Page 32 of Muse (The Forbidden Hearts #1)

SOPHIE

I spend the rest of the weekend hiding in my room, only coming out to eat and use the bathroom.

Eventually, I unlock my phone, just long enough to block Theo’s number and delete our entire text thread without reading a single word.

Then I smoke until I can't think straight and binge-watch television, anything mindless enough to keep my brain distracted from the ache clawing at my chest.

Monday morning, I show up to class at the last possible second, slipping into the room without giving myself a chance to overthink it. Avoiding any potential alone time with Theo—Mr. Hayes—is my only goal. I don’t know what I would say if he cornered me. I don’t even know what I think anymore.

Part of me still wants to hear him out. The rational part, the small, stubborn piece that’s been trying to claw its way back to life after two days spent drowning in a haze of smoke and misery.

But the other half, the half scarred by Cole, the half that swore never again…

tells me to run. To lock my heart up and throw away the key.

To protect myself at any cost. What if it was al l a lie?

What if he’s just like the rest of them, playing a game, saying all the right things until he got what he wanted?

Still, my rational side fights back.

The nights we spent talking, the way he touched me like I was special, the way he looked at me like he truly saw me… that wasn't fake. It couldn’t have been. It was the kind of connection people write songs about. The kind of love best-selling novels try and fail to capture.

Either that or I really am the biggest fool this world has ever seen. Which I’m not ruling out yet.

The second I step into the classroom, his eyes snap to mine. His whole body jerks forward before he catches himself, clearing his throat and forcing his gaze away.

But I saw it. The pain and regret.

And for a moment, my heart twists so sharply it’s a wonder I don’t crumple to the floor.

I slide into my seat, keeping my head down. Sal reaches over and gives my hand a quick squeeze. I’d given her the quick and dirty version over text, but we haven’t talked about it in person yet. And honestly, I don’t want to. Saying it out loud will only make it hurt worse.

When I glance at her, I catch her locked in a brutal stare-down with Mr. Hayes.

I almost laugh.

If looks could kill, Theo would be six feet under. As he deserves.

The next hour drags unbearably slow. I feel Theo's gaze flicker toward me again and again, but I refuse to look back. When he starts walking the rows, handing out papers, something he never does, he lingers a moment too long by my desk, and my skin prickles with discomfort.

I keep my eyes fixed firmly on the desk in front of me, pretending not to notice, pretending I don’t feel him there. Sal clears her throat obnoxiously loud, and finally, he moves on .

The second the bell rings, I bolt from my seat, desperate for fresh air. Sal catches up to me in the hallway, looping her arm through mine, slowing me down enough for her to keep pace.

“Soph,” she says gently, like she's trying to soothe a pissed off toddler.

“I’m fine,” I say quickly. “I just... I can't. I can't face him right now.”

She nods, understanding. “Totally fair. Just... don't isolate, okay? I’m here. Whatever you need.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, and I mean it. But right now, what I need is space.

We part ways, and the next two classes pass in a blur of white noise.

When the lunch bell rings, I head outside to my car, grateful for the excuse to escape.

The air outside is crisp, the sky bright, the world carrying on like nothing has changed.

Like my heart didn’t just shatter into a million sharp, useless pieces.

I pop open my car door, grabbing the water bottle from the passenger seat. As I slam the door shut harder than necessary, I try to convince myself that it doesn’t matter, that Theo doesn’t matter.

That I’m better off without him.

The problem is... I don't believe a word of it.

My heart still wants him, even now, when it shouldn’t. I force myself to turn back toward the school, squaring my shoulders, locking my feelings down deep inside where no one can reach them. I step through the doors and make my way back down the hallway towards the cafeteria.

And that's when a hand grabs my arm.

I yelp as I'm yanked into a supply closet, the door slamming shut behind me. A hand covers my mouth as I open it to scream, and I’m pulled back against a hard chest, an arm circling my waist, holding me tight .

Panic flares until I hear his voice, low and frantic in my ear. “Sophie. It’s me.”

He’s lucky he speaks when he does, because I was about five seconds away from sinking my teeth into his hand without hesitation.

I shove away from him and he flicks on the light, revealing Theo standing there, looking stricken and wild-eyed. My chest aches at the sight of him, and I hate that it does.

“What do you want?” I snap, my voice sharp and cold.

He inhales sharply, his face twisting. “Sophie, listen to me?—”

“No,” I cut him off. “I don’t need to hear whatever bullshit you’re about to spin. I saw it. I saw you with her.”

“You’re wrong,” he says, his voice cracking. “It’s not what you think. She showed up uninvited. I didn’t want her there. I didn’t invite her. I didn’t touch her.”

I let out a hollow laugh. “Really? Because it sure looked cozy from where I was standing.”

“But it’s not?—”

“Save it,” I say, shaking my head. “I've had enough of liars to last a lifetime. I can’t do this.”

I move to shove past him again, but he reaches out, cupping the back of my head gently but firmly, forcing me to look at him.

“Sophie,” he says, voice thick with sorrow, breaking, “I need you to be quiet. I need you to hear me when I say this, because it’s the only thing that’s kept me breathing for the past forty-eight hours.”

He grips my face, his hands trembling against my cheeks.

“I would never betray you. Not in a million fucking years. Evelyn is nothing to me. What you saw was her being desperate, clawing at something that’s long dead.

I didn’t invite her. I didn’t want her. I stayed as far from her as I could while I waited for her damn Uber.

Because the only person I want in my life—” he breaks off, sucking in a shaky breath, “—is you.”

I blink up at him, frozen, his words slamming into me like fists.

“I’m falling in love with you, Sophie,” he says, almost like he can’t believe it himself. “And yeah, it’s too soon. And yeah, you’re my student, and yeah, the world will lose its fucking mind if they ever find out. But I don’t give a damn about any of it.”

He pulls me closer, our foreheads touching, his voice rough and raw.

“I don’t care about the rules. I don’t care about the risks. I would burn my whole life to the ground if it meant being with you. You’re everything I never dared to want, everything I never thought I deserved, and now that I have you...” His voice shatters. “I’m terrified of losing you.”

He lets out a rough, helpless laugh.

“I thought I was strong. I thought I was untouchable. Then you showed up and ruined me, and fuck, Sophie, I don’t want to be put back together if it’s without you.”

He shakes his head, emotion pouring from him in waves.

“I’ll do anything, okay? I’ll get on my fucking knees right here if that’s what it takes. I’ll walk out into the hallway and scream it at the top of my lungs?—”

He turns, reaching toward the doorknob, his voice rising.

“I love Sophie Wilson! I love her! I love her, and I don’t give a fuck who knows it!”

And he means it. Every word.

Something inside me snaps wide open.

I crash my mouth into his, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him down to me. We collide like an explosion, frantic and desperate, everything we've been holding back finally breaking loose.

His hands grip my waist, sliding down to my hips, then lower, grabbing me and lifting me up as I wrap my legs tightly around his waist. He slams me back against the wall, hard enough to rattle the shelves, but I don't care. I can't get close enough. I don't want space. I don't want air. I want him.

He grinds against me, his body hot and solid between my thighs, and a low groan rumbles from deep in his chest when I move against him in return. The friction is delicious, torturous, and not nearly enough.

He hikes me up higher, fitting me perfectly against him. One hand slides between us, pressing against the aching heat at my center through the thin fabric of my leggings.

I gasp against his mouth, my hips bucking toward his hand, desperate for more. His fingers find just the right spot and rub slow, firm circles that have me panting and shuddering as I cling to him like a lifeline.

“Theo...” I gasp, my forehead falling against his shoulder as pleasure builds fast. A sharp, aching coil winding tighter and tighter inside me.

“That's it,” he whispers, voice rough and reverent. “Let go for me.”

I can't stop it even if I wanted to. The climax crashes over me, ripping a whimper from my throat as I shudder and clench around nothing, my whole body unraveling in his arms.

He holds me through it, pressing kisses to my jaw, my throat, whispering things I can't fully hear over the blood roaring in my ears. When I finally come down, trembling and completely wrecked, I realize his breathing is just as ragged as mine.

I glance down and catch the wet patch darkening the front of his jeans.

My eyes fly back to his, wide with surprise. He laughs breathlessly, cheeks flushing. “Yeah,” he says, voice quiet. “This is what you do to me.”

I can't help it. I laugh too, leaning in to kiss him again, my movements slow and lips lingering on his. Not wanting to pull away, not yet.

“You might want to change before someone sees you like this,” I tease. “I guess we should...” I glance at the door, reality slamming back into place. “Maybe one of us should leave first?”

“Yeah,” he says, regret thick in his voice. “You go first. I’ll wait a few minutes.”

He squeezes my hand, pressing one last soft kiss to my knuckles. “See you later, Trouble.”

“Bye, Theo,” I whisper.

I slip out into the hallway, my heart still pounding and my body buzzing with electricity. I can’t believe what we just did. At school. In a supply closet.

That was bold and reckless… And so damn risky. But it was perfect.

My heart feels stitched back together, piece by piece. Maybe I should have trusted him all along. Maybe next time, I will. Actually, scratch that. There better not be a next time.

I head down the hall, weaving through the post-lunch crowd, feeling lighter than just an hour before. When I meet up with Sal after the last bell, she’s leaning against my car, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised.

“You look suspiciously smug,” she says.

I laugh, my cheeks flushing with heat, but I don’t offer an explanation. Some things are for me alone, for now at least. She hooks her arm through mine and tugs me toward the driver’s side.

“Okay, but am I right to assume all is well now?”

I nod, a small smile playing on my lips.

“Good. Hey! Wanna go to the fair with me this weekend?”

I hesitate, dragging my teeth over my bottom lip. "Eh, maybe. I was hoping to hang out with Theo...”

Sal groans dramatically. “Oh, come on! We always go together! It’s tradition! Invite him too. I’ll bring Jace. ”

“I don’t think...” I trail off, glancing around. “We can’t really be seen in public together like that. Not until I graduate.” My face scrunches up in frustration. “And even then...”

She rolls her eyes like I’m being ridiculous. “Oh, just show up separately and pretend it’s a coincidence. It’ll be fine.”

I sigh. “Everyone and their mother goes to that damn fair.”

“Fine!” she huffs, tossing her hands in the air. “I’ll just go by myself then.”

I laugh and nudge her. “You’re so dramatic. Fine, I’ll go. He’ll survive one night without me.”

She wiggles her eyebrows. “You sure about that?”

I laugh again, enjoying her teasing. “See you tomorrow?”

She hugs me tightly. “Tomorrow.”

I slide into my car, windows down, the whole world glowing in the golden afternoon light, and I head for home. A smile on my face the entire way.