MJ throws a hand over her stomach, laughing.
“And you think Hayes and I aren’t? We drive each other crazy, but that’s the best part.”
I shrug. “Yeah, well, you have history. We don’t. So,” I say, moving the topic away from Theo and me as a couple. “Aside from a relationship, what else can he do?”
Abigail looks like she wants to say more, but she purses her lips and moves. “I think I might invite him to church.”
“Why?” I can’t keep the sardonic tone from my voice.
“Because a little faith goes a long way, and honestly, dear, it might do you some good, too. Why don’t you both come?”
My mind goes back to the promise I’d made while in the tree, and I wince, knowing it was a promise made out of desperation. I never really thought I’d need to follow through. When I prayed that prayer, I wasn’t convinced anyone was listening.
“I’ll think about it.”
______________________
After leaving Abigail’s, I drive straight home. My house is nothing like what I grew up in, but it’s also no Harrison mansion. It’s a small cottage that needs a lot of updates, but it’s clean, in a good neighborhood, and the utilities are always on. It’s home—a safe space I didn’t have growing up. Except when I pull into my driveway, safety seems relative.
A red pickup truck is sitting in front of my house, and Theo is leaning against it, his arms crossed over his chest, causing his biceps to bulge. He’s the furthest thing from safe I can think of—not because he would ever hurt me physically. He wouldn’t. I don’t know how Iknow that—something deep in my gut just knows it’s true—but there’s something about him that draws me to him. If I were to let him, he could become an obsession for me. An all-consuming, forget to look at the red flags kind of obsession. And that kind of obsession is the start of a downfall.
Putting my car in park, I sit still, staring at him through the windshield. He doesn’t move either, looking entirely too comfortable where he stands. He’s staring back at me with a storm brewing in his eyes, and a shiver runs over my spine as his eyes darken the longer he stares.
Danger. Danger. Danger.
I’m in real danger.
Stiffening my shoulders, I turn off the car and open my door, stepping out with slow and intentional steps. When he sees me get out, Theo shoves off his truck and walks my way, and I hate the way my breath catches in my lungs when he shoves his hands in his pockets and the muscles in his forearms ripple.
He’s an addict.Was an addict. I don’t know which it is, and that scares me because I know all too well how good they can be at hiding their problems from the outside world. I don’t know enough about Theo to know which version of him is real—the man fighting for his son or the one who wasn’t around because he was too busy getting drunk.
“Hey, hopeless,” Theo says, his warm voice washing over me.
I swallow hard against the onslaught of confusion that comes with the wave of his voice and slip on a mask of indifference.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, choosing to ignore the nickname this time. It only seems to spur him on.
His smirk falters just a little, but it’s enough for me to see that he’s giving up a piece of his pride to be here.
“I was hoping we could talk,” he says, watching my face intently.
But if he’s looking for my mask to slip, it won’t.
“About what? I ask, but I can’t stand there waiting for him to answer. There’s a restlessness running through my veins that I don’t know what to do with, and it only ever happens around Theo. Walking past him, I dig in my purse for my keys to avoid his gaze, but he doesn’t let me get far.
He catches my arm, his thumb landing just below the sleeve of my T-shirt. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him turn his head to look at me, the bridge of his nose coming close enough to run across the shell of my ear. His touch seers into my skin, and I hold my breath so he doesn’t realize the effect he has on me.
“Come on, hopeless,” he whispers, his voice full of gravel, “you know what we need to talk about. Let me explain.”
I don’t look at him, staring straight ahead while contemplating his request. His thumb twitches, causing the calluses to scrape against my skin and sending shock waves up my arm. I think it misfires my brain. It’s the only reason I can think of for agreeing.
“Okay.”
Theo doesn’t let go of my arm immediately. He holds onto it, and I can feel his gaze boring into the side of my face. I keep my eyes forward, knowing if I come face to face with him, I might just lose more of my sanity. After a moment, he sighs, letting go of my arm.
“After you,” he says, stepping behind me to follow. He stands far enough back that I can finally breathe, and I realize I’ve just invited him into my space—willingly.
With my hand wrapped around my keys, I walk up my porch steps and unlock the door. Air conditioning hits me in my face as I open it and walk in, and it’s a good thing too cause my cheeks are on fire.
