Page 23 of Meet Me at the Metro

“IFaceTimedhim after class tonight, and he was at her house.”

“I’m sorry. That isn’t fair.”

“But you know what’s the shittiest thing about it all? I can’t stop asking myself what more I could have done to keep them from doing that. Like, maybe if I hadn’t moved here, none of this would have happened.”

“Did you regret coming here before all of this happened?”

“No,” I breathe.

“Then, you need to stop that. None of this is your fault. What they did falls on them, not you. Besides, it sounds like you’re better off without them anyway. They sound like a pair of royal, fucking wankers.”

I choke on a laugh that’s a mixture of a cry, and I can tell Theo’s pleased with his ability to cheer me up because he grins broadly, nudges my knee with his, and repeats, “Abloody awfulpair of royal, fucking wankers.”

“Royal fucking wankers,” I giggle, appreciating the way it eases some of the pain in my chest. I look to the ground and wipe the rest of my tears away. “I’m sorry for crying on you like this. This is embarrassing.”

“I’m not embarrassed, and you shouldn’t be either.” Theo allows me to soak in the quiet for a moment and calm my emotions before telling me, “I’ve been through the same shit before, Nora, and it sucks—God, do I know how bad it sucks, but I can also tell you that it won’t always hurt like it does right now.”

“Promise?”I whisper.

“Promise,” he nods. “You know what I think would make you feel better?”

I glare at him, already knowing what he will say next.“What?”

“The Star Flyer.”

“Oh, bite me!”

“Wouldthatmake you feel better?”he quips, raising a brow. I keep glaring, and he laughs, “Kidding,but not about the other thing. You’re getting on the ride.”

“You know what? Fine,” I relent, standing up from the bench.

“Wait, you’re serious?”A satisfying smirk starts to tilt the corners of his lips. “I thought I was going to have to work much harder than that to convince you.”

“I’m about to change my mind.”

“Oh, hell no. I don’t think so!” With an enthusiastic slap against his thick, muscular thighs, he quickly stands. “Come on, let’s do this shit!”

Much to my dismay, the line hasfilled out entirely as we head over to the entrance ofThe Star Flyer. Before I can even contemplate what a stupid, impulsive decision I’m making, Theo is already handing money to the attendant at the ticket booth and shoving two tickets into his backpocket. We’re ushered inside the gate of the ride, and I toss my backpack to the side before I make my way to a pair of swing sets with wobbly legs.

My hands feel like pureJelloas I grip the chains holding the chairs in place and attempt to pull the heaviness of my body up onto the seat.

Theo watches my struggle silently for a few beats before offering, “Need some help?”

“No,” I murmur, starting my fourth attempt at getting my ass up onto the damn thing. When he approaches me anyway, I insist, “I’ve got it.”

“Such a stubborn thing,” he grumbles.

My breath hitches as he clutches my waist in his hands and pitches me onto the cool, metal seat of the swing before I can object. I hate the way my head hazes with the after-effects of his touch—the sheer strength in his arms.

Theo doesn’t speak a word as he sits down in the chair beside me and pulls the security bar down over our laps. I’m silently grateful when he reaches over and latches the buckle of my seat for me because I’m not so sure my fingers could have stopped their trembling long enough to do it myself.

“See,” he reassures me, shaking the secure attachment for demonstration. “Locked in tight. You’re not going anywhere.”

“Mmm-hmm,” I nod, too stricken with fear to make out words.

We sit in silence as the attendant walks around the ride and ensures that all seats are properly buckled before starting it up. I take a death grip on the rattling chains in my hands as our seats jolt and begin spinning around the center post. My stomach is churning with regret as the ride gains momentum.

“You okay, Nora?”

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