Page 150 of Don't Let Me Go (Don't Let Me 2)

I focus on Theo’s last name stitched onto the back of his jersey and frown. I’ve missed him. More than I can even acknowledge to myself, let alone admit out loud. When he left for college after high school, I stuck my head in the sand and signed up for two marathons, a volleyball recreation league, and a full-time load of courses at my community college. And it worked. Distracting myself. I was able to focus on everything and everyone outside of my feelings for a guy who didn’t know I existed. It was great. Until I saw Theo again.

Now, even the distance from the past four days hasn’t been enough to curb my feelings for the guy. It doesn’t matter that I’ve been throwing my time into work, school, and Netflix. I’ve missed him more than anything else in the world.

And it’s been less than a week.

Which is ridiculous. And stupid. Because it’s the littlest things that make my heart ache the most. Like a silver Big Red gum wrapper. Or an old song on my playlist. Even driving makes me think of him. The roads running past SeaBird. The track where we raced. Everything reminds me of Theo. And nothing is putting a dent in my feelings for the guy.

What am I supposed to do when he leaves for real? Do we try the long-distance thing? Does he even want to try the long-distance thing? He didn’t tell me, so how the hell should I know?

I didn’t bother Googling the Rockies team. I didn’t need to. I know where they’re located. I know how busy their schedule is. I know how quickly Theo will be thrown into the deep end, and how little we’ll be able to talk when we’re thousands of miles apart once the season starts.

Don’t go, Theo.

The buzzer rings, signifying the end of the first period, and the team heads through the tunnel beneath the arena seats. Theo follows slowly behind Colt toward the locker room but stops and looks up, finding me in the sea of people without a blip of hesitation. My breath hitches as our gazes connect. He takes off his helmet and balances it on his hip, mouthing olive juice.

Then, he slips out of sight, leaving me even more raw and lonely than ever.

* * *

By the time the second period is over, the score is four to one for LAU. I don’t see a single goal, though. All I see are Theo’s lips mouthing olive juice, and I’m not sure how much longer I can sit here without losing my shit.

We’re in the middle of the third period, and my knee won’t stop bouncing as anxiety sweeps over me. I need to get down there now. I need to talk to him. To apologize for being so cold this week. To tell him I love him and need him and want him.

Man, I’m a mess.

A few minutes later, Mia and Ash stand up on the opposite side of the row, motioning for the kids to follow. My brows furrow as I watch them start to round up the kids.

“What’s going on?” I ask Kate.

“I think they’re going on a big bathroom break before the game ends.”

“Oh.” I start to stand up, but Kate stops me.

“Stay. We’ve got this covered.”

“I think I can help––”

“Seriously, Blake,” Mom interjects, grabbing my hand and keeping me in my seat. “They can take care of it.”

Kate smiles back at me, ushers the last of the kids from our row, and heads up the stairs.

The alarm buzzes with another goal scored by Colt, and the audience starts cheering. Another ten minutes go by, and I look over my shoulder toward the tunnel leading to the bathrooms and snacks. It’s empty.

Not a single kid has returned.

Patting my knee, Mom says, “They’re fine, Blake.”

“They’ve been gone forever. What if they––”

“The girls can handle it. Relax. Here.” She digs into her purse and pulls out a package of Big Red gum. “Take this.”

Confused, I stare at the package in her hand, pointing out, “You hate Big Red.”

Her smile tightens, making her look guilty as hell as she shoves it into my lap. “Oh, baloney. Take some. It’ll keep you distracted.”

Convinced she’s acting like a crazy person but too overwhelmed to call her out for it, I take the gum, open it up, toss a piece into my mouth, and chew furiously. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do shit to distract me from Theo and how good he looks in his jersey.

How can I be so mad and so in love with one person at the same time?

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