Page 84 of The Fast Lane
Theo found the house quickly. We’d now driven past it four times, and each time he drove a little slower.
“We probably should at least park.” I pointed at the sign we’d also passed four times. “Neighborhood watch patrol signs. We don’t look suspicious at all.”
He grunted, but pulled up to the curb across the street the next time we reached the house. It was a sprawling stucco ranch style with red accents that matched the tile roof. Instead of grass, the front lawn was made of rocks with two tall palm trees guarding the driveway.
“This is a nice neighborhood,” I said.
“Yeah, it is.” Theo’s hands tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.
“You want to sit here and see if anyone comes out?”
He gave a curt nod. Both of us stared at the dark-red door. Tension radiated off him in waves, evident in the lines of his face, the set of his shoulders.
I reached into my backpack and pulled out a bag of candy. “Licorice?”
“When did you get that?” He grabbed the bag and ripped it open.
“I have a stockpile.”
“You’re good to have around,” he said around a mouthful of licorice bits.
“Yes, I am,” I said primly.
We lapsed into a silence punctuated with the crinkling of the candy bag and the occasional barking dog. It was after seven and the sun was setting, leaving behind a sherbet sky of pinks and oranges.
I smoothed my shirt, the nicest one I’d packed, a wrap-style silk tank top with a tie at the waist. I’d paired it with my favorite jeans, the ones that molded to my curves and made me feel extra cute. Honestly, I’d spent way too much time pondering what one wore to meet the deadbeat father of the man you’re mostly in love with.
“So.”
“So.” Theo stared intensely at the house.
“What’s our plan?”
“I don’t know. I guess…” His voice trailed off as the front door opened. A tall woman with dark hair stepped out and slid into the BMW in the driveway. Theo tugged his baseball cap lower and slumped in his seat. The car pulled out and went in the opposite direction.
“Who was that?”
Theo shrugged. “His new wife? Or maybe he doesn’t live here. Maybe he rents it out. Maybe we’re sitting here staring at a house like creeps for no reason.”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
He nodded stiffly and opened his door. I waited, not presuming anything. He climbed out of the car and frowned at me. “Aren’t you coming?”
“I’ll understand if you’d rather be alone.”
He braced himself on the hood and leaned in, his eyes dark and serious. “Please come with me. I don’t think I can do it without you.”
Nodding, I unbuckled my seatbelt and tried to ignore the warmth blooming in my chest. It was nice to be needed. Really nice. It felt like I was always the person who needed someone. I hadn’t realized how powerful those words could be, especially coming from Theo.
At the door, Theo rubbed his hands on his shorts and frowned.
“Do you want me to knock?” I asked.
“No, I’ll do it.” After a long moment, he rapped on the door. Without missing a beat, his hand found its way to mine, linking our fingers. I squeezed back some encouragement.
Finally, the door whipped open. “Did you forget someth?—?”
Standing in front of us was a young man, probably still in high school. Taller than Theo by an inch or two with tousled blond hair a shade or two lighter than Theo’s. And with a square jaw like Theo’s. And a straight nose, just like Theo’s. But it was the eyes that gave him away; they were the exact same shade of blue as Theo’s.