[BOOK2]
Friendship built their world. Love will break it open. ❤️
*****
I want her.
I want her more than I've ever wanted anything.
But I can't have her. Because the moment I admit that out loud, the moment I risk everything we've built, I could lo...
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"See you later, Becca!" I call over my shoulder, tossing her a quick wave as I step outside.
The late afternoon air is crisp, carrying that sharp scent of cut grass from the football pitch. Somewhere in the distance, someone's blasting music from their car, the bass thumping low. I've been looking forward to this all day — not just seeing Theo, but walking home together. We've never officially called it our tradition, but it's ours. My favourite part of the day, even if I'll never say it out loud.
"Later, Isa!" Becca calls back before disappearing down the hall.
I head toward the field, the crunch of gravel under my shoes slowing when a group of players' voices cut through the quiet.
"Yeah, Theo and Jake got into it again. I swear, those two should just throw hands and be done with it," one says with a laugh, shoving his friend.
My stomach sinks. "Wait, what happened?" My voice comes out sharper than I meant.
The guy looks at me like he's been caught. "Oh, you're Jake's bird, right?"
I resist the urge to wrinkle my nose. "Girlfriend," I correct, folding my arms. "And yeah — what's going on with Theo?"
He shrugs. "No clue, really. Jake left early, Theo's in Coach's office."
"Thanks," I mutter, already moving away, heart ticking faster.
Theo and Jake have been circling each other for weeks, trading digs like they're waiting for an excuse. But Theo in Coach's office while Jake gets to walk off? That feels different. Worse.
By the time I reach the building, the door swings open and Uncle Shawn steps out with Theo. Shawn's face is serious, but the second he sees me, it softens.
"Hey, Isla. How're you doing, sweetheart?"
"Good," I say automatically, my eyes locked on Theo. "Looking for Theo, actually."
Shawn pats Theo's back, glances at his watch. "Got a meeting. Be good, you two." His grin lingers like he knows more than I do, and then he's gone.
Theo starts walking, and I fall into step beside him. The silence is thick, the kind that makes you hyperaware of every sound around you — our footsteps, the wind through the trees, the faint whistle of a distant train.
"So... want to tell me why people are saying you and Jake almost went for each other?"
His jaw ticks. "It's nothing, Luna."
"Nothing?" I arch a brow. "You've got 'I could commit murder' written all over your face."
A corner of his mouth twitches, but his eyes stay forward. "Just practice drama. Don't worry about it."
"That's the worst lie you've ever told me."
"Then you should've heard some of my better ones."
I want to press. God, I want to press. But I know Theo — push too hard, and he'll bolt behind his walls for days.
