Page 42 of Muted

Theo: What is it that’s preventing you from wanting to tell me?

Me: Well, are we texting as friends where I can share things without worry of it coming back to me? Or are we texting as co-workers where, if you learn something, you’ll feel like you need to bring it to the attention of the bosses?

There’s no hesitation in his response. He immediately responds and I decide to take a small leap of faith, but not after I tease him for a minute.

Theo: Friends… Absolutely as friends.

Me: :) Even though you have a problem with my age?

Theo: I don’t have a problem with your age.

Me: Yes you do. When you asked, you commented about our age difference and then immediately stopped texting me.

Theo: Maybe, but we’re friends. I don’t think age really matters in these instances.

Me: When does age matter?

Theo: When I’m trying to fuck you. That’s when it matters. And you’re changing the subject. Tell me what Cliff said to you.

My mouth drops open in shock. I read through the fast exchange we just had again, smiling at the easy banter and decide I’m going to play along. I know I’m young and he has issues with it, but honestly, he’s fucking hot. Even with my shitty background, I’m not immune to the need of a good lay.

It probably will never happen with Theo, but I’m certainly going to put it in his head like feelers.

Me: Ahh… so you’re not trying to fuck me?

Theo: We can come back to that. Right now, I need you to explain.

Interesting. I sort of hate that he’s moving us back to the original purpose of the conversation, but I know I was lucky to have gotten this far without him bringing it up. My body hopes that he does come back to the topic, though.

Saying fuck it, I tell him. I’m careful. Cliff already found out a few things, and it’s only a matter of time before he spills it to everyone else and I have to leave again. I’m certain Theo isn’t going to pick up the phone and start calling around about me. Even though my application has false information, there’s no hint to what therightinformation is.

Holding onto that hope, I respond.

Me: *sigh*… I may have lied on my application and Cliff found out.

Theo: ‘May have lied’? Or did you actually lie?

Me: I actually lied.

Theo: What did you lie about?

Me: My prior address, and where I went to school… and the fact that I have a degree in Finance.

I throw in that last bit of information without thinking, and then wince. Cliff hasn’t figured that part out yet. He only knows I didn’t go to the school I said I attended.

Theo: Wait, you don’t have a degree in Finance?

Me: I mean, I basically do. I just didn’t finish my last semester when I was supposed to graduate.

This is the first time that there’s a longer pause in his responses and my stomach turns, regret turning it to where I think I might throw up. I have to know if I fucked up.

Me: Should I not have told you?

Theo: No, it’s fine you told me. I’m just trying to understand why you’d lie about all of that? What did Cliff say about it?

Me: He only asked me about my address at first. I didn’t use a valid address. Tonight he mentioned the school thing.

Theo: Why was he looking you up?

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