Page 4 of Theo
"Coming," I texted back.Then I slid my thumb over to my contact list.It popped open.I'd never deleted Theo's number.There was no need.We hadn't spoken in several years.Before I could stop myself, my fingers flew over the keyboard."Why did you break my heart, Theo Stone?"I wrote.Before I could realize that it was a stupid idea, I hit send.
I stared at the phone for a second, ready to kick myself for sending it.He'd probably think I'd lost my fucking mind after all this time.There was no response.He'd probably just block me after that.I put the phone in the pocket of my dress and stood up.I took a few deep breaths and willed my feet toward the door.My phone buzzed.I pulled it out and read the text.
"Uh, I think you've got that backwards, Ace.You broke my heart, and it'll stay broken until the day you mend it."
A flood of past emotions came back as I stared at the text.I took another deep breath and pushed the phone back into my pocket.My heart was doing that fluttery dance it used to do whenever Theo came near me.I hadn't felt that same flutter since I left town.
"Oh stop, Lacey, you're not a teen anymore.No such thing as flutters.Now, go and face the lions," I said quietly as I reached for the door.
THREE
THEO
Istared at my phone, wishing for another text to appear, but it didn't come.The house was filled with friends, all gathered to celebrate my regional win.The party was more Crusoe's idea than mine.My cousin looked for every fucking opportunity to throw a party.I'd been in the kitchen fixing up a batch of margaritas when the text came through.I stared at it for a long ass time trying to decide if it was real.I hadn't heard from Lacey in years and to get a text from her left me fucking stunned.There'd been no response since, so I convinced myself that someone was just messing with me.
The music was thrumming so loudly through the old house, it made the crusty windows bulge.A cold spring rain had fallen just hours before the party, and it had left the smell of wet gravel and grass in the air.
"There you are," Natalie said as she walked out to the porch.Natalie and I had dated off and on, but we easily got on each other's nerves, so we'd called it quits for good.We'd stayed friends.She was looking hot in a short plaid skirt and white top.She sat down next to me and put her arm around my shoulders."Why are you out here by yourself?"
"Just needed a few minutes out of the chaos."The truth was that Lacey's text had jolted me out of the party mood.It had shaken me up more than I expected.
"These margaritas are yummy, by the way."Her long red nail clinked the glass as she lifted it to her mouth.She turned to me and pursed her lips."Want to lick off the salt?"
"I thought we were done licking salt," I said."That was your new rule.No more fucking.You were pretty clear and to the point."
Natalie shrugged."A girl can change her mind, you know?Especially when her ex-lover is the new face of Crankin' Energy Drinks.Cru told me you got the sponsorship.I'll bet that's good money."
I leaned away and looked at her."Never took you as the gold-digging type, Nat.So, you only want me in your bed now cuz I got a big sponsorship?Pretty fucking flimsy reason."
Natalie smiled and batted her lashes."Now you know, I'm shallow, and I like nice things, things that big sponsorship money can buy."Her hand rested on my leg and then moved to my crotch."Besides, you look extra hot tonight, and I'm extra horny."
"I'm feeling kind of cheap.Like I'm being used."
She rubbed against my cock and bit her lip flirtatiously.
I shrugged."Then again, feeling cheap has its benefits."My phone buzzed as I leaned in for a kiss.I stopped and left an angry pair of lips hanging.Normally, I would have ignored my phone, but I pulled it out of my pocket.
"Seriously?"Natalie asked.
It was a text from Lacey.I got up and walked away from the steps.
"Well, fuck off then, Theo," Natalie snapped behind me.I heard her march inside and slam shut the screen door.
I opened the text."How did I break your heart?You cheated on me."I stared at my phone.I started a text, but some things required a phone call.I'd never gotten to defend myself.Lacey packed up and left and never said goodbye.
I couldn't believe the fucking adrenaline rush I got just from hitting the call button.I held my breath, waiting to hear her voice.She didn't answer but texted back."Can't talk.I'm at a party."
"Well fuck."I shoved the phone into my pocket.Stella's car came up the gravel driveway.She had Jules with her.They parked and got out of the car.Stella and Jules were cousins, but they were sisters at heart.And Jules was always up on all the important social media stuff."Jules," I called.
They both turned my way."Aren't you the guest of honor?"Stella asked."Why are you out here?"
"Just taking a breather.Hey, Jules, did Lacey ever get married?"I'd heard months earlier about Lacey's engagement to some rich doctor, and it had messed with my head plenty.I ended up getting toilet-hugging drunk more times than I liked to remember but then I pushed it out of my head and got serious about my training.The hard workouts and competitions had helped me forget about her engagement, but now it was back front and center in my mind, thanks to Lacey.
Jules turned her brown eyes up in thought."Hmm, you know, I think the wedding is this weekend."She looked at Stella."It's fucking fabulous.She posted the flower arrangements online, and they built a huge tinted glass house for the reception.I can't even imagine how much money is being spent."
"Yeah, yeah, flowers, cake, all that shit," I said briskly."But she's not actually married yet?"
Both cousins looked at me.Stella laughed first."Hey, maybe you can still talk her into running away with you.I mean what's a million-dollar wedding to a doctor when you can have Theo Stone?"
