Secrets Look Different in the Light

Chapter 41

Avery's POV

"I'm heading home. I'll see you at the dance tomorrow." I say to Jackie, my feet burning holes in the pavement as I walk to Theo's car. 

The moment I open the door, the silence swallows me whole. It's not just quiet—it's the kind of silence that chokes you, that makes every breath feel like it's intruding. He doesn't look at me, and I don't blame him. 

Despite how much tension is in the air, I secretly wish the drive to my house were longer. I stare at the dashboard, counting the seconds that pass, wishing there were some kind of magic words that could make everything better.

When he pulls up to my house he doesn't even put the car in park, just brakes. The engine still hums. 

I scramble for anything to say. "Teddy, I'm so sorry." My voice is barely more than a breath. I sound like a scared child. I hate how small I sound. But the truth is—I'm that scared of losing him.

I'm met with a brick wall of silence.

"Please say something, anything." I beg, voice cracking.

He exhales, the sound heavy with the kind of disappointment that hits harder than yelling ever could. "What is there to say, Avery?"

"Are we over?" I ask, trying not to burst into tears again.

He puts the car in park. A small flicker of hope ignites in my chest.

"I don't know," he says finally. "I don't know where to go from here."

"I wanna be with you, Teddy." I say.

He sighs, rubbing his face. His eyes are bloodshot, ringed with exhaustion, when he looks at me for the first time since I got in the car.

"All I've wanted is to be with you, Avery," he says. "I've been your friend, your secret, and now your placeholder. It feels like there's always some reason I'm not allowed to be your boyfriend. And I'm getting tired of fighting to be one."

I can feel him slipping away from me. I feel my chest ache—physically ache. Not just guilt, but grief. Because he's right. I've made it so hard for him to love me out loud.

But he still does. I know he does.

"Please just give me a chance to fix things between us," I say, voice trembling. "I want to do this the right way. I want us to have a chance. Please."

All I need is one chance. I know I can do better by him. Treat him the right way. Show him I love him.

He opens his mouth like he's going to say something—"Avery—" but I cut him off, afraid of what comes next.

"Just come to the dance tomorrow. We'll do this right. I promise I won't screw this up again." 

For a second, I think he's going to push me away. But then his expression shifts—just slightly. His eyes soften. His jaw unclenches.

I don't wait. I lean over and press a kiss to his cheek, close enough to his lips to feel the warmth of his breath, but not quite brave enough to go further.

And then I'm out of the car, my heart still racing, footsteps echoing up the walkway to my house. I don't look back. I can't.

There's nothing more I can do or say tonight.

Jackie's POV

I watched her leave with Theo, face puffy and eyes red. I didn't have to ask how it went, I knew the answer. 

When Jayden was stood up by Avery, he was met by his entire team taking her place. He was fine, like I knew he would be if she didn't show. The moment they took the field, all murmurs of Avery ceased. He was cheered on and I'm pretty sure it gave him the boost needed to win the game. Our 13th win.