Page 139 of The Casualty of Us
Because I can’t let him go through the rest of the day like this. Nor do I really want us to start off the year on this note, regardless of the fact we haven’t defined it. That I haven’t really wanted to with everything else going on considering the risks. But this…it bothers me that he thinks my head would be so easily turned, and I swallow with the realization that maybe that’s a little bit my fault too—both things immediately making me want to fix it for him.
I check the time on the clock while reaching up for my tie and tugging at it haphazardly. Pulling at both ends until they’re hanging around my neck uselessly before standing up and taking the single step to close the distance to Hayes’s desk.
I perch my ass on the side of it and play with the bottom of the tie, waiting until his eyes lock with mine to cock my head at him. “Think you could help me with this?”
It takes a beat, but eventually he spots it, and a spark flashes behind some of the darkness in his eyes. “Of course, Freckles.”His gaze comes back to mine with all kinds of dark mischief suddenly overtaking it. “I’d love to.”
My stomach gives a little flip when he stands, stepping out from behind the desk and coming to stand in front of me with his eyes going all hooded. Black lashes blink at me slowly as he leans in with a move that has me reaching back to grab the other edge of the desk. Ending with him standing just this side of appropriate but still close enough to be considered almost between my legs and me pretty looking like I’m on an offering plate.
Or desk.
Marley’s delighted giggle bursts through the room a second before Ollie mumbles, “I’m going to be sick.”
The dimples currently holding my attention twitch as he reaches for the ends of the tie. “What are you doing here, O?”
“You looked a little tense.” I blink up at him innocently. “Figured I might be able to help with that.”
His fingers still, eyes narrowing in warning with another burst of something fiery through the hazel there. “Careful, Ophelia.”
I lift my chin, immediately ready to take him up on the challenge. “Why?”
“Because I might just take you up on that.” His eyes drop down to the tie with the soft words, fingers starting to move it around again. “What’s the story with him?”
“It was a stupid childhood crush,” I breathe out frustratedly but also honestly because— “It doesn’t matter.”
His gaze comes back to mine as he loops the tie. “Childhood crushes can have a way of sticking.”
“Some, I guess.” I shrug. “But not that one.”
“Why?”
“He couldn’t keep up and ended up being an asshole.” He pulls the tie through to completion with a flash of surprise, andI shoot him a playful look. “Apparently, my preference is set strictly for nepo rock star babies.”
“Is that so?” He gives the tie a little tug, pulling as I stand and ending with us pretty much pressed against each other. “Want to tell him that?”
“Didn’t I?” I whisper, something about the lingering frustration in his gaze making me add before sliding away. “And maybe I want you to take me up on it.”
Giving myself a second to appreciate the choked noise that leaves him while plopping back down into my seat and trying to hide a grin. Knowing I’m going to get burned if I keep this up with no clear lines or understanding but unable to help it anyway. Because it’s just…unacceptable for him to be sad, but it’s also unacceptable for him to be dead, so I’m kind of damned twice there.
But when the teacher comes in a few seconds later and I glance back up from my books, the sight of Hayes’s smirk and the sour look on Kyler’s face as they continue with the stare-off makes me decide it was worth it.
As long as I can keep everyone safe in the end.
Chapter Thirty-One
OPHELIA - AUGUST 2013
“No,I really don’t think my leg bends that—eek!” I suck in a sharp breath as Lisette pushes my leg down another inch from above, glaring at her and not exhaling until she finally lets up.
“Stop holding your breath.” She smacks my leg before dropping it to the ground and tossing her red ponytail to the other side. “You actually didn’t suck as bad as I thought you would, so take pride in that.”
“Thanks,” I snort, groaning as she grabs my other leg and hefts it over her shoulder. “I think running this summer helped me survive your attempted murder.”
“So why did Hayes look all pissy during debate earlier?”
I blow out through the burn this time, blinking up at the sun shining brightly above the athletics field. The two-story monolith of a structure off to our side and nestled next to the lake is unfortunately worthy of all the praise my brother levels its way.
Today is actually the first time I’ve ever stepped into it. Finding locker rooms along with an aquatics center and weight room on the first floor with the second being taken up by dance and yoga classrooms and such. There was even a freaking hot tub and sauna in the aquatics center which made me scowlbecause the others had definitely been holding out on that little detail. Although the scowl hadn’t needed much help with the way Hayes had sauntered off all broodily to the locker room after debate class. Not that I can blame—
