Page 42 of Until We Fall

I jump, my head whipping to take in Theo, standing next to me with those brilliant blue eyes. He licks his lips, then starts to say something, then stops.

Then he starts again.

“Sorry about my hole,” he says.

Holy shit.

I let out a surprised laugh. Nothing like getting straight to the point. “Can’t say it was something I’d expected to see.”

“I bet. I just feel weird that?—”

“It’s cool.” I kick back onto my heels, giving him a smile. “It looked like you two were having fun.”

He blinks. “Yeah. So, we’re good?”

“Of course.” I study him for a moment then reach out to grab his shoulder. “You realize I’m bi, right?” I don’t know if I’ve ever said those words to him specifically, but I’ve definitely expressed interest in guys before. Growing up, I never needed to come out. I just liked whomever I liked, and there was never any pressure to define it.

“Uh, yeah.” He smiles faintly, but he still looks nervous. “You’ve mentioned that.”

His blue eyes sweep me again then move over my shoulder toward the cliff edge, then back again. His shoulders are tight, his biceps twitching under the arms of his tee.

Jesus, he’s so tense. And obviously wrapped up in his thoughts.

“I know what it’s like to be in your own head about shit,” I start. I’ve pretty much been there ever since reading the word ‘docking.’ “But seriously, everything is cool.”

His eyes land back on me, his throat moving with a swallow.

Okay, so there’s something going on here. I don’t know if it’s uncertainty about himself and Carter? Or maybe there’s something else? Theo’s been through a lot lately.

But I nod toward Carter, trying like hell not to notice as Rory leans over the railing, his sandals on the bottom rung, his spine bending, vertebrae popping out.

Ohhhfuck. A pulse starts low in my gut.Don’t get distracted.

I fix my eyes back on Theo. Focus on the conversation.

“I love you and Carter together,” I say.

He sucks in a sharp breath. “You do?”

I nod as we move up a few more steps. “Yeah, of course. I love you both, so together is even better. And he’s like this giant golden retriever, just wide open and honest and enthusiastic.” It’s not my place to repeat what Carter told me in the hallway, even though it’s on the tip of my tongue. I finally push out, “I just don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”

Fuck, I hope that gets across how much Carter likes him.

Completely in love with him.

What if… that’s me, too? I mean, not with Theo.

“You gotta do you,” I say to him. “But the two of you are good together.”

Theo’s lips lift as we move again. And when he looks at Carter, there’s this look that he gives him. Like something in this big, muscled football guy settles. A breath from deep in his abdomen releases.

They’resogood together.

“D!” Rory’s call makes me turn. He’s up on the platform now, waving toward me, and I nod at Theo and then take the stairs.

Up here is nothing more than a flat rectangle hanging over the river far below. The height is intense. The thought of jumping off? Holy fuck. My heart’s pounding, sweat beading on the back of my neck.

Maybe I should have thought about this more. Although Rory did mention it a few years ago, so I’ll be ready if he is.

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