Secrets Look Different in the Light

Chapter 17

Theo's POV

We pull up to her house and she patiently waits for me to park. 

"Thanks for the ride." she says, already reaching for the door. How is she being so polite right now?

"Haley, wait. I owe you an explanation."

She pauses, fingers resting on the handle, then slowly shuts the door again. "Theo, it's okay. I'm a bit embarrassed, but my ego will be fine." She reassures me.

"It's not that I didn't want to be out with you again. Really. You're great- and Monday was fun. I just... thought it was a one-time thing. For both of us." 

"Yeah, so did I. Then Avery asked me to do this double date and said you really wanted me there, so I figured- why not? I broke my one-date rule for you." Her tone sharpens slightly. "But it's not your fault she lied to get me there." 

She reaches for the handle again, but I blurt out, "Haley, I didn't want to do the double date because of Avery. It wasn't about you."

She narrows her eyes. "Why does being out with Avery bother you?"

Backed yourself into a corner with that one, buddy.

"I've... sorta had a thing for her for a while," I admit. "I'm trying to move on, but sitting across from her all night didn't exactly help."

She gives a small scoff, almost a laugh. "Second dates make everything complicated." 

The words feel heavier than she means them to. She looks at me again, softer this time.

"This second date was a mistake for both of us," she says finally. "Neither of us should let Avery decide what we do."

She hops out and doesn't look back.

I think about jumping out and chasing her down. Telling her that Avery doesn't have that kind of hold on me. But we both know that would be a lie. And lying to myself is one thing—Haley doesn't deserve to be lied to.

Just as I'm about to drive off, my phone goes off. A text from Avery.

"I'm sorry, I overstepped. Do you hate me?" 

I stare at it. The ache in my chest flares, and I type back without thinking: "How could I ever hate you." 

Honest to God, I wouldn't even know how to.

Avery's POV

I owe a lot of people apologies. I blew up at Jayden and Jackie just because I was upset about Theo, and that's not fair to them. But first- I need to talk to Haley. 

I don't want to. The thought makes me physically ill. But I practically forced her to go on this date, and then it blew up in her face. At least now I know that Theo doesn't hate me, I don't feel as sick to my stomach. Just guilty. Really guilty. 

So, mission first. Vomiting later.

Haley doesn't live far from me, so I walk. It gives me more time to go over what I'll say, and convince myself not to turn around and crawl into a hole. And by the time I reach her front door, I'm convinced this is a horrible mistake. She's going to slam the door in my face, or worse, punch me. 

Still, I ring the bell.

She answers faster than expected. "Avery? What are you doing here?" she asks, her voice cool.

"I just... wanted to apologize," I say, nerves crawling up my spine. "This whole thing was my fault. I never should've begged you to go without knowing if Teddy actually wanted you there. I set you up for the worst date ever, and I'm so sorry." I tell her.