Driving Me Crazy

Chapter Eight

Katana

"You used to have nightmares too?" I ask as Theo opens up to me.

"When I was younger, I got into this really bad car accident. My godfather, who was driving, didn't make it out. I asked him to look at a picture I had found, and when he did, a semi ran a stop sign and hit us on the driver's side. I always thought it was my fault, and every night I relived it." Theo's eyes began to water as he told me the story of his nightmares. His arms are still wrapped around my sweat-soaked body, with his chin resting atop my head. I reach my arms upward and hold onto the arm that he has draped across the front of me.

I manage to squeak out between tears, "I am so sorry Theo." He flinches at the sound of his own name before I speak again. "You know it's not your fault, right?"

"I know, I know. Eventually, I went to therapy and got it in my head that it would have happened had he been looking at the road or not. It's sad, but it was going to happen regardless. I started getting into luxury cars and..." He hesitates before starting again. "Cars helped me through his death. It's what he loved." Theo sniffles a bit before shifting his body away from me. His arms loosen as he starts to stand, "Do you need anything? You can shower if you would like?"

Remembering how gross I look and feel, I decided to take him up on that offer. "Do you mind? I think I desperately need a shower." I let out a slight giggle, in an attempt to lighten the mood. I assume it works when Theo smiles lightly in response.

"Let me make sure there are some towels in there. I'll go downstairs to get another toothbrush, hairbrush, and some more soap too." As he checks the bathroom for towels, I can't help but notice that he is on a later episode of our show than I remember. Our show. Slightly laughing, I think to myself, "He totally likes this show." I hear a rush of water from the bathroom before he comes out and says, "You're all good in there. I started the water for you and I'll bring the rest of the stuff in just a moment."

"I really appreciate this, thank you," I say as I walk into the bathroom. Our interactions are a bit awkward right now, but I imagine it's because he just spilled the darkest parts of himself and didn't give me a chance to reciprocate.

I close the bathroom door behind me and I hear the door to the hotel close at the same time, telling me that Theo just left to grab the other things he mentioned. Slowly, I peel the sticky clothes off my body and step into the lukewarm water. It's a bit cold for my taste, so I turn it up slightly before leaning against the wall and letting the water wash my head clean. With my eyes closed, I let the water run down my back and help clear my thoughts, but it always goes back to the story Theo told me earlier. For some insane reason, it felt kind of familiar? It just feels rude to even think that way, but my heart goes out to him.

The front door bangs again, letting me know that he has come back to the room. Shortly after, there's a small knock at the door and a small voice, "Hey, can I come in and place the things on the counter?"

"Oh yeah, no problem," I say. "The curtain isn't clear anyways, it's no big deal." My family used to always come in and out while I showered since the curtain wasn't transparent and there was only one bathroom.

"Okay, coming in," He warns as the door squeaks open. "I have some body wash and hair care, can I hand them to you?"

I think it's so sweet that he asks permission since he knows that this is so incredibly awkward. I mean I met this guy less than 24 hours ago and now I'm in his shower after he just comforted me after waking up sweaty and screaming in his bed.

In response to his question, I grab the edge of the curtain with one hand and poke my head out while also ensuring I don't accidentally flash him. Reaching my hand out, "Yeah, I can take them. Oh hey, do you know what time it is?"

He hesitates a second before handing me the soaps. "Just one sec," he says before spinning out of the room. I stand there, just admiring the little jog he does before grabbing his phone and coming back. "It's 3:48 in the morning. Do you need me to take you home or anything?" His voice comes out breathy and rushed, leaving me smiling lightly at his nerves.

"No, it's okay. I just wasn't sure where I put my phone. Do you need me to go somewhere?" I ask. We never planned on me staying over, and I don't know whether he has plans or not. Hell, I don't even know him.

Theos face lights up, showing off those adorable dimples before he says, "No! I don't have any plans today, other than a work meeting but it's a Zoom call. How are you feeling?"

"I feel a lot better, thank you!" I reciprocate the bright smile that he has been flashing at me. He seems to be a bit more comfortable in our situation right now because he leans back against the wall and crosses his arms. I have to pull myself back behind the curtain because that man is too seductive for his own good, and I don't even think he realizes he's doing it.

"When I went downstairs to grab things from the lobby, I stopped by the party next door, which is still thriving by the way. My friend Carlos had his girlfriend over, and she gave me some clothes that way you'd be more comfortable. Isabel said you could keep the clothes too, she was going to donate a bunch anyways." Theo's words are coming out rushed and panicked like he's worried I'm going to freak out and run away.

"I appreciate that, I'll clean them and bring them back as soon as possible though. I couldn't keep them, but tell her thank you for me, please." I start rinsing the shampoo out of my hair and begin applying the conditioner. The smell of cucumber and mint flows through the bathroom.

"Of course, though I doubt she would let you return them," he says with a chuckle that causes me to smile.

"What did you end up telling them? Ya know, about me? Don't want them thinking I just busted into your hotel room and held you hostage." Smooth... not. I can feel my face heating up, luckily he can't see it.

"Oh, uhm, I kind of said we were on a date and accidentally fell asleep. I hope that was okay, I didn't necessarily think before I spoke. That seems to be happening a lot lately." Theo is rushing over his words, causing me to start laughing before he can speak again. "I'll take that as an okay then," before he starts laughing with me.

After rinsing the soap off of my body, I turn off the water and say, "Alright, I'm getting out. Teen Wolf when I'm dressed?"

"Oh, fuck yeah!" Theo exclaims as he rushes out of the bathroom, leaving me to get ready so we can continue our "date."