Page 23 of Theo
Crusoe and Cormac both sat forward and propped their chins on the top of the seat backs."Aw, that is just about as cute as it gets," Cormac said."By the way, Lacey, you are still smoking hot."
I reached back and nudged both of them to sit back.
"Time to dump my bodyguards," Theo said.
"Yep.Oh, and bro, since we came along with you on this adventure, it's only fair that you lend us some money for the pool hall."
"Yeah, yeah, anything to keep you asshats busy for a few hours," Theo said.He looked over at me and smiled."Glad you came," he repeated.As he said it, my phone rang.I opened the clutch.It was George, and there were a dozen texts from Mindy.I silenced the phone and put it back in my purse.
I had no idea how bad things would get for me after this, but for a few hours, I was going to forget all about George Plunkett and his horrid mother and go back to being little old Lacey Michaels from Trayton.
THIRTEEN
THEO
We'd dropped Cormac and Crusoe off, stopped for some sodas and fries at the local burger stand and then took our food to the motel.It wasn't as crummy as it looked from the highway.The teal green exterior was faded, and most of the landscaping was dead, but the inside of the room was clean.There were even little soaps in the bathroom, something Lacey pointed out with an "oh how you spoil me, Theo" comment.
We sat down at the small table by the window to eat fries and sip soda."Remember when we got lost after that music festival and couldn't find your car?"she said as she pushed a fry between her lips.I had a hard time focusing on the conversation because of those lips.
"Shit, that's right and then those assholes started following us and trying to get your attention," I said.
"Then you turned around and belted one so hard the rest of them ran off.It took us hours to find your damn car."
"Yeah, not one of my finest hours," I said."I guess I was so out of my mind over my beautiful companion I forgot to take note of which street we parked on."
"But we did find that shop with the amazing fries."She ate another one and closed her eyes to savor it."So delicious.I've been avoiding fries and chips and pizza and?—"
"Everything good?"I asked.
"Yes, everything good.My mother-in-law … Oops don't have to call her that anymore.Joan was a real stickler about my weight.She'd literally roll her eyes if she thought I was overindulging.It's a good thing she didn't have a daughter.That girl would be so messed up.As it is, her son—her pride and joy—also has a few quirks that need to be ironed out to make him more tolerable."
"But you were going to marry him," I reminded her.
She sighed and tilted her head at me."Mean."
"Sorry but true.And, might I add, he looks like a supreme asshole."
"He's not that bad, but after we got engaged and after his mom decided to throw her wealth behind the wedding of the century—all for him, not for me—George started controlling all aspects of my life.I grew more miserable and more detached each day, but he didn't seem to notice or if he did, he ignored it."She blew out a puff of air that pushed the light wisp of hair on her forehead back.Lacey put down the fry she'd just picked up and slumped back against the chair."What have I done?This is going to be bad."She looked at me with those blue eyes that could bore a hole straight through my heart."I can't believe you came all the way out here."
"Yes, you can," I said.
"You're right.I can."She reached over and took hold of my hand."Shit, Theo, I missed you."
"Yeah?But I haven't heard from you at all … ever."
"Well, first I thought you'd cheated on me, so I walked away wounded and hurt and feeling all kinds of betrayed.And wow am I glad I don't talk to Everly anymore.I think I'd have more than a few words to say otherwise.Then I got on with my life, and somehow, I convinced myself that I needed to be free of Trayton for good.I came back to see my parents, of course, and one time"—she twirled the straw around in her soda—"I saw you.You and Mac were riding bikes through town.I was in Mom's car, so you didn't notice me.I badly wanted to say something, but, seeing you, I felt like crying.I realized how badly I missed talking to you.How badly I missed you kissing me.How badly I missed?—"
I tugged her hand, and we both stood up.I took a second to admire the dress."I'm really fucking glad that prick isn't going to be taking this dress off of you."I pulled her into my arms, and our mouths pressed together so hard, our teeth clacked.
My hands smoothed along her back."I like this backless and mostly frontless style dress," I said smugly.I reached for the button on the collar of the dress, the only button that needed to be dealt with before the dress slipped down to the floor in a silky pile.Lacey was wearing two patches to cover her nipples and a satin pair of panties that were held on by thin pink ribbon."Oh wow, I think I like this whole wedding dress arrangement."
Lacey wrapped her arms around my neck."Enough commentary, Theo Stone.Take me to fucking bed already."
"Right.Good idea."I helped her step free of her dress.She pulled off the nipple covers and reached for the panties.
"Nope, don't you dare.Those are mine."My mouth covered hers as I reached down to the panties and ripped one side open.She gasped and giggled lightly against my mouth as I tossed the panties through the air.
I was still fully clothed, and she was entirely naked as I pulled her into my arms."Holy shit, Ace, do you know how long I've waited for this?"She laughed as I swept her up in my arms and carried her to the bed.I freed one hand and yanked back the covers before setting her down on the white sheets."You are a fucking picture, Lacey, a fucking thousand-word picture."I knelt down next to her and whipped off my shirt.She lifted her arms up above her head and arched her back in an erotic stretch."Hell, you might even be a million-word picture.I'm going to shut up now.Guess I'm nervous."
