Page 9 of Fake Dates and Home Plates
“Lead the way,” I say.
Theo throws a few twenties on the table before standing. He waves at Tracey to signal that he’s leaving before reaching down and grabbing his book. “Come on, slugger."
I look at my shoes, and it takes me less than a second to decide I’d rather brave going barefoot than take another step in them. Standing, I’m confused when Theo hands me his book.
“Can you hold this for a second?”
I don’t think much of the request, so I grab the book for him—only to almost drop it seconds later when I’m scooped up into his arms in a fireman’s hold.
“What are you doing?” I whisper-screech, but he’s already moving to the door.
He leads us out of the diner to the small parking lot before stopping in front of the passenger side of what I assume is his Jeep. Without dropping me or even struggling with my weight, he opens the door and sits me down gently. Theo boops me on the nose before leaving me to buckle myself in and circling the vehicle to get in on the driver's side.
“It was give you my shoes or carry you. I chose the one where I got to look like a hero for two minutes,” he tells me as he starts up the Jeep and backs out of the parking spot.
I’ll never admit it, but I’m really happy he chose option two. Being flung around as if I weigh nothing is hot.
“Where do you live? Should I send your address to my parents, or do you promise not to murder me?”
Theo laughs. “Pinky promise I won’t ever hurt you, Henley.”
The rest of the drive is quiet. It’s not awkward; in fact, it’s kind of relaxing.
We pull into a gated community not too far from HVU. The houses are modest, but it’s clear this area is much nicer than an average college student apartment building.
I watch as Theo hits a button in his Jeep that opens a garage to one of the houses on the street. He pulls into the driveway before parking in the garage. Quickly, he opens his door and hops out to open my door too.
It makes me wonder exactly what's in those romance books he claims to read. Maybe he should share his notes with the rest of the population.
There’s a door in the garage leading into the house. As we walk into the open living room area, it all just seems…empty. This place has all the minimum necessities, maybe even a step above, but almost nothing makes it seem like a…home. Even my small apartment has a few family photos and a dead plant in the corner, along with the random things my roommate brings home for her projects.
Not to mention the amount of paint stains and random holes in the wall from those many projects.
Theo’s house looks like it came out of a magazine.
As if he’s reading my mind, he says, “There’s not much, but I didn’t see a point in buying a bunch of stuff I might have to move or sell in a year.”
That makes sense. Like Dakota, he must have plans to play professionally after college.
“Follow me.”
I do as he says and follow him down the hall.
“This is the guest room. There is a connecting bathroom, so you can have some privacy. Just look in the cabinet for a clean towel. I’ll try to find you some clothes,” he tells me before leaving the room.
The room is just as bare as the rest of the house, but the bed is huge. Walking into the bathroom, I see a walk-in shower that looks heavenly. There’s a giant mirror on the wall above the sink and vanity, and I take a minute to study my reflection.
Dark brown waves are a tangled mess around my face, and I find myself praying there’s some conditioner in that magnificent shower. My cheeks are flushed even under my tan skin. My green eyes look…dull.
For the first time tonight, I feel a sense of sadness. My shoulders sink as I try to take deep breaths, wanting to fight off the emotion until I’m in the safety of my own space. It’s no use.
The tears begin to fall before I can stop them. Maybe I’m heartbroken. Maybe it’s the embarrassment finally catching up with me. It’s every single emotion of the night overwhelming my system until the only thing I can do is cry. Within seconds, I go from tearful to sobbing, my body shaking as my head falls into my hands.
Suddenly, arms wrap around me, and I sink into Theo’s chest.
“Let it out. I got you, Henley. Just feel whatever you need to feel.”
And I do.
