Page 88 of Reckless
When he pulls away, I leave my eyes shut for a moment, letting this feeling warm me. Because it’s fleeting and I want to remember it.
My eyes are still closed when he leans in and says, “Next time, you ride my face. You’re going to ask for it. Beg for it. Work for it even. You will tell meexactlywhat you want, and I will give it to you. But this isn’t happening again until that time. Until you know what you want. Because I want you, Winter. And not just for one night.”
With that, he takes my breath and pulls me along with him down the quiet, tree-lined street. My brain goes from freaking out about Theo to freaking out about the woman sitting on his front step.
I know I shouldn’t.
He says I’ve been part of his plan. But I’m terrified to believe it.
24
Theo
Theo:I need to ask you a favor.
Summer:Sure!
Theo:But you can’t ask questions.
Summer:Suspicious. But okay.
Theo:I need to delete some of your security cam footage at the gym. Can you show me how?
Summer:Uhhhh. Okay. Can I do it for you?
Theo:No.
Summer:Was a crime committed?
Theo:No.
Summer:Do I even want to know?
Theo:I said no questions and so far, you’ve asked three.
* * *
Winter goes from soft and giddy to all locked up. When I glance down, I see her tight jaw and narrowed eyes. I follow her gaze to a woman sitting on my front step, scrolling through her phone.
A woman I’d know anywhere.
“Mom? What are you doing here?”
Winter jolts, yanking her hand from mine like we’re two teenagers caught doing something we shouldn’t, rather than two adults who share a child.
I could let her rebuff sting, but I don’t. She’s not accustomed to a warm welcome from people who only know stories about her.
Based on what happened tonight, she’s not accustomed to people simply liking her for the woman she is. That makes me want to burn the world down around us to right the wrongs people have laid at her feet over the years.
Instead of arson, I’m settling for showing her how good it could be. Showing her what she deserves.
“Came to visit you. Told you I was going to come early.”
“Right, but you didn’t say today. Or give me any specific day at all.” Dropping in unannounced is not out of the norm for my mom. If her schedule changes, she’ll randomly show up at an event of mine, screaming louder than anyone else in the stands.
“I reserve the right to be overbearing. You’re my only boy.”
“Do you do this to Julia?”
