Page 109 of Don't Let Me Go (Don't Let Me 2)

“So, he’s Theo,” I reiterate. “Everyone knows he has the attention span of a gnat on crack. Honestly, I’m surprised he even bothered to mention his feelings. They’ll be gone in a week.”

With his hands folded across his LAU jersey, he moseys closer like he has all the time in the world while his amused gaze never leaves me. “You know Theo better than anyone, Blake. Do you really believe it?”

“That he has the attention span of a gnat on crack? Yes.”

“I meant the second part,” he clarifies. “Do you really think his feelings for you will be gone within a week?”

“I…” My mouth closes, the words clogging my throat.

“Pretty sure you know him better than that, Blake.”

“All right, everyone!” Coach yells, stepping out of his office. “Let’s get the game started.”

“I have an announcement I’d like to make, first,” Theo interrupts. The guy looks right as rain with a cocky grin plastered across his face as he waits for Coach to give him the go-ahead.

Coach crosses his arms, bracing the clipboard against his chest. “Where are your skates, Taylor?”

“I’ll get them on right after the announcement.”

His teeth clench, but Coach gives Theo a sharp nod. “Make it quick. We have a game to play.”

Clearing his throat, Theo steps forward and waits until he’s sure he has everyone’s attention. Burrows looks annoyed as his focus shifts from Theo to me. Depp is too busy texting on his phone to pay attention. Tukani is playing with a fidget spinner, his locker still wide open. And Logan and Graves are both huddled together but aren’t saying a word.

It’s still weird sometimes. To see Logan. He was practically the third amigo in Colt and Theo’s friendship. But after everything went down with Logan, Colt, and Ash, they split like a couple of atoms, and I still can’t decide if he’s over it or if he’s only biding his time.

Once the locker room is relatively quiet, Theo jumps onto one of the benches, giving him an extra two feet of height while commanding the room with his presence. Not gonna lie. He looks like a god among men with his dirty blonde wavy hair and piercing eyes. The way he holds himself with confidence, demanding the attention of everyone around him while managing to wield said attention with perfection. Pretty sure he could be a politician if he wanted. Hell, he’d have my vote for sure.

“I’m gonna make this quick, ‘cause we have a game to win,” Theo starts. “As you guys know, Coach decided to put a no fraternization policy into place a few weeks ago.” He tosses me a wink. “But he didn’t give my heart the memo.”

My heart falls to my stomach as everyone’s eyes find me in the room.

This is…

Untucking my wavy hair from behind my ear, I drop my chin to my chest and whisper under my breath, “What’s he doing?”

Colt glances at me and steps closer, sidling up next to me while keeping his voice low. “I think he’s trying to prove his feelings.”

“I don’t want him to prove his feelings. Not like this.”

“Don’t worry, man,” Tukani quips, oblivious to the side-bar I’m having with my older brother. He sets his fidget spinner back into his locker and slaps it closed. “We all know you’re in love with Colt. No need to make a big deal out of it.”

The team laughs, and Theo joins in. But Coach? He looks on edge. Suspicious. My anxiety spikes, and I fold my arms, watching the scene unfold like an impending car crash.

This is a bad idea.

“Colt, make him stop,” I breathe out, my tone laced with desperation.

With a careful smile, Colt murmurs, “Give him a minute.”

But I can’t. I can’t give him a minute. Not when I told him I didn’t want to put my internship on the line until I knew he wanted me for the long haul. Is that what he’s trying to do? If it is, he’s screwing it up royally. I can see it on Coach’s face. In the hardness of his features. The way he’s folding his arms and digging his fingers into the clipboard. The guy’s seconds from throwing down the gauntlet. I can see it clear as day, so why the hell can’t Theo?

“As you all know, I’ve had a thing for Blake since we were kids,” Theo continues. He turns slowly on the bench, confirming he still has everyone’s full attention.

Coach’s nostrils flare.

“Seriously.” My hands shake as I grab Colt’s jersey and tug him closer. “Make him stop.”

Theo grins down at me like he’s on top of the world, oblivious to the ticking time bomb with the clipboard standing a few feet away from him.

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