Page 49 of The Operators

Chapter 17

Mack

The world is spinning out of control around me. A million thoughts are running through my mind, but I can’t accept the reality in front of me.

It can’t be. It has to be a coincidence.

“Molly?”

Thea opens her eyes wide, confirming the worst case scenario, but then she tries to play it off. “What?” she asks, but the way she can’t look me in the eye is one of her tells for lying, which she doesn’t do often with me.

Amanda misunderstands what I said. “I’m sure some of the frat boys have some, but c’mon Mack, you know Thea can’t be using illicit drugs now that she’s dating a pharmacist.” She wiggles her eyebrows at Thea, taunting her.

“We’re not dating,” she says, quick to clarify.

“Have you been on multiple dates?” Amanda asks.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean-”

“You’re dating.”

I can barely hear their conversation, my anxiety at an all time high as I try to process what’s going on. “Thea,” I say, grabbing her attention again.

“Hm?”

“I need to talk to you. Inside.” I stand not waiting for her response, but she doesn’t make a move to get up. “Now.”

All the girls give me a confused look, and even Declan is looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. This can’t be right.

My heart is beating so hard that it almost hurts. Thea is following behind me, but she’s going too slow. I grab her hand when we reach the slider and don’t stop pulling her along until we’re inside my bedroom. I shut the door, locking it like that will somehow stop this overwhelming shame I’m trying to run from.

The sun set is gone, so when I turn to face her, it takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. She doesn’t speak, forcing me to address it, but I can’t. I can’t say it.

“Thea.” That’s all I can manage.

“What?” she asks, giving me attitude, folding her arms over her chest.

“You know what. Tell me the truth.”

She turns, looking out the window. “About what?”

I grab her arm, turning her back around to face me. “The Operators?”

Her eyes shine bright in the darkness as she stares back at me. I can’t read her reaction though. “Who told you?” she finally asks.

“What?”

“Does Trevor know? Are you going to tell him?”

“So it’s true?” I ask just to be sure because I desperately want her to deny it.

“Oh, fuck off!” she says, stepping away from me again. “You don’t get to judge what I do, Mack.”

“I’m not judging you, Thea,” I say, clenching my hands in front of me, trying to get her to understand.

“So? Did you tell Trevor?” she asks again like that’s what I’m concerned about.

“You’re missing the point!” I shout, getting in her face again.

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