“I already have.”
I turned and headed back home, a lightness in my step. Learning the biggest piece of the puzzle released a huge weight off my shoulders. That tiny spark of hope flared bright and hot, disintegrating any trace of doubt that we’d find a way through this.
I only wondered if I could be brave enough to let him love me again.
Chapter 19
Theo
MERCURY
Were you planning on coming over anytime soon or are you just leaving us in suspense?
ME
Aww, missing me already, Mercury?
MERCURY
I’m only missing those sour Skittles you promised to bring.
ME
Ouch! Is that all I’m good for?
MERCURY
Well, it certainly isn’t punctuality.
ME
*Gasp* When did you turn so cold, Hayes?…
DANI
Stop flirting and get over here. Let’s get this marathon on the road!
Ismirked down at the group text we had resurrected several days ago. Just like old times, we were having aFast and Furiousmarathon tonight since Dawson had to return to UT in two days for practice. Dani and I still had a few weeks before we had to go back, but the thought of being here without Dawson depressed me.
The last two weeks had been better than anything I could have wished for since coming home. I’d spent every day with Dawson playing video games, swimming, watching movies, and doing pretty much anything we could think of. It was the first taste of the old Theo I’d had in years and I was starved for more.
The only thing we hadn’t done again was set foot in Neverland. I’d hinted at taking our sleeping bags and spending a night out there like we had done a hundred times before, but Dawson was hesitant. I had a feeling he wouldn’t return there until he could trust me again.
I could wait. I had nothing but time and love to give him, so I’d wait as long as he needed.
Stuffing the two packs of sour Skittles in my pockets and grabbing my phone, I traipsed down the stairs with an eager buzz thrumming in my veins. I logically knew my medication hadn’t had time to kick in yet, but it already felt like I had turned a corner. My thoughts weren’t racing, I wasn’t constantly on edge, and I felt grounded in a way I hadn’t for months. It was as though all I had needed was a new focus, a new purpose.
Or rather a return to what my purpose was supposed to be all along: loving Dawson.
The sound of arguing reached me as I neared the open back patio door. They were so wrapped up in their squabbling, I slipped into the kitchen unnoticed.
“Holy crap, Dani. You drowned the whole tub of popcorn in butter!”
“Uh, yeah? I’m doing us a favor. Without butter, we might as well be eating cardboard.”
“Well,youmight as well inject the fat straight into our asses. I swear to God, your eating habits are worse than a toddler’s.”
“Not true! I had a salad just yesterday.”
