Chapter 9
Theo
Theo hadn't expected to see him here.
He stood frozen behind the counter, the receipt machine printing away, the scent of pastries thick in the air — but his mind was elsewhere.
Carl Hale.
Carl freaking Hale.
Looking like he owned the place. Flashing his card like it was nothing. And he wasn't alone either — those girls, Valerie and the loud one with the bow — they were laughing with him like they were best friends.
Since when did Carl Hale start having friends?
Theo watched from the register as Carl smiled at something one of them said, then ducked his head a little when the loud one playfully shoved him. His expression was softer… lighter.
Almost happy.
Theo's jaw clenched.
He hated that he noticed.
He hated how effortlessly Carl fit into places he didn't even belong. How people leaned in closer when he talked. How someone like him — rich, distant, arrogant — somehow now had people at his side.
He hated how Carl looked at him like he didn't know him at all.
Theo turned back to the counter just as the doorbell jingled behind them. They were gone.
But Carl's image stuck in his mind like a splinter.
And no matter how many receipts he printed… or how many customers he smiled at… it stayed there.
He envied him. But more than that… he wanted to prove he could be just as much. Maybe even more.
He would succeed. He would make something of himself. And one day, he'd be able to stand tall beside people like Carl Hale — not under them.
He swore it.
---
Carl
Carl offered to drop both Valerie and Gina off.
He didn't even hesitate.
The car was warm, the city outside fading into night. Gina scrolled through her phone while Valerie hummed softly beside her. Carl leaned back, the arcade lights still flashing behind his eyelids.
His phone buzzed.
Robert: Hey, are you asleep?
Carl stared at the message for a moment, heartbeat ticking up. Gina noticed and raised a brow.
"This is it," she said dramatically as she opened the car door. "The mystery man texting you at night. Bye, lovers."
"Gina!" Valerie laughed.
Carl chuckled. "Is this where you live too?" he asked Valerie as Gina slammed the door behind her.
Valerie shook her head. "No, but it's not too far."
"Come on, I'll drop you."
"Yh, Val!" Gina called through the window before the driver pulled away.
Valerie smiled and slid back into the car.
Carl's phone buzzed again. He opened it.
He swallowed. I went out with some friends, he texted back.
Robert: That's good. You're having friends.
They kept messaging quietly while the driver cruised through Willow Ridge. It felt strangely normal — something Carl hadn't felt in a long time.
When they reached Valerie's house, she hopped out.
"Thanks, Carl. See you tomorrow," she said warmly, then disappeared inside.
The ride home was quiet.
His phone buzzed once more.
Robert: I missed you today.
Carl didn't reply right away. He stared out the window, his reflection barely visible in the dark glass.
---
When he got home, Grozel was already waiting by the door.
"You're late," she said. "You've barely been home these days. And when you do come back, it's always after dark."
Carl kicked off his shoes lazily. "I was out. With friends."
Grozel squinted. "Friends?"
"I swear," he said, laughing as he stepped inside. "I'm telling you the truth, Grozel. I went out."
She opened her mouth to speak, but Carl cut her off before she could scold him further.
"I'm not hungry, by the way. I already ate."
With that, he smiled — genuinely — and headed up the stairs, leaving Grozel staring after him.
He didn't look back.
But for the first time in a while… it felt like life was moving forward.
-----
Robert
Robert stared at his phone, thumb hovering over the screen.
Carl hadn't replied.
A small frown tugged at his lips. He shouldn't have sent that last message. "I missed you today." What was he thinking?
He dragged a hand through his hair with a sharp exhale. Deleting it now would be pointless—Carl had seen it already. Read it. Probably even reread it.
Stupid.
He tossed the phone on the nightstand and leaned back against the headboard, staring blankly at the ceiling.
He knew this was dangerous. Knew he was playing with fire. If even a whisper of what was going on between them got out—it wouldn't just be scandal. His whole career would be over. Years of work, trust, and reputation… gone.
And still—
There was something about that boy.
The way he looked at him like he was the only safe place in the world.
The soft flush of his cheeks when their hands brushed.
His rare, genuine smiles when he thought no one was looking.
The sadness in his eyes when he thought no one cared.
Robert rubbed his face, groaning quietly. You're in too deep.
He stood from the bed, the air of the room suddenly feeling too thick. His reflection in the mirror looked tired. Foolish. And worse… obsessed.
He made his way into the bathroom and turned on the tap, splashing cold water on his face. It didn't help much. His mind still raced.
"Get a grip," he muttered to himself.
But even as he said it, Carl's face lingered—his voice, his laugh, that night—everything about him was seared into Robert's thoughts like a brand.
He gripped the edge of the sink.
This wasn't just a fling anymore.
And he didn't know if that terrified him more… or excited him.