Page 89 of Sweet Vengeance
Ollie
“How did youdo on your test?” I ask Rory as we sit on the back porch. We’d gone into the kitchen, where I got a bottle of water, and he’d surprised me by getting one for himself too. Somehow, we ended up out here, where Cillian and sometimes Rory give me self-defense lessons. Despite knowing what happened to the guys who hurt me, I still want to keep up the lessons. I’m determined to be able to take care of myself.
“You’re the only one who asks me shit like that.”
My hackles rise. “Yes, I know, I’m a nerd who cares about things like that, but—”
“That’s not what I meant. I like that you ask me, even though school is fucking dumb.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one.”
“I’m just sayin’, you’re the only one who tries to keep me on track with that stuff. The guys do with other things, Cillian more than the rest, but it makes sense with them. It’s different with you.”
His words bounce around in my head as I try to piece together what he’s saying. “Because I’m with Cillian?”
He shrugs. “Partly, but also because there’s something special about you. Cil sees it, of course, but I do too, only notin the same way.”
My skin prickles with heat, but I try to tamp it down. “Whatever. I know I annoy you.”
“Yes.” He grins. “But only because you want me to make smart decisions, while the rest of them let me fuck off more often.”
We share a laugh.
“But it makes me feel…connected to you, and him…which I need.” My heart thuds against my chest, Rory’s words an echo inside me. “So thanks for that, being cool with it and all, and accepting Cillian unconditionally.”
I do accept Cillian, and strangely, I do understand their relationship, but there’s more to my actions than I think he sees. “I don’t just do it for him,” I admit. “The stuff with you. It’s not only because I’m in love with Cillian. It’s because you matter. I mean, youhavebeen my babysitter more than once.”
He huffs out a laugh. “You suck at teaching chess.”
“You suck at playing chess.”
“That’s because my teacher was shit.” Rory nudges my arm with his. “Thanks, Bunny. I’m glad it’s you for him.”
“I’m glad it is too.” But also… “I’m glad it’s you for him as well…the way you two are.”
We sit there together, the noise from inside muffled through the walls. When the back door opens behind us, I feel a shift in the air and know it’s Cillian.
“Hey,” he says, coming over to sit beside me, pressing me between him and Rory.
“Hey.” I drop my head against Cillian’s shoulder, Rory’s leg pushed against mine.
“You didn’t kidnap him very far,” he tells Rory.
“He’s getting too good at fighting. I was afraid he’d kick my ass if I tried to take him away from you.”
I roll my eyes but appreciate the gesture. “Yeah, right.”
“Come on, Kitten, you’re badass.”
“You have to say that. You’re my boyfriend.”
“I’m not your boyfriend, though. You know it was me who taughtyourboyfriend to fight.” Rory raises a brow.
“What-the-fuck-ever,” Cillian counters.
“It’s true. We were like six and—”
“Six years old!” I interrupt Rory.
