(TORREN) Apparently, being a naive idiot was still my specialty.
Friday rolled around, and there I was, walking straight into the lion’s den.
We arrived at Henry’s club.
The pulsing bass felt like it was vibrating in my ribcage.
A hostess escorted us to our table, a prime spot tucked away but still in the thick of it.
I’d invited a couple of guys from class and, of course, Maya.
It felt safer, bringing backup.
The safety was an illusion.
As I glanced toward the balcony just above Henry’s office, I felt the sharp pull of a gaze.
And there he was.
Theo, leaning casually over the railing, cigarette between his fingers, smoke curling lazily around him like he owned the air itself.
His eyes were locked on me, burning with intensity that made my stomach churn.
Fuck.
I didn’t need this tonight.
I didn’t need him.
Snatching a drink from the complimentary bottle at our table, I tipped it back in one swift motion, the burn doing nothing to dull the prickle of his attention.
With a muttered excuse no one heard over the music, I slipped into the crush of bodies on the dance floor, hoping the crowd would shield me.
As I tried to maneuver further away, dodging limbs and drinks, I almost collided with Henry.
He was weaving through the crowd with his usual effortless charm, clearly on his way to find me.
“T, you made it,” he chirped.
I glared at him.
His smile faltered.
“You saw him already, didn’t you?” “You said he wouldn’t be here,” I accused, crossing my arms.
“Any chance you’d believe me if I said I had no idea he’d show up?” he asked, tilting his head with a hopeful smile.
I scowled harder.
Henry rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath as he grabbed my shirt and dragged me toward the bar.
A quick signal to the bartender later, and two drinks appeared before us.
“Look, T,” Henry began, offering me a glass.
“He’s sorry.
He wants to apologize.
Do you know how often I’ve heard Theo apologize?
Fucking never.
That’s how much.” I snatched the drink and took a sip.
“It’s not about that.
I’m not doing this with him, Henry.
I know you’ll run up there and repeat every word I say, so tell him this.
I want him to leave me alone.” Henry sighed, annoyed.
“Why are you so upset?
It was just a kiss.” I slammed the glass down on the bar, the sound cutting through the music.
“Because he didn’t mean any of it!” I snapped, the words spilling out before I could stop them.
My frustration bubbled over.
“It’s a joke to him.
He doesn’t care that he’s fucking with my head.
For what?
To sleep with me and then move on to the next guy?
I’m not playing this game.” Henry’s expression softened, confusion replacing his usual flippancy.
“It wasn’t about the kiss?” I shrugged, exhaling hard.
“Yeah, that too.
I don’t want to get fucked over nothing.” “But you knew Theo was never serious, right?” Henry asked cautiously.
“I mean, T, he’s like…” He trailed off, searching for the right words.
“Theo isn’t like me, if that’s what you’re worried about, but he’s not the guy you go to for a relationship.
You knew that, didn’t you?” “I don’t know what I thought,” I admitted, my voice quieter now.
“I stopped thinking, and now I’ve started again.
Just tell him to stay away.” Henry nodded, resigned.
I returned to our table, grabbing the bottle and pouring another drink.
Maya wandered over, her expression curious.
“He sent that over,” she said, gesturing toward the bottle.
“What?” “The waiter said it was from Theo,” she explained, raising an eyebrow.
Glancing toward the balcony, I found him still standing there.
Watching.
Always watching.
I huffed, grabbing my glass and downing it in one go.
The warmth of the alcohol did little to chase away the cold knot in my stomach.
The night blurred as our small group grew.
I pulled a girl onto the dance floor, desperate to drown out the twisting feeling in my chest.
She was pretty and into me, and I wanted to feel something, anything other than the weight of Theo’s eyes.
She kissed me.
I kissed her back.
But it was hollow, empty, wrong.
All I could think about was him, standing up there, watching every move I made.
When we finally parted, I felt like an asshole.
She deserved better, and I wasn’t that guy.
Casual hookups had never been my thing, not after everything with my parents.
Mumbling an apology, I excused myself and made my way to the restroom.
On my way back, an arm slung over my shoulders.
“Having fun?” Henry asked, his grin back in place, but his eyes were sharper than usual.
“Take a walk with me,” he said, steering me toward the back of the club.
“I’m actually in the middle of something,” I protested, but he didn’t stop.
“Are you drunk?” he asked, giving me a sidelong glance.
I shrugged.
“Good,” he said, ignoring my resistance as he kept moving.
He started up the stairs, and my stomach sank.
“I’m not going up there,” I said firmly, shaking my head.
“Relax.
I’m just taking you to my office.
Come have a drink with me.” “No,” I repeated.
But Henry persisted, his grip on my arm light but insistent.
Before I could argue again, he opened the office door and nudged me inside with a grin.
I shot him a look that could kill, but he just waved me off and closed the door in my face.
“Sorry for the ambush,” Theo said.
My pulse kicked up as I turned to face him.
Alone with him again, the pressure in my chest became unbearable.
Rubbing a hand over my face, I fought the nerves clawing their way up my throat.
“Why can’t you just leave it alone?” I asked.
“I just need to tell you one thing, and then I’ll leave you alone.
If that’s really what you want.” I hesitated, crossing my arms.
Theo had a way of filling every inch of a room.
He couldn’t just be there.
He dominated the space without trying.
His suits made him look even more put together, more adult, and it only made me feel younger, smaller, and more out of control.
I glanced away.
He stepped closer, his shoes clicking softly on the hardwood floor, pulling me tighter into the knot of my own tension.
“I don’t want to do this.” “Torren, I’m sorry.
I get it now,” he said quietly, his hands finding my shoulders.
His touch was firm but not forceful.
I tried to shrug him off, but he didn’t let go.
“You clearly don’t get it,” I muttered, avoiding his gaze.
He nodded, his grip tightening slightly.
“You don’t like this game.
You like things up front, and I’ve never said them like that.
So just let me say it, and then I’ll go.” I stilled, caught off guard by the honesty in his voice.
For once, he wasn’t teasing or smirking.
He wasn’t pushing or pulling.
He was just… there.
“What?” Theo stepped closer.
My back met the wall, and he loomed over me, his height making me feel both trapped and unsteady.
“I stopped because it wasn’t smart,” he began.
“You’re nineteen, Torren.
If my father found out, he’d be furious.
You’ve seen how hard it is for me to keep anything private.” He paused, his gaze locked on mine.
“I fucked that guy because I was frustrated, not because I didn’t want you.” I swallowed hard, wanting to look away but unable to.
Theo took another step forward, his body heat radiating toward me.
“Now, about you,” he continued, his voice dropping lower.
His fingers brushed my chin, lifting it just enough to hold me in place.
“You have no idea how much I want you.
You’re the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” I scoffed, a flush creeping up my neck.
My heart hammered, torn between shame and something else entirely.
“Don’t,” I whispered, trying to pull away, but he pressed closer, his chest brushing mine.