Chapter 25
Theo
“
I t’s the most wonderful time of the yearrrr!” Dale sings loudly enough that I can hear him from within his room as I pad down the hallway from the bathroom.
Chuckling to myself, I make a stop at his room. “There will be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting and caroling out in the snowww,” I sing, finishing it for him.
Dale turns away from his dresser where he seems to be packing his bag for the holiday break. “Shit, could you hear me singing?”
“I’m pretty sure the neighbors could hear you,” I laugh, and he joins in, not taking himself too seriously. “What has you in such a good mood? Weren’t you nervous to go to Robin’s parents’ for the holidays because you still haven’t told them about the baby yet? Otherwise known as our assistant coach’s house?”
“Oh, dude, don’t get me wrong, I am nervous as fuck about that. My stomach has been upset all day thinking about it. Her parents will be supportive, I think. but I know they won’t be too happy initially. Especially Coach Sanders.”
“Well, rip the Band-Aid off and give them time to process it. If you know in the end they will be supportive, try to let go of whatever reaction they give you at first. Coach Sanders might yell at you, but I don’t think he can bench you or anything.” I’ve never been in a situation like this, and my advice might not be the best, but it’s all I can think of.
“That’s what I’ve been telling myself. I’m sure I’ll keep repeating it until we get to their vacation home in Arizona,” he says, throwing a toiletry bag in his duffel bag.
“You’ve got this. And if you need anything, you know I’m here,” I remind him, and he gives me a nod in appreciation. “Now, what’s the cause of this good mood?”
Dale looks almost shy and I watch as his eyes go glassy. “We’re having a boy. We found out yesterday.”
I immediately take the few steps into his room and wrap him into a hug, squeezing him hard. “Dale, that’s amazing. Congrats, man.”
“Thanks, Theo,” Dale says, patting me on the shoulder as we part. “I can’t believe it’s happening.”
“I’m so excited for you two. Do you have a name picked out already?”.
“Hudson. It was my grandpa’s name.”
“Wow,” I breathe, finding myself getting emotional. “That’s sweet. I’m sure your parents will love that.”
“Me too. We’re telling them after we tell Robin’s parents.”
I check my watch, seeing that it’s nearing five o’clock, which means Marcela’s shift at the bar is almost over. I wanted to surprise her at work today, so I need to get out of here.
“I’ve gotta get going, but congrats again and good luck with everything. Let me know how it goes,” I say as we slap our hands together.
“Thanks. Theo. Have a great holiday. Try to enjoy yourself,” Dale says, knowing how much I’m not looking forward to seeing my dad.
Which is why I’m only going for Christmas Eve and Day.
It’ll give me plenty of time during our break from school to spend time with Marcela.
We can kick our feet up and relax for once. Maybe she can read me her book, or we can watch a movie. I don’t really care what we do, so long as we’re together and she’s happy.
All I want to do lately is be with her.
The line of what’s real or fake is becoming blurry. We text all the time. We’re intimate. We’ve gone to each other’s houses for family dinners.
And if she agrees to go on a date with me, knowing Hunter and Ruby won’t be there. What does that say about everything we thought we knew?
I won’t know until I ask.
I push through the doors of Beers ‘n’ Cheers, stomping my snow-laden boots on the mat to clear the snow as I search around the room for my girl.
My heart skips a beat when I see her at the bar, wiping it down, but my mood quickly changes when I see a guy sitting in front of her, his eyes glued to her breasts.
I can’t make out what he’s saying, but I can tell Marcela is uncomfortable, because she’s not saying anything back.
He looks old enough to be a senior, but I’ve never seen him on campus before. All I know is that I’ve never wanted to punch a stranger more in my life. I’m not a confrontational person, but where Marcela is concerned?
Yeah, I’d do just about anything to protect her.
My anger propels me towards the bar. I try to keep my cool on the outside, but on the inside, I’m boiling.
I make my way behind the bar, not caring if I get in trouble. Marcela looks up and relief washes over her pretty face when she notices it’s me.
As soon as I’m close enough, I hear him say, “Do you want to go out sometime?”
A green wave of jealousy clouds my vision, and I have every intention to let him know who she belongs to. “There’s my girl,” I hum right before I grab her face in my hands and plant a chaste kiss on her lips.
I know I’m breaking our no kissing rule, but I find myself unable to care right now.
When I pull away, I turn to face him with a cocky smile on my face. “Hey, I’m Marcela’s boyfriend. And you are?” I ask, putting my hand out to shake.
The asshole must get the hint, because he ignores my hand, throws some cash down the bar and walks away without a single word.
“Jealous?” Marcela says with a laugh as she pulls out of my embrace.
“Pfffft,” I sputter. “I know you’re mine, and I have no problem reminding people.”
“I hoped he would stop if I didn’t reply. I mean, he didn’t say anything awful,” she adds in quickly, having noticed the look on my face. “I would turn him down anyway. I’m yours… for now.”
Although she whispers the last part, it doesn’t stop the ache in my heart at hearing her confirm that she’s only mine temporarily. Stop , I tell myself before my brain spirals over those two words.
“Since your shift is over,” I say, changing the subject as I point to the clock behind us. “I have something fun planned. You free?”
“Bold of you to plan a date without asking me first,” she teases, which is becoming more and more natural for her. I love it.
“Does that mean you’re turning me down?” I ask, eyeing her up and down. God, she’s sexy in her tight black T-shirt and leggings.
It’s so different from her usual style, and there’s something about seeing her in all black that drives me wild.
“No, I’m not. What did you have in mind?” she says with ease, not thinking twice about the fact that this date is just for us.
Maybe it means we’re moving past all the fake dating. Maybe she’s developing real feelings for me.
“It’s a surprise. Get your jacket and let’s go. I’ll drop you off here later to get your car,” I tell her, and she does exactly that as she heads to the staff room to get her things.
Marcela and I are going on a date, a real one. I’m not sure if that’s clicked for her yet, but it doesn’t matter.
It’s just me and her.
What could go wrong?