Page 34 of Muse (The Forbidden Hearts #1)

SOPHIE

T he day of the fair, I wake up late. I’d stayed up way too long on the phone with Theo, laughing and talking and having the best time. He’s etched a permanent smile onto my face with his kindness and his love. It’s all-consuming.

My parents did question me the other day, wondering who I’ve been talking to on the phone late at night. I didn’t realize they could hear me from their bedroom downstairs. I’d lied, of course, and said it was Sal, but now I’m trying to be more careful.

I have a huge list of chores to get done today before I can escape from my prison, and I’m committed to getting them done quickly.

The plan is to meet Sal at her house and ride with her and Jace.

I’d talked with Theo about going with me, but even though the fair is an hour away, he’s still nervous that someone we know will see us.

I don’t think that’s the case, but maybe that’s wishful thinking. The fair is huge and goes on after sundown. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd. I just want this part of my life to be over already, to graduate and be free to spend time with him .

We’re almost there. Only a month and a half to go and then freedom.

I race around the house, vacuuming and mopping at top speed.

Nothing motivates me like getting the hell out of this house for a night of fun.

My mother decided to flip on me last night, declaring I don’t do enough around here to help out.

So here I am, completing the long list of chores she scribbled down on the back of an envelope before she left the house this morning.

When I finally finish, I race upstairs to shower and do my hair.

I want to get to Sal’s with plenty of time to let her pretty me up before it’s time to go.

I get caught up staring at my reflection in the mirror, every tiny imperfection glaring back at me.

I tug at my shirt like maybe it'll hide me better, rake my fingers through my damp curls only to huff and yank them into a messy bun. As much as I know Theo is telling the truth about everything with his ex, and as much as I trust his loyalty and love for me, it’s hard not to compare myself to her.

She’s a fully grown, independent woman, with an entire art gallery to her name.

She’s stunning and creative and probably smart, too.

In comparison to her, I am not much at all.

I believe him, though. When he said those words to me... the honesty in his voice was too raw not to be real. He meant every word.

I shake off the self-doubt trying to edge its way in. Not tonight. Tonight, I’m going to have fun.

When I finish up, I stuff my makeup into a bag, grab a few outfits to choose from, and head to Sal’s. The drive is a blur, streetlights smearing across my windshield as my mind floats somewhere else. I almost miss the turn into her neighborhood.

She texts me to let myself in, so I do. I climb the grand staircase and barge into her room, throwing my bag on her bed like I own the place. Honestly, I should have my own bedroom here at this point.

Sal is at her vanity, expertly applying her eyeliner with a practiced hand. She does the best wings, and despite her efforts to teach me, I’ve never been able to master it. Anytime I try, they end up so wonky I just give up and wipe them off.

“Helloooo,” she says in a sing-song voice.

“Hi!” I throw myself onto her oversized bean bag chair and get comfortable.

“Is Theo coming tonight?”

I shrug. “I don’t think so. He’s nervous to be out in public with me like that.”

“Well… can’t say I blame him.”

I drop my head back and sigh. “I know. I just want to have fun with him. I hate that we have to be sneaky. Life is so unfair.”

She laughs. Actually, cackles is more accurate. “You snagged a ridiculously hot teacher. Don’t want to hear how unfair life is for you.” She turns, sticking her tongue out at me.

“Yeah, yeah. Maybe you can try and get with Mr. Jones if you’ve got a teacher kink.”

She throws a mascara wand at me, but it soars over my head and smacks into the wall behind me. Thankfully. That would’ve hurt.

“Mr. Jones is, like, eighty. No thanks!”

“He could be your sugar daddy...” I waggle my eyebrows, and she glares at me.

“I hate you,” she says.

I blow her a kiss.

She finishes my makeup and we get dressed, the time flying by as we dance and sing along to the playlist blaring from her speaker. As the sky begins to dim outside her balcony doors, I check the time. Seven o’clock, time to go.

I shoot off a quick text to Theo.

Sophie: Hey, we’re about to head there. I wish you were coming .

Theo: Drive safe and have fun. I wish I was, too.

I grin down at my phone, my cheeks aching from smiling so hard. I tap the screen lightly, hugging it to my chest for a second before stuffing it into my pocket when Sal clears her throat at me.

“Let’s go!”

We head out into the hall and part ways, me straight for her car, her to Jace’s room to drag him out. He agreed to go tonight, but I can almost guarantee he isn’t thrilled about it. Fun and Jace don’t exactly mix.

I climb into Sal’s passenger seat, reclining it just to my liking, and wait.

When they come through the front door a few minutes later, the scowl on Jace’s face nearly has me laughing out loud.

The contrast between his sour mood and Sal’s bright energy is almost too much. They make such an odd pair.

Jace heads straight for the passenger door, yanking it open before stopping short at the sight of me. He grumbles under his breath, shoots Sal a look, and then slams the door shut right in my face.

Okay then, asshole. I smirk a little as he climbs into the backseat.

“Play nice, you two,” Sal says, sliding into the driver's seat. “Any song requests?”

“Nah, whatever’s fine,” Jace says, his voice more a growl than anything.

I shake my head. “You pick. You’re the driver.”

She nods, scrolling through Spotify, and then the loud, moody sounds of Bad Omens fill the car. Fine by me. My music taste shifts with my moods anyway, and tonight I’m wired enough to roll with anything.

The drive is long, and I keep myself busy alternating between texting Theo and scrolling TikTok. I never post anything, though. Despite Sal begging me to do silly dances with her on camera, I’ve never been brave enough .

No thanks.

By the time we arrive, it’s well and dark outside. The night sky is lit up with the bright, buzzing lights of the fair. Neon pinks and greens and electric blues. The place hums with energy, the smells of funnel cake and popcorn thick in the air.

We’re forced to park four blocks away because of how packed it is.

The fair is a yearly ritual, and no matter how old I get, I think it’ll always feel like magic.

A place to lose yourself in chaos, ride rickety deathtrap rides, and stuff your face with sugar.

A place that reminds me of being younger, being free, before the weight of the world settled onto my shoulders.

We walk, Sal and I in front and Jace trailing behind like our own personal security guard. And honestly, I feel safer with him there. He might scowl at everyone like they personally offended him, but if anyone tried to mess with us, he wouldn’t hesitate to shut it down.

When we reach the gate, Jace pays for all three of our wristbands without a word. I nod my thanks, and he grimaces in response.

Alright, then.

We make our way inside the fair, the chaotic noise swallowing us whole.

“What are we doing first?” I turn toward Sal.

She scans the lights and rides stretching into the night. “Ferris wheel?”

“No way.” I shake my head. “I hate that thing. It’s terrifying.”

“You’re such a drama queen! It’s no less safe than any other ride.”

“Look... I can ride the biggest roller coasters and be fine. But something about the Ferris wheel, all rickety and creaking, keeping you suspended way up there for minutes at a time... I just can't do it. ”

She rolls her eyes. “Fine. But at some point, Jace and I are riding it.”

“How about the bumper cars?” Jace grumbles from behind us.

I grin. “I’m down!” Sal nods, excited.

We make our way over, the night air crackling with energy.

When we finally climb into our tiny cars and the ride kicks off, I make it my personal mission to smash into Jace’s as many times as possible.

Sal and I team up, chasing him into corners while he scowls in his too-small car, his knees practically jammed into his chest.

I’m laughing so hard by the time the ride ends that my sides ache. It feels good. It feels normal.

We bounce from ride to ride for the next hour, the neon lights blurring overhead. Even Jace relaxes a little. I catch him smirking once or twice, which feels like a miracle in itself.

Still, my hand keeps drifting to my pocket. Checking my phone. Waiting for a text that doesn’t come.

Stop it , I tell myself. Don’t spiral . Not tonight.

“Alright,” Sal says eventually, tugging Jace along. “Ferris wheel time!”

“Okay, okay.” I wave them off. “I’ll grab something to eat while you guys go. Meet me by the food stands?”

“Yes! See you in a few!” she calls back, already dragging Jace into the crowd.

I watch them disappear, the colors and noise swallowing them up, and head toward the food stalls. The smell of funnel cake draws me in like a magnet.

I'm almost there when I feel it… that crawling sensation on the back of my neck.

I glance up.

And lock eyes with Cole.

I tear my gaze away, willing my feet to move. I need to disappear, melt into the crowd. But I’m too slow. He’s already here.

“Well, hello, gorgeous,” Cole drawls as he reaches me, the reek of beer rolling off him in heavy waves. His voice is syrupy and fake. I shift away, but he steps in closer, blocking me in with his body.

“Where’s that bitch Sal? She’s usually glued to your hip.”

“Don’t call her that,” I snap, but the words are too soft and brittle to have teeth. He smirks like he knows it, and before I can react, he grabs my arm, his fingers sinking into my skin. I flinch, my pulse skyrocketing.

“Let’s go for a walk,” he says, already steering me away from the food stands, dragging me toward the dark edge of the fair.

“No, thanks. Sal and Jace will be back any second,” I lie, my voice shaking. He laughs, a low, ugly sound, tightening his grip when I resist. He knows I’m bluffing.

The crowd thins as he pulls me behind the game booths. I wrench my arm, trying to break free, but he slams me against the rough concrete wall. Pain bursts up my spine. I cry out, the sound small, useless against the noise of the fair.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” he snarls, his breath sour against my face. I turn my head away, trying to push him off, my hands scrambling against his chest, but he’s too strong. His body cages me in, his shadow swallowing mine.

“Look at me,” he growls, grabbing my jaw roughly.

Tears sting my eyes, my breaths coming out ragged. My heart slams against my ribs. A tremor ripples through my body as I squeeze my eyes shut and brace for whatever comes next.

And then?—

He’s gone.

The pressure disappears so suddenly that I stumble forward. I blink, disoriented, and then I see him.

Theo.

He stands between me and Cole, tense and furious, a storm barely contained. His fists are clenched at his sides, his whole body vibrating with rage. I press a shaking hand against the wall to steady myself.

“Touch her again,” Theo says, his voice low and lethal, “and I’ll break your fucking face.”

Cole scoffs, that same stupid grin twisting across his face like this is just another game to him. He shifts like he’s going to lunge.

Theo moves first.

One clean, brutal punch slams into Cole’s jaw. The crack of it echoes through the night air. Cole stumbles back, stunned, blood already blooming from his nose. He clutches at the wall for balance, swearing under his breath as security charges toward us.

Within seconds, they’re on him, hauling him away, barking orders he’s too drunk and dazed to argue with. He tries to twist free but fails, cursing Theo as they drag him off into the crowd.

And just like that, it’s over.

Or at least, it should be.

My body gives out, sliding down the wall until Theo catches me. His arms wrap around me, lifting me against him like I'm fragile. His heart hammers against my ear as I clutch the front of his hoodie in both fists, the adrenaline draining out of me all at once.

“You’re okay,” Theo whispers into my hair. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

I let myself sink into him, drinking in the scent of him, the steady beat of his heart, the way his hand moves up and down my back in slow, soothing strokes. The fair roars on around us, lights flashing and music blaring, but I don’t hear any of it. There's only him.

“You came,” I choke out, my voice breaking.

“I’ll always come for you,” he says fiercely, pulling back just enough to cup my face. His thumb brushes away a tear slipping down my cheek, his eyes burning into mine.

I want to say something. Anything. But all I can do is stare at him, this beautiful, broken man who dropped everything to save me without a second thought.

“I thought you weren’t coming,” I manage.

“I wasn’t,” he says. His voice roughens, sounding ragged. “I told myself to stay away. I tried. But I couldn’t.”

A soft, shaky laugh escapes me, half-sob, half-relief. “Good thing you didn’t.”

He presses his forehead to mine, closing his eyes like the feel of me grounds him. We stand like that for a long breath, swaying slightly, the world tilting under our feet.

“Come on,” he murmurs eventually. “Let’s get you out of here.”

I nod, trusting him implicitly. He takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine like he’s afraid to let go, and we start to walk back toward the parking lot.

For a moment, it feels okay. For a moment, it feels like we’ve escaped.

And then I see her.

Standing not twenty feet away, frozen in place, staring at us like she’s just witnessed a murder.

Mrs. Crenshaw.

My mother’s friend. The biggest gossip in the church. The biggest gossip in town.

The blood drains from my face. My hand goes limp in Theo’s.

Mrs. Crenshaw blinks, once, like she can’t believe what she’s seeing, then spins on her heel and vanishes into the crowd.

Gone, but not forgotten.

I stand there, rooted to the spot, my heart pounding in my ears. Because I know. I know that by tomorrow, my mother will know, too. And whatever bubble Theo and I have been living in… it just popped.