Page 120 of Press Play

The sting of our stalemate hits me like a wave, threatening to knock me off balance. But I plant my feet firmly on the ground. No more running.

“Didn’t sleep?” I ask, my voice calm but probing.

Theo shakes his head, the shadows under his eyes giving him away. “No. You?”

“I wish I didn’t,” I admit.

“Nightmare?”

“Yeah.” I force a grim smile. “Yesterday was... a lot.”

“I’m sorry?—”

“It wasn’t just you.” I move toward the couch. My steps are heavy, but I don’t falter. “I ran into my mother yesterday.”

“What?” His dark eyes widen, and he’s suddenly in front of me, his concern palpable. “When? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“When was I supposed to?” I ask as I sink into the couch. “Before or after you told me that everything we’ve worked toward is ending?”

Theo flinches. His fists clench, and he slams his eyes shut.

I want to reach for him, to soothe the hurt I can see in every tense line of his body. But I can’t—not yet. He needs to hear this. He needs to understand the damage he’s about to cause.

“When we first met in WoSaF, you became my light,” I say, my tone steady despite the ache clawing at my chest. “You were the reason I woke up every day, the reason I made it through. And when we finally met in person, you were more than I ever thought I deserved. We grew up together, Theo. And while I couldn’t admit it then, I can now—I’ve always wanted more.”

I wrap my hand around his wrist, tugging him down to sit beside me. “Do you remember when you stopped those guys from teasing me in the library?” I soften my tone, willing him to look at me. “You said, ‘You don’t have to deal with them alone. I’ll always be here for you, just like you’re here for me.’ Remember?”

He nods, his jaw tight, and I press on.

“Amanda is nothing more than a bully,” I tell him. “You’ve always been my defender. It’s my turn now.”

He finally opens his eyes, and his tears spill over. I catch them without thinking, my thumb brushing against his cheek.

“This can’t be over,” I whisper. “We deserve a chance.”

Theo chokes out a breath, his words trembling. “We do. But I don’t see a way around this, Wren. We’re in this mess because of me—because of a choice I made back in college. Robbie’s right—Amanda won’t stop here. And even if you stay with me, the odds of this happening again are too high.”

Don’t do this.

He exhales sharply, his shoulders trembling. “I don’t expect you to be okay with me sleeping with other people for my job. Hell, I don’t want to. You’ve brought me happiness I didn’t think I’d ever find, and now I’m going to lose you forever.”

Please, stop.My chest tightens as panic claws at me.

“It was nice while it lasted . . .”

“You can’t save him.”My mother’s voice echoes in my mind.

“My time with you is something I’ll cherish forever.”

Two out of three.

“I won’t move on after this,” he says, tears streaking his face. “But I expect you to.”

No more running.

“You deserve to be happy, Wren.”

Make a stand.

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