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"Where is she?" I stamp my foot with impatience.

Two days and I've heard nothing from Marnie. The number of texts and calls going unanswered makes me worry. I know she's been feeling down lately, but that's why I'm here at the music store downtown.

What if something bad happened to her?

There was only one place I knew where to go. He had to know where she was. And why she was ignoring me.

His broad back faces me, I try not to focus on the tight muscles on his wide back clinging to his tight-fit t-shirt. He wears a silver chain around his neck complementing his rich beige skin tone. His light brown hair is messy and needs a brush through it, yet he's still dashingly good-looking.

Focus Sky.

He turns around and his warm orbs meet mine, looking slightly puzzled for a moment. He recognises me instantly and saunters closer, leaning on the counter casually like he owns the place, his customary grin tilted firmly on his lips.

He looks at me through hooded lashes, and his light brown eyes smoulder in that intense way of his. Strands of his hair fall over his forehead as his gaze bores a hole deep inside me. Theo defines drop-dead gorgeous. With his sinful good looks, ripped body, and dark brooding intensity. He is Marnie's older brother. So I can't go there.

"Where is who?" he asks like he doesn't know who I'm talking about.

I give him a stern look and he smirks wider. Ugh, boys...

"Marnie! I've tried texting and calling her for two days and nothing. She hasn't been at school either. What's going on?" he frowns, looking down at the counter between us and then he meets my eyes.

"I haven't spoken to her. I've been busy doing ten-hour shifts and getting home late. Have you tried going over to her house?"

I exhale. It did cross my mind but surprisingly I ended up here instead. "I was going to, but I don't think they'll let me through the gates."

His jaw locks and his eyes darken a shade. "Mariah always leaves the gates open... come on, I'll drive you there." he nods his head towards the back and walks away. My mouth falls open and I grab the strap of my bag tighter.

"It's okay, I'll just go on my own--" I stutter pathetically and he cuts me off. "I'm closing up now anyway, give me five minutes. I want to see if my sister is okay too." Well, I can't argue with that, can I?

"Okay."

The drive to Marnie's was awkward. There seems to be this tension surrounding us, maybe it's his delicious scent or charming personality. I've never had a crush before. I dated my childhood best friend Kyle for a week, he was a nice guy but there was no real spark between us. We ended things mutually.

After that, I had the blond bad-boy rockstar follow me around, flirting every chance he got. He was infuriating and in the end, I had to tell him to stop flirting. I think I hurt his ego and I felt bad for a while. I just didn't want to date him, so I needed to break the news lightly before he thought I was leading him on.

I look over at Theo while he drives his truck, he looks fatigued. He swipes a hand over his face and blinks rapidly. Marnie said he works so much to help his mother. Is he working himself too much?

My eyes trail his biceps which are roped with muscles, and his big hand on the starting wheel looks strong, rough with veins protruding. I wonder what they would look like wrapped around me?

I shiver at the thought. Holy-- "Are you cold? Do you want the heater on?"

My eyes meet his and a blush rises on my cheeks. "Uh no. I'm fine thanks." he nods his head accepting my answer and glances out the window the rest of the way.

Theo's right, Marnie's mother leaves the gates wide open for the public, we drive up the narrow road to the house, passing the green trees and grassland. As we pull up to the huge mansion, we climb up the steps and knock on the front door. Theo is massive compared to my small size while I awkwardly stand next to him. I notice how out of place he looks as he nervously rubs the back of his neck.

A middle-aged woman with salt and pepper hair opens the door who I remember to be Grace, the housekeeper. She smiles, opening the door wider to invite us in.

"She's in the living room," she whispers and Theo and I step into the next room. I see Marnie's white blonde hair and my heart drops when I see her face, blotchy and tear-streaked.

I immediately rush over enveloping my arms around her and causing her to stiffen. "Oh my God, I was so worried. Are you okay?"

Marnie's watery eyes glance between me and her brother and she sniffles. What happened to her? Did Reese do something else to upset her? I swear--

"My mom had a bad accident Friday night. She was drunk, we were fighting and she was trying to stop me from leaving and ended up falling on the stairs. Thankfully, she will be okay but the doctor told me her addiction has worsened and she needs to go to rehab." she explains.

Theo sits next to her while I crouch on the floor in front of her as she cries.

"I'm sorry for not reaching out, I'm just trying to digest everything." she looks at us with so much pain and regret that my heart hurts for her.

"It's okay, but we're here for you. You're not alone in this, whatever you need I'm only a phone call away." Theo says.

She nods. "I'm moving in with Nanny Grace on the other side of town. I'm going back to homeschooling for the rest of the school year. It's what's best, especially with the media following my every move, looking after my mom and selling my family home."

"Selling your home? Why?" I frown.

"Mom has gotten herself into a lot of debt because of her addiction, so we have no choice but to sell the place to pay it off."

"Shit," Theo mumbles, looking away.

"Reese came by yesterday. He apologised for the misunderstanding and begged for a second chance. It's too late."

I scoff, "That stupid jerk. I swear I'm gonna set fire to his motorbike and dance around the flames while he watches!"

Marnie gives me a sad smile and I notice Theo hiding a smirk. He struggles not to laugh and almost gives in. He coughs instead and looks away.

We sit and talk for another hour before Theo and I leave, when I get back into his truck, I sigh sadly. My best friend won't be coming back to school. I won't see her as much as I used to.

When Theo gets in the vehicle and starts the engine, he asks me if I'm okay. I nod my head, looking out the window for a moment. "She'll be okay Sky, don't worry. I'm glad she has a friend like you."

"I'm glad I have her. I'm just sad I won't see her much now." my stomach sinks just thinking about how lonely this year will be without her.

"So what are your plans after you graduate?" he changes the subject.

"I want to be a journalist. My dream is to work for the New York Times."

His eyes widen. "Woah. That's amazing. You must be very smart." he looks at me briefly before looking back at the road ahead.

I shrug a shoulder. "Everyone has dreams. It's what I'm most passionate about and I won't stop until I reach my goal."

A huge grin breaks out on his face and I'm stunned. He's beautiful. "I like that, Sunshine."

I blush and look away.

"So... Marnie says you work full-time at the music store. Do you like it?" I remember Marnie telling me that Theo lives with a few others in a rough neighbourhood but he works to help out his mother. That is the sweetest thing I'd ever heard, a guy looking after his mother is so nice.

His face turns passive as he stares ahead. "Job is a job. I do a lot of overtime to help my mom out. Money might be tight but we make do."

I bite my lip, thinking for a second. "Do you sing, like Marnie?"

He chuckles. "No, I'm afraid I'm not blessed with an awesome voice like my baby sis. I like boxing and martial arts."

Oh. So that's where those muscles came from. Nice.

"Really? Could you teach me some?" I ask without thinking.

He looks at me, his eyes twinkling. "I wouldn't have guessed that's what you're into, Sunshine."

I cross my arms and scowl. "Why?"

He looks over my figure with a small smile on his perfect full lips. "Well, you look like the bookworm type."

How would he know? Okay, maybe it's obvious. But I would like to take a class, especially after what happened at that club not long ago. "Well, maybe I want to learn self-defence lessons."

Theo rests his head back on the seat, his eyes far away. I can't believe I just asked him to teach me. Me and my big mouth. "What do I get in return?"

My belly fills with butterflies and I gulp, "What do you want?"

No dirty thoughts Sky.

"Let me take you out," he says straight away.

"Excuse me?" Well...

"Let me take you out for dinner, as friends." my heart still gallops at the mention of a date. A date with a friend.

"I don't think Marnie will approve." I breathe out.

"Relax Sunshine, it's just a friend hanging out with another friend." I feel sort of excited knowing this guy wants to spend time with me. But what if this is dangerous? I hardly know anything about this guy other than what Marnie has told me. Would I trust him?

"Fine. But we're having Tacos. I'll pick you up tomorrow, around 7. Is that okay with you?" I know a small place not far from mine, it's a very public place where I will feel safe. I also have pepper spray in my bag just in case.

I know I can trust Theo, the only vulnerable thing is my heart.

His eyes gleam in amusement. "Yes ma'am." he pulls up near the music store where my Beetle is still parked on the corner.

I click my tongue before opening the passenger door and jumping out. "Thanks for the ride. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

He reveals that shit-eating grin I love so much and my legs wobble. "Looking forward to it. See you soon, Sunshine."

I slam the door closed and walk to my car with a skip in my step, feeling his hot gaze on me the entire time.

What am I doing? I know I shouldn't be doing this, but deep down I know I want to. There's something between us. That spark I've always desired and I'm intrigued to know if it's real or not. As I glance back at the man in his truck, I realise that there's a huge possibility I may fall in love with the guy.

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