Reign (The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #3)(17)

“Nah.” Caz carefully tucks me under his arm. “I’ll be the one taking care of our girl tonight.”

I was planning on sleeping with Theo so I can ask him what’s up, but I won’t deny Caz—if he wants me in his bed tonight, he’s got it.

“Asshole,” Galen mutters as I step up to the cabin and unlock the door.

I walk inside, moving to deactivate the alarm while the others stream through the door. Theo dumps our bags on the floor in the hall while Saint deposits the bags of groceries on the kitchen counter, and Caz and Galen set off exploring. I let the guys wander around by themselves while I unpack the groceries, fire up the Keurig, and make some sandwiches.

“This place is the shit,” Caz says, sweeping into the kitchen as I’m plating our food. He wraps his arms around me from behind, nuzzling his nose into my neck. “I already feel right at home here.”

“I can’t believe you have a game room, a bar, and a gym back there,” Saint says. “I’m beginning to agree with this idiot.” He nudges Caz out of the way with a smirk. “Maybe we should just stay here and never leave.” He snatches the plates from my hands, taking them over to the table.

My eyes skim over the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room area, looking for the others. “Can you grab glasses from the cupboard there?” I ask Caz, pointing behind his head, as I walk to the refrigerator and grab a large bottle of water. Rummaging in my purse, I find the pill bottle, washing a couple tabs down with water. Then I fill a fresh glass and walk into the living area where Galen is lying on the couch. Theo sits across from him in my dad’s chair, tapping away on the tablet perched on his lap. “Hey.” I sit on the floor at Galen’s side, reaching out to brush strands of his dark hair off his brow. “You look like you could use these.” I open my palm, revealing the pills.

“Thanks.” He takes them from my hand, and a jolt of electricity zips up my arm when his fingers brush against my skin. I hand him the glass of water, watching his throat work as he swallows, wondering why I find it sexy as hell.

“You should go up to bed,” I suggest. “You look beat.”

“I’ll doze here,” he says, resting his head on the fluffy cushions.

Theo puts his tablet aside, walks to my side, and helps me to my feet. “You should be resting too.”

“I’m fine.” I shoot Galen a cheeky wink. “Guess I have a higher pain threshold than pretty boy here.”

“You’re not human,” Galen grumbles, his green eyes flickering open and shut, but there’s no heat behind his words.

“Damn straight.” I flash him a grin. “I’m a goddess among men.”

Theo smiles adoringly at me, and time stands still. His hazel eyes hold hidden depths I’m dying to get lost in. His hair is down, just how I like it, all shiny and glistening, framing his gorgeous face. I thread my fingers through the strands, and he hums, leaning his face into my palm. “Theo,” I whisper, feeling our connection all the way to the tips of my toes.

He pulls me close, tenderly and carefully slanting his mouth above mine and drinking from me. There is no urgency to this kiss, and he takes his time worshiping my lips, but there’s a tinge of desperation I don’t understand.

When we break apart, I rest my forehead against his. “What’s wrong?” I whisper over his mouth. “And don’t say nothing, because I know you. I can tell you’re upset.”

“I—” He bites down on his lip, looking over his shoulder at the others. “Can we talk later? In private?”

“Of course, and I know just the spot.” I tug on his hand, leading him to the table.

Galen sleeps on the couch while we devour the sandwiches, and after we’ve finished eating, Caz and Saint take off to explore the grounds.

“Come with me,” I say, leading Theo into my father’s study. I had intended to take him out to the little seated area at the edge of the garden for our chat, but I don’t want to leave Galen here by himself, in case he needs something, and there’s no point in wasting this opportunity.

Closing the door, I gesture toward the two large armchairs in front of the fireplace. I ease myself into the chair while Theo kneels before the fire. Wood is stacked in the open grate, something Dad always did, and my heart throbs behind my chest as I watch Theo light the fire. We don’t speak, and I sense he’s preparing to unburden himself. When he’s done, and flames are flickering in the hearth, he sits across from me, sighing. He runs his fingers through his hair in a familiar nervous tell.

“You know you can tell me anything, Theo. I’m a judgment-free zone, and whatever you tell me will stay between us.”

“You’re the best secret-keeper, Lo. I already know that. This is hard to say because then it’s making it real and…”

“And?” I prompt after a beat of tense silence.

“And I have to confront it, only I’m not sure I’m ready.”

“This is about Caz, right?” I softly ask.

He nods.

“Did something happen last night between you?”

He worries his lip between his teeth.

“You know it’s okay if it did?” I reassure him. “I have zero issue with you two hooking up.”

“It wasn’t like that,” he blurts. “Fuck.” Groaning, he leans forward on his elbows, burying his head in his hands. “I’m a mess, Lo.” He looks up at me, and my heart hurts when I see the conflicting emotions written all over his face.