You Let Me Go

22. Do You Like Him?

-Christmas Break-

Jake flew home with us. We hung out with Ade and Nate, and Lexi and so many of our friends.

Its Christmas Eve and we decided to spend it with the Archibald's this year. My grandparents came down. Madi started crying and I picked her up. I walked into the guest room down stairs and cradled her as I fed her.

"You're gonna be an amazing mom one day." Theo came in and I smiled. "I hope so."

"So what's the plan for next semester?" He asked. "I'm moving into the Alpha house. School is well school. I'm gonna be busy with more Alpha activities. Tiff was already talking about a Greek mixer." I shrugged. "Why? What about you?" He sighed.

"Same things as now I guess. Dean spoke to me... since I'm no avail with the football scholarship, I have to pay now..."

"Are you staying? Or leaving?" If he leaves.. I might too.

"Staying. I don't want to leave you and I love the school. I love my brothers." I smiled. I burped Madi and then she fell asleep. "C'mon dinners ready." Alice came in.

I followed Theo out to the dining room. I took a seat in between him and Jake. I noticed Gabe kept glancing over at me. Gabe is the boys' cousin. He's two years older than Theo, so 21. He's always been attractive, but since he doesn't live here we don't talk much. We only ever converse when he comes down here to visit the Archibald's. Actually, I kind of spent last spring break with him.. Jake went to visit Theo and Gabe came to visit them, but since the boys weren't here, I kept him company.

After dinner, a few actually went to sleep off the food. The women seemed to gravitate towards the dining room to gossip while the men stayed in the living room. I stepped outside to the back and sat on the couch they have along the wall.

I zipped up my jacket and the door slid open. "Hey! I haven't had time to talk to you yet." I said and Gabe smiled. He came and sat down next to me. "I didn't think you'd want to talk to me.." He scratched the back of his head. "What? Why?"

Theo's POV-
"Because of what happened during spring break.." I didn't want to eavesdrop but the window of the guest room is open and since I'm staying in this room, well...

"Oh.."

"I'm sorry again.."

"Its fine.." She sounds... awkward.. Maybe tense. But what happened?!

"I didn't mean to put you in that situation.. I just thought that... You know.." She sighed. "Its okay Gabe.. I mean I can see why you thought that." I don't want to hear any of this. I'll just talk to her about it.. I mean she'll tell me.. Right?

Lia's POV-
"I should have never even tried it.. why would I even think I would even have a chance with you?"

"Hey stop. You're a very attractive guy.. I'm just.. in love with Theo.. I'm sorry if I made it seem like I was flirting with you. I truly do apologize. I just don't want there to be any awkward tension between us." He nodded. "I'm sorry too.. friends?" He asked and I smiled. "Friends." I stood up and reached my arms out. He smiled as he stood up and hugged me.

The door slid open and Theo came down on the temporary ramp Josiah made him. "Hey.. can I speak to Lia please?" He asked. "Yeah.." Gabe walked inside and closed the door. I sat back down and he positioned his wheelchair directly in front of me.

"I kind of.. overheard you and him talking.." Shit. "What did you hear?"

"Not much.. but what happened?"

I sighed. "He came to visit you and Jake.. Since you weren't here, I kept him company. We hung out as friends.. he was feeling me and got the impression that I was feeling him... he tried to kiss me but I stopped him before he could... I mean I can see now why he might have thought that and I apologized on my part and he did too."

He isn't showing much emotions. "Do you like him?" I chuckled as I shook my head no. "I was too in love with you to even think about a guy." He smiled. "I'm sorry.. I lied to you." I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"I heard everything... I just wanted to see if you would tell me the truth.."

"Ouch."

"I'm sorry Lia. Please don't be upset." Why would I lie to him? "Babe." He grabbed my hand and I took a deep breath. I nodded. "Are you mad?"

"A little upset but I'm not mad." I could tell he didn't believe me. I placed my hand on his cheek. "I'm not mad Theo."

"C'mon, let's head back in. We're about to play some games."



"Who wants to give the first gift?" Asked Alice. "ME" everyone laughed at my enthusiasm. "Come on over babe."

I grabbed the thin rectangle box. "Who's it for and what it means to you." She said. "Well this is for someone special who I've grown to really love and appreciate..." I handed it to Beth. "I support any decision you make.." I said as she opened it.. She looked at me in disbelief. "What is it?" Asked Jake.

She stood up and hugged me as she cried. "Of course I'll adopt you!" I cried too. Alice came over and joined the hug, then my dad, and pretty soon we were all group hugging.

She wiped my cheeks with her thumbs. "I love you Lia. So much." I smiled. "I love you too, mom." That brought her to tears again. We've gone through a lot this past year. I truly would love for her to adopt me.

I gave Alice a whole spa week. Redeemable when she wishes. I got Josiah new golf clubs. Jake got a painting of us that I made along with a new laptop. Gabe gave Theo shot glasses and Alice scolded him which made us all laugh.

Shopping for Theo was hard. I didn't know what to get him. "Oooooh what's in here?" He asked and I laughed. His jaw dropped. I got him a Rolex and a 24k gold lion ring. "Thank you Lia." He quickly put them on. I got my dad a Rolex as well.

Beth's gift to me was an apple watch. Alice and Josiah had given me a box of bath bombs and a Sephora card for $200. Jake had happened to gift me a Sephora card as well with the same amount. My grandparents got me jewelry. We got my grandpa a craft beer home brewing appliance and we got my grandma a vase she's been wanting to get.

Theo handed me a small box. It was a gold necklace with my name. "There's something under it." He said and I pulled out the small paper. "Two tattoos, any size, paid for by Theo." I laughed. He knows Ive been wanting to get a tattoo. "Thanks Theo." I hugged him.

"Me next." Said my dad. He pulled the Build A Bear box. I thought that was for Madi or somethin. I laughed as I pulled it out. "Squeeze the hand." He said and I did. I teared up as I heard my moms voice. "I love you mamas. Bien mucho mi niña chula." I looked up as Alice cried. "Play it again." She said.

"Grandma found a video of when you were born. She gave it to me and I made that for you." I hugged him. "I love it."

"I thought Christmas was supposed to be fun and happy. Everyone's crying." Said Jessie, the boys little cousin. We all laughed at him.

- - - - - - - - - -

We loaded up the car with the gifts before saying our goodbyes.