Page 128 of Don't Let Me Go (Don't Let Me 2)

“Yeah, buddy. We’re good,” Theo calls from behind me. “I just asked Miss Blakely to race me, but she’s too afraid I’ll win, so…”

I stop short, convinced I’ve heard him wrong as a few of the kids around me “ooo” like we’re on the playground and a fight could break out at any second.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” I ask, facing him again.

The bastard’s cocky smirk does annoying things to my insides as he says, “I said…you’re too afraid to race me.”

“Who says I’m afraid?”

His gaze softens, and I know he isn’t thinking about the race anymore. He’s referring to something bigger. Something more.

With a shrug, he rasps, “Guess it’s just a hunch.”

Refusing to let him see how close he hit home, I demand, “What are the stipulations?”

His biceps bulge as he crosses his arms, considering his options as the kids wait with bated breath.

“If I win, you give me another chance to make it up to you for being an––” He hesitates, remembering our current audience is all under twelve, and clarifies, “A jerk.”

“No thanks,” I deflect, ignoring how much it feels like ants are crawling beneath my skin. I never turn down a bet. Ever. And oh, how I would love to beat Theo’s ass today. But accepting his challenge would open the door for more communication. More feelings. And I’m not sure I’m strong enough to keep them in check. Not when I’m so close to caving already.

Stepping closer, he pushes aside his amusement and drops his voice low until only I can hear him. “I messed up, Blake. And it’s been killing me. I should’ve listened to you and taken things slower. I shouldn’t have ruined your trust.” He scrubs his hand over his face. “But I’m here. And I’m not done fighting for this. Fighting for us. Give me a chance to do it differently. Please.”

Damn those eyes.

“Come on, Miss Blakely,” Billy interjects. “You can totally beat him.”

Theo’s mouth lifts in a smirk, his eyes shining with sincerity. “He’s right. You can totally beat me.”

“Glad we’re finally in agreement,” I quip.

“Yeah,” he chuckles, and the sound makes my stomach somersault. “It’s a pretty rare thing with us, isn’t it? We should probably work on that.”

“And what if I win?” I continue, ignoring his assumption we have anything to work on in the first place because we aren’t a we. Not anymore. Not ever, actually. The realization stings.

“I’ll give you whatever you want. Space. Dinner,” he teases, though I can see the worry in his eyes.

Because he knows I’m faster than he is. But he’s desperate. And his desperation is about to bite him in the ass.

“You’re not worried?” I ask.

“Scared as hell.” His dry response makes my mouth twist up in a ghost of a smile before I bite it back.

At least he’s honest.

As if he can’t help himself, he trails his fingertips along the shell of my ear, tucking my hair behind it as he looks down at me with so much want, so much need, I’m afraid my legs might give out at any second.

Stay strong, Blake, I remind myself.

“But I’m not afraid to make a fool of myself or fight for the things I want. Besides, you aren’t the only competitive one around here.” He drops his hand to his side as if remembering I’m not his to touch. “One lap. Then, I’ll either leave you alone…for a week,” he clarifies, “or you’ll give me a chance to make it up to you tonight. Deal?”

“A week?” I ask with a laugh, my heart twinging. But I can’t help it. The guy is hands down the most stubborn person I’ve ever met.

He brushes his fingertips against my arm but drops his hand to his side again. “You really think I’d let you go forever, Baby Thorne?”

Stupid heart. And his stupid proximity.

“Yeah, come on, Miss Blakely!” Bridger calls. I’d been so distracted by my conversation with Theo, I hadn’t realized we’d collected quite the crowd. Almost everyone’s here. Even a few of the other volunteers are watching.

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