Page 24 of Muse (The Forbidden Hearts #1)

SOPHIE

M y father’s voice booms in the entryway as I stand there, stone-faced, taking his admonishments. I let his rage wash over me like a tide. Then I escape his wrath, slipping upstairs and shutting the door to my bedroom as softly as I can manage.

Fuck, I want to slam it shut. Let my frustration crash into the walls and echo down the hallway, but I know better. That would only end with him storming in after me, spitting curses and venom. So I don’t. I learned that lesson long ago.

I collapse onto my bed, burying myself in the quiet comfort of my own space. Giving myself a few moments to just breathe. To decompress from the whiplash of emotions I’ve experienced in the span of twenty minutes.

And then the fear creeps in.

That could’ve ended horribly. He could’ve caught me. If he’d decided to come looking, if he’d found me in Theo’s car… I don’t even want to imagine the aftermath. The explosion that would’ve occurred. Images of my father, pummeling Theo with his rage-filled fists, fill my brain .

It was reckless, being out there with him like that, but it was worth it.

I’d meant it, when I swore off dating in the past. Swore off guys in general. But then he happened. An unexpected twist of fate that set my life on a different path. I didn’t know that I could feel this way for someone. Like I’d found my true home in the arms of someone else.

He’s everything and more. He makes me feel seen and heard. Like I matter. Like I exist.

I roll over, tugging my phone from my pocket, grateful that my father hadn’t thought to confiscate it. My mother surely would’ve. I send Theo a quick text.

Sophie: Drive safe. Let me know when you make it home .

The heart react to my message comes almost instantly. I should give him crap for texting and driving, but honestly? I’m too busy grinning like an idiot over the fact that he jumped to answer. And with a heart.

Swoon.

I stare at the screen, waiting, my breath catching in my throat when his reply comes through.

Theo: I’m home safe and sound.

Sophie: I wish I was there with you.

Theo: Me too.

My smile threatens to split my face in two.

Sophie: Can we get together? Soon?

Those three pesky dots appear. Disappear. Reappear. I hold my breath, willing him to hurry up and respond. Put me out of my misery.

Theo: Yes. We’ll plan something.

I squeal into my pillow, kicking my feet in the air like I’m ten years old again, about to meet Cinderella at Disney World. It all feels so surreal. Like I’m dreaming, and any second now I’ll wake up in a different version of life. One where this doesn’t exist, where he doesn’t exist .

But for now? This is real. And I’m going to hold onto him with everything I’ve got.

I fall asleep with my phone cradled to my chest, knowing it’s the closest I can get to him tonight. Wishing I was in his arms instead.

The next week crawls by in a painful slow motion.

Spending every day in class with Theo is a type of torture I wouldn’t wish on my own worst enemy.

I mean, it’s amazing. I soak in every second of his class, savoring each accidental glance.

Every time his eyes meet mine, he looks away quickly, like every second our gazes meet is too tempting for him to stand.

But not being able to touch him, to talk to him freely? It’s killing me. A slow, aching death.

We’ve been texting every night, short and safe messages that keep the connection between us pulled tight. A live-wire. But still, we’ve made no plans. By Friday, I’m done waiting. I’m ready to do something reckless.

When the school day ends and Sal invites me over, I decline. I tell her I’ve got other plans with a wink, and when she raises a brow at me, I give her just enough of my plan to convince her to be my alibi. She agrees, no more questions asked.

Then I wait. For him.

I sit in my car in the school parking lot, long after it clears out. My eyes flick between the time on the dashboard and the rearview mirror, where I have a clear view of his car still sitting vacant. When he finally appears, exiting the heavy metal doors of the school, my spine stiffens.

I see the exact moment he notices my car. His body stills, frozen in time. He hesitates for a moment, before giving a single nod.

An invitation, I think. Regardless, I’m taking it as one .

I turn the key in the ignition, the engine sputtering to life. It’s not glamorous, and the noises it makes show its age, but it’s reliable. And right now, all I’m focused on is following him.

He drives carefully and considerately. He never gets too far ahead, mindful of stopping at yellow lights. Honestly, he kind of drives like a grandmother, but I decide that I love that about him. I may still give him grief for it, though.

When he pulls onto a street near his, but not his own, I cock an eyebrow. I pull up behind him, shifting my car into park just as my phone buzzes.

Theo: Come on. Leave your car there, it’ll be safe. Ride with me.

I hop out and run to his car, desperate to see him. And kiss him. The moment I slip into his passenger seat and shut the door, I don’t even hesitate. I lean over the middle console and press my lips against his.

Hard.

He hesitates for just a moment, but then he’s kissing me back like he’s been starved for it. Our mouths crash together, tongues tangling in an intimate dance, hands roaming over each other’s bodies. It’s messy and hot and filled with need.

When he pulls back in an attempt to catch his breath, his smile nearly takes mine away all over again. The happiness radiating from him is contagious. It fills me to the brim.

“I’ve missed you,” I murmur softly, my voice filled with longing.

A pained look crosses his face and he exhales sharply. “I've missed you too, Trouble. Though we both know I shouldn't.”

I nod. I know. Respecting the fact that this has to be harder for him than it is for me. He's got more to lose. But as much as I understand it, I also don't care enough to end this. To not pursue the connection we have.

It's too special to let go .

“I think I owe you a real date,” he says, grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “How about a movie?”

I melt. Right there in his passenger seat. “I'd love that.”

We drive to the next town over. About halfway there, I tire of the radio and ask if I can change it. He nods, and I connect my phone to the bluetooth.

The moment my favorite song begins to play, filling the car with music, I turn to watch him.

And to my absolute shock, he begins singing along. My eyes widen in astonishment. I watch as he hits every word, off-key, but I don’t care. It’s— he’s —perfect.

“Thought you said you didn’t know Sleep Token…” I tease.

He grins without looking at me, eyes on the road. “Met this gorgeous girl at a bar once who told me I should check them out. Turns out, she was onto something.”

My heart doesn’t just flip, it somersaults in my chest.

He remembered. Not only that, but he’d listened to them enough to know my favorite song by heart. Where did this man come from? I was a stranger he likely thought he’d never meet again, yet he went out of his way to listen to a band I’d told him to. He remembered .

I could fall for him, I accept that truth in this moment. So easily, so deeply. He’s going to steal my heart.

The drive-in is old, but charming. It’s perfect, giving us privacy.

Three screens frame the large parking lot, a small concession shack lit up with neon pinks and blues completing the perimeter.

Driving into the lot, he buys our tickets at the gate.

We’re late, twenty minutes past the start time, but neither of us cares.

I’m here for him.

He lets me pick the movie. I choose a horror film, our shared favorite genre. He parks and tells me to wait, swiftly jogging off. He returns only minutes later, arms overflowing with snacks.

I quirk a brow at the sheer amount of candy, but he just shrugs.

“I didn’t know what you liked, so I got one of everything.”

I laugh, fishing through the pile on his lap and settling on a box of Sour Patch Kids.

“Solid choice,” he says. “Those are my favorite, too.”

“We can share,” I offer, removing the plastic bag and attempting to pull it open.

And it does… open, that is. But it rips. And small, rainbow-colored candy people fly everywhere. Sugar falls down like rain upon us both.

We both burst into laughter, my eyes watering. It takes me a minute to catch my breath.

“I’m so sorry.” I gasp, still giggling.

But he shakes his head, eyes warm, “It’s okay, Trouble. Nothing a trip to the car wash can’t fix.”

Then he leans in, slow and deliberate in his movements. His lips brush the skin just below my jaw. “Mmm,” he hums. Then his tongue licks slowly up my neck. “You had some sugar just—there.”

My skin prickles, goosebumps dotting the skin on my arms, my neck. I shiver at the contact.

He pulls back like nothing happened, smirking as he settles back into his seat. He’s such a tease. “Much better.”

The movie begins to play, but I catch myself watching him more than the screen. He startles at one of the jump scares and tries his best to hide it, but I can’t help but tease him. He really is easy to catch off guard. It’s charming.

I’m so glad I’m here, with him. In this perfect, stolen moment. As the movie comes to a close and the credits roll, I hold my breath, waiting for him to say the words I’m hoping to hear. That he’ll invite me over. I’m not ready for this night to end.