Page 152 of Don't Let Me Go (Don't Let Me 2)

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BLAKELY

A rush flows through the arena as the crowd searches for the elusive Blakely Thorne.

“Oh my gosh. Is he going to propose?” a lady asks from a few rows behind me.

With a glare, I look back at her and snap, “He’s not going to propose.”

Or at least he better not.

Mom touches my back and pushes me gently toward the stairs. “Go on, Blake.”

With wide eyes, I turn back to her. “Mom––”

“Go.”

This can’t be happening.

Like for real.

This. Can’t. Be. Happening.

I fist my shaking hands at my sides and walk down the steps, careful not to fall flat on my face as everyone watches me. Some people cheer while others stare curiously, and it takes everything inside of me not to tumble down the steps.

When I reach the bottom, Colt’s already there with one hand outstretched. He helps me onto the ice, skating slowly so I can keep up with him in my Nikes as we make our way toward Theo in the neutral zone.

The crowd hoots and hollers as Theo strides closer. When he reaches me, Colt lets me go with a warm smile and takes Theo’s microphone. Apparently, Theo doesn’t need it anymore.

Yeah. Colt most definitely helped set this up, but I can’t decide whether to smack him or hug him for it.

Probably both, I decide. But I’ll deal with him later.

Besides, I’m a little preoccupied by the bastard in front of me.

Ignoring the ever-excited crowd surrounding us, I tell Theo, “Ya know, when I said we’d talk later, I didn’t exactly mean in front of an audience after a week of you giving me the cold shoulder.”

“I wasn’t giving you the cold shoulder.”

I glare back at him. “I mean…”

“I asked for your patience, remember?” Theo offers me his hand. “I needed some time to set a few things up. Come here.”

I look around the chaos surrounding us, but stay still. “This is what you were setting up? It’s insane!”

“Figured you deserved a grand gesture after the shit I pulled.” Theo reaches for me again, balancing the bouquet with his opposite hand. “Come here, Blake. Please?”

Grudgingly, I grab Theo’s hand as the crowd goes wild around us. His fingers are warm despite the chilly atmosphere on the ice, and he brings my knuckles to his lips, kissing them softly. And I hate how I can feel it everywhere. The brush of his lips. The memories they evoke. It’s…consuming.

“Thanks for coming,” he murmurs.

“Like I had a choice. You thought of everything, didn’t you?”

His mouth lifts. “Maybe.”

Scanning his sexy outfit, I ask, “Why are you in a suit?”

“‘Cause I should’ve asked you to prom.”

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