Page 21 of Here We Go Again

Especially when he’s coming to the hospital for such a good cause.

It turns out the nurse who was leaving with Emily that day in the garage, a woman named Lexie, works on the peds floor, and she did recognize Theo. As soon as she found out that Emily knows me and that I know him, she reached out to see if I would ask him to visit one of her patients, a twelve-year-old hockey player in the middle of his chemo treatments for leukemia. The Jaguars are his favorite team, and the Williamson twins are his favorite players.

At the time, I had already drafted a text to Theo explaining that I was happy to have seen him but I wasn’t up for dinner. It felt like the safest option. The smartest way to follow my rules and protect myself. I was still working up the nerve to actually send the message, but then Lexie gave me a reason to text something different, and who was I to say no? A kid with cancer is definitely more important than my rules. So I’m taking one for the team and working hard to convince my stupid, traitorous heart that I’m not at all excited to see him again.

“Becca.”

I spin around to see Theo standing behind me. I’ve been watching the front door, so I have no idea how he got past me, but the surprise of seeing him makes me fumble the magazine I’ve been using as a fan.

I reach down to pick it up and bump my shin into the coffee table.

“Oof,” I say as I finally manage to right myself. I reach up and smooth down my hair, which is annoyingly stuck to my lip gloss, and let out a little huff.

“You all right?” Theo asks, his lips lifting in a tiny half smile.

“Fine,” I grumble, even as my cheeks heat with embarrassment. This is not how this encounter was supposed to go. I’m supposed to be cool and collected, relaxed and in control.

Stupid sweaty armpits. This is all their fault. “I didn’t see you come in.”

“I came up the elevator,” he says. “I parked in the garage so I could drop off a few things for Dean’s kid.” He holds up a gift bag marked with the Georgia Jaguars team logo. “I brought double of everything. Figured since I was here…”

Warmth spreads behind my sternum. He brought double of everything. Of course he did.

“That was really nice of you,” I say.

Theo is wearing his Jaguars jersey—likely an intentional move, considering the nature of his visit. It looks good on him—almost too good—and I force myself to look away from his broad chest and focus on his face.

Which … this is not better. He’s clean shaven, blue eyes popping against his summer-tanned skin, and I feel a sudden impulse to run my hand over his jaw.

I take a tiny step backward just to make sure I won’t.

“It’s no trouble,” Theo says, hesitating the slightest moment before adding, “It’s nice to see you again.”

I nod my head and manage a smile. “Yeah. Likewise. Should we go upstairs? Lexie’s waiting for us. Garrison knows he’s getting a surprise visitor this afternoon, but he has no clue who it is.”

“Awesome,” Theo says. “I hope he isn’t disappointed.”

I let out a little laugh as we turn and walk toward the elevator. “You don’t need to worry about that. If Lexie’s texts are any indication, he might lose his actual mind.”

Theo nods. “So, how’s he doing? Garrison? Is he expected to make a recovery?”

“Fortunately, he’s got the kind of leukemia that’s easier to beat. His chemo is working, so for him, it’s mostly a matter of endurance, staying strong through the treatments.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Theo says. “It’s good he’ll be able to play again.”

“He should,” I say. “Lexie took me by to meet him this morning. He seems like a great kid.”

Theo adjusts the collar of his jersey as we step off the elevator, and I notice a faint sheen of sweat on his upper lip.

“You okay?” I hear myself ask, almost without realizing I’m doing it.

“I’m good,” Theo says a little too quickly, and I lift an eyebrow. His expression turns sheepish. “I’m good,” he repeats. “Carter tends to be a little better at stuff like this. I don’t usually do it without him.”

“Stuff like … talking to fans?”

“Sure. Kids, especially.”

I eye him carefully. In high school, Theo rarely struggled to talk to anyone. But he did struggle when it came to talking about his feelings, and I often thought all his showmanship was a cover for what was really going on inside his brain. In retrospect, that should have been a clue for what was coming. When all those feelings on the inside got too big for him to process on his own, he basically imploded.