Page 14 of Good Losers (Lochkelvin Academy)

“Followin’, probably. Makes a sweet change.” He sighs at me, his bottle-green eyes never leaving my body. “When I heard ye were in ma room, I came tae see for masel. You have it so, so easy. So very easy, wi yer curves and yer dancin’.” He smirks at me. “Over a hunner rooms in this hoose and he pits ye in this wan.”

I try not to prickle at his tone, at his weirdly jealous words. He’s clearly out of his mind on booze, but every word has me itching for the truth. What’s so special about this room in particular?

The door bangs open and Rory barges in. He looks at me, startled, his surprised gray gaze briefly drifting down my towel-wrapped form before turning to Finlay.

“This is what you’re up to now? Perving on girls trying to shower in peace?”

Finlay barks a laugh, stretching across the bed and rolling onto his side like a big, lazy dog.

Rory approaches him, grabs Finlay’s arm, and tries hauling him out of the bed.

“Don’ttouch me,” Finlay snaps, yanking his wrist back.

“Then get out.”

Sighing heavily, Finlay picks himself up. He manages to steer himself upright, though with clear difficulty. He pauses, swaying against one of the wooden posts, watching me wistfully before staggering over to the door. He turns on his heel, almost crashing into Rory behind him. Finlay gives me a small drunken salute as Rory shoves him out.

With his hand on the door and his eyes anywhere but on me, Rory informs me shortly, “I won’t be at dinner.” And then he shuts the door on me.

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