Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 84289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Niko, you’re going to need to chill out,” Sev tells me, already reaching for his winter hat. “Your boyfriend wants to help you. Learn to accept it.”
Sev fucking knows he’s not really my boyfriend.
But does he know that Oliver is going to be etched onto my heart forever?
22
Oliver
Oliver, scrolling through Niko’s private profile for the first time, months ago
Username: Hercules2210
The first time I find his profile, I knew I was done for.
It was something about the way he spoke, when he was close to the edge.
The way he moved.
Had I always wanted Niko, and just couldn’t admit it?
How could I ever look away?
Roman gets back from his family Christmas just in time for me to recruit him for my plan, too.
I’m running on pure adrenaline.
I can’t stop to think or I’ll question myself.
And for once, I need to just go.
“Hop in the Mustang,” I tell him as I’m parked outside Onyx House with Niko in the front seat and Sevan in the back.
Roman doesn’t even ask questions.
Knew he’d be good for it.
We park far enough away from the administration building. There are cameras outside of the front door of every building on the Crimson campus, but as far as I can tell, nobody checks them unless they have reason to.
But I’m going to cover all of my bases.
I have dark sticky notes, and I get out of the car first and pull my black beanie over the front of my face.
My heart is pounding. I feel like a fucking criminal. I suppose I am, right now, but there are more important things on my mind.
I’ve never broken rules before, let alone ones this big.
But it’s fucking worth it.
There are four buildings in between where we parked and where we need to go. Cold air blows in through the fibers of my beanie as I squint through tiny holes in the fabric, walking up to the campus admissions building first.
I can see the little security camera hovering just over the front door. There’s already a little coating of snow on the front lens, which is good because it means I’m less likely to be noticed, but bad for my sticky note. I approach from the side, quickly stick the dark sticky note on it, and it falls to the ground.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
My heart beats like a drum.
I keep expecting someone to burst out through the front door of the building, but I know most people on campus are still home for the holiday.
Security makes their rounds every handful of minutes around campus, but I’ve talked to those guys before. They’re chill. Way more chill than they should be.
Right now, the nearest security guard is most likely idling under some awning, getting a break from the snow, and looking down at his cell phone for a few minutes.
I have a plan B for the sticky notes, though.
I pull out a small roll of duct tape I have in my jacket pocket, tear off a piece, and use it to stick the note on more easily.
And then I head to the next building. I approach each camera from the side and stick a note in front of the lens.
If anyone is actively monitoring them right now, then we don’t have much time.
I run back to the car in the snow, push my beanie back on my head, and move the gearshift in the car.
“All good?” Roman asks.
“So far. I think. I hope.”
“I’m going to live the rest of my life in regret if you get caught doing this, Oliver,” Niko says, running a hand through his hair.
I’ve never seen him so nervous.
When he breaks rules, it seems like he doesn’t have a shred of regret.
But now that I’m doing it, he may as well have a halo over his head.
Kind of cute.
But I’m also not going to stop.
I drive the car through the snow, up into the administration building parking lot.
“Okay. Roman, can you help me get Sev’s chair out of the trunk?” I ask.
We’re outside a moment later. Roman is even faster than me, and he’s also well-versed in doing bad things.
The two of us set the wheelchair up and help Sev into it.
Niko’s still looking up at me from the car like he’s sick. His door is open, but he’s not outside, yet.
“I don’t want you to do this for me,” he says again. “But I know you’re going to.”
I lean over and kiss him. “Damn right, I am.”
We get Sev wheeled up to the front of the building within another minute. I keep my head on a swivel as he works to pick the lock of the building door.
Every time I see any movement, I panic a little.
I see a leaf falling off a goddamn tree and I think it’s someone coming.
I see a squirrel dart across the edge of the parking lot and I watch Niko jump behind me, too.