Page 7 of Orange Spell
He would never have the kind of thoughts he had about Curran if they were brothers.
Curran threw his hands in the air.“Just leave me alone, both of you.I don’t need your help.I don’t need you to protect me.I’m doing fine on my own, and I’ll continue doing so.”
Marlin ignored him.“Go.I’ll make sure Curran is okay.”
Birch hesitated for a moment longer before finally stepping away.He glared at Curran as if silently ordering him to be good, then turned and left.
“You’re all right?”Marlin asked Curran.
Curran’s cheeks were flushed.His pupils were dilated, which didn’t bode well.
“I’m fine,” he insisted.
“How much have you had to drink?”
“None of your business.”
“I just promised your brother I’d keep an eye on you.I think it very much is my business.”
“I hate you.”
“I love you, too.Now, what do you want to do?Want me to walk you back to your rooms?”
Curran shook his head and walked away.Marlin wasn’t surprised.He rushed after him, bumping into someone.He apologized, but that meant it took him a little while to reach Curran, who had slipped out of the dining hall and was already in the hallway.He heard Marlin and turned to glare at him, not slowing down.
“Where are you going?”Marlin asked.
“It’s none of your fucking business.I can go wherever I want to go.”
“As long as I’m with you, sure.”
“For fuck’s sake!Why do you and Birch have to be so overprotective?I’mfine.No one is going to hurt me because they know who my brother is.I don’t need you to follow me around like a puppy.”
“I’m not a puppy,” Marlin grumbled.
“Did I say you are?No, I didn’t.I said you were following me around like one, and it’s true.Why are you here?Why aren’t you having fun in the dining hall with all the people falling all over themselves to get your attention?”
Marlin frowned.“No one was trying to get my attention.”
“If you really think that, you’re blind.Half of the dragons at the party were falling all over themselves to get to you.”
“Wereyouone of those people?”
Curran stumbled and almost fell on his face.Luckily for him, Marlin was there.He caught him before he could hurt himself and kept him on his feet, but he quickly had to step back when Curran shrugged his hand off.
“Don’t touch me,” he muttered before turning around and walking away again.
They weren’t going in the direction of the hallway where Curran lived.It was a bit confusing, but when Marlin realized they were close to his rooms, he was relieved.He’d promised Birch that he’d keep an eye on Curran, and he would keep that promise.He didn’t have to do that in Curran’s rooms, though.
He rushed forward and caught Curran’s wrist.He pulled him toward his door, relieved when, for a second, Curran went along with it.Then, he seemed to realize what was happening and pulled back.Marlin had to stop walking, and he turned to glare at Curran.“Come on.We’re at my rooms.”
“So?I’m not staying here.”
“Why not?”
“Why not?”Curran spluttered.“Why should I?”
“So I can keep my promise to Birch and keep an eye on you.”
