Page 85 of Winging It with You

“It was everything you’d expect from Theo,” I whisper, even though I know there’s no way the others can hear me. “All-consuming, over the top, and just…incredible.” I can feel myself blushing—gross—but I’m tired of trying to hide the smile that he brings out of me.

“You know…” she says, leaning her head on my shoulder as Arthur loads the last bag into the back of the van. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you somehow stumbled upon something real here, Asher.”

That word continues to haunt me.

Real.

“You really think life works that way, huh?” I ask.

“Of course I do.”

She lets go of my arm as Arthur and Theo round the back of the van. Theo gives me a soft smile before opening the door and climbing in.

But what if it does?

I climb in after Theo, claiming my seat next to him, and he naturally puts his hand on my leg. It’s comforting and foreign and exhilarating all at the same time, an act so small that I doubt he even meant for it hold any significance. But sitting here, on yet another van ride to who knows where, this simple gesture is the only thing calming my nerves.

Since this is the elimination that determines which teams will be advancing to the finals, production has pulled out all the stops, ensuring the wow factor is amped to an all-time high. Jo informed us that previously eliminated contestants would be involved in today’s elimination ceremony, but she wasn’t at liberty to share how.

“Alright, I’m going to need the two of you to wait here,” Jo says after leading us to a makeshift greenroom, her invisible producer hat now very firmly in place. “I know there’s a lot going on, but just stay together and I will come grab you when it’s time to head out. Cool?”

We both nod.

I’m not used to feeling this much gratitude and appreciation. I’ve lived most of my life deeply rooted in logic, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that each action of my life will result in a very real equal and opposite reaction. But I don’t think Sir Isaac Newton was factoring in matters of the heartwhen he was hypothesizing his third law. He most certainly never knew a Theo Fernandez because if he did, he’d know that every action could result in a multitude of equally conflicting and enticing reactions that only confuse you further.

I look over at Theo, who’s now sitting in a plastic folding chair and fiddling with the strap of his backpack, meticulously rolling it between his strong fingers. I’ve known from the second I met him that there was something special about him, from the way he sees the world to the way he acts before he thinks. But most important, I’ve learned toneverdoubt his gut.

I see Theo Fernandez—all of him. Flawed and brave and insecure and perfect and someone I don’t know how I’m going to part with.

I take the seat next to him but quickly position it to face him. I take his hands in mine. There’s no surprise in Theo’s expression, and on some level, I think he’s been over here thinking the same thoughts I have, which makes my chest ache.

“Theo, I hope you know…”

“Don’t,” he says, squeezing my hands. “Seriously, you don’t have to say anything.”

There’s a vulnerability in the softness of his voice that makes me want to hug him.

“But I want to.” I reach up and place a hand on his cheek. He leans in to my touch, closing his eyes. “Theo, I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to do this with me. For dropping quite literally everything for some random stranger you met at the airport—I could have been a serial killer!”

“The jury’s still out on that one.”

“I’m serious…No matter what happens today, I just want you to know that I couldn’t have done any of this withoutyou.All this has been worth it only because of you, so even if we’renot here, I still want…this,” I say, placing a hand on his chest.

He opens those big, beautiful eyes and stares so intently back into mine that all I can think is…

Real.

Theo opens his mouth to speak, but Jo’s voice is the only one either of us hear.

“Look alive, boys…It’s go time!” she says, barreling into the room, mouthingSorryin my direction after sensing her arrival interrupted a moment between us. But I can’t hold it against her. This is her job, after all, one she does exceedingly well, even if her down-to-the-second punctuality constantly keeps me on my toes.

He shrugs, slowly standing but keeping my hand in his, which feels appropriate for both this moment and the cameras. We walk side by side behind Jo, ready to face whatever fate this elimination will bring. I focus on the feeling of him slowly sliding his thumb over my knuckles.

While the show isn’t filmed with an actual audience present, there’s an electrifying buzz in the air tonight.

And now, only three pairs remain.

Bianca and Jackson, who are obnoxiously waving to the cameras like a matching set of pageant queens from hell, have been just one step ahead of us this entire time.

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