Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“We need to get Shai enrolled next year,” Rory says.
Ollie and I have been studying for my GED this past week, my skills sharper than I thought they’d be. He says I’m doing well, and Ollie isn’t the type to lie, so I believe him.
“If that’s what he wants, we’ll make it happen,” Tiernan answers. I don’t know the whole story there, but from bits and pieces I’ve heard, he has the dean in his pocket, and there’s not much Tiernan can’t make happen at Ashford if he wants it.
“I already told you, Cherry—I’m not letting you pay for me to go to college. But I appreciate that you would.” That all of them would make that happen for me.
“And I already told you I’m doing it anyway. It’s part of my charm.” He grins, and I can’t help but do the same. Damn him.
“You’re all already in your third year.”
“Not me,” Dean says.
“Or me,” Ollie adds.
“So you’ll transfer to Boston when we all leave.” Cillian shrugs as if it’s that easy.
Could it really be? Could I have this?
“We’ll look into it when I get back.” Rory shovels a bite of his second bowl of cereal into his mouth.
“We’ll be home late. We have shit to deal with,” Tiernan says, my pulse jumping only to plummet because it’s not as if I’ll be a part of that.
“I want Shai to come.” Rory pushes his bowl away.
“No.” Tiernan doesn’t bother to say more than that.
“Why not? Dean does shit with us,” Rory argues, and as much as I agree with him, I don’t want him to fight with his family for me.
“Cherry…”
“Fuck you,” Dean tells him.
“Fuck you back,” Rory counters.
“Jesus.” Tiernan rubs a hand over his face, clearly frustrated. “You’re all like a bunch of kids sometimes.”
“Yeah, well, that’s coming from a fifty-year-old in a twenty-one-year-old’s body.” Cillian winks at him.
“He can do this,” Rory presses.
“He hasn’t proven himself yet.”
“How does he do that if you don’t give him a chance?” Rory shoves to his feet.
“Hey, it’s fine. Don’t argue over me.” I reach for Rory’s hand and try to pull him back to the chair.
“Leave it alone.” Tiernan stands too, bringing his bowl to the sink.
“Leave what alone?” Rory asks.
“Rory,” Cillian says but gets ignored.
“No. What is it? I want to know.” Rory follows him over.
Tiernan looks hesitant but also like he’s over this conversation. He sighs. “Last time the two of you were together, we had to come in and fix it. Shit happens. I get that. But I don’t know if you’re ready to be out there with him yet. If something goes wrong, if he’s in any danger, you’ll lose control.”
“And you wouldn’t if it was Dean?” I can hardly hear Rory over the blood rushing through my ears.
“No,” Tiernan answers simply. “I would worry, yes. I would do whatever I had to do to take care of him, and I would kill any fucking person who laid a hand on him, but I wouldn’t lose control.” The room goes silent. I’m not sure anyone is even breathing right now.
“Fuck you, Tiernan,” Rory says again.
“I’m not trying to be a dick.”
“So you’ve said.”
Tiernan rolls his eyes. “You can be mad at me all you want, but I’m saying this because you’re my brother. I won’t lie to you, I won’t sugarcoat shit for you, and I’ll always do what’s best for you. I want you and him safe, and neither of you is ready.” Rory tries to turn away, but Tiernan stops him, his hand on Rory’s nape, holding him in place. “Are you hearing me? I want you both safe, and I know you want the same thing.”
“Yeah,” Rory replies. “Yeah, I hear you.”
“We good?” Tiernan loosens his hold.
“We’re good.”
Rory sits down, and I scoot closer, cheek against his, mouth close to his ear. “He’s right. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. I’m not as good at this shit as the rest of you, and I would fucking die if you were hurt because of me.” I hate speaking each and every word, but they’re true. I’m inexperienced, and Rory is a loose cannon, especially when it comes to me.
“I know. Fucking sucks, though.” He turns to Tiernan. “Can we at least go rob someone or something? Just me and Shai.”
“Jesus, Ror.” Cillian shakes his head.
“You two need something?” Tiernan asks.
“It gets us off,” Rory explains.
Tiernan cracks a rare smile. “We’ll figure something out.”
“I’ll take an Uber out to see my mom.” I feel guilty. I haven’t been there in over a week. I hate the freedom I feel. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be. She’s my mom.
“Fuck that. Take my car.” Rory tosses me the keys.
He kisses me, and then they file out the door. Ollie lingers, giving me a sad smile and a hug. “He’s doing this because he cares about you both.”