Page 15 of Let Me Love You
“And I love Theo. You know I do.”
I scowl. The warning bells in my head ring loud and clear as I try to read between the lines, but I don’t have enough information to even make a far-fetched assumption, let alone an accurate conclusion.
Why isn’t she happy for me?
“Ooookay?” The word hangs in the air as I wait for her to say something. Anything.
“And I think he’s your forever,” she adds carefully.
“Ooookay?” I repeat. “If you think he’s my forever, why are you acting weird?”
“I’m not. I’m…” She sighs. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
I jerk back, surprised. Actually, I’m pretty sure I would’ve been less shocked if she’d slapped me.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I remind her, “Ash moved in with Colt.”
“Colt and Ash are both older than you and have graduated. It’s the next step in their lives.”
“And it isn’t the next step in mine?”
Her sigh grates on my nerves, but I bite my tongue. She’s always been this way. The devil’s advocate. The calm to my chaos. The level-headed sage brimming with wisdom and bringing me back down to earth. Which only makes me second-guess myself even more. Is she onto something? Am I doing something wrong? Am I not thinking this through?
No. It’s fine.
It’s Theo.
We’ve practically already been living together, and everything’s been great. So it’s not a big deal.
“Mom, we’re only moving in together. It’s not a big deal,” I argue, voicing my thoughts aloud.
“Living with someone and being in their personal space all the timeisa big deal. I want you to be sure you’re both ready for this level of commitment. That’s all. And you know Theo. He’d do anything for you. He proved it during last season. But he’s also impulsive, Blake. Are you positive this is what he wants? Is he ready for this? I want to be certain you’re both communicating what you really want.”
“Are you suggesting I pressured him into asking me to move in with him?” I ask.
“I’m saying it isn’t a competition. Your relationship with Theo versus Ashlyn’s relationship with Colt. It’s all right to do things at your own pace and in your own time.”
“So you think the only reason I want to move in with Theo is because I’m competitive and I want to…what, exactly? Beat Colt and Ash?”
“You and Theo were made for each other, and I could see it from when you were both little. You know I approve of your relationship, Blake.”
“Then why are we even arguing about this?” I demand, rubbing at my temples. Is it just me, or do I feel a headache coming on?
Dammit. I’m annoyed. And frustrated. Here I was, excited to go apartment shopping, and now, I feel like the wind’s been taken out of my sails.
“You’re right,” Mom rushes out. “I’m sorry. I overstepped my bounds, and that’s on me. I raised you to be a bright young woman, and it’s exactly who you’ve become. I couldn’t be more proud, and I’m genuinely excited for you and Theo. Seriously. I am. Let me know where you decide to move, and I’ll bring a housewarming present.”
I shake my head. “Thanks.” Then I hang up the phone and toss it onto the bed.
A light knock sounds from the front of the house, cutting my pity party short. With a groan, I head to the front door and open it.
“Hi.”
“Hey, are you—” Theo frowns, taking me in. “What happened?”
“Nothing.” I turn on my heel, leaving the door open. I grab my keys from the bowl in the center of the kitchen island, but he stops me from slipping past him and retreating to his car.
“What happened?” he repeats. His chest brushes against mine, and he waits.