Page 20 of Fake Dates and Home Plates (Way Off Base #1)
Chapter Nineteen
Henley
Theo and I make a quick breakfast together in his kitchen.
I scramble some eggs that look mostly edible while he makes me his signature latte. We sit at the small dining table in his kitchen to eat while he gives me a recap of the latest episode of his favorite podcast.
After finishing my coffee, I slip on my skirt from the night before, this time paired with another of his shirts. I think I might start a collection of comfortable clothing that doesn’t quite fit me. Another first for me. I’ve never wanted any sort of trophy from my previous hookups.
“Seeing you in my clothes doesn’t really motivate me to take you home,” Theo says as he wraps his arms around me from behind.
Turning around, I wrap my arms around his waist, surprisingly comfortable with the level of affection he shows me.
He’s wearing a plain shirt and shorts with a pair of tennis shoes. “But I did tell the guys I’d meet them at the gym. I can text you after if you don’t have any plans tonight?”
Placing a kiss on my forehead, he breaks our hold and grabs his keys and wallet from the small table by the door.
“Sure,” I say as I follow him out.
We listen to Hudson’s Most Heinous on the drive back to my apartment, and I have to admit, it’s intriguing.
After parking his Jeep, Theo opens the door for me, as usual.
“You don’t have to come up if you need to get going,” I say, despite hoping he will anyway.
Theo mocks a gasp. “Now what kind of boyfriend would I be if I left you to see yourself home?”
“The kind of boyfriend who has given me three orgasms in less than twelve hours,” I answer, deadpan.
He laughs. “Orgasms are not substitutes for genuine affection, Henley. I like walking you to your door. Besides, I get a front row view of your ass, so it’s not a completely chivalrous effort on my behalf.”
I might put a little extra sway in my hips as we climb the stairs, and I’m happy to hear him groan in response.
The smile on my face drops when I see my apartment. Written in ugly black letters, the word SLUT covers the entire door. My first instinct isn’t to cuss or cry; no, I’m running to unlock the apartment instead. I need to make sure whoever did this didn’t fuck with my roommate too.
“Lily!” I shout as I rush through the door. Thankfully, the paint seems to be dry, and I don’t get any on me.
“What’s up?” She comes out of the room, looking as if I woke her. “What’s wrong?”
“Our door. Someone tagged it. I was worried maybe they messed with you too,” I tell her.
She comes around the living room to see for herself and rolls her eyes. “Slut shaming. About as original as florals in spring.”
I laugh at the reference.
“Either Dakota’s retaliating for my parents’ glitter dick explosion, or he thinks I’m responsible for his bat.”
It took a couple of days, but he did eventually realize someone had broken into his locker and stolen his lucky bat. He’s posted on social media three times a day with a reward for information.
“I’ll kick his ass,” Theo says as he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Are you okay?”
He turns me towards him, a hand running over my cheek before tucking my loose hair behind my ear.
I lean into his touch and sigh. “Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time I’ve been called a slut.”
Theo’s eyes narrow in anger. “Excuse me?”
I can feel Lily watching us. Shrugging, I try to ignore the anger boiling beneath my skin. “It’s not like it matters, but yeah, people like to say dumb shit.”
Slut .
Whore .
That’s not even a drop in the bucket.
“Yeah, well, tell me who is running their mouth. I’ll fix it,” Theo tells me, his voice low and serious.
“I don’t need you to fix it,” I tell him, a little of my frustration weaving into my statement.
Lily clears her throat, clearly seeing the danger of sticking around. “I’m just going to…well, go anywhere but here.”
“I’m sorry about this,” I tell her genuinely, hating I’m the reason someone’s ruined our door.
She waves me off. “Don’t worry about the door. I have some paint, and we were never getting the security deposit back anyway.”
I sigh, knowing she’s right. Her projects have resulted in more than one stain on the carpet and a wayward hole in the wall.
“I’ll check in with you when you get back,” she tells me then shuts her bedroom door. Lily knows my routine and reactions too well.
Once she’s in her room, I face Theo. “Don’t you need to go to the gym? I’ll text you later.”
I’m trying hard not to misplace my anger and take it out on him. I can’t even meet his eye, embarrassed by this whole situation.
“Henley.” His voice is soft but demanding.
“Please, just go. I’m going to go for a run,” I say as I turn toward my room.
He doesn’t leave. He doesn’t walk out that damn door. Instead, he follows me to the doorway of my bedroom.
“What are you doing?” I ask as I pull out a sports bra and a pair of shorts.
“Trying not to violate your privacy, but it’s really fucking hard when all I want to do is scoop you into my arms and be your safe place. I can’t force that vulnerability, though. So, I’ll just wait until you’re ready.”
He says it all without anger, just compassion and empathy, and fuck, I wish it were enough to squash the voice in my head, the one telling me I deserve this. Those names I’ve been called are exactly what I am.
“Yeah, well, if you’re waiting for me to break down or cry, you’re not going to get it.” My voice is harsh, but he doesn’t flinch.
“It’s not about that. You don’t have to be in tears or even be upset at all. I want to be here for you on the bad days and the best days. I’ll earn your trust eventually.” He doesn’t move from my doorway, leaning into it as he continues, “There’s no rush. I’ll be here.”
With a deep breath, I give him a rough nod. I want to tell him I want that too. To beg him to be patient with me. That I could give him that someday.
But the way he’s looking at me, I think he can read those thoughts in my head. So instead, I continue changing my clothes, not caring the least bit if he’s watching. I slip on a pair of running shoes and grab the arm band holding my phone.
“I need to run,” I tell him as I slip on my headphones.
"Then let’s run,” Theo says with a shrug.
What? He wants to run with me? “Aren’t you going to the gym?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Nope. My girlfriend is pretending like she doesn’t need anyone despite her shitty morning, and I’m stubborn enough to chase her until she accepts she wants me.”
It takes major effort to stamp out the smile pulling at my lips and turn it into a scowl. “I’m not going to take it easy. I don’t care if you can’t keep up. That’s not my problem. I’m not slowing down for you,” I say as I cross my arms.
Theo’s mouth forms a cocky grin. “I’d be disappointed if you ever thought it was okay to lower yourself for anyone. I’d rather drag myself behind you than watch you be anything less than the magnificent creature you are.”
That almost breaks me. The sincerity in his voice has me looking away from his hazel eyes, unable to handle the absolute admiration in them.
“Besides, imagine the bragging rights I’ll have earned when you realize I can keep up with you, Harkin.”
He can’t. Even if he had the endurance, I’d rather run until I collapse than give him the satisfaction. Boyfriend or not, I’m going to destroy him.
“Now, share that playlist. I’ll get my headphones from the Jeep.”
He wants my running playlist?
Why is he so damn adorable when all I want is to run the rage right out of my body?
Sadly for Theo, by the time I’ve finally run out enough of the overwhelming emotions of the morning, he’s huffing and puffing.
We’re both dripping in sweat, chests rising and falling rapidly as we enter my apartment, heading straight for the shower.
“Told you—you can’t pass me,” I tell him, bragging obnoxiously.
He just smiles. “Told you I liked staring at your ass. Only took a couple of minutes before I realized the perks of letting you win.”
I scowl. “In your dreams, Baseball Boy.”
“You’re in all my dreams, Getaway Girl,” he says as he picks me up.
Damn him.
But as he washes my hair, taking the time to massage my scalp just as he did the last time, I whisper my thanks.
For staying. For understanding.
He kisses my shoulder, accepting me exactly as I am.