Page 42 of Release Me

22.Ryan

“She lives!” Connor exclaims as I emerge from my room around eight on Saturday night, my stomach growling with hunger. He and Ronan are lazing on the couch, watching a basketball game. “What have you been doing all day?”

“The same thing I do every Saturday. My assignments. Studying.” I stroll toward the fridge, stealing a lightning-fast glance at Ronan. A wave of excitement courses through me.

“How many more years do you have, anyway?” Connor caps off the question with a belch.

“Just one.” If I can concentrate enough to pass my exams. It’s been a struggle, staring at my books and notes all day while my ears remain open, listening for any sound that might indicate Ronan’s going to pay me another visit. They were out late last night, and Ronan came home alone again. He went straight to bed, while I lay in mine for a good hour, listening, thinking that maybe he was waiting for me, that I should go over there. Finally, I drifted off.

“Hey, would you be a sweet, kind sister and bring over another round for us?”

“It’s not fair.” I pull two beers off the top shelf. If I ate and drank like they did, I’d balloon. Keeping my expressionsmooth, I wander over to the couch, handing Connor’s can to him first, then one to Ronan.

Ronan’s fingers graze mine in the exchange.

Connor frowns up at me. “You look different.”

“That’s because you’re drunk.”

Ronan snorts.

“No … are you wearing makeup?”

“So what?” I turn my back to him, wanting to hide the flush in my cheeks. I went to Ulta this morning to pick up my face moisturizer, and I was waylaid by a saleswoman who asked if she could try out a new mascara on my lashes. Normally I pass, but she was beautiful and claimed she was wearing that very brand. I wanted to see what it could do for me.

I bought the mascara, along with the gold eye shadow she swiped across my lids.

“So, you never wear makeup,” Connor says slowly.

“Notnever.” Just hardly ever.

“Not when you’re sitting in your room all day, studying.”

“Whatever. It’s no big deal. Drop it.”

But he’s not relenting. “I think she’s trying to look good for you.” He elbows Ronan in the ribs.

“What? Why would I want to do that?” I force scorn into my voice while my face burns. This is humiliating.

“Leave her alone,” Ronan warns. “You’re going to make her angry, and she’ll take it out on me.”

“Fine.” Connor belches again, earning my grimace. “By the way, we’re having a goodbye party here next Friday.”

I groan loudly. I knew it was coming, but I can’t stop it. This is Connor’s condo, and I pay very little in rent.

“It’ll be tame,” he promises.

“The cops showed up last time,” I remind him.

“We’ll keep it under control.”

“I had to buy new sheets!”

“Ed’s not invited back. I promise.”

Ronan’s stony expression softens with his chuckle.

My pulse skips a beat, even as I try to argue against this. “And who’s going to clean up if you two are gone the next morning?”

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