Chapter 29
R en
I was trying really hard not to pout on the phone as Lizzy did her makeup, but I’d never been great at masking my emotions.
Lizzy would’ve seen through it anyway. Our girl’s night had turned into a chat while she ate dinner and got ready to go out with her new friends.
Technically, they were people we both knew and had for years, but we never hung out together.
I understood it, I didn’t want her sitting around at home pinning over me not being there, but we planned this, and…
okay, I was starting to sound like a whiny bitch, but still.
“Boo, I’m sorry,” Lizzy said for the millionth time. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“It’s fine,” I said, sucking in a deep breath. Lizzy leaned over her phone with a blush brush in hand.
“You did not just ‘I’m fine’ me.”
“I don’t know what else to say. I’m not angry, and I love that you’re going out. God knows I’d kick you out the door if I were still there, but….” I glanced thankfully around my Vicky-free room.
“But we made plans, and you miss my amazing ass and witty sense of humor,” Lizzy said, finishing my sentence for me and making me smile.
“Exactly.” Crossing my arms, I leaned against the wall.
There was a flash of movement as she picked up the phone and sat down. I loved how she did her makeup. She was obsessed with watching video tutorials and could spend all night learning a new technique. It paid off. Lizzy looked like she was ready to attend the Oscars, not a house party.
“I won’t go. I can’t handle those sad eyes,” Lizzy said, and I smiled at her.
“No, don’t. I’m sulky, but I’ll be good. I really should get caught up on my Russian homework. Plus, I’m trying to improve my Spanish so that I can come close to beating Theo next year.”
Lizzy blinked at the camera, her face completely deadpan. “I see you still know how to have a good time,” she drawled as she teased me.
I smiled and then burst out laughing. “You know me, one giant ball of fun.”
“You are, actually. I really am sorry, Boo. My brain stopped working when Lucas asked me out. I just said yes. He could’ve asked me to dance naked in the classroom, and I wouldn’t have known what I agreed to.”
“I’m happy for you, really, and you know me, I’ll only sulk and make you feel horrible for the rest of your life, no big deal.
” I smiled at her, and this time, it reached my eyes.
“You look stunning. Lucas is not going to be able to keep his hands off of you.” Her pretty chestnut hair was already straightened, and I loved the added pink and purple chunk highlights.
She blushed, which made her blue eyes stand out even more. “That’s the hope. I still can’t believe he asked me out. I’ve wanted him to notice me for like…forever.”
“That’s because he finally pulled his head out of his ass and realized what a catch you are. Make sure you’re safe at the party. Don’t leave your drink alone or walk into any shady corners with weirdos. Have a back up plan to leave and maybe take a first aid kit with you.”
Her eyebrow lifted as she stared at me. “What kind of parties have you been going to with that hottie Irishman?”
“Stop. I just want you to be safe. I’ll have to go all Chucky on anyone who hurts you, and that will just land me in lots of hot water with the police, so really, I’m just looking out for myself.” That made her laugh.
“Fuck it. I’m staying home. I’ve missed you too much,” she said, and a bloom of guilt flowered inside of me.
“Not a chance. You are getting ready for your night out, and you owe me a phone call to tell me how the date went.”
“But….”
“No buts. I’m not going to be responsible for keeping you away from meeting new people or a date with the guy you’ve crushed on since seventh grade. Not happening. God knows I’ve done that enough to you before I moved. Please go, I’ll feel horrible if you stay in.”
“You sure?” I glared at her, and she laughed. “Okay, you’re sure. So, tell me about this new fella you like. Can I say go you? I mean, you didn’t date anyone, and now you have two guys panting after you, Boo. Like I said before, take them both.”
“You make it sound so easy. It’s not like I’m ordering two meals at a drive-thru,” I said as Lizzy stood, and I was once more staring at her ceiling while she got dressed.
“First off, it’s more like upsizing your fries rather than getting a whole new meal.” I rolled my eyes and couldn’t believe I was entertaining this idea for even a minute. “Second, if they want you that bad, then you’re in the driver’s seat and they go where you go.”
“I’m not sure relationships are supposed to work that way,” I said, sitting down and picking the little fluffies off my comforter.
“You pulling that from your vast experience in dating?”
“Ouch, bitch, that one stung,” I said but laughed. Snipping at one another like this was our thing. I’d missed it and her.
“Just keeping it real. Look, the point is…have fun. What you have going on today could be completely different than a month from now, a year from now, or ten years from now. Fucking have fun. Take them both, make them yours, and they will have to suck it up or go away.”
I tried to imagine what it would be like to make out with both of them at the same time and bit my lip. That was a hot image, like way too hot.
“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?”
I looked at my phone, and Lizzy smiled like the cat that stole the canary. “Nooo, of course not.”
“Liar. Okay, I’m ready. What do you think?” She set up her phone so she could walk away and show off her entire outfit. She looked sexy as hell.
“Girl, you are fire,” I said.
“It’s not too extra? I don’t want to come off like I’m trying too hard,” she said, turning for the camera and showing off the jeans that hugged her perfect apple bottom and the purple sparkly top that accentuated her narrow waist.
“Not at all. You’re stunning. I wish I was there to beat all the guys off you because you’re going to be getting all the looks tonight.”
Lizzy walked toward the phone, smiling wide. Picking it up, she kissed the lens. “I love you and I miss you so much, Boo. I’m….”
“Don’t you dare apologize again. You owe me, though. I want all the details and a full sleepover chat until our phones die.”
“Deal.”
“Love you too, L. Now get the hell off the phone with me and if anyone tries anything inappropriate, you call me right away. I don’t care if I’m hundreds of miles away. I will kick their ass,” I said, and she laughed.
“You know I will.”
Knock, knock, knock.
I looked up at my door. “And apparently, I have company now, so go and have fun.”
“Will do, but I love you.”
“Oh my God, I know, I love you too, now go.” I hit end before she could say it ten more times. Lizzy loved long goodbyes, whereas I was almost rude. I was surprised she put up with me.
Jumping up, I walked to the door, whipping it open, expecting Myles on the other side, but instead, I came face to face with Theo.
“Theo?”
“Do I look like someone else?”
Crossing my arms, I sucked in a calming breath. “Is this a legitimate question? Considering you’re a twin, you technically look like Blake,” I said, and his lip twitched.
“I was born ten minutes before my brother. So no, he looks like me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are you here for Myles? Because he’s not here.”
“No, I’m here to speak with you. May I come in?”
This was weird. Theo hardly spoke to me unless it was in class about class, and he’d never sought me out for anything. I stepped out of the way for him to come in. It wasn’t like I had anything else going on tonight.
“So, this is what the great Ren Davies’ room looks like,” he drawled, his voice holding as much enthusiasm as I had about community service with Nash.
“I’m not so sure about great, but yes, this is my room. Did you have a reason for this friendly visit? Or did you just want to be inside my bedroom that badly?”
He chuckled as he turned around to face me. “Don’t you wish.”
“What is it with all you guys thinking that I’m interested in what’s below your belt?
Because newsflash, I’m not.” That wasn’t entirely true.
I was curious about Myles and, wrong or not, Blake.
I really hated to admit this, but Nash, too.
But no one else…then again, Theo was Blake’s twin, so did that make me interested in him by proxy? Huh.
He didn’t say anything, and only his eyebrow twitched.
Theo was so hard to read. He and Liam both were the worst when it came to judging their emotions.
I’d never met two guys who could keep what they were thinking and feeling off their faces as easily as them.
Theo reminded me of the way guys dressed in the swing era.
All he needed was the hat to complete the look.
It was either that or he was a secret assassin and planned on killing me. Now, that was possible.
I flinched when he stepped toward me and froze completely when he hugged me. What the hell was happening now? Was this some reverse psychology? I slowly hugged him back.
Theo stepped away and sighed. “I wanted to talk to you, but first, I wanted to thank you for saving my brother. He is…he’s my twin. He’s like a limb, and if he died….” Theo cleared his throat.
“It was a joint effort. Things would’ve been really bad if you didn’t have that Narcan on you.”
“True, but I was panicking inside and…just thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but you don’t have to thank me for saving Blake.”
He nodded and looked around the room. There was an awkwardness to his visit like he didn’t know what to say next or didn’t fit in with the surroundings. I wanted to know what his room looked like.
“Can we sit and talk for a minute,” he finally said.
“Sure. Did you want a water or something?”
“No, I’m good, thank you.” He unbuttoned his coat as he sat down. He’d make a great lawyer or politician. He already had the look down.
“What’s going on? Is Blake okay?”
“Yes, he is doing better. I just got him settled in his room. I do want to talk to you about Blake, though,” he said as his finger tapped on the small table.
“Alright.”
“I want you to stay away from him,” he said, and I blinked at Theo, not sure I heard him correctly.
“I’m sorry?”
“Blake. I don’t want you going near him again.
In fact, I’d like you to avoid him at all costs.
You see him in the hall. Go the other way.
You sit near him in class, then trade seats.
If he is to go out with you and Myles or any situation like that, you decline to go, and I don’t want you coming over to my house anymore. Just stay away from my brother.”
Theo didn’t say it nasty. He didn’t even seem angry. But I felt like I’d just been punched in the gut.
“I’m sorry, isn’t that Blake’s decision? When did you become the gatekeeper to your brother’s friendships?”
“Ever since I found out that he used at the party because of you. More specifically, because you’re with Myles, and Blake is clearly in love with you.
You’re messing with his head, and I’m asking you, for my brother’s mental health and emotional well-being, to stay away from him.
Let him heal and figure his shit out. Going to their room and being supportive isn’t helping.
It’s making him worse.” Tears stung the back of my eyes as Theo stood.
“I’m not saying this to be an asshole, and I am very thankful that you helped save him and I actually think you’re a good person, but I’d like to keep from happening again.
If you care for him at all, then keep your distance. ”
Theo stopped when he was standing beside me and laid his hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry it has to be this way, Ren. I genuinely think you only ever had the best intentions.”
Theo walked out my door without another word, and as it closed into place, tears trickled from my eyes.
He was right. I never meant for any of this to happen.
I chewed on my bottom lip as I tried to keep from crying.
I never should’ve started dating Myles. It was so much easier when I hated them and kept my distance.
Now I was a mess and had already screwed up so many times and hurt people.
I wiped my face. Theo was right. If I wanted to help, I needed to stay away from Blake. That wasn’t going to be easy with him and Myles being so close, but I didn’t want to hurt him or Myles again.
Walking to my bed, I sat down and pulled out my tattered journal from the nightstand drawer. Flicking off the light, I held the leather book to my chest, laid down, and pulled the covers over my head. I would be fine. I just needed to get some sleep, and then I could face the world again.