23. Theo
Theo knew Sarah had done the right thing—at least from a professional sense—when telling his fan she was his stylist, but it didn’t make it any easier to swallow.
They’d barely made their relationship status official, and already it was getting complicated.
He checked the reception on his phone and noted he had a couple of bars. ‘Why don’t you all go ahead, and I’ll quickly call Dan? I’ll follow in a minute.’
The three of them nodded, Sarah shooting him an uncertain glance.
He smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring way. ‘Go. I’ll be there soon.’
They tramped back up the path, leaving Theo standing near the tree alone. He hadn’t even finished making his wish. And now that he was by himself, he decided he was going to make sure it was granted. He slowly walked around the tree seven times while he thought of Sarah and all the things he wanted to experience with her. He probably should have wished for a stable career or health, but right now, being happy and settled with Sarah was his ultimate wish.
After he’d finished circling the tree, he started the walk back to the campground, dialling his manager on the way.
His management company was based in Germany, but they’d recently opened a small branch in Brisbane, almost solely to cater for Theo. They’d hired Dan to run the office and manage Theo’s schedule.
Dan picked up on the second ring. ‘How’s my favourite client?’
‘You mean your only client.’
‘That’s not strictly true. My job involves scouting other talent. Just because I haven’t technically signed anyone else yet doesn’t mean you’re the only person I talk to. Anyway, it’s not like you to call me, so something must be up. Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying some downtime?’
‘Yeah, but I ran into a member of my fan club in the middle of the freaking forest. I think we’re going to have to come back to Brisbane early.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame. Did anything happen I need to take care of?’
‘I don’t think so. She was quite assertive, but my lawyer friend Alexis got her to back off. And my girlfriend pretended to be my stylist.’
‘Wait. Your girlfriend?’
‘You’ve heard me talk about Sarah.’
‘Yeah, but I didn’t know you two were serious. Are you serious?’
‘I mean, as serious as you can get after making it official thirteen days ago.’
‘And she told your fan she was your stylist?’
‘Actually, that reminds me. I asked her if she was officially interested in that role. We can make that happen if she says yes, can’t we?’
Dan tutted. ‘What are you doing, Theo? I’m supposed to be the one making those decisions. And for the record, I do not approve of you having a public girlfriend.’
‘But that’s so old-fashioned! No one in Australia cares about that kind of thing!’
‘The majority of your market isn’t in Australia. And you should know how this all works by now. You’re a model. People don’t want reality. They want fantasy. I’d hate to see you limit yourself by becoming distracted with a girlfriend right after you’ve been recognised in the international arena.’
Theo frowned. ‘I didn’t become a model to be seen as a robot.’
‘No one’s telling you to be a robot. But your girlfriend clearly understands what’s going on. Tell her to keep up the ruse of being your stylist for now.’
‘Then you need to agree that you will actually pay her for the job if a gig comes up.’
‘We’ll discuss that later. We already have someone booked for the next months’ worth of projects.’
‘Fine. I’m hanging up now. We’ll be back in Brisbane this afternoon. I’m worried the fan will tell everyone I’m here, and the campground will become overrun.’
‘If you were any closer, I’d come out and manage a meet-and-greet.’
‘Then I’m glad you’re not. Bye, Dan.’
Theo hung up, frustrated. Just when he’d started to think he could give up the charade of pretending not to date Sarah, his manager wanted to keep it going.
He trudged back to the others, where Levi was already loading the car.
‘All good?’
‘I wouldn’t say any of this is good, but Dan knows what’s going on.’
‘Let’s at least stop somewhere nice for lunch on the way home.’
‘Whatever you think.’
Theo returned to his tent, but Sarah wasn’t inside. He poked his head back out and called to Levi. ‘Where’s Sarah?’
‘Just letting reception know of our early departure.’
‘Ah.’
He started packing his bag. He hated being responsible for cutting their break short. Alexis had made a lot of effort, although Sarah probably wouldn’t mind too much since she hadn’t wanted to go camping in the first place.
He carried his stuff to the car and loaded everything in.
On paper, he had everything he could possibly want.
So why did he feel so uneasy?
The drive homefelt like an eternity. Levi insisted they stop at a restaurant on the Gold Coast before returning to Brisbane, but Theo zoned out. By the time they reached the outskirts of the city, he couldn’t even remember what he’d eaten.
Just before they got to Sarah’s building, Levi cleared his throat. ‘So… um… Theo…’
Theo met his friend’s eyes in the rear vision mirror. His gut clenched. Just what was it Levi wanted to say? ‘Yes, Levi?’
‘Sarah said…’
‘Hey,’ Sarah said, interrupting.
‘What did Sarah say?’ Theo asked with a sigh, knowing he wasn’t going to like whatever it was even before Levi said it.
Levi cleared his throat again. ‘Sarah told me that you thought I didn’t really like you and only put up with you because…’
‘I said you treated him with disdain,’ Sarah said, crossing her arms and glaring at the back of Levi’s head.
Theo looked out the window. He really didn’t want to have this conversation.
‘Anyway, well, I just wanted you to know that it’s not true.’
Theo slowly turned back to the conversation. ‘What?’
‘I didn’t treat you with disdain… or at least, I didn’t mean to. I was…’ Levi paused and swallowed before continuing. ‘I was jealous of you.’
‘What?’ Theo repeated, not sure he was hearing Levi properly. ‘You were jealous? Of me?’
Theo saw Levi roll his eyes in the rear vision mirror. ‘You always knew how to talk to girls, and you were always so confident around them. Meanwhile, I felt like a fish out of water and made a fool of myself whenever I opened my mouth. Of course I was jealous of you.’
Theo blinked. ‘That’s why you were like that?’
‘I’m not proud of it but… yeah.’
‘Huh,’ Theo said.
‘That’s it? Huh?’ Levi asked.
‘Honestly? I don’t know what to say.’
‘Okay, well, I just wanted you to know. You said I was your only friend, but you were my only friend too. I didn’t want you to think I didn’t appreciate our friendship. Even if I can be a little…’
‘Grumpy?’ Theo said.
‘Stoic,’ Levi corrected.
When they reachedSarah’s building, Theo insisted on getting out too and helped her take her bag inside.
While he knew she was sharing an apartment with her brother, he wasn’t prepared for the chaos inside.
There were three guys crammed into the small living room. Bodie was on the couch, bickering over a console game with another guy Theo didn’t recognise. And Gabe was sitting on the floor, shoving potato chips into his mouth. Every surface was covered in dirty plates and junk food packaging.
Sarah turned to Theo. ‘Sorry about the mess. It’s not normally this bad.’
‘How can you put up with this?’
‘I don’t really have a choice. My parents technically own this apartment, so they can decide who stays here.’
‘But that should only include your brother, right?’ Theo scanned the three faces. They hadn’t yet noticed Sarah and Theo standing in the doorway.
Sarah loudly cleared her throat.
That got their attention, and Gabe looked up. His face instantly turned to one of being caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Although in this case, the potato chip packet. He leapt to his feet. ‘I didn’t expect you to be back so soon.’
‘Clearly not.’
‘Uh, don’t go in the bedroom until I’ve tidied up.’
‘You went into my bedroom?’ Sarah asked.
‘Well, you weren’t here, and Bodie slept on the couch. It seemed a waste to leave a perfectly good bed empty.’
Bodie looked at Sarah, a wide smile forming on his mouth. ‘Hey. It’s good to see you again.’
‘Are you all proud of yourselves for taking advantage of a kind-hearted woman?’ Theo demanded.
‘Who is this kind-hearted woman you speak of?’ Gabe drawled. ‘I can only see my sister here.’
‘Why don’t you have a home of your own?’
‘Um, this is my home,’ Gabe pointed out.
‘Are you paying rent?’
‘I don’t think that’s any of your business…’
Bodie cut in. ‘Guys, guys. Chill, okay?’ He looked at Theo. ‘You’re right. Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.’
‘It’s Theo. Sarah’s boyfriend.’
Bodie’s face registered surprise before quickly returning to normal. ‘Oh. I didn’t know she had a boyfriend. But I can understand it would be a little off-putting to come home and find your girlfriend’s apartment overrun by a bunch of guys. I’m Bodie.’ He pointed to the third guy. ‘And that’s Casey.’
Casey was still absorbed in the game, but he briefly held up a hand in a gesture of acknowledgement. ‘Hey.’
‘I don’t want you staying here with them,’ Theo whispered in Sarah’s ear.
‘It’s fine. I’ll make them tidy up my room, and then I’ll hang out in there. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last few months anyway.’
‘That can’t be comfortable. Look, at the very least, you were supposed to have another night away, so come stay with me. I’d feel better if you did.’
Sarah hesitated for a moment, but when Casey burped loudly, she sighed.
‘Yeah, okay.’
Theo looked at Gabe. ‘You’re lucky Sarah is being kind enough to share her apartment. Make sure it’s tidy by the time she returns.’
Gabe saluted him. ‘Yes, sir.’
Theo grabbed Sarah’s hand and pulled her toward the door, dragging her suitcase behind him.
‘Come on. Let’s go home.’