Probably the best way to describe his litt—Wren.
“Were you in l—”
“Don’t,” Teddy said.
“What?”
“Don’t say it.” He squeezed his eyes shut. He’d never plucked up the courage to say it out loud in front of other people, and he wouldn’t do it now. Not where Wren couldn’t hear it. Where he couldn’t have it confirmed for him in front of everyone. Teddy didn’t deserve the relief of claiming his feelings out loud without Wren there to witness it.
“I won’t,” Saint said softly. “I apologize.”
“We’re different people now. He doesn’t… He isn’t…”
Mine?
Here?
In love with me?
What was he about to say that wouldn’t be a dagger to the heart? What could he say to just end the conversation?
“Please…” he whispered.
Saint nodded. “I’m here if you need to talk.”
Teddy nodded, knowing he’d never take him up on it. He had his letters. And he had his memories.
Saint parked in front of a large country club. A carefully manicured lawn wrapped around the large, elegant structure, littered with round tables covered in pale blue tablecloths with matching chair cushions and floral teacups. It all looked exceptionally stiff and boring and Teddy huffed as they stepped out of the car.
“I hate places like these.” He tugged at his sweater. “Did I mention that the fifteen other times we’ve been here?”
“Yet you fit right in here, pretty boy. You have that look that can go anywhere. Do you think I’m underdressed? I didn’t really think it through when we decided to come here.”
Teddy looked at his scuffed boots, torn jeans, and a sweater that looked about three sizes too big on his wire-thin frame. “Is that Trace’s?”
Saint looked down.
“Might be.” Saint shrugged. “It’s not Eerie’s, and that’s all that matters.”
“You could just wear your own clothes,” Teddy said, falling into step with Saint as they walked up the long, perfectly manicured pathway from the parking lot to the entrance.
“I’m pretty sure I do, sometimes.”
“Mostly by accident, though.”
“That’s all you’re getting, so take it,” Saint said, looking toward the front door where a younger man in a crisp three-piece suit with an actual top hat on his head waited to open doors. “Maybe he won’t notice.”
Teddy smiled and shook his head, leading the way.
“Damir.”
There were only two voices that could make everything inside him freeze.
Saint paused right next to him, turning around to see who had called out.
“Instructor Kellan,” Saint said, making Teddy close his eyes in defeat. “What brings you here?”
“I was on some business and saw Damir,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of him all morning, but I guess he was quite the busy bee. I was wondering if he could spare a minute now?”
