Page 44 of Press Play

Mia:What’s wrong!? Do I need to bring a shovel?

Me:And wine! LOADS of wine!

Mia:I’m leaving now!

Holy fucking shit, I can’t believe that just happened. I need to move out. There’s no other way around this. If Theo simply woke up with his cock firm against my ass, I would have blamed biology. That didn’t happen, though. Not only did he press himself against me, I arched back, and he moaned.

And whatever is up there be damned, because the noise was enough to make my clit swell. It wasn’t what he said that terrified me. No. It was that I wanted to turn around, kiss and touch him to hear that blissful sound again.

But that moment. . . it’s awakened something within me.

Hope.

Hope that he may find me attractive. That he may see me as more than the sick girl he protected in school and at home. Hope that this crush of mine may see the light of day. Obstacles are always being thrown in my path. It’s due time I’m granted a moment of reprieve. Maybe, just maybe, that relief will come from the man I never expected could become more.

First things first, I need to calm my racing mind. I grab a fresh set of clothes and underwear, walk to the shower, and turn the handle. While the water heats up, I steal a glance at myself in the mirror.

Unlike most girls, I don’t see my mom in any of my features.

Thank the stars.

Although, I wonder if people think I look like her. And is that a good or bad thing? Growing up, I wished I looked more like her because I thought she was beautiful, but that was her camouflage.

When I look at myself, I see someone who has been through it all and survived. My body has been through battles, and my mind has seen war. While there are parts of me I wish I could change, this body has been with me through it all.

Do I wish I was as skinny as I used to be? No. Do I wish I was in shape like Amanda? Yes and no. I don’t want to be skin and bones, but I’d like to lose a few inches, especially in my thighs. No matter what I do, I can’t shake the pounds off.

It’s fine. Everything is fine.

Pulling myself away from my reflection, I step into the shower and sigh. There was a time in my life when hot water was scarce. Most of the bills were never paid on time, which meant utilities were shut off. We would boil water on the stove just to bathe, and we gathered candles so we could see in the dark. Don’t get me started on the number of times I went to bed hungry. Thankfully, those days are over. I’m safe, somewhat healthy, and content.

With all these thoughts, I still manage to clean myself and brush my teeth. I turn the water off and step out to dry off. I wipe the steam from the mirror and look into my eyes while putting on a sports bra. Another thing I hate is my boobs. Most girls dream of having a big chest. Take them back, cut them off,free me of this burden. The shoulder and back pain these melons cause is not worth the trouble.

The strap slaps against my skin, and I wince. The second I get better health insurance, I’m getting a reduction.

With a hairbrush in hand, I walk back into my room and stop when I see a bagel with cream cheese on the nightstand. Once I finish combing through my tangles, I drop it on my bed and pick up the plate. With a small smile, I push away the apprehension I felt earlier and leave my room.

Theo is standing in the kitchen with his palms pressing against his eyes. He’s slouched, and his shoulders drop with each exhale he releases.

My mortification from this morning fades away, leaving only the desire to comfort him in its wake.

On autopilot, my legs carry me to him. He doesn’t remove his hands from his eyes, but the color rises in his tan complexion. Cautiously, I take his hands in mine and lower them. His gaze meets mine, and a smile spreads across my lips.

“Did you think I was going to run away?” I whisper.

With a light chuckle, he says, “I was nervous you might.”

“You can’t scare me. No matter how hard you try.” I trace small circles along the back of his hands. “It’s normal. I’m honestly surprised it hasn’t happened sooner. I mean, how many times have you woken up with me in your bed?” I ask with a small laugh.

He flashes me a smile, and the weight around my heart lightens. “Biology is a bitch, isn’t it?”

“It really is.”

We share a laugh, and the awkwardness melts away. After a moment, it starts to feel normal again. It’s the same old Theo and Wren.

I loosen my grip around his hands and am about to step away until he pulls me back.

I let out a slight gasp as my chest presses against his. He can blame biology all he wants. Science doesn’t explain the fluttering in my stomach when I look into his eyes. It doesn’t begin to provide a explanation as to why my feelings for him have always been so strong.

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