Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
I feel the breath escaping my lungs at his words.
This really isn’t the same Theo.
Our breakup has done him favors, too.
“Let me make this right,” he says once more. “For both of you,” he adds with a nervous glance at River.
The sound of distant shouting draws us quiet. Outside. Indistinct shouting, as if from a concert, the swelling buzz of anticipation for something huge, itching for the band to come back out onto the stage for an encore, the drumming of feet against pavement.
“It’s only a matter of time,” murmurs River with dread.
Theo comes up to me. “Give me your clothes.”
I turn to him. “Say what?”
“Want me to go?” he asks. “You said so a minute ago. Said you wanted me to walk outta here and take the circus with me.” He smiles, inspired. “Fine. I’ll do exactly that.”
Then Theo starts to undress.
“Whoa, whoa …” River lifts his hands. “What the fuck are you doing, man?”
“C’mon, Finn,” urges Theo, his mesh tank top off, now kicking off his shoes and going for his shorts. “You gotta trade clothes with me. Give me that loud-ass hoodie thing.”
“What are you doing?” I ask, reaching out to stop him.
He grins at me, his eyes twinkling with motivation. “I’m becoming the man of the hour: you.”
I stare back at him, stunned. “Theo … you can’t—”
He takes hold of my Hopewell hoodie-tank—drenched from my workout and sweated through from racing away from the news van outside in the heat—and starts peeling it off for me. I’m in a daze as I slowly succumb to the insane idea, putting on Theo’s mesh tank, then trading out my gym shorts for his ripped up black ones with the chain.
Theo has done a plethora of absurd, unexpected things in our time together. This is by far the most absurd.
“You’re not actually—” I start.
He tugs my bright hoodie-tank and gym shorts on, then chuckles like his old self. “Still the same size. You and I, creatures of habit. Seems like our greatest peeve of being called twins is about to pay off. Phew, that hot pavement’s gonna murder my feet. At least I’m parked nearby.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I’ll text you when I’m in the clear, out of town with the whole circus on my tail. Might do a lap or two of the island before leading them up the causeway.”
“Out of town?” I ask, surprised.
“Gotta get as many of the whackos to follow me out as I can, right? Make them think you’ve fled so your family’s left alone. Hey, uh … Mr. River?” He winks at him. “Take care of the love of my life, will you? … And maybe if it … wouldn’t inconvenience you too much, can you autograph my tank before returning it? I cherished your performance in Wingless Angels and am dying for the sequel.”
River frowns. “You’re insane.”
Theo pats us both on our shoulders. “Make the most of my bold move, alright?” He tugs the hood over his head, covering his bleached and pink tips, then rushes out of the door. The crowd outside explodes, shouting my name. And then slowly, like a crashing wave pulling back to the sea, the crowd fades away, going after Theo, farther and farther away, until all River and I know is blissful silence.
Chapter 19 - River
I guess that’s how we end up stuck behind the bar.
For twenty-two of the longest minutes of my life.
During the most stressful day I have ever known.
We’re seated on the floor behind the bar, and my eye keeps catching the glint of a bottle on the counter above us. From the weird lighting and the bottle being turned away, I don’t even know what it is.
All I know is that I’m stronger than that bottle.
“You okay?” asks Finn gently.
Our shoulders are touching. Were circumstances nicer, we might be cuddling. I could use a good cuddle. “Is your phone charged yet?”
He lifts his head up just enough to check. “About forty percent. Enough to get a ding from Theo when the coast is clear.” He sits back down next to me. “I still can’t believe he did that.”
“Seems like something impulsive I would’ve done.” I chuckle to myself. “I kinda admire the guy. Just a little,” I add when I see Finn’s expression. “Teensy, tiny bit.”
“So … what? Now you’re Team Theo suddenly?”
“Maybe.” I smirk. “But I ain’t autographing shit.”
“Y’know this thing isn’t over yet, right?”
“I know. They’ll probably turn Wingless Angels into a trilogy after this. Ugh.” When I see the serious look on his face, I acknowledge the very real adrenaline that is carving a path to my chest. Yes, this is far from over, and I know it. I pull my eyes away from the bottle and lean my head back with a lighthearted sigh to keep my head calm. “I know.”