Page 86 of The Rat

“When I’m feeling better, Icould help you in the gym again.”

“That sounds good.”

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Ollie cleared his throat and placedhis hands on his hips. “You didn’t come to art…”

“What are you, the artpolice?”

“You’ll come next weekthough,right?”

Rory nodded, and Ollie dropped in theseat beside him.

“Good. We’re doingpapier-mâchémasks.”

“Maybe after that we’ll domacaroni pictures.”

“Screw you.” Olliesnorted.

He glanced around, then shufflednearer to Rory. “I’ve been meaning to ask, what’s up withSebastian?”

Rory gulped, then shrugged. “No idea,he’s not told me.”

“He’s gone from smiling and all over you, tomiserable and distant in the flick of a switch.”

Sebastian kept his distanceduring the day,and at night when Rory tried to speak to him, he shut theconversation down with a swift ‘Night, Rory’.

The rejectionstung, and hefound it harder to look Sebastian’s way. His chest tightened whenhe saw him, and the guilt in the pit of his stomach curdled andmade him want to vomit. He was responsible for Sebastian’sdepressed state, and he didn’t know how to fix it.

Bombs and murder, Rory thought. The goal wasto stop Sebastian’s plans, and he’d done so. On paper, the resultwas worth it, but Rory’s heart faltered just like Captain haddescribed.

“Maybe he’s trying todistance himself.”

“Distancehimself?”Rory asked.

“It’s not long until he goes,maybe he doesn’t want you relying on him too much. He’s being cruelto be kind.”

“Maybe.” Rory mumbled. Hespotted Jack and Green on the pool table close by. “Wanna see ifthey want a game?”

Ollie glancedover his shoulder.“If you want.”

Rory waved his hand to getJack’s attention. “Can we play?”

“Not sure that’s a goodidea.”

“Why not?”

“Sebastian threatened tosnap my cock, remember?”

“He waskidding. Comeon, let’s play pool.”

Ollie groaned. “I’mterrible.”

Jack waved themover. “I’llgive you some pointers.”

“Do you know any trickshots?” Ollie asked.

Jack nodded. “Yeah, a few.”

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