Page 57 of Six
“I’m fine. I’m staying at Rague’s.”
“Rague?”
“King Kong Jr.” I roll my eyes at the nickname.
“OMG. You shagged him, didn’t you?” When I only sigh, he lets out a loud high-pitched scream that forces me to pull the phone away from my ear. “You slut! I bet he knows how to use that huge meat puppet. Please tell me he does. I live vicariously through you at the moment. Pleeeeease.”
Exasperated and knowing he won’t let it go, I reluctantly reply, “Yes, he’s…fuck. He’s amazing.”
Lori sighs contently. “Give me a minute of silence to imagine it.”
“Fuck off, I don’t want you drooling over my…” I freeze, stopping the word that’s coming from my mouth.
“Your what?” Lori’s voice has turned soft.
“Goddam, Lori, I don’t know.” I push away from the railing.
“Codswallop! Try again.”
“I feel. I fuckingfeel!” Wow, I finally said it aloud—well almost.
But my allergic-to-more-than-a fuck best friend gets it. “Oh ho. Does he reciprocate?”
After overhearing his phone call yesterday, I’m doubtful. He has an agenda. And he’s hiding it from me. Does it involve me?
I don’t say any of it to Lori. He’s like a blood-thirsty guard Chihuahua. Don’t want to sic him on Rague. “I’ve been staying at his place after Dick threw me out and I got sick, and Rague has been quite…attentive.”
“I beg your fucking pardon? There’s too much bloody excitement I’m not involved in. You couldn’t wait for my return?” he yells, and again: phone…large space…my ear.
I retell the last few days to him while he lets out a few weird expletives.
“You can’t go back to Dick, Ollie. I will go Rio Carnival crazy on your ass.” I think he means it as a threat. “If your next fight isn’t a fair one, there must be something Dick has cunningly planned.”
“Sully is coming back in three days, and Dick is still his guardian. You know he has connections with the police. I can’t leave my little brother alone with that scum.”
“Fuck. How about Rague, can’t he do something? You said he crushed a man’s hand with his fist, for fuck’s sake. By the way, my briefs are getting very uncomfortably tight at the thought.”
“Lori, fucking stop.” I laugh. Because although it bugs me how he talks about Rague, I know flirting is just an innate part of him.
“I can’t ask him. Dick has friends everywhere, he could destroy Rague’s life.”
“I’m pretty sure your boyfriend can defend himself.”
Boyfriend. One word can hold so fucking much. But it tastes half-bitter with all the unanswered questions.
“That is the most moronic smile I have ever seen on your face.”
“How can you see my smile?” I look around, feeling watched all of a sudden.
“Jedi powers,” he answers drily.
“That doesn’t even make sense.” I slide my hand into the outside pocket of my backpack and pull out the keys.
“Rague and Ollie kissing in a tree, k-i-s-s…” His girly singing voice is cut off by abrrr.
“Where are you?” I ask.
“Fucking loath my boss.”
