Page 3 of Penance
Squaring my shoulders, I walk by Theo. His eyes stay on me until I’m past him, and then they drop to the ground. I stop, looking over my shoulder, and say, “Well—are you coming?”
Theo’s head snaps up, and he spins toward me. “Where?”
“To dance.”
His answering grin is trouble.
“I think I might regret this,” I mumble as he takes my hand and swoops me onto the dance floor.
______________________
The heat from Theo’s hand seeps through my dress, sending a shiver up my spine. His palm presses into my lower back, and I lift my arms, wrapping my hands around his neck. Theo’s hold on my waist tightens, leaving me gasping.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been held this way, and surprisingly, it’s not terrible to be held by him—some might even describe it as nice. If I wasn’t emotionally stunted, I might have even been one of those people.
A bitter laugh escapes me, coming out as more of a snort than anything, and Theo’s eyes darken, making my heart pump a little harder.
My survival instincts are non-existent.
The corner of Theo’s lip tips up into a smirk. “What?”
I shake my head, my curls tumbling over my shoulders. “Nothing,” I lie. “Just surprised we’ve been in each other’s presence for over a minute now without you getting on my nerves.”
It’s his turn to snort.
“Well, there was that one other time—” he says, trailing off, leaving me to fill in the memory.
Four weeks ago, after Theo filed for emergency custody, Tanner ran away. When I found out, I showed up at Theo’s house, wanting to help however I could, partly because I felt responsible. Hayes had warned me that things were bad with Tanner, but as the principal, there was only so much I could do when Tanner’s mom had full custody and was pushing him to play football despite his injury. So yeah, I felt guilty about that, but I also showed up because I had become a person I didn’t recognize. And I don’t want to be that woman anymore.
I wasn’t sure I would be welcomed when I showed up at Theo’s house, but I had to try. Surprisingly, Theo welcomed me into his home. I think it was because the worry had gone to his head. It was the only time we were able to be in each other’s presence without constant bickering.
Since then, our interactions have been stilted at best and annoying at worst.
“That was an extenuating circumstance,” I say, lifting my chin.
The corner of his lip tips up in a smirk. “Sure it was.”
Discomfort crawls under my skin as he stares down at me, those dark eyes piercing through my armor and seeing everything I’m trying to hide. Everything I’ve gotten good at hiding.
And I hate it.
It makes me wonder how pathetic I look to him. I wouldn’t blame Theo for judging me.
I’m judging myself.
Like they have a mind of their own, my eyes search for Hayes and Mallorie Jade again, and when I don’t find them, I’m not sure if it’s for better or worse.
Pathetic.
I might as well be a certified stalker from the times I’ve sought them out tonight. But I can’t stop myself. I’ve never seen a love like theirs—the kind that isn’t ruinous.
“You’re better than that, you know?” Theo’s voice is a low rumble against my ear, taking me by surprise.
My cheeks burn as I pull my attention back to him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
It’s a lie. I do, but it’s not what he thinks, even though I know it looks that way.
He lifts his lips in a sneer. “I take it you lie to yourself often.”
