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Theo nodded twice before whistling. “This is going to be an experience, that’s for damn sure.”
Out of nowhere, a ball of emotion caught in my throat. I hated showing feelings. They were exhausting, and I didn’t have time for them, but shit. My hands shook, probably from adrenaline, and I sniffed to avoid letting my stress show. It had to be an adrenaline crash of sorts. There was no reason to be sad or stressed. I’d found an extra session to tutor and sent my mom a hundred bucks. Sure, she’d call again, but my racing heart had no place right now. I cleared my throat, scolding myself for having any weaknesses. “I’ll see you Tuesday.”
With my head down, I marched out the automatic doors. It was only five pm, so I could grab some food and start reading whatever Marcy laid out. I had a ton of other assignments to work on, but this had to come first. I could busy myself with tasks.
“Audrey, hey, wait up.”
“What do you want, Theo?” My voice was scratchy. “Don’t you have hockey to play?”
“It’s a Friday night, so no. I already worked out with the team.” He caught up to me and gently touched my upper arm, stopping me.
The same unfamiliar and intoxicating heat spread through me from having his bare fingers on my skin. He let go the second I tensed and held his hands in the air. “Why are you upset?”
“I’m not.” I crossed my arms and prayed he wouldn’t call me on my lie.
“You are.”
Okay, that didn’t work. He arched a brow in challenge before his expression softened in understanding. I hated that his face was so readable, so kind.
“I have an idea, and I’m gonna need you to say yes to it.”
“That’s a terrible way of asking.”
“I’m not asking a thing.” He flashed a quick grin. “It’s been pissing me off all week that I’m in debt to you?—”
“For what? No, you’re not.”
“You watched my siblings for a bit, which you didn’t have to do at all. So yeah, I owe you.” He shook his head. “I never got to thank you properly for that?—”
“No need.”
“Would you stop talking for one second?” He laughed and put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it for one long heartbeat. “Are you always such a pain in the ass, or is this special for me?”
“Don’t take too much credit, I’m generally like this.”
“Noted.” His eyes danced with amusement. “Now, if you keep quiet for one minute and let me propose my idea, I think you’ll agree.”
I opened my mouth, but he held up a finger, stopping me.
“Ah, no, shh.” He smirked. “I’m taking you for ice cream. You’re not getting out of it for two reasons. Three, actually!” He held up his massive hands and counted down. “You’re upset, and I’d be a shitty classmate to let you walk off by yourself without checking on you. We’re gonna experience some wild shit in there, and I’d rather we have each other’s backs. Secondly, I owe you for helping me out the other day. I’m a gentleman most of the time, so it’s the least I can do. And thirdly, I looked up one of those studies we have to read, and what the fuck? They are hard, and I want us to buddy read. I read one, you the other, then we share notes. I don’t have time to read both this weekend, so yeah, that’s my proposal.”
If it weren’t Theo Sanders the hockey guy, I’d agree to all of this instantly. Yet, it was him, and I needed to make sure that wall was up before saying yes. “We still don’t like each other though.”
“Oh, yeah, no way. You’re the worst.” He made a goofy face, clearly joking, but the sentiment landed with me.
“Okay. As long as we don’t become friends.”
“You’ve made it clear that would never happen, Audi 5000. Now, let me buy you some dessert and then we can cry about how intense Marcy is.”
“Audi 5000?”
Theo chuckled. “It’s super fitting for you. You’re always trying to leave a conversation, and your name is Audrey. It’s perfect. So, Auds, you an ice cream kinda gal or a cake kind of lady?”
“Uh, whatever you want.” I swallowed, nerves prickling along my skin from how near he stood by me. Heat radiated from him, and he smelled way too good for being on shift all day.
“I’m asking you though.” He ran a hand over his jaw, the movement causing the ripples in his forearm to clench.
Clinically speaking, he had wonderful forearms.
