“Wait. Are you Reid Knight’s girlfriend?” Both Zoey and I turn to look at the older blonde woman. “He’s such a sweet boy. I met him once.” I can tell Zoey is trying not to laugh at someone calling Reid a boy.
“I am. Zoey.” She holds her hand out, introducing herself.
“I’m Theo’s mom, Alice, and this is my husband, Jim.”
Zoey shakes their hands. “This is my best friend, Willow,” she introduces me, all the while trying to fight a smile.
“It’s nice to meet you.” They take my hand next. I don’t know how I missed it before. Theo looks a lot like both of them.
“You’ve never met the Graysons?” Tiffany slips herself right into the conversation. “Willow is a Harlow,” she informs them. My last name doesn't embarrass me, but it does make me feel a little shy. A lot of people's attitudes change toward me when they realize who my parents are. Some act overly nice, and others quickly run away, thinking I’m stuck-up.
“I’ve met your mother.”
“Yes, she is out and about a lot.” There is nothing more my mother loves than a social event. Don’t get me wrong; the woman does a million fundraisers, but the truth of it is that she wants the spotlight on herself and not necessarily the cause.
At least it still raises money, so there is that. If I could offer her some time in the spotlight, maybe she might throw some attention my way.
“It’s lovely to meet you. Are you a freshman?”
“Yep.” A freshman that keeps having random make-out sessions with your son. I’m sure that’s not something she would be thrilled about. She and Tiffany actually look pretty chummy together.
Zoey jumps up from her seat screaming, and I realize I missed a play. Everyone is cheering again. Bear looks my way and smirks, making all my insides melt.
“He can’t even smile. So grumpy lately,” I hear Bear’s mom say from behind me as I sit back down with everyone.
“He’s got a lot on his plate. It’s a new job,” Jim says.
“I know, he’s always so laid back. I’m not sure what it is. He wasn't even like this before the Superbowl.” I can’t stop myself from listening to everything they say. I don’t know much about Theo, so I eat up every bit of information I can get.
“He was really sweet on our date,” Tiffany chimes in, and now I want to turn my ears off. My phone dings in my hand.
Zoey: But she doesn't know if he tastes sweet.
I glance over at her, and she winks at me. I can always count on her to have my back.
“I hope he’s not too tired after the game so we can grab some dinner,” I hear Tiffany tell Theo’s parents. Zoey grabs my hand and squeezes it. I bite my tongue and try to ignore her and continue to watch the game. But that doesn’t stop the jealousy that’s bubbling up inside of me.
I know Bear told me nothing was going on between him and Tiffany. It doesn’t mean something hasn’t changed. Things between him and me have changed since the first time I met him.
We don’t even have a label on what we are, though. It should be none of my business, but with him bossing me around that should give me the right to stake a claim over him.
“We actually have plans with him to grab a bite right after. He’s been so busy that we haven’t really seen him.” It almost sounds like Theo’s mom is making an excuse. I want to turn around to look at her facial expression, but I don’t want to make it obvious.
“That works out perfectly then. We can all go together.” I’m thankful they can’t see my face, or they’d see me rolling my eyes. My mood starts to sour as the game goes on. It doesn't stop me from listening in on them, though.
Bear’s mom goes on about him. It’s actually really sweet and endearing. I can tell from the way she talks that he’s close to both his mom and dad. I also learn how coaching college football has always been his end goal.
“You okay?” Zoey asks, leaning in close so only I can hear her. I nod my head yes, but she doesn't buy it. If people were to find out about Bear and me, could he get fired? I’m sure it wouldn't look great to everyone that he’s hooking up with an incoming freshman at the university he just started working at. Worry settles in my stomach at that thought.
For the rest of the game it’s all I can think about. What if we could never go public? I’d be a tucked-away secret that he would have to see when he had the time. This has heartbreak written all over it. I would be settling for the same life I already have. It would be no different than how my parents treat me. They have to find time to fit me into their lives. I can't let myself fall into that when it comes to Theo. I shake all of those thoughts from my head. It really doesn't matter. I’m getting way ahead of myself.
I jerk back to reality when everyone starts to scream. The game is over, and our team scored another win. The crowd starts to rush forward, and I get to my feet to rush the field with everyone else. When I get to the side, a hand comes out to help me over the wall.
Bear helps me down before he helps Zoey down too. A second later Reid is there, grabbing her and pulling her in for a kiss. I peek over at Bear, biting the inside of my cheek because I really want to kiss him. It only reminds me of the reality of how our relationship will be.
His eyes drop to my mouth, and I can’t stop myself from brushing myself against him. People are everywhere. His hand grabs my hip, and he squeezes.
“Theo!” The moment is gone when Tiffany squeals his name. He drops his hand from me, and I slip away, not wanting to stay and watch Tiffany fawn all over him. It doesn’t matter if he’s into it or not. The fact that she can outwardly want and be with him is too much for me to handle right now.
I pull out my phone to text Zoey to let her know that I’m heading home. She and Reid have gotten lost in the crowd, or more likely they’re off somewhere making out.
Me: Going to head home. Can we hang tonight? I could use a girl’s night.
Zoey: Everything ok?
I want to tell her no, that I’m torn up inside about my feelings for Theo but that will have to wait for tonight.
Me: Yeah. Talk later when you get home. Love you.
I put my phone back in my pocket and head off the field. The crowd is rowdy with adrenaline, and I know tonight's party at the frat house will probably be lit. If today reminded me of anything, it’s that I need to mingle more on campus with people my own age. I think a party is just the thing I need to bring me out of this funk.
10
Theodore
“Sorry,” Mom whispers into my ear as she gives me a hug. I squeeze her a little tighter, telling her it’s fine. It’s not. The last thing I want is for Willow to think I have something going on with Tiffany.
I’ve already had to clear that up once. Now she is going to think I’m a fucking liar. There was no missing the flash of jealousy I’d seen in her eyes before she quickly masked it and slipped into the crowd to get away from me. I don’t care for the fact that she’s jealous, but it does mean I’m getting under her skin. God knows she is under mine.
“Do you want to meet us for dinner?” I hear Tiffany ask as I release my mom.