CHAPTER FIVE

THEO

The sound of running water woke me up at 5:30 AM.

I lay there staring at the ceiling of my childhood bedroom, listening to the shower on the other side of the wall. Elijah's shower, he was one room over. I could hear everything from the pipes to the water pressure changing, the faint sound of movement. I hated that I was listening.

I hated how I had grown to be hyperaware of everything he does.

I sat up and grabbed my running shoes before I could think about it anymore.

The house was dark and quiet when I slipped downstairs. Good. I needed to clear my head before I had to deal with any of them. The morning air hit my face as I took off down the street, pushing myself harder than necessary, trying to outrun the fact that I was going to spend the next month sharing a wall with Elijah Voss.

By the time I got back, sweating and exhausted, the sun was up and I could smell coffee. I should've showered first or maybe stayed outside longer. Instead I walked into the kitchen and there he was.

Elijah stood at the counter in nothing but sweatpants, hair still damp from his shower, pouring coffee into two mugs like he owned the place. His back was to me but I could see the water droplets still clinging to his shoulders and I needed to leave immediately.

"Theo!" My mother appeared from somewhere, beaming at both of us. "You're back! And Elijah's up too. You're both early risers."

"I guess." I moved toward the coffee pot but Elijah was in the way.

"You two should run together tomorrow morning," Mom said, and I felt something cold drop into my stomach. "Since you're both up anyway. It would be nice, don't you think?"

"I like to run alone." I said quickly.

Elijah turned around, holding a mug, and smiled at me over the rim. "That's fine. I prefer company, but I can be flexible."

I stared at him. He looked completely relaxed, like we were friends, like nothing had happened in that locker room a week ago. I wanted to punch him.

"Theodore, grab some coffee and sit," Mom said. "Breakfast is almost ready."

I poured myself a cup and sat at the table as far from Elijah as possible, which wasn't far because it was a four-person table. Elijah sat down across from me, still shirtless and looking completely at ease. I focused on my coffee and tried not to look at him.

Douglas walked in a minute later, already dressed, and kissed my mother on the cheek before sitting down. "Morning, boys."

"Morning," Elijah said.

I nodded.

Mom set out plates of eggs and toast, humming to herself. She looked happier than I had ever seen her my whole life. I watched her smile at Douglas and felt a twist in my chest because this was everything she and I had ever wished for even though she'd never admit it out loud.

"Theodore," Douglas said, "I could use your help moving some furniture later for the wedding prep. Elijah's going to assist as well."

Of course he was.

"What time?" I asked.

"After breakfast? Shouldn't take more than an hour or two."

I nodded and focused on my eggs. This was fine. I could handle this. It was just moving furniture and i'd survived worse.

"So we're thinking about the venue options," Douglas continued, looking between Mom and Elijah. "The garden location versus the hotel ballroom."

"Garden," Mom said immediately. "Its more intimate."

"I agree," Elijah said. "The hotel feels too formal."

I felt something brush against my ankle under the table.

I jerked my leg away and looked up. Elijah was still talking to Douglas about flowers or something, not even glancing at me. Maybe I'd imagined it.

Then it happened again. Slower this time and more teasing. His foot sliding along my ankle, up toward my calf.

I kicked him.

Not hard enough to be obvious to anyone watching, but hard enough that he'd feel it. He didn't even flinch. Just kept eating his scrambled eggs, nodding along to whatever Douglas was saying about centerpieces. His foot stayed exactly where it was, pressed against my leg.

"Theodore, what do you think?" Mom asked.

"About what?" Fuck, I had zoned out because of him.

"The venue. Garden or ballroom?"

"The garden's fine," I said. I pulled my leg back further under my chair. Elijah's foot followed, pressing more against my calf.

What the fuck was his problem?

"You're not paying attention," Mom said, but she was smiling.

"I'm paying attention." I was paying attention to the fact that Elijah was touching me under the table while discussing wedding venues with his father and I was about to lose my mind.

"What about the color scheme?" Douglas asked. "Your mother wants blue and cream, but I'm wondering if we should add gold accents."

"Sounds good," I said. My grip tightened on my fork.

Elijah's foot moved higher, just above my ankle now. I shot him a look across the table. He was buttering his toast, completely focused on Douglas, like nothing was happening. Like he wasn't doing this on purpose.

"Theodore seems distracted," Elijah said, glancing at me with those dark eyes. "Maybe he didn't sleep well."

"Did you sleep okay, honey?" Mom asked, concerned.

"I slept fine," I said through my teeth.

"The bed's not too small?" she pressed. "I know you're used to your place in the city."

"It's fine, Mom."

Elijah's foot shifted, the arch of it pressing against the inside of my knee. I could feel the warmth of his skin through my sweatpants. My heart was pounding and I hated that he could probably see it in my face.

"We should probably go over the guest list today," Douglas said. "Make sure we didn't miss anyone important."

"Good idea," Mom said. "Boys, you can help with that too. After the furniture."

"Of course," Elijah said smoothly. His foot slid down, then back up slowly. "Happy to help with whatever you need."

I shoved more eggs in my mouth and tried to focus on chewing to ignore the fact that my mother and Douglas were planning a month of activities that would force me and Elijah into constant proximity.

His leg moved up, almost to my inner thigh. I froze.

"Theodore, you're being very quiet," Mom observed.

"Ju-just tired from the run." I said.

"Maybe you pushed yourself too hard," Elijah suggested. "You were gone for a while."

"I'm fine."

"If you say so." His foot pressed in slightly, then retreated. The loss of contact felt worse than the touch and I hated myself for thinking that.

Douglas stood up and stretched. "Well, whenever you boys are ready, the furniture's in the garage. Take your time finishing breakfast."

"I'm done," I said, standing up so fast my chair scraped against the floor. "I'm going to shower before we move furniture."

"Good idea," Mom said. "Take your time."

I made it to the hallway before I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Theodore."

I stopped but didn't turn around. "What?"

Elijah moved closer. Close enough that I could smell his shampoo which smelled awfully like mine,making my jaw clench. I could also feel the heat from his body.

"I feel like collecting from the bet today," he said quietly, his voice low enough that no one in the kitchen could hear. "Get ready, more details coming soon."