Page 7 of Fake Dates and Home Plates
The laugh that comes out of me is raw and loud. Should I be offended he called me sweaty? Maybe, but it’s true. I don’t even want to imagine what I look like at this point.
Plates of French toast are placed in front of each of us, and I can’t stop the growl my stomach makes at the sight.
“Thanks, Tracey,” Theo tells her as he opens his silverware.
“You got it, handsome. And it’s on the house. Wave me down if you need anything else.” She gives me a kind smile before walking away again.
“You have to at least try it. I promise, it will change your life.” Theo’s voice is serious.
Maybe I have a kink for men who want to force me to eat a delicious breakfast. We eat in silence. He doesn’t pressure me to talk, and I don’t try to start a conversation.
Reaching for my glass, I realize it’s still empty. I’m about to turn and wave down Tracey when Theo slides his glass over to me.
“I haven’t drank from it, so no cooties or germs. I’ll get another when Tracey gets a minute.”
I’m too thirsty to argue, but this time, I force myself to sip the water while finishing my plate. He’s right. It’s life-changing. I’m already thinking about arranging a team dinner here. It’s a weekly tradition I started when I was voted captain at the end of last season.
Theo stacks our plates and moves them to the side of the table. “Now, do you want to tell me why you look like you ran through a wood chipper when I know you’re supposed to be at a party with Shoreline’samazingcatcher?”
He says that last bit with heavy sarcasm. As an athlete myself, I believe competition and rivalry should stay on the field, but Dakota has made it clear his hatred of Theo extends beyond that. I don’t understand it. They play at different schools and rarely run into each other.
“As much as I don’t want to talk about it, I wouldn’t be surprised if the gossip mills at both our schools are already circulating a story.”
Theo shrugs. “I haven’t even looked at my phone tonight. Plus, the only thing I listen to as far as school news goes isHudson’s Most Wanted.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
He gasps dramatically while slamming both hands on the table. “Only the best true crime podcast ever. They have the coolest series going on right now. I’m not going to spoil it for you, but let’s just say it’s a local case.”
I’ve never had an interest in true crime, but his enthusiasm is appealing.
“Anyway, let's get back on topic. What happened?” he asks while putting his hands under his chin, leaning his elbows on the table. For someone who ignores gossip, he looks like he’s thoroughly invested.
My lips purse in thought. “Where should I start? With the breakup, the cheating, or the broken nose?”
Theo’s eyes bug out. “Please tell me you dumped Dakota and broke his nose.”
Curiously, he doesn’t mention the cheating, but maybe I’m the only one who finds it shocking. “Yes and no. Yes, we broke up. No, his nose wasn’t the one I broke.”
Theo leans back in his chair. “Wow.”
“They had their fall formal tonight and, of course, the after-party,” I start. “Dakota disappeared for a while, and I got suspicious. I figured he was up to something, but I didn’t expect to find him with his dick in another girl’s mouth.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry, Henley,” Theo says sympathetically.
“And as soon as he looked up and made eye contact with me, the asshole came in her mouth." Seriously, what kind of timing is that? “So, naturally, I tried to leave. He shouted for help, stopping me, and his friend Kal tried to grab me from behind.”
“He didwhat?” Theo’s voice is filled with anger.
“Not a big deal. I headbutted him.”
My laugh draws the attention of everyone around us.
“Hell yeah, you did. Good for you.” He sounds…proud.
I guess I’m proud too, and the thought makes my lips lift into a small smile. “Then, I ran here. It was the first place I saw that didn’t have a ton of kids from school, and I figured Dakota wouldn’t try looking here.”
Thank goodness I was right too. If he had managed to follow me, I think I would have broken more than a nose.
