Page 12 of Meet Me at the Metro

I reluctantly follow after him, only for the sake of checking to make sure our mutual friend is alright. As I force my legs to move, my head spins with everything said between us.

What is this dude’s problem?

Does he act this way toward everyone, or does he just not like me?

Things seem to go well, but then Theo shows up, and it feels like my body and brain have quit working entirely. Every interaction with him shakes my confidence enough that my heart’s suddenly back home in Georgia, wishing John were here for me to talk to and somehow make me feel better about all of this.

Shit. I never messaged him when I got back home last night.

Without another thought, I quickly pull out my phone and begin typing my apology.

Hey babe, I am so so sorry I forgot to text you last night. We got caught up in conversation.

Call me when you get a chance.

“You ready to go see the best part of this place?” Evie calls out behind me, commanding my attention.

Not a single hair is out of place on her head, and it’s a relief to see that she’s okay. I keep my eyes on her, not daring to let them fall on the man standing behind her, and force a smile on my face. “You mean the theater?”

“Mhmm.” She heartedly slaps my newfound enemy on the back and informs us both, “Since my mate, here, has been so kind to bless us with his presence, he can give us a tour!”

“Absolutely not,” Theo objects, but his eyes lock with mine for the shortest moment, and I have trouble believing his easy refusal.

“Oh, why not, you grumpy old bastard? You still have the soundboard and media room keys.Do you not?”

He sighs. “Unfortunately.”

“That settles it, then! You’re taking us.” Evie smiles sinisterly. She’s either completely oblivious about the argument that just broke out between the two of us or wants to torture us. She skips out of the room before Theo or I can protest. “Let’s go, friends!”

Theo walks past me, cutting me an insincere smile, and chastises, “Come on,friend.”

“You and I will never be friends.”

“You’re probably right,” he shrugs, stalking toward the doors ahead. “We’d cause too much trouble.”

The walk to the theater doesn’t take us long, and as I push through the grand double doors of the auditorium, my eyes can hardly believe the sight in front of me.

Red velvet blankets everything inside, from the arched rows of seats to the nearly 50-foot walls surrounding me. Dim, white lights dazzle against the gold trimming etched along the tall ceilings and dress circle balconies of the auditorium, but the stage in the front seems to conjure most of my attention.

“What are you waiting for? Get your arse up there.” Evie yanks me by my wrist and drags me onto the closed-curtain stage. “Theo!Cue the lights!”

I giggle nervously as she positions us center stage. “Can’t we get in trouble for being up here?”

“Who bloody cares! Tell me, what do you think?”

“I think it’s beautiful,” I confess. “It’s seriously everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

I soak in the warmth of the stage, relishing in both the comfort and confidence it instills in me. I love how its spotlights let me escape my thoughts and current worries and allow me to become anyone I want to be. It’s beautiful and freeing.

“Let’s get this tour moving, shall we? I’ve got plans tonight.” Theo impatiently calls out.

“Eat a dick!” Evie shouts. Though, she quickly turns to me and suggests, “We should probably hurry before that man has a damn aneurysm.”

We start to make our way to the back of the auditorium, where Theo is waiting for us, when my phone buzzes inside my back pocket. I draw it out and read the text, now lighting up the screen.

Don’t worry about it. It was a late night for me, too. I probably won’t find time to call today. Maybe tomorrow?

Just as my fingers start to type back a response, Theo whistles. “I’ve got plans. Let’s go.”

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