked it out. He promised not to lie to me again and I forgave him and agreed to to back to being a semi-reluctant guest.” I declare. Kyle’s eyes widen and his shoulders droop in relief.
“Oh thank goodness. I was so close to faking a sick day to avoid the tense atmosphere here.” He grumbles with an accusing glare as if it was MY fault that they lied to me. Then he pulls his phone out of his pocket and starts writing out a text. I ignore the pang of jealousy. I want my damn phone. That might have to be my new mission. Convince Torin to let me have my phone, even if it’s just for a bit. I want to check in with my brother, and I want to let everyone at work know that I’m alright.
“Who are you texting?” I ask nosily.
“Laura. She will want to know that it’s safe to talk to you again. She’s been desperate to make up with you but Torin told us to give you space.” He reminds me. I smile, now that I’ve made up with Torin, I feel a little less annoyed with the others. Sure they shouldn’t have lied, but they’re terrified of Torin and he’s their boss. Of course they’re going to do what they’re told. That IS something that I one hundred percent expect from them. I’m surprised that Kyle wrote me that note in the first place. It’s the most defiant I’ve ever seen him act towards Torin, even if he did do it in secret.
“Thanks for your note, it really did help.” I admit. Kyle nods but then his eyes go wide and he drops his gaze to the floor. I know that look. I bet Torin just walked in.
“I thought you were going back to work, I was going to come sit at the bar. What were you saying about a note?” He asks curiously. I glance sideways at Kyle who has gone pale and looks mildly unwell.
“Come on, I’ll explain while I work.” I say with a smile and walk towards the doorway, waiting for Torin to move. Instead of heading down to the bar, he steps aside and gestures for me to go first. I reach the door to the bar but before I can open it Torin reaches around me and pulls it open for me. I stare up at him for a moment. This is new behaviour from him. Not unwelcome or anything, but it’s different. Something has changed between us, but I’m not quite sure what.

I get back to work and Torin takes his usual place at the bar. Catcher looks nervous again so I encourage him to go have his break. He’s going to have to get used to Torin hanging around more. He’s not glaring or sulking anymore so he has no excuse to act all weird about Torin hanging out in his own bar. Still, he might do better after he’s had a bit of time to compose himself and maybe catch up with Kyle so he knows that this is normal. Or at least as normal as Torin and I can act in our messed up situation. I serve a few drinks but the evening is starting to wind down. It’s mostly just the nocturnal supernaturals who are hanging out now and they’re all talking amongst themselves. I end up chatting with Torin while I get him a drink.
“You said something about a note from Kyle. When did he write you a note? I didn’t think the two of you were that close.” Torin asks again. He sounds oddly suspicious. Why would he care if Kyle wrote me a note? Is he really that bothered by him not following orders or is there some other issue.
“When I was hiding in my room. He left a note with my food in the fridge. He told me to stop fighting with you, to make sure I came to eat my meals and that someone really did trash my place.” I explain. Torin looks inexplicably cranky.
“Oh wipe that look off your face! He was just looking out for me. For you too I guess. I spoke to him when I went to get cake and he wanted me to make up with you. If it weren’t for him I probably would have stayed in my room for at least a couple more days.” I tell him with a wink. Torin looks alarmed. Okay, he is apparently not ready to joke about this. Someone calls me over and after patting Torin on the arm and giving him a reassuring smile, I get back to work.