At first it was routine blackmail, playing with a pawn. Except I’ve had a real taste of my little mouse.
I’m going to earn her trust so that I can keep her after we get through this charade together. She can be an ally instead of a pawn.
Thea waits by the coyote statue in front of the school sign after the last bell.
Therapy wasn’t as bad as I thought. Doctor Levitt was pleased when I explained how I worked through an episode and talked it out in the morning with Thea. She was on my mind all through the stilted lunch with my parents, helping me tune them out.
When Thea sees me, she smiles shyly, giving me a tiny wave. As I reach her, I put my arm around her shoulder.
“Is this okay?” I ask, steering her across the terrace.
Thea is hesitant, glancing around. People look, because I’m around and that’s what they do. She doesn’t seem used to being in the spotlight. “Yes. It’s good to practice being comfortable with touching for our big debut. What sort of dress do I need to wear?”
Practice. Right. “Uh, I don’t know. It’s black-tie, so a fancy one.”
“Fancy. Got it.” She shoots me a shy smile. “Do you clean up nice in a tux?”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “You bet your ass I do. You ain’t prepared, girl.”
“Will there be dancing?”
“No, it’s like.” I gesture with the hand around her shoulder, then play with her hair. “A dinner thing. There’s a cocktail hour and a banquet. The people going buy their plate and the funds are split between the campaign and the charity. It’s boring as fuck. I snuck out for two hours last year.”
Thea laughs. My smile grows. A few people watch us curiously as we cross the pavement on our way to the steps down to the student lot. As we pass, I give a few fist bumps to people that I recognize. Thea goes quiet and bows her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just weird being so close to your popularity.” She shoots me a wry look. “How do you get down a hallway to make it to class on time?”
She’s joking with me. It makes me want to get in the car and just drive with her, go somewhere we can be alone.
Before we reach the steps, Coleman walks by. Thea stops.
“Have a wonderful evening, Thea.”
“Thanks, Mr. C,” she says, abandoning self-consciousness.
I grind my teeth, not liking the way he looks at her. “Come on, babe.”
Thea turns her attention to me. Keeping half an eye on Coleman, I lean down and kiss the corner of her mouth, squeezing her close with my arm resting over her shoulders. She muffles a surprised sound, putting her hands on my stomach.
Possessive? Yes. Don’t fucking care.
Coleman clears his throat. I pull back, smirking at the pretty shade of pink in Thea’s cheeks.
“Gotta split, Mr. C.” I mimic Thea’s moniker for him in a sarcastic drawl. “My girl and I have a big date this weekend to plan out.”
Coleman’s look is unreadable, but I know I’ve won this round. He doesn’t have a leg to stand on. I’ll cut him off at the knees. Thea might be eighteen, but he’s a teacher, so he needs to step about eighty steps back from her before I fucking snap.
“Thea,” Coleman rumbles before leaving us be.
She narrows her eyes. Her defiant expressions are too adorable to resist. “Was that necessary?”
“Yes. Where were we?” I nudge her and we descend the steps to the lot full of top of the line rides. “How great I look in a bowtie, I think?”
Thea snorts. “So full of yourself.”
“I’d rather be full on you, sunshine.” I lick my lips and toss her a wink. She makes a delicious, scandalized little sound. “Say the word and I’m going to devour you.”