Read Saving Toby for Free Online Page A

old-fashioned. He’d much rather I settle down and
pop out a brood of kids. But kids and a husband? Not me, not yet.” I made quick
work of folding a blanket at the foot of the bed. “I don’t want his
conventional life. I like school. And USC is amazing. I visited last time I was
in California. That’s when I decided I was going to make it happen.”
    She patted my hand. “I love that you’re following your dream. That kind of enthusiasm is contagious.”
    I assisted in turning her onto her side and tucked the sheet
and blanket over her. “It means I’ll be gone for most of the year, but I’ll try
to come visit.”
    “Please do. It’ll be wonderful to hear all about it,” she
told me, then smiled. “I never went to college. Maybe I can experience it
through you.”
    “Sure,” I agreed. It pleased me to think I’d made a
life-long friend in Mrs. Faye.
    Just then, the front door creaked, announcing Toby’s arrival
and the end of my shift. With Mrs. Faye settled, I wished her a goodnight and
went downstairs to leave.
    Toby was rummaging through the refrigerator and came out
with three beers. “Hey,” he said. “Stay for a beer?”
    “Thanks, no,” I replied. “Your mother is all set for the
night. See you Wednesday.”
    He nodded, and I headed out the door.
    It was a nice night, and I didn’t mind that I had to walk. When
I stepped outside, two guys were leaning against Toby’s red Jeep Wrangler. I
recognized his friend, Devlin, from the other night. The second guy was smaller
and raggedy-looking, with messy, dark brown hair. They both stared at me as I
started down the steps.
    Devlin pushed off the car, coming forward. “Hey, beautiful.”
    His hulking size and overfriendly smile was intimidating,
but I forced myself to walk past them rather than run.
    “Hello.” I acknowledged him to be polite.
    “Have a beer with us?” Devlin asked as Toby came out onto
the front steps behind me.
    “No, thanks.” I kept walking even though the smaller guy
stepped towards me.
    I caught a glimpse of overlapping front teeth as he grinned,
but I was unprepared when he slithered his hand over my backside.
    “Na-na-nice ass,” he stuttered.
    Shocked, I turned and whacked his hand. He yowled as I
stepped forward and jabbed a finger at him. “Ever touch me again and you’ll
lose that hand.”
    Despite my boiling anger, a cold sweat dampened my armpits
and crept down my back. The guy raised his hands in mock surrender and backed
away. Devlin and Toby rolled with fits of laughter. I eyed the three of them,
my glare sharpening on Toby. Feeling betrayed, I started running down the
block. I ran until I rounded the first corner, out of their sight, before I
slowed down.
    A few moments later, though, I heard running footsteps
coming from behind me.
    “Claudia!” Toby called. “Wait up.”
    I walked faster. “Asshole,” I hissed under my breath.
    It was only seconds before he’d caught up and kept pace with
me.
    “Hey,” he said slightly winded. “Are you okay?”
    “Perfect. I’m always glad to provide amusement for a couple
of rowdy jerks,” I growled, and kept walking. “I’ll be back again next week,
and we can really yuck it up.”
    “‘Yuck it up?’” A dubious smile flitted across his face.
    I whirled around to face him. “Shut up!” I was furious that
he’d somehow made me feel self-conscious. “Did you follow me just to make fun
of me?”
    “No.” He backed up a step and put his hands in his pockets.
“I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry and that I shouldn’t have laughed.”
    I bit my tongue and turned away from him, stomping on.
    He began walking also, continuing his lame apology. “Ray’s a
bonehead. Neither of those guys knows how to behave around a beautiful girl
like you.”
    “Your friend harassed me, and you laughed.” Clenching my
fists, I kept my head down and refused to look at him. “Don’t try to flatter me
now. Go away and leave me alone!”
    Without warning, he