XXXVIII
"You can't marry Axel, Sophie." he blurts out instead of greeting me back.
I frown. What on Earth is he talking about? "What do you mean?"
"Don't marry Axel. Just... Don't. It's a bad idea." he says again and I'm as confused as ever. "Can I come in?" he adds after a while when I stay speechless. Not knowing what to say, I just open the door a little further, signaling him to enter.
"Thanks." he mumbles and enters, taking his jacket off. "It's snowing like crazy."
"Did you fly here all the way from the States just to tell me not to marry Axel?" I ask him. I'm not exactly sure how to feel about that. He stops what he's doing and looks at me. "Just to tell you not to marry him? Sophie, this is a big thing! This is huge! I left home as soon as Liam told me because I knew I wouldn't be able to convince you over the phone."
I cross my arms over my chest, ignoring the fact that people are talking about us marrying when I can't even begin to imagine Axel popping the question. "And why exactly shouldn't I marry him?"
Theo sighs. "Isn't it obvious? He's bad for you, Soph. How can you be certain that he's going to stay loyal to you? That he won't hurt you like he did a million times in the past? I know you are in love with him but don't you think that marriage requires a little more stability in the relationship?" he makes some valid points, I have to admit, but that doesn't sway me from the fact that he's here, trying to ruin my relationship again.
"Where is he, anyway?" he asks, looking around the house. He's impressed, I can tell.
I open my mouth to reply, but stop myself. If I'm going to say that he's stayed the night out, it's just going to add the fuel to the fire and I'm not ready to seriously consider what he's talking about. I've been living in a little bubble of happiness over the last few months, and I can cope with the fact that maybe it's not good for me.
"Who is talking about us getting married? And how did you get our address?" I ask instead of answering and Theo sighs, coming closer to take both my hands in his.
"Everyone, it's not exactly a secret back there. And Liam gave me the address. You're avoiding the question. He's not home, is he? Did he do something shitty again?" he asks, then hits the nail on the head. "Did he go out and not return?"
I stay quiet, giving my silent confirmation. He rolls his eyes and throws his arms in the air. "I knew he was being an asshole again, I knew it! See, Soph, this is exactly the shit that I'm talking about! How will you ever be able to trust him?"
I take my hands away from his, shaking my head. "Stop it, Theo. I'm staying with Axel, I love him and I'm carrying his child."
"Yeah, while he's out getting shit-faced. Don't do this to yourself, Sophie, I'm begging you. I can't even begin to explain how much better you deserve! Marriage is for life, not for some teenage crush!" he's speaking louder and louder and I can't help but roll my eyes. "And who do you suggest I should be with, then? You?"
I'm being mean, but he's being meaner. Sure, his intentions are good, but this topic is too sensitive for me to be talked about in this way. Theo frowns, looking hurt. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"Look, Theo," how do I put this into words? "It's not necessary a bad thing, but I truly am in love with Axel, you know that. I'm never going to love anyone the way I love him, he's the love of my life." I know it hurts him to hear these words, but he has to realize that.
"You don't know that. You've never been in a relationship with anyone but him. How do you know that I wouldn't be able to make you happier? I'm sure I wouldn't be staying out all night like he is, that's for starters." he presses and I mentally groan.
"Theo, you're simply not him. I'm sorry, but it's the way it is. He has his flaws," he snorts at that, but I continue, "but I have them, too. I'm never not going to love him."
"I don't buy that shit." he's getting annoyed, but so am I.
"Theo..."
"No, Soph, I don't buy that! Actually, I'm quite sure that you don't even love him, but you think you do because he has you trapped! Just think about it - everything around you is closely related to him. You can't even begin to think about leaving him because it would me you wouldn't just lose him, but this house, most of your friends, even your mom would remind you of him considering she's with his coach! Your best friend is dating his sister, and you'd have to share a child, but think of how many parents are divorced and their kids are just fine. He's not making you happy, he's making you feel trapped, I know it!" his words are flowing out of his mouth like an angry volcano erupting and I push all doubt about my relationship to the back of my head in a small little sad place filled with doubts, focusing rather on the fact that this person is trying to ruin my favourite thing in the world.
"That's not true." I shake my head.
"Sophie, please, think about what I'm saying, please. I promise you, I can make you ten times happier." he's coming closer with each word and I shake my head. "No, Theo-"
"Please, just give me a chance..." and with that, his lips attach to mine.