Here we go.
I made an effort to be civil the other day, to take the high road and offer peace. But the way he dismissed me—cold and abrupt—said everything. He looked so unlike himself, pale and shaken, and for a second, I couldn’t process how harsh he was. He’s always been difficult, but that was something else. I didn’t handle it well—I got angry when what I really felt was pain. I don’t want to feelanythingfor him.
I turn around and come face to face with Theo, his imposing stature threatening to make my knees weak. This man has always towered above me. His muscular build makes him look more intimidating thanhe actually is. His hair hangs down, hitting his shoulders as he walks toward me, and I remember what it felt like to run my hands through it.
“What shampoo do you use? Your hair feels incredible.” I chuckle, stroking the strands.
His head lifts off my chest, his blue eyes piercing me as he replies, “If you think I’m giving away all my secrets, you’re sorely mistaken, firefly. I’m gonna need something in return for that kind of information.”
“Okay, what do you want?”
If it weren’t for the fact that his face was straight, I’d think he was joking with his next words.
“You. For life.”
“Blake?”
My head jerks up, pulling me from my thoughts. “Sorry, what?”
Theo looks annoyed, but that seems par for the course when he’s around me now. I just didn’t realize how much it would hurt seeing him look at me as if I’m worth nothing more than the dirt on his shoe.
“Field trip.”
“Frank wants to see me,” I argue, knowing it’ll fall on deaf ears. This man hates anything I say or suggest.
Right on cue, his eyes darken, telling me he didn’t like my response. “And I told you we need to go. We have a meeting.” He turns without a word and walks away.
I trail after him, because honestly, I don’t know what else to do. I should’ve told him to fuck off and walked away, but he’s finally letting me in on the case, so I guess that means something. I just hope Frank wanting to see me wasn’t about anything important.
The air in the car feels thick, like it’s pressing down on me. I sit quietly, watching the world slip by through the glass. Theo hasn’t said a word, and I haven’t dared to try. The last time I did, he forcefully told me to leave his office. I’d rather not take the risk of being dumped on the side of the road when we’re heading off to… wherever it is we’re going.
I glance at him from the corner of my eye. His jaw’s clenched tightly, the muscles working overtime as he tries and fails to stop grinding his teeth. His knuckles are white as they hold onto the steering wheel in a vice-like grip, his wrists moving every so often to squeeze harder. But his eyes are what give him away. It’s the sadness etched into them, like he’s holding all the pain in the world.
“Are you okay?” I hear myself ask, and I immediately wish I could take it back.
So much for not talking to him, Blake.
I don’t know what possesses me to keep asking questions. Maybe it’s the silence? Maybe it’s also because a small part of me hates knowing he’s in pain?
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask gently.
He pushes out a frustrated breath. “No,” he says, his tone cold and final.
I shift in my seat, turning to face him. “The clenched jaw and white knuckles suggest otherwise, Theo,” I point out, a joking hint to my tone.
Is it good that he’s spoken, even if it’s in an icy tone? I always thought I knew him during our time together, but now I’m thinking that he’s right, and I never knew him at all. That he showed me what he showed everyone else. And I’m not sure how that makes me feel.
“I’m trying to concentrate,” he says through clenched teeth, sweat beading on his brow.
“Theo,” I sigh. “We’re stuck in a car for god knows how long, so just get whatever it is off your chest and be done with it.”
He scoffs. “You don’t want to know what’s going on in my mind, firefly.”
“I just asked, didn’t I?” I roll my eyes, but he stays silent, not uttering another word.
It takes us thirty minutes to reach our destination, and my brows furrow when we approach a stately home off a beaten path. The electric gates allow us entrance as soon as we arrive, so they were clearly expecting us.
Theo drives up the long, winding drive until what can only be described as a mansion finally comes into view.
