Page 69 of Until Him

His breath hitches beneath the hood and I want to slide it off, but I decide to respect his wishes and take a step back. The guide is leading us back outside anyway, so it’s time to go. When I emerge outside, I see Logan and Finn talking, their arms linked.

That could be Theo and me, but instead, I’m here alone. Theo is loitering inside somewhere.

“Alright, ladies,” I say, moving toward my brother and best friend. “How is that so mind-boggling every single time we come here?”

My brother laughs and knocks me with his fist.

“It’s crazy, right?”

“So crazy,” I repeat.”

After a moment, Finn asks, “Where’s Theo?”

I tilt my head back to the shack. “Trying to figure out how this place works. He says it’s all an illusion.”

“He’s a smart guy, huh? You like him?” Landon asks and I eye my brother.

Fuck, if this was any other time in our lives, Landon would be the one I’d share this whole thing with. He knows the inner workings of my brain, but it’s been a year of radio silence between us. Because ofme. Because I didn’t want to bother him with my woes when he was getting his fucking leg chopped off.

Motherfuck.

“I want to know,” Landon says softly. “I want to know these things. Know what’s going on with you. You can tell me, Logan.”

I swallow and blink rapidly. I want to tell him so badly, but the words get stuck in my throat. I can’t fucking do it.

Guilt is a barrier that keeps all the goodness out. It eats you alive while you writhe in agony.

“When I know what’s going on, I’ll tell you,” I mumble.

Landon watches me and then gives me a clipped nod and hell, I almost just let it all spill out right then, about how confused I am about Theo. I clear my throat and stand straighter as the man we’ve been talking about approaches. The fucking hood is still over his head; I swear I’m going to cut the damn thing off when he’s not looking.

“You ready to go?” Finn asks.

Theo keeps his distance as we make our way back down the hill, but my eyes are on him the entire time. I can’t peel my eyes away. When we reach the bottom, the four of us peruse the gift shop. Landon moves away from Finn and suddenly Theo swoops in, tugging Finn into a corner near the mugs and bumper stickers.

I’m surprised Finn let Theo pull him away from Landon.Ican barely pull Finn away from Landon.

Must be important.

“What are they up to?” I mutter as I watch Theo lean into Finn and hold up a finger. He looks serious, much too serious.

Shit. They’re conspiring. I want to know what they’re planning, but before I can get close enough, they’re pulling apart and Finn is striding back to my brother.

“What was that about?” I ask.

“Nothing.”

Only, it’s not nothing, because while we’re sitting down for lunch, Finn and Theo suddenly get up from the table, leaving Landon and me all alone.

Those motherfuckers.

Oh, Theo, thinking he’s so clever. I’m going to throttle him later.

Or kiss him.

Or maybe throttle him while I kiss him.

“They did this on purpose,” Landon says, fiddling with the fork on the tabletop. “I knew something was up because Finn was acting weird.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com