Page 110 of Strange Lad

Speaking of, he’s completely content to let his brother manhandle me. I think Kelly is giving him a cup of water.Wow.

“I…know.” Phoenix sits up, still straddling me, but he seems to be calming down. “We needed to yell at each other, I think.”

“Hasn’t happened in a while,” I agree. The last time we argued like this was because he ate the last of my Pop Rocks and denied it. We wrestled like brothers until I got him in a headlock, pinched his nipples, and he screamed it was him.

“I’m pissed at you,” he huffs.

“Rightfully so.”

“And I’m going to be pissed for a while. Probably a few more weeks.” He shrugs. “But…”

“You love me?” I bat my eyelashes.

“Yeah. I love you. Fuckin’ curry pits.”

“Hey—oomph—”

Phoenix uses my stomach to push himself off me, forcing my legs to fly in the air.Jerk.

I scramble to my feet, realizing how ridiculous that whole fight was, but I feel much better. We both rub at our wet eyes and before he can get away, I lurch forward and hug him tightly. He hugs me back, sealing the broken bits with his platonic cuddle.

“I’m sorry,” I say, conveying all my sincerity in my tone.

“I’m sorry, too.” He gives me another squeeze, and then we separate.

“Will someone explain to me what thefuckall that was?” Michael demands, and we all look at him.

Right. Michael, Devon, and Kelly have no idea.

Shit.

Hooking my pinky finger through Oli’s, I lift my chin as Michael shakes his head. He doesn’t want to believe it. “That—he—are you sure?”

I gape at my friend and guitarist. Is he serious? Is Olisure? “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I snap.

Oli ducks his head, eyes on the floor. Phoenix stands beside his baby brother in solidarity while Kelly sniffles and holds herself. Devon glares at the wall.

“You were on something, right? Like…someone spiked your drink?” Michael all but begs the questions. Like, there’s still a possibility Oli doesn’t know who his rapist is.

“Are you fucking serious right now, Michael?”

“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Oli says under his breath, feet already turning to leave.

Phoenix grips Oli’s shoulder and says to Michael, “Your brother is a rapist, man. Get it through your thick skull.”

“Back off him, alright?” Devon blurts, rushing to Michael and whispering something in his ear.

“I’m sorry.”

The fact Oli even feels the need to apologize is raising my hackles. “Don’t be sorry for that,” I tell him, wanting to hold and comfort him, but I know now isn’t the time. He’s possibly overstimulated as is, and the last thing we need is for Oli to have another episode.

He’s so strong, so fucking brave, and he deserves praise and admiration. Not fucking denial. I don’t understand what’s up with Michael; he doesn’t even like Morgan! Their relationship has been strained foryears. Oli peeks at me, fear-stricken and green.

“You good?” Devon asks Michael, rubbing circles on his back.

Michael nods. “Yeah. I—fuck. Oli—,” his voice cracks, and he rubs at his face roughly. “What are you going to do, then?”

“I’m going to report him,” Oli whispers. He presses his shoulder into me, a silent plea to keep him safe and grounded.

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