[BOOK2] Sequel to Tangled Hearts
*****
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 lose her.
And losing Isla? That's...
{Song of the Chapter:- I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift}
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I couldn't stop replaying the kiss in my head, even though I kept telling myself I shouldn't. It was just one moment—one stupid, impulsive moment that meant nothing. At least, that's what I was trying to convince myself. But every time I thought about the way Theo's lips felt against mine, the way he pulled me closer like he didn't want to let go, I could feel my heart betraying me.
This wasn't supposed to happen. We were best friends. That kiss... it crossed a line we couldn't uncross. And it definitely shouldn't have happened when my head was still spinning from everything with Jake. I was a mess. How could I let Theo get dragged into that?
I hadn't slept properly since. After running from the park that night, I shut myself in my room, trying to sort out how everything had spiralled so quickly. How did one night go from winning a game to fighting with Jake, to... that kiss?
I shook my head. No. Stop thinking about it, Isla. It didn't mean anything.
It couldn't. Theo was just being a good friend, comforting me when I was at my worst. That's all.
I'd managed to avoid Theo for three freaking days since the kiss. Three days of dodging his calls, making excuses to not see him, and hoping that if I ignored the situation long enough, it would disappear. I didn't know what to say to him. The thought of facing him—of acknowledging what happened—made my stomach churn.
But I couldn't dodge him forever. Graduation was today, and there would be no hiding behind texts or busy schedules. I would have to see him, stand next to him, and pretend that my heart didn't jump every time he was near.
He's just your friend. It didn't mean anything.
I groaned, rolling out of bed, my nerves tangled in knots. Graduation was supposed to be a big day—an exciting day—but all I could think about was how I was going to survive seeing Theo without making things weird.
I pulled on a pair of sweats, deciding to go downstairs for breakfast. Maybe some coffee would help settle the storm in my chest. But as soon as I reached the bottom step, I froze.
My parents were standing in the kitchen, wrapped in each other's arms, kissing like they were the only two people in the world.
Seriously?
"Mum! Dad!" I groaned, covering my eyes with both hands. "Oh my God, can you not?"
They pulled apart, laughing, clearly not embarrassed in the slightest. My dad turned toward me, a big grin on his face. "Caterpillar!" he said, holding his arms out wide. "Come here and give your old man a hug."
Despite my protests, I couldn't help but smile as I stepped into his embrace. His hugs always had this way of making me feel safe, like no matter how crazy everything was, I'd be okay. I needed that feeling now more than ever.
