Page 134 of The Penalty

Oliver scoffs. “Good thing you didn’t have the privilege of being the first born.”

“I definitely would have killed myself. So don’t fucking tempt me.” Owen says earning no reaction from Oliver.

“Care to elaborate on your opinion, Rhys?” Oliver asks at length.

“I’m not sure. Can I get more information?” I hedge.

“Of course. Do you have a lawyer who can walk through things with you?” Oliver gets up, coming back with a three-inch stack of papers, which he drops on the coffee table in front of me. “It’s a rather complicated offer that sounds better than it is because of some of the clauses in sub section 41d. There is also some tricky language in amendment K, L, and X1.7.”

Asshole.

I pick up the massive document and my stomach drops. I wouldn’t even know where to start. “I guess I’m going to have to find a lawyer.”

“I can send you some names.” Owen puts his hand on my forearm.

“Thank you.” I set the document back down. “How long do I have?”

“A day, two at most. They will force a vote as soon as possible. I can only buy so much time.”

How the fuck am I supposed to digest this all in one day? Let alone deal with mid-terms this week, and Tobi? Fuck.

I leave with a promise Oliver will send a copy to my lawyer once I retain one.

I get to the street and don’t know what to do with myself.

Between this and Tobi, I’m so fucking lost.

All I know is I want to see Teddy and just have him hold me.

Not The Enemy: I booked a hotel. Meet me there.

Double Stuffed: y we have rooms

Not The Enemy: I want you to myself tonight without any risks.

I brace for the misunderstanding, my thumb hovering over the button to call him.

Not The Enemy: I really need this.

Double Stuffed: ill meet u there

THIRTY-SIX

TEDDY

The hotel is fancy as fuck. My Crocs make a squeaky sound on the tile floor that’s as shiny as a mirror. I bet if I had a skirt on, you could see right up it, in the reflection. Being a girl must be exhausting.

Rhys is waiting in the lobby, and he grabs my hand and pulls me into the elevator without so much as a howdy-duty. I don’t know what’s going on, but he said he needed me, so here I am.

In the elevator, he pins me to the wall and buries his face in my chest. I drop my duffle bag and wrap my arms around him.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” he grumbles.

I kiss the top of his head. “Are you going to tell me about it first?”

He looks up at me. “First?”

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