“Are you and Luca and Austin not friends?”
My cheeks heat. “We were.”
“Were?”
I take another bite while I think about what to say. “Well,” I start, my face burning hotter. “We became friends in middle school, but I was younger by a grade. Austin and Luca were already pretty much inseparable by that time.”
“Yeah, I got that vibe,” Theo says.
“They got closer and closer all through middle and high school. All the way up until Luca moved away. Austin was inconsolable, and, well, that really sucked for fifteen-year-old me with a crush.”
Theo falls silent. “You had a crush on Austin?”
“Many moons ago.”
Theo hums. “Interesting. Can’t say I blame you.” That makes me grin. “Austin seems like a good guy. I think you’re better, though.”
I bark out a laugh, even as my stomach swoops. “Well, I couldn’t very well have a crush on myself now, could I?”
“It’d be a little strange, but I’ve seen stranger things.”
Fuck, I miss him.
“I bet you have, livin’ in that big city.”
He groans. “I miss the country. How did you all ruin me in a week?”
Not quite a week, my brain reminds me unhelpfully. “Just something about a small town, I suppose.”
“Yeah,” he sighs. “You’re right. I loved it so much. Just endless sky and cows.”
“And goats,” I chime in.
“And horses,” Theo adds.
“And chickens too.”
Theo blows out a breath. “Yeah, don’t remind me. Terrifying little dinosaurs.”
I can’t hold back my laugh.
Chapter 14
Theo
2 weeks later (late May)
Ican’tsleep.Mymind won’t rest. I can’t stop thinking about the fight with Hunter. I can’t stop thinking about Luca, and in some ways, Damien. I can’t stop thinking about how I might have ruined a friendship that I really needed before it even had a chance to start.
I don’t know why I kissed Hunter. I don’t know why I pushed him away. I don’t know why I haven’t talked to him about it. About the fight we had and the way I acted. And worst of all, I don’t know why he hasn’t brought it up again.
Well, okay, he tried. And I told him I didn’t have the energy. It wasn’t a lie. I didn’t, and really, I still don’t. But I also think I need to talk to him about it. I need to let him know I don’t blame him. Not really.
I check the time again. For the sixth time in the last hour. 3:00 a.m. can’t come fast enough, and it seems like each minute is ticking by so damn slowly. I don’t want to bother him in the middle of the night, but I also can’t wait until morning. I just hope I can catch him between his Lila alarm and him leaving the house to go feed her.
When I was there, I noticed he didn’t take his phone with him to the barn. I’m not sure if there was a reason, but…
At 2:59, I pull up his contact, and the second the clock turns to 3:00, I tap it, putting the phone to my ear as it starts to ring.
