Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 104802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
“Anyone who has something to do with you is someone I need to worry about.”
Not because I’m his son, but because of our organization. It bears repeating because clearly, I’m still hoping for something more. “He’s a person no one is allowed to touch.”
“Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m giving you a lot of leeway right now, but don’t test me, son.”
“Son?” bursts out of my mouth. “Fuck you. You have no right to call me that. Ollie is mine. That’s all that matters. We’ll let you know what’s going on here if that’s what you want, but business only. My personal life and anyone who is mine has nothing to do with you. You are no one to me.” I end the call, shove off the table, walk over to a bush-lined brick building, and puke up everything in my stomach. Even when it’s empty, the cramping and gagging don’t stop.
I have no idea why that phone call is affecting me this way, why it feels like I’m being turned inside out.
Fuck him. He hasn’t been a father to me. He doesn’t get to pretend he gives a fuck about me now.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ollie
I’m walking out of the building from my third class of the day, when I see a shock of red hair peeking from around the building.
That better not be who I think it is.
I’m not proud of the way my feet stomp down the stairs, then on the sidewalk, until I round the corner and see Rory leaning against the wall, one of his legs bent, his foot flat against the brick, his arms crossed. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“I don’t think it is. You’re following me.”
“I’m not following you. You’re following me.”
“This is my class!”
He shrugs. “Semantics. Should we go get your shit and take you home?”
“Where’s Cillian?”
“You’re cute when you’re mad.”
“Oh my God. Would you stop flirting with me? I’m pissed at you—well, and him. Tell him I’m not coming.” If he can’t even keep his promise, why should I keep mine? Plus, he doesn’t even care enough to follow me himself? He sends Rory to do it for him?
There’s more stomping going on as I walk away.
I’m not surprised to hear footsteps behind me, and Rory steps up beside me, keeping pace. “You’re coming home with me.”
“You guys don’t make my decisions for me. I’m not your…I don’t know…capos or whatever.”
He laughs. “We’re not Italian, and those are mob bosses. Please come home with me. Cillian already had a bad day, and though he’ll probably be a dick the whole time, he’ll want you there. If not, he’ll come to you and then get into it with Tiernan.”
This is the second time Tiernan is brought up when it comes to me and Cillian. Is Cillian risking something by doing…whatever it is we’re going? “Why did he have a bad day?” I ask, my anger already softening, damn him.
“Just some shit with his dad, but it’s not my story to tell.”
“I’ve never even met his dad and I hate him.”
Rory cocks a red brow at me. “He talk to you about Rian?”
I toss his words back at him. “Not my story to tell.”
Rory laughs. “I see why Cil likes you so much. Seriously, though. Come home with me.”
“He sent you to babysit me after promising he wouldn’t!”
“Because he cares…and Cillian has never cared before.”
“If he cares so much, where is he?” The second the words slip out, I want them back. Why did I say that? Why do I feel that?
“Wait. So you’re not mad he lied about keeping an eye on you, just that he didn’t do it himself? Damn, Bunny. Maybe you’re more like us than I thought. Possessive over your man? Or at least you want him to be possessive over you.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Though it is, in some ways. “I shouldn’t have said that. My brain is in a weird place.”
“He would have been here. He needed to go to class, but we were going to switch places before he got all up in his head about his father. Come stay with us. He wants you. I want him to get what he wants.”
My heart gets melty. I’ve never met two people who love each other as much as Cillian and Rory. It’s a special relationship, one that’s maybe not completely healthy, but part of me wishes I had something like that too…just like part of me enjoys Cillian wanting to protect and take care of me. God, this is all so messed up.
“Fine, but only because he’s upset about the stuff with his dad. I can’t understand why he isn’t better to Cillian.”
“You and me both,” Rory says as we begin walking again. “Fuck, man, parents are hard. I’m glad I don’t have any.”
“Everyone has parents.”
“Yeah, I guess.”