Page 81 of Magic or Madness

The reminders of thin white lines going up my nose come flying back, and it takes everything in me not to crumble into another panic attack.

“She’s a ball of energy, but she handled herself well after what happened tonight.” I fidget with my fingernails, keeping my eyes focused on something other than my thoughts.

“She’s different. Like you. If I ever needed her, she’d be there in a second. I love her, could probably marry her one day,” he says casually, running his hands through his dark hair.

Oliver is young and has a baby face, but his muscles and chiseled jaw make him seem older than he is. He’s cute in a way that isn’t my type, but I can see why women fall all over themselves for him.

“So fucking be with her, Olly. It’s not as hard as you might think,” I tell him, and he shrugs, passing me a plate.

“I don’t know. When we fight, it gets fucking crazy. It’s the Latina in her, or whatever the fuck she says.”

“So don’t fight with her? Ozzy and I never argue. Makes things a lot easier.” I smile, taking a bite of food and instantly feeling nauseous.

“You and Ozzy are … I don’t even know how to explain it. You’re like mom and dad, the role model parents we all wish we had. Embarrassingly in love, and unafraid to show it around your kids.” He mumbles with a mouthful of food, but his words hit me like a semi, and I had no idea he was so in touch with his emotional side like this.

“That’s the dream, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, absolutely. You two have raised my standards.” He adjusts the chain on his neck, clearly uncomfortable with how fast this conversation took a turn.

“What Saint is that?” I ask, pointing to his necklace.

“St. Anthony. It was my father's before he died. I have no idea what it means, but he swore by this chain, said it saved him many times,” he whispers, smiling at the memory of his father.

From what I’ve gathered, Oliver’s father was a firefighter in New York and battled through 9/11. The memories, shit he saw, and grief over fallen brothers were too much to bear, and he took his own life when Oliver was ten.

He doesn’t talk about him often, but when he does, he lights up like a Christmas tree. He’s proud of who his father was, and the legacy he left behind, and I admire that most about Oliver.

“I want to get one for Ozzy. Something to help him remember Masha, but I didn’t grow up in a religious family. I don’t know enough to pick one,” I say, scrunching my nose and attempting another bite of ziti.

“I’ll take you downtown tomorrow, we’ll find something. I know a guy,” he offers, and I solidify the plans with our handshake.

It’s nothing special, just a few high-fives when we nail something in the kitchen, but it’s become our own little thing.

“You’re the best, Olly.”

“Anything for you, Fal. You’re like the little sister I never wanted,” he teases, throwing a napkin at me.

“I’m six months younger than you, Oliver,” I argue, shaking my head since he thinks he’s so damn funny.

“Exactly.Littlesister.” He rolls his eyes with a smile, popping open a beer and offering me one.

I shake my head and toss my plate in the trash. There’s no way I can get this food down, and I can’t stand the smell anymore.

“Alright, I’m going to try and sleep. Busy day tomorrow.” I narrow my eyes at him, knowing he’s the one who’d miss the morning hike I’ve planned.

“I know, I know. We’re leaving at the ass crack of dawn. We’ll be awake.”

“We? Cami’s coming?” I raise my eyebrow, and he holds his hands up in surrender.

“She knew Masha, too,” he says softly, and I immediately change my tone.

“Of course, I should’ve realized, I’m sorry. We’d love to have Cami join us.” I smile, waving goodnight.

“Thank you, Fal.”

I climb the stairs with a smile on my face that always seems to be permanently stuck when I have moments with Oliver. He’s my confidant, my best friend in this crazy family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I never expected to form connections with any of the guys when I moved in, but they accepted me instantly, making me feel like family, and I made it a point to get to know every one of them on a more personal level.

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