Surviving Love (LarssonSiblingSeries#6)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

THEO

I'm at work the next day when I get a FaceTime call from Laine. I put the box of screws down to go into the stockroom to take the call, seeing as though it's a slow day. The back of the phone rests against the bottle of drink on the table so I can sign to her.

There's blurriness on the screen at first that clears to show George which surprises me. My mouth pulls into a big grin. "Hey."

George is laid on his bed with his arm resting over his stomach. "We better be quick, because mum is in the shower and doesn't know I'm calling you. She said I shouldn't disturb you at work, but I have such a good idea that I need to share with you."

I don't think he took a breath through that entire sentence. I chuckle. "Shame. Okay then."

"I can help you with your YouTube channel. We can make cool videos about games and stuff," he says, eyes so bright that I don't have the heart to tell him that that isn't going to happen.

"Good idea. Think about," I reply, making sure that my tone is light enough for him to think I'm not passing his ideas off.

Happy with this, he settles back into the pillows to get comfortable. "What you doing?"

"Stacking shelves," I reply, tipping back in my chair to make sure the store is still empty which it is. "You?"

There's the sounds of a door closing before the screen goes black. I think George put me face down on the bed because I can still hear the muffled sounds of Laine's voice.

I'm aware then, a strong sense of something washing over me by simply hearing her speak.

"Did you just call Theo when I said not to do?" she says, and it's clear she's not all that mad about it.

There's a rustling sound from the bedsheets. "Yes, but he answered, mum."

Suddenly there's light, and the beautiful face of the woman who's driving me slightly crazy. It's impossible to think of anything but her, as she quite literally turns me inside out. I'm hot for her. Like burning so hard that I have to take cold showers now.

"Hey, baby," I say when she pops on screen with her skin all a glow from her shower.

The softness in her gaze is back. "Hey, I'm sorry he bothered you at work. I need to change my password on my phone."

"Fine." I can't stop staring at her. My gaze eating her alive. "Don't mind."

She must spot the look in my eye, because she starts fiddling around with her wet hair. "He really likes you, Theo. Thank you for being so cool around him."

"Teddy." I try to explain when she's suddenly confused. It's a nickname that people who're special to me call me by, aside from my bozo of an ex-roommate, who overheard my sister calling me it on a phone call. "Call me, Teddy."

She softly giggles. "Okay, but, really, thank you for accepting him."

This is a worry for her, which I completely understand. I would imagine that it's been a problem for her with past romances, so she's feeling the need to apologise now. She doesn't need to, but I get it. I really do.

I check on the store front again, using my hands to talk this time. "No need to thank me. Like I said before, he's a part of you." And, I want you to be mine, so that makes him my responsibility too.

"We were up most of the night chatting about dinner at your house. I think he's after another invite if you're offering one," she signs back on an unsure smile.

I nod my head. "Anytime, you know this. Why don't you both come over on Saturday? We can have a movie night, or something."

"Perfect," she whispers, flashing me her bright white smile. It's a contrast against the milkiness of her complexion. "Are we still going to the gym tonight?"