Chapter 18
Eighteen
I sat with my feet propped on the couch, my sweatshirt hood pulled snug around my face. Most nights, I was alone. It used to bother me, but now the quiet felt like an old companion. Loneliness had shifted into something softer, something I could live with. I wasn’t truly isolated; I had people, if I wanted them. All I had to do was ask.
The TV was on, flickering in the background, but I wasn’t paying attention. I couldn’t tell you a single thing about what was playing.
The deep ache in my muscles had my full focus. Work today had been long and brutal, leaving me sore in ways I didn’t think were possible.
The Cassidys were talking about expanding, eyeing the adjacent land for more pasture. Boone decided we should start clearing the woodline, prepping for a deal that wasn’t even signed yet.
I didn’t ask why we were putting in the work before anything was official. Boone was the boss, and questioning him wasn’t my place. If I had to guess, he was trying to prove to his dad he was ready to take on more responsibility.
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about what it might mean if Boone stepped into his father’s role. A small part of me dared to hope that I’d be next in line to lead the crew. Mentally, I felt ready for it.
Stretching, I sat up and raised an arm above my head, only to have a sharp twinge shoot down to my fingertips. I winced. This soreness wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
I needed to move, even though my body protested with every step. Pushing myself off the couch, my legs were stiff, and I couldn’t hold back the groan that escaped. It turned into a laugh, though, as I thought about the fact that I’d be doing it all over again tomorrow.
Just as I straightened, my phone buzzed on the couch. Bending down despite my aching body’s objections, I grabbed it.
Theo’s name flashed across my screen.
It had been a day since I asked her to move in with me. As the hours passed, I spent my time waiting anxiously to hear her decision. I knew it wasn’t easy, so I tried not to pressure her.
“Rhodes Dunn’s office. How can I help you?” I answered, trying to sound more cheerful than I felt.
Theo let out a breathy laugh, the sound warming my chest. “Hey, do you have a minute to talk?”
I’d make the time if I had to.
I pinned the phone between my ear and shoulder, heading toward my bedroom. “I’m not busy. Do you want me to come pick you up so we can talk in person?”
Theo sputtered, her words tangling into a mix of sounds. “What? Um, no, that’s not necessary. I’m in my pajamas. I’ll make it quick.”
“Are you trying to let me down easy, Honey?” The nickname slipped out again, unbidden.
“Don’t say it like that!” she exclaimed, her voice flustered.
“I’d rather look at you anyway. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
I heard rustling on her end of the line, as if she were pacing or moving things around. “Rhodes, that really isn’t needed. My answer?—”
“How about ice cream? I’m in my pajamas too. Just throw on a sweatshirt and stop protesting.”
Silence. I knew she wouldn’t resist ice cream. It was one of her weaknesses, alongside Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, pasta, and double chocolate cake.
“You evil, evil man,” Theo muttered playfully. “You know I can’t say no to ice cream.”
“Time’s ticking,” I teased, making a tick-tock sound for effect.
“I’m going as fast as I can!” she giggled. “I’m hanging up now. I need to get ready.”
Before I could respond, the line went dead. Shaking my head, I slipped on my sneakers, threw a hat on backward, and grabbed my keys from the entryway table.
As I drove through town, a smile tugged at my lips. I needed to hear her decision directly, to see her face when she told me. If it was a no, I wanted to be ready to counter her reasons with logic—or maybe just more ice cream.
Over the past few days, I’d started making subtle adjustments around the house, just in case she said yes. I lowered the plates to an easier reach and moved boxes out of the spare rooms to the basement. I wasn’t ready to go through them yet—that was a job for future me.
Driving through town, I mentally ran through every argument I could make to defend my offer. Whatever her answer was, I was determined to show her this was the right choice.
“People move in with roommates they don’t know all the time.”
“You and the baby will both have your own space. I don’t even use it.”
“I don’t sleep much these days anyway.”
“You wouldn’t be in the way. I’d actually enjoy coming home to you and the baby every day.”
I sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth. Maybe I should keep that last one to myself. No matter how I phrased it, it sounded either desperate or creepy.
Just as I spiraled into anxiety over my internal confession, I pulled up to Theo’s house. She must’ve been watching for me because I barely had the truck in park before she slipped through the front door and hurried toward the truck.
“Get back in!” she whispered, waving her hands as if shooing me away.
“Theo, you’re never opening a door again as long as I’m here.”
She groaned, tilting her head back dramatically. “Must you always be so noble?”
I chuckled, opening the passenger door for her. Once she slid into the seat, I leaned across to fasten her seatbelt.
My arm brushed against her lower belly, the other grazing her thigh. Theo inhaled sharply, a sound that I tried, and failed, not to notice. The faint scent of fresh linen from her clothes reached me. My head was so close to hers that her soft exhale sent a tickle down my neck.
Clearing my throat, I pulled back quickly, careful not to meet her eyes. If I did, I’d lose my resolve entirely.
As I turned to close my door, movement in the doorway caught my attention. Theo’s mom stood leaning against the frame, arms crossed, watching us with a sly smile.
For a moment, I froze. There was no hiding the fact that she’d just witnessed me buckle her daughter’s seatbelt like a damn knight in shining armor. With no better option, I forced a polite smile and gave her a quick wave before climbing into the driver’s seat.
I buckled my seatbelt, deciding the best course of action was to pretend none of it had happened.
Theo, of course, had other plans.
“See what I mean?” she asked, smirking with an expression that said I told you so .
“Mom’s love me,” I replied with a grin, pulling away from the curb.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“I don’t know, you tell me.” I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, finally taking in her outfit. She looked effortlessly attractive in a matching sweatsuit with her hair was braided into her signature pigtails, and the oversized fabric she wore flowed against her body–for some reason, it drove me a little crazy.
“I think it’s that whole good-boy-next-door vibe you give off,” she teased, waving a hand in my direction with her lips pushed out.
I scoffed, my filter vanishing as I replied without thinking. “I told you I liked being called a good boy.”
“Ugh!” Theo gasped, laughing. “That’s exactly what a good boy would say while ignoring the obvious innuendo.” She shifted to face me, her bent leg pressed against the console.
“Who said I was ignoring it?” I quipped, my grin widening.
“The day Rhodes Dunn dirty-talks is the day hell freezes over.” Theo was flirty. There was a look in her eyes that was beginning to make me feel like ice cream wasn’t the only thing she'd devour.
“You’re sassy today.”
“Maybe I’m just a little anxious,” Theo admitted, her tone softening.
“Acknowledging feelings, are we?” I teased, though my own nerves weren’t far behind. I’d been bracing for her answer all day, running through every possible response she could give me.
“Rude!” she shot back.
“Maybe I’m a little anxious, too,” I confessed, glancing at her briefly. She was biting her lip, her gaze locked on me. The look she gave me—half amused, half something deeper—threw my pulse into overdrive.
Before either of us could say more, I pulled into the ice cream shop parking lot. Her eyes lit up, and the look on her face went from wanting to eat me to being ready to demolish a chocolate cone with chocolate sprinkles.
Inside the shop, the cool air hit me, sending a shiver down my spine. Theo shivered, too, goosebumps forming on her neck.
She stepped up to the counter with a bright smile, greeting the girl working there. “Hi! I’ll take chocolate ice cream, a large cone, with chocolate sprinkles, please.”
Smirking to myself, I celebrated a silent victory.
“And for you?” The girl pointed her gloved hand at me as she started scooping Theo’s order.
I stepped closer, pressing gently against Theo’s back as I glanced up at the neon menu. My hand instinctively found its place on the small of her back.
“Cookies and cream with hot fudge, large,” I said.
“Cone or cup?”
“Cup, please.”
The girl nodded toward an older woman at the register. “You can pay down there.”
Guiding Theo toward the register, I kept my hand on her back. She didn’t flinch or brush me off, which felt... natural.
“Good evening! Just the large cup and cone?” the cashier asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, reaching into my pocket for my wallet.
“Oh, shit,” Theo muttered, rummaging frantically through her purse. Her eyes snapped to mine, wide and apologetic. “I forgot my wallet. I’m so sorry!”
“It’s okay, Honey. I’ve got it. It’s my treat.”
“I’ll pay you back,” Theo said firmly.
I smiled at the cashier and handed her a few bills. “Keep the change.”
“Oh, why thank you, young man!” the cashier said brightly, her eyes lighting up as she dropped the change into the tip jar.
Stepping aside, I felt Theo close behind me, following me toward the pickup area.
“First of all, I will be paying you back. I don’t like to take handouts. Second, do you realize you just tipped them like fifty percent?”
“First, it wasn’t a handout. This was my idea. Second, you’d better get used to my niceness.” I slipped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. Her arms were tucked in tight, clearly still cold. “And third, I’m a big tipper.”
“See? A good boy,” Theo teased, leaning into my side. She was practically tucked under my arm now, like she belonged there. Hearing those words from her sent warmth rushing through me, banishing the cold.
“One cone, one cup!” called the girl from behind the counter, holding up our desserts.
Theo and I stepped forward in sync. I grabbed my cup, and she grabbed her cone. Without hesitation, Theo brought her ice cream to her lips, her tongue slowly tracing the side in a way that felt far too intentional.
Watching her was pure torture. Ice cream was a bad idea. I should’ve taken her somewhere less... enticing.
Her movements stirred thoughts I had no business having, and I had to shake my head to clear them.
Focus, Rhodes. Get your head out of the gutter.
“Can we sit on your truck bed?” Theo asked, snapping me out of my spiral. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
“You’ve never eaten ice cream in a truck bed? What kind of small-town girl are you?” I teased as we walked toward the door.
“The kind who avoided everyone except Aspen and Penny,” she said, her voice softening at the mention of her friends, a shadow crossing her face. It was clear she hadn’t spoken to them yet.
“Well, let’s make your dreams come true,” I said while holding the door open for her.
When we reached the truck, I dropped the tailgate but realized she was too short to climb up.
“Here, hold this and face me,” I said, handing her my cup. She took it without question. I placed my hands under her arms and lifted her up to place her on the tailgate.
“You threw me up here like a rag doll,” Theo said, laughing as she settled herself.
I flexed my bicep in response. Thank you to the years of hard, manual labor.
“Please don’t do that again,” Theo teased, nudging me with her shoulder.
“You don’t like it when I flex?”
“Oh, it’s not that. Cocky isn’t a good look on you.”
I smirked. I could show her cocky.
She dangled her legs over the edge, kicking them lightly. It brought me back to the night of Aspen’s party, when she sat on the edge of the pool. Theo was magnetic, and the more time I spent with her, the harder it became to resist her pull.
“I think I should rip the Band-Aid off,” Theo said suddenly. I looked up from my ice cream, meeting her eyes. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what the ‘right’ choice is,” she continued. “And I don’t think there’s a definite answer.”
Bullshit. There is a right answer–her moving in with me.
“I have to disagree,” I interjected, scooping a bit of my ice cream and bringing it to my lips. “People move in together without knowing their roommate all the time. Plus, I don’t get much sleep?—”
“You didn’t let me finish,” she said, cutting me off.
I kept my eyes on my dessert, not wanting to look up and have to face her.
“But there’s one answer I feel confident in. Logically, moving in with you is what’s right. I trust you. It’s weird—you feel familiar. So, if we’re doing this, we need ground rules.”
“Let’s hear them.”
“I have to pay you something. I can’t not.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Rhodes, please,” Theo said, her voice firm. “I don’t want your pity. I’m not a charity case, and I don’t want you making this offer because you feel bad for me.”
“That’s not it at all,” I said, finally looking up at her. “I want what’s best for you and the baby. You deserve a clean, safe place to live. Can’t you believe I want to do this because I’m kind? Because I’m your friend? Not because I have any other motive.”
Her cheeks flushed pink, and her eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made me feel like she could see straight into my soul.
“Rhodes...”
“Plus, it gets lonely anyway. I’d like the company,” I said, my voice softer.
There was a smudge of chocolate ice cream at the corner of her mouth. Without thinking, clearly lacking control, I reached out and wiped it away with my thumb before going back to my cup like it was nothing.
“What other rules do you have? Paying isn’t an option,” I said after swallowing the last bite.
“I don’t know yet,” she admitted, her voice softening. I wanted to crawl inside her mind and see what was going on up there.
“When do you want to move in?” I asked, hoping the question didn’t sound as eager as I felt.
Theo cleared her throat, wiping at the same spot I’d touched moments earlier. “As soon as you’ll have me. I think it’s best to get settled before the baby comes.”
“You’re probably right,” I agreed with a laugh.
“And I’ll need to learn all your weird quirks to make sure you’re good enough for the baby,” Theo teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She stuck her tongue out playfully, making the moment even more ridiculous.
Shaking my head with a grin, I hopped off the tailgate, placing my empty cup in the truck bed. “Alright, that’s enough sass for tonight,” I said, holding out my hand to help her down.
“Wait!” Theo squealed, cramming the last of her ice cream cone into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk storing nuts for winter, pulling another laugh from me.
She took my hand and hopped down, steadying herself as her feet hit the ground. The mischievous glint in her eyes made me wary of what she might say next.
“You don’t do anything creepy at night I should know about, do you?”