Page 105 of Stop and Seek
Theo didn’t stop him.
When the credits finally rolled and the music faded into silence, Theo stretched, letting out a slow breath as his spine popped against the couch.
“You don’t fall for the jump-scares?” Noah asked.
“No. They’re predictable as hell,” Theo said. “That was a good one.”
“Really?”
Theo snorted. “Those guys deserved what they had coming. And way more.”
“You would’ve killed them the same way?”
Theo didn’t answer.
They sat in that silence—comfortable, soft,real—for long enough that Noah’s brain started to sink into the idea ofstaying. Justbeing. No talking, no pretending, no watching him through the fuckingcameras.
This was so much better than the car.
He turned his head to say something.
But Theo was already speaking.
“You should probably head out,” he said gently.
Noah groaned. “Really? We’re back to this?”
Theo pulled the blanket tighter. “I’m not used to guys staying over.”
It wasn’t rude. It wasn’t cold.
But it was final.
Noah stared at him for a moment, then shifted to sit up, brushing his palms against his shorts.
“I mean,” he started, “I could crash on the couch. Doesn’t have to be your bed.”
Theo looked away. “I know. It’s not about that.”
He was uncomfortable. That was for sure.
Whatever—whoever—had gotten their claws into him had done serious damage.
But they were making progress. Theo would open up, eventually. He’d already started to. Noah just needed to push a little less. Be a little more patient.
So instead of fighting, he grinned. “Then promise me you’ll come to the after-party tomorrow.”
Theo hesitated.
“I’m not—I’m not good with a ton of people.”
“You’re not gonnabe therefor a ton of people. You’re gonna be there formoi.”
Jesus, Theo blushed so easily.
“Fine,” Theo mumbled after another minute. “Text me the address.”
Noah stood, stretching out his arms with an exaggerated yawn. “Then I guess I’ll let you kick me out.”
