Page 47 of Light My Fire Three Times
“Look, Olivia,” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose, trying to push down the irritation that’s rising in my chest. “Again, I’m not mad that you’re here. I’m pissed that Karl thought he could make decisions for both of us without even talking to me. That’s the problem.”
She gives a small laugh. Bitter, but not entirely mocking. “That’s the problem? Really? You’re mad about him helping me out after everything that happened? You do know that I didn’t ask for any of this, right?”
I scoff. “Yeah, well,Ididn’t ask for this either. But here we are.”
I run a hand through my hair, my mind racing, and I can’t tell if I’m angry at her, Karl, or myself. Probably all three.
“You’re really good at making everything about you,” she snaps icily.
“I’mgoodat that?” I shoot back, my patience starting to fray. “You don’t know meat all.”
She takes a step toward me, and for a second, the space between us feels smaller, too small. Her eyes flash, but there’s no real venom there—just… frustration.
“You know, I didn’t want to come here. I didn’t want to stay in this house. I didn’t want to be stuck with you. But things have gotten out of hand. And you? You’re just making everything more complicated than it needs to be.” She shakes her head. “I’m just trying to get through this day without making it worse. But you don’t make it easy, Leo.”
I stare at her for a long moment, feeling that knot tighten in my chest again. She’s right. I’m not making it easy. And I hate that I care.
“You don’t make it easy either,” I mutter under my breath, regretting the words as soon as they leave my mouth.
She looks at me, her expression unreadable, and for a moment, I think she’s about to say something biting. But instead, she lets out a long, frustrated sigh.
“I know you think I’m some problem, Leo. But I’m not here to make your life harder. I’m not here to make this situation harder.”
“You are,” I blurt out, unable to stop myself. “Youaremaking it harder.”
For a split second, we stand there, breathing the same air, both of us frustrated beyond belief.
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I don’t know what’s wrong with me that I can’t just… leave her alone, let her stay for one damn night without turning it into a fight. But this? This doesn’t feel right.
Olivia shakes her head, her lips tight, before speaking again. “I get it, okay? I get that this is uncomfortable. But I’ll be out of here as soon as I can be. I swear it.”
And just like that, she’s gone.
And I’m left standing there, with my beer in my hand, trying to figure out exactly what just happened.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Olivia
NOVEMBER 27TH
It’s not oftenI spend Thanksgiving morning with nothing to do: no emergency work, no stress from Richard, no emails to answer.
I can just walk… justbe.
So, the moment Ivy called me, I agreed to a walk instantly. She needs the triplets to calm down, and I am keen.
I find her at the park, pushing the triplets in a stroller, their little faces wide-eyed and curious as they take in the crisp morning. Ivy waves as I approach, and her smile feels like a balm to my frazzled nerves.
“Hey, Liv, good to see you. How are you?”
I roll my eyes. “Getting by.”
“Okay, youhavedrama on your mind. Let’s walk and tell me everything.”
As we stroll, I let it out. I might not have been planning to, but the words tumble out of my lips.
“It’s just… Leo,” I mutter, immediately feeling the frustration building in my chest. “The guy just doesn't get it, Ivy. Every timeI turn around, he’s glaring at me or acting like I’m a problem. Like I don’t belong there, like I’m some burden to him.”
