(TORREN) I didn’t expect it to be quite so soon.
The next morning, I hit their home gym with Lex and his trainer.
While doing bench presses with my headphones on, trying to think about anything other than Theo Kane and our brief conversation yesterday He suddenly appeared above me.
He smiled down at me, holding the bar to keep it from crushing me.
He said something, and I sat up, pulling off my headphones.
“Sorry, what?” I was still catching my breath.
He leaned on the bar, looking entirely out of place in his crisp, white button-down and black trousers.
“I said I can spot you if you’d like,” he repeated.
Grateful that my flushed face could be blamed on the workout, I replied, “I’m good, thanks.
What are you doing here?” I wiped the sweat from my forehead with a towel.
“Enjoying the view,” he said smoothly.
He smirked, and I suddenly felt exposed in my gym clothes.
My sleeveless, thin shirt and shorts that weren’t quite long enough made me self-conscious.
Even if his attention was thrilling.
“Funny,” I muttered, not knowing what else to say.
I stood up, and he handed me my water bottle.
Taking a long sip, I welcomed the distraction.
“Lex and Charlie invited me yesterday.
Thought I’d show up for breakfast,” he said with a casual shrug.
He looked even better than I remembered with his neatly styled hair, slightly tousled but definitely intentional.
His groomed stubble, pressed sleeves, expensive wristwatch, and that belt accentuating his narrow hips, all of it screamed effortless sophistication.
He made me feel incredibly inadequate.
“Don’t you live in Veyron?” He nodded.
“Drove over this morning.
Charlie mentioned you were here.” I glanced around and realized Lex was no longer in the room.
It was just us.
“I didn’t notice they’d left,” I said, gesturing around the empty gym.
“Loud music will do that to you,” he replied, humor in his voice.
He seemed to enjoy catching me off guard.
“I should probably shower.” I looked toward the door, rubbing my hand over my nose, and noticed his smile widen.
“Is that an invitation?” I chuckled nervously.
“It’s not,” I clarified.
He laughed too, a flirty, controlled laugh.
“That’s too bad.
See you upstairs for breakfast.” I nodded and practically bolted out of the gym.
Being alone with him in a confined space was nerve racking, more so than being around him in public.
It took me half an hour to gather the courage to join them.
Hearing their laughter, I took a deep breath before stepping into the kitchen.
Theo leaned against the counter, grinning at Remy, while Lex looked mildly annoyed.
“Want a bite?” Theo asked me, his dark eyes locking onto mine instantly.
Lex reached over and lightly whacked him on the head with a folder.
“Ouch,” Theo protested.
“What was wrong with that?
I just asked if he wanted something to eat.” He held up a bagel as evidence.
I fought the urge to turn around and leave.
Catching Remy’s eye, I watched as she struggled to stifle a laugh.
“I could eat,” I said, attempting to sound casual.
Remy made me a plate, and I sat down at the table.
As they chatted, I tried to follow along.
Theo was discussing some issues they were having with their father, and Lex was offering solutions.
Even Remy chimed in.
I had no clue what they were talking about, something about investing in a tech company and their dad resisting new advancements.
I thought the Kanes were just into real estate, owning tons of properties and all that.
Once Lex left the room, Theo glanced my way.
“Need a ride back to the city?” “I was planning to take the train,” I told him.
“I’ll drive you.
Gotta head in there anyway before going back,” he insisted.
Thinking it over for a minute, I looked at Remy before asking, “Are you leaving now?” He grinned.
“Ready when you are.” “I need to grab my stuff.
Give me five minutes.” He nodded, already looking at his phone.
As I headed to my room, Remy followed, giving me a look.
“I’m not an idiot.
I get what he’s doing,” I told her.
She sighed, lowering her voice.
“I know you’re smart, T.
But he’s incredibly charming.” “Yeah, and he’s also a man,” I pointed out.
She bit her lip, rocking some serious doe eyes, attempting to look innocent.
Coming to a pause, I asked, “What’s that look supposed to mean?” She clicked her tongue, hands on her hips.
“If anyone could make you reconsider, it’d be him.
I adore Lex, but Theo is the hottest man I’ve ever seen.
Plus, he’s smart and charming.” I tried not to laugh.
“Are you sure you don’t have a crush on him?” She rolled her eyes, lips twitching.
“Maybe I do, and he’s my fiancé’s older brother.
Stranger things have happened than the possibility of you two, but he’s so much older than you.” “I’m not going to hook up with Lex’s brother, Remy.
That’s insane.” “You’re not seeing anyone, and he’s…persistent.
Henry said—” “Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Henry said?” My cheeks heated with embarrassment.
“Have you been talking to Henry about this?” “No!
I told him there’s no way you’d ever…” She trailed off.
“But he mentioned that Theo is like a dog with a bone, and he won’t give up easily.
And let’s be honest, we both know he didn’t come here to see us.” I shrugged, exasperated.
“Remy, come on.
I’m your kid brother, and he’s Theo fucking Kane.
He’s not seriously interested in me.
He’s probably doing it out of boredom, and he’ll move on in a week, if not sooner.” Trust her to turn such a small thing into a big deal.
“We have nothing in common.
I can’t even hold a conversation with him.
If he likes how I look, he’ll get over it soon.” She still looked skeptical, but finally nodded.
“Okay, maybe you’re right.” “Can I go get my stuff now?” I asked, annoyed.
“You’re right.
I’m making too much of it.” She waved it off.
“Lex must have gotten to me.” I turned to leave, but she grabbed my arm again.
“Wait, wait.
We didn’t get to talk about Dad and the tennis thing.” Not this again.
“Remy, I told you—I’m fine.
I like it, okay?
Maybe it’s not the most fun I’ll ever have, but at least I’m doing something.” Her expression softened into that hurt puppy dog look, only this time, it was aimed at me.
A mix of frustration and something heavier, sadness maybe, crawled up my spine and settled in my stomach.
“You are doing something, T.
Some people take a little longer to figure it out.
There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said in that gentle, comforting Remy’s voice.
It helped.
It just didn’t fix anything.
“I know.” “Why don’t you tell him you want to take a break?” she pressed.
A break.
I’d thought about faking an injury, so fucking dramatic.
If I could play less, it would be fine.
He sucked all the fun out of it.
I used to like it.
I just had to find my way back to that.
“I’ll think about it, okay?
But right now, I really have to go,” I said firmly.
She gave me that same look but nodded reluctantly.
I shoved thoughts of my dad and my chaotic college life aside as I grabbed my things.
By the time I walked out the door, my sole focus was on the tight knot in my stomach as I headed toward him.
Theo’s car was impressive, a sleek sports model.
I expected he’d have a driver, but he slid behind the wheel himself.
As I settled into the passenger seat, he took a work call, and I put on my headphones, letting the music drown everything out as I stared out the window.
It smelled nice in there, like him.