The next weekcrawls by in a painful slow motion. Spending every day in class with Theo is a type of torture I wouldn’t wish on my own worst enemy. I mean, it’s amazing. I soak in every second of his class, savoring each accidental glance. Every time his eyes meet mine, he looks away quickly, like every second our gazes meet is too tempting for him to stand.
But not being able to touch him, to talk to him freely? It’s killing me. A slow, aching death.
We’ve been texting every night, short and safe messages that keep the connection between us pulled tight. A live-wire. But still, we’ve made no plans. By Friday, I’m done waiting. I’m ready to do something reckless.
When the school day ends and Sal invites me over, I decline. I tell her I’ve got other plans with a wink, and when she raises a brow at me, I give her just enough of my plan to convince her to be my alibi. She agrees, no more questions asked.
Then I wait. For him.
I sit in my car in the school parking lot, long after it clears out. My eyes flick between the time on the dashboard and the rearview mirror, where I have a clear view of his car still sitting vacant. When he finally appears, exiting the heavy metal doors of the school, my spine stiffens.
I see the exact moment he notices my car. His body stills, frozen in time. He hesitates for a moment, before giving a single nod.
An invitation, I think. Regardless, I’m taking it as one.
I turn the key in the ignition, the engine sputtering to life. It’s not glamorous, and the noises it makes show its age, but it’s reliable. And right now, all I’m focused on is following him.
He drives carefully and considerately. He never gets too far ahead, mindful of stopping at yellow lights. Honestly, he kind of drives like a grandmother, but I decide that I love that about him. I may still give him grief for it, though.
When he pulls onto a street near his, but not his own, I cock an eyebrow. I pull up behind him, shifting my car into park just as my phone buzzes.
Theo:Come on. Leave your car there, it’ll be safe. Ride with me.
I hop out and run to his car, desperate to see him. And kiss him. The moment I slip into his passenger seat and shut the door, I don’t even hesitate. I lean over the middle console and press my lips against his.
Hard.
He hesitates for just a moment, but then he’s kissing me back like he’s been starved for it. Our mouths crash together, tongues tangling in an intimate dance, hands roaming over each other’s bodies. It’s messy and hot and filled with need.
When he pulls back in an attempt to catch his breath, his smile nearly takes mine away all over again. The happiness radiating from him is contagious. It fills me to the brim.
“I’ve missed you,” I murmur softly, my voice filled with longing.
A pained look crosses his face and he exhales sharply. “I've missed you too, Trouble. Though we both know I shouldn't.”
I nod. I know. Respecting the fact that this has to be harder for him than it is for me. He's got more to lose. But as much as I understand it, I also don't care enough to end this. To not pursue the connection we have.
It's too special to let go.
“I think I owe you a real date,” he says, grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “How about a movie?”
I melt. Right there in his passenger seat. “I'd love that.”
We drive to the next town over. About halfway there, I tire of the radio and ask if I can change it. He nods, and I connect my phone to the bluetooth.
The moment my favorite song begins to play, filling the car with music, I turn to watch him.
And to my absolute shock, he begins singing along. My eyes widen in astonishment. I watch as he hits every word, off-key, but I don’t care. It’s—he’s—perfect.
“Thought you said you didn’t know Sleep Token…” I tease.
He grins without looking at me, eyes on the road. “Met this gorgeous girl at a bar once who told me I should check them out. Turns out, she was onto something.”
My heart doesn’t just flip, it somersaults in my chest.
He remembered. Not only that, but he’d listened to them enough to know my favorite song by heart. Where did this man come from? I was a stranger he likely thought he’d never meet again, yet he went out of his way to listen to a band I’d told him to. Heremembered.
I could fall for him, I accept that truth in this moment. So easily, so deeply. He’s going to steal my heart.
