Theo mumbles a goodbye, turning on a heel and stalking over to the bar entrance. I watch after him for a moment before continuing on to the path that leads back to the complex.
Can’t say I’m surprised. Despite the vulnerability he displayed the other night, he’s still the same old Theo. He probably needs a whiskey and a woman as a nightcap.
I trudge down the path alone, scolding myself for being such a pushover. I let him off the hook too easy for stranding me in Summervale- I should’ve made him earn my forgiveness. To what end, I don’t know. Like I said, I’m not even sure if we’re friends.
Though it would’ve been nice if he’d walked me home.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Theo
I lay on the horn as I roll up to the complex in Gray’s Jeep, waving a hand out the window at a very irritated looking Brooke waiting by the gate.
“Let’s go!” I shout, hitting the horn a few more times. “Denver or bust!”
She’s standing at the gate, arms folded, glaring at me. If looks could kill, it’d be my funeral.
“What are you doing here?” Brooke demands, stooping to pick her duffel and backpack up off of the ground. She slings one over each shoulder, trudging toward the Jeep.
“Gray had some pack business come up, so you get me as an escort instead,” I say, waggling my eyebrows. “Now hop in, kid, we’ve got a lot of miles to cover!”
Brooke heaves an exasperated sigh, stomping around to the passenger side. She throws her bags into the back seat before sliding in beside me, buckling her seatbelt immediately.
“Can you at least try to drive like a normal person?” she whines.
“No promises.” I toss her a wink as I peel out onto the road.
“Theo!” Brooke throws her hands up, bracing herself on the ceiling.
Damn I love when she screams my name.
I laugh, slowing down a little. “I’m just messing with you, kid. Now put on some music, we need a road trip soundtrack.”
Brooke side-eyes me, still clearly annoyed that I’m crashing her Denver visit.
Gray actually asked Reid to cover for him first, but when I heard he wasn’t going I insisted that I should be the one to take his spot since I’ve been working so closely with the IT unit. It really has nothing to do with that- I just figured an overnight trip with Brooke would be a great opportunity to see if I could get into those tight ripped up jeans of hers- but he bought it hook, line, and sinker. Gray even seemed pleased that I was taking more initiative with the IT unit.
Sucker.
So now Brooke’s stuck with me for the next day and a half, and I plan to make the most of it.
“Music?” I hold the cord out to her so she can connect her phone.
Brooke groans, arching up off the seat to fish it out of her back pocket. As she does, I slyly peep the outline of her tits against her t-shirt and a glimpse of flat stomach as it rides up. She’s rocking aBeatlestee today and it’s a little more form-fitting than her usual attire.
No complaints here.
She grabs the cord from my hand, plugging in her phone and scrolling through her apps. She must not be in the mood to chat, because as soon as she selects a song, she cranks up the volume.
It doesn’t bother me. I actually like the stuff she listens to, even though she’s basically got musical ADD. The playlist she sent me last week has definitely expanded my musical horizons. I’ve been listening to it every night, falling asleep to her eclectic curation.
I’m driving like a fucking grandma to appease her, and after a few songs she seems to loosen up a little. She bops along to the music, rolls down her window, makes air waves with her hand. It’s cute as hell. Then she lowers the volume, making conversation as I drive.
“You’re cheerful for being out all night,” Brooke comments, leaning back in her seat and peering over at me.
I arch a brow. “What makes you think I was out all night?”
She shrugs. “Isn’t that what you do?”