Page 137 of Alpha Theo

The screen indicates a musical break after the first chorus, and I make a show of pointing at Brooke, then crooking a finger to beckon her to join me. Her face flushes and for a second, I think she’s gonna leave me hanging- but then she throws back the rest of her drink and slides off of her stool, and I start grinning like a goddamn idiot as she struts toward me.

“Need another mic,” I say over my shoulder to the karaoke DJ, and he’s quick to produce one by the time Brooke makes it up to the little stage, right in time for the second verse.

And yeah, our rendition of the song is truly terrible- but while we sing it, goofing around with one another up on that little makeshift stage, it’s like the world around us fades away. It’s just me and Brooke.

She gets really into the angsty, screamy parts of the song and I have to hold the microphone away from me I’m laughing so hard. Fuck, she’s funny. Then I do the same thing back to her and she loses herself in fits of giggles.

By the time we get near the end of the song, we’ve totally botched it, but given the smile on her face, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I point at her as I sing the last few lines: “Maybe I’m amazed at the way you help me sing my song, right me when I’m wrong, maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you.”

There’s a flash of something in her eyes- like the lyrics hit home; like the words are mine and they’re just for her- and a second later I’m tossing the microphones back to the karaoke DJ, grabbing Brooke’s face, and kissing her senseless on that stage in front of everybody.

Because she’s mine, and I’m hers. Because I want everyone to know it. Because I want her, and because I need her.

Because even though it should scare the shit outta me… I think Iloveher.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Theo

“Dude, your dad’s here,” Jax remarks, nudging me with his elbow.

“What?” I turn to follow Jax’s gaze, and sure enough, my old man is walking through the gate of the squad complex.

If I wasn’t seeing it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. I’m not sure my dad has ever been up here to visit me at the complex- and even now, he looks totally out of his element.

Physically, he appears like he could belong here. He doesn’t look his age and he works out and stays fit. A lot of people say that I’m his spitting image, which I’m sure irritates him to no end since he thinks I’m a colossal fuck-up. I’ve got his square jaw, the same nose and brow line, and his height- but while his eyes are dark brown, Quinn and I both have our mom’s hazel eyes.

As I stare at my dad standing by the gate, I can’t help but wonder what the hell he’s doing here- and if he’s here to see me. Then it hits me that Quinn probably let the cat out of the bag that she’s planning on joining the squad.

Fuck. One more thing for him to blame me for.

Dad looks around for a moment- most of the squad is out on the field for practice- then his eyes land on me and lock there.

Yep, he’s definitely here to see me. Fuck.

I groan, scrubbing a hand over my face. “Guess I’d better go see what he wants,” I mutter to Jax.

He gives me a sympathetic look, clapping me on the shoulder. “Good luck…”

I’ll need it.

I take off in a jog toward where Dad’s standing at the gate, weaving through the groups of squad members as they run drills and spar. My heart’s thumping in my chest when I skid to a stop in front of my father.

“Hey,” I breathe. “What brings you out here?”

Dad folds his arms across his chest, his jaw stiffening. “I was hoping we could talk.”

I nod slowly. “Sure. Uh…” I look around, unsure of where to go. I don’t really want the squad looking on while my dad reams me for taking his precious daughter away. I knew he’d probably be a little miffed that we recruited Quinn, but for him to come all the way out here? He must be royally pissed.

“Do you wanna go for a walk or something?” I ask.

He grunts, giving a curt nod.

I step past him, gesturing for him to follow as I start toward the main path out into the forest. He catches up to me in a couple of strides, until we’re walking down the path side by side. I glance sideways at my dad, but his eyes are fixed on the ground, his hands shoved in his pockets.

I blow out a breath. “Look, if this is about Quinn…”

“It’s not,” he says quickly.

---