Vanessa leaves me to myself as she walks back to her car. I was standing near the door when Theo came into a halt and gave me a small smile.

″Vanessa?″ I questioned which made him a bit nervous.

″Yeah, uh. It's a bit complicated.″

″Complicated as in?″

″As in, I'm not sure if.. if I'm the father.″ My mind begins to shut down, unwilling to think anymore. Perhaps this is shock, I'm not sure.

″Wh.. what?″

″Steph-″

″Since when?″

″Since now. Steph, I didn't know how I was supposed to tell you but-″

″-- I.., you know, I should go.″

″Steph, please, let me explain.″

″No, it's fine, Theo. Honestly, I think I could use some space right now.″

″Stephanie.″

″I have to go,″ I cut him off and walked over to my car. The sudden news passed me like a hurricane. It was unexpected and it was hurting me so fucking much.

I know I could've just stayed and listened to his side but it was too much at the moment. Not only running to Vanessa but also knowing that there is a possibility it's Theo's child.

I can't.

Not right now.

...

Later that night, I helped out with Mitchell for dinner. My mom was out with her friends since it's girl's night and I was stuck at the house eating dinner and watching a game on ESPN.

Tonight's dinner was spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread. After drinking my water and washed my dishes, I head over to the bathroom and took a warm shower.

I stepped into the shower, toes flinching as they touched the chilled ceramic floor. My mind was in shreds; I would never get Theo out of my mind.

Theo's face, eyes, hair, and those lips my goodness. I covered my hands on my face, pressing it hard. It felt like I wanted to erase him away but my brain didn't allow me to do so.

After the shower, I went to my bedroom and looked at my phone to see if there were any missed notifications. Through my Imessage, I saw Theo text message.

Hey Steph, It's me.

What I couldn't ignore was my near-constant thoughts about Theo and how I felt connected to him in a way that made me catch my breath.

"I got a reply moments later.

May I call you?

I felt instantly nervous. Talk to him over the phone? Hear his silky voice, his measured breathing? It was infinitely more intimate than a text. Before I could write back, my cell phone rang.

Oh god, it's him.

I grabbed the phone but let it ring one more time so I wouldn't seem anxious.

"Hello?"

"You don't mind that I called, do you?" His voice was relaxed, calm like he was lying in bed. It felt strangely intimate to think we were both in bed talking to each other. I forced myself to sound normal.

"Theo, hi. No, no, of course not." Why am I so nervous?

″Stephanie.″

″Theo.″

A painfully long pause. I didn't know what to say, but I was relieved he couldn't see me bite my lower lip, my cheeks reddening.

″Do you hate me?″ He said in a whisper.

″No, Theo. I wish you could've told me.″

″I was afraid.″

″Afraid of what?″

″That you don't want to be around me because of... you know.″

″Theo, I do want to be around you. But, I don't know how I feel right now, knowing that Vanessa is.. you know, pregnant.″

″I know, I get it.″

"Before I could ask, he spoke again. "Stephanie..."

"Yes?"

"Can I call you again? Tomorrow night?″

″I'll think about it," I replied, trying to keep my tone platonic.

″Alright.″

"It's late..."

"You're right. Sweet dreams Stephanie."

''Sweet dreams.''