Page 50 of Stop and Seek
Theo wasthis closeto slapping the shit out of both of them.
If Mr. Pretentious—Ben-Ben—wanted to get hit by a car, Theo would’ve happily granted that wish. At least then they’d both shut up.
And Alyssa? Who the fuck knew whereshewas. Probably getting freaky with Max.
Theo did the only thing he could in this situation: blow up Alyssa’s phone with obnoxious GIFs until she remembered he existed.
Didn’t matter if they were about to start in ten minutes.
It washer faulthe’d been left in hell with Decker andBen-Benfor this long.
The smell of body spray and sweat was giving him a headache.
“I’mlike,sohype,” Alyssa said. The bleachers squeaked when she bounced.
“I’m anxious,” Theo admitted.
His heart had started doing a weird, jittery thing five minutes ago and his leg wouldn’t stop shaking.
“Where are you going? I pinky-promise I won’t come hunt you down.”
He glared at her, but she wouldn’t stop grinning.
“No,” he finally said.
“Boo. Buzzkill.” She knocked her shoulder into his. “I hate you.”
“I know.”
Someoneflicked the back of Theo’s head—again—and that string tethering his patience snapped.
“Fucking knock it off,” he spat, turning around. “Don’t be a damnchild, keep your hands to yourself. Or didn’t you learn that shit in preschool?”
Noah’s hooded eyes slipped farther down. “I was just going to say good luck, babe.”
A little prickle ran down the back of Theo’s neck, but before he could investigate it further, his mind wasscreaming.
The fuck you mean babe?
The microphone screeched to life, and Theo took that as his sign to stand up before he ended up breaking his fingers onNoah’s face. Without another word, he hopped down the rest of the bleachers, happy to put as much distance between him and that asshole as he could.
“Who’s ready for round one?” Decker called out, skipping to the middle of the gym.
The feedback from the microphone was deafening, and half the crowd groaned. Decker covered it with a hand. Coughed.
“I’m sorry, bad Kyran,” he whispered. “I’d do it in my best ASMR voice, but I’m trying to keep you kiddos awake. We all know it’s time for a midday nap.”
That earned him laughter.
Headphones. For fucks sake, bring headphones.
Alyssa might have a pair in her car he could borrow for the day, and then he’d be in a much better headspace. He’d ask after.
“Be free, my children,” Decker said, and the pop gun exploded in the air.
Theo bolted, despite the stitch threatening his side.
Why was it always physical activity?
