Page 67 of Butterfly

He didn’t realise Teddy had not only managed to open the door without him noticing but had stepped into the cell.

“Hey,” Ollie blurted, jumping to his feet. He hid the letter behind his back, earning him a frown. Teddy had already seen. “Good workout?”

Teddy grunted.

Ollie dropped the letter back into the bottom drawer, but Teddy pinned it with his foot before Ollie could shove it closed.

“It’s nothing,” Ollie said. “Those spam letters I told you about.”

Teddy raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, so maybe they’re not spam.”

Teddy’s eyebrow lifted higher.

Ollie slumped. “Leo got in contact with some guy who thinks he might be able to get me out of here.”

A stuttered breath left Teddy. His complexion paled as he took a step back, wide-eyed, and mouth flapping.

“I’m not interested,” Ollie said quickly. “I’m not going to appeal.”

He got up, took a step towards Teddy, but a hand shot up, blocking him from getting closer. Ollie glanced at the trembling hand, then to Teddy’s devastated face. Teddy no longer looked him in the eye; he stared solemnly at the ground.

“I’m happy right where I am,” Ollie whispered. “With you.”

Teddy sighed sadly through his nose.

“I mean it.” He crouched down to shove the drawer shut, hiding the letters and the plan that might take him from Teddy.

He didn’t want that, and from the way Teddy appeared to shrink in on himself, he didn’t want that either.

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

Although his gut twisted a notch with thoughts of Leo on the outside, the tentative glance Teddy shot him loosened it again. It was hope. Teddy’s chest rose and fell, quicker and quicker, as he risked another look at Ollie.

Those three words were on the tip of Ollie’s tongue again, but he didn’t speak them. He shot to his feet, pushing his chest against Teddy’s hand. He pushed and pushed until Teddy pulled his hand away and Ollie fell chest to chest against him.

He looked up at Teddy through his lashes. “Hi…”

Teddy smiled, but it was fragile. He stroked Ollie’s hair, gazing down at him like he might disappear at any moment.

“You’re not going to lose me.”

Teddy squeezed his eyes shut. Ollie beat a gentle fist to his chest. “You’re not.”

Teddy captured Ollie in a hug, resting his chin on the top of Ollie’s head; he swayed them.

Ollie relaxed against him.

Freedom. His brother. Life on the outside.

It wasn’t enough.

Not if it meant losing Teddy.

11

Olliegroanedashewoke, croaking out a “What is it?” while Teddy shook him. He blinked blearily, bringing Teddy into focus.

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