Page 75 of Always Watching
“In its usual spot,” he says, pointing to the top shelf.
I pop the popcorn and we have a seat on the couch.
Olly smiles over at me. “I’m glad you’re here,” he says.
“Me too. These days really mean a lot to me.”
He smiles and stuffs some popcorn into his mouth. After he swallows, he asks, “Did you find out who it was?”
“Huh?” I ask, dragging my eyes away from the television. The movie he put on is one we’ve been waiting on for a few months now.
“That was bothering you.”
“Oh, yeah. Mr. Barlowe.” I glance over at him, watching his eyes flare. “Yeah, I know, right? We knew he was a creep. He showed his true colors.”
OIly turns to me, his eyes wide. “What happened?”
No way can I tell Olly what actually happened. He’s my best friend, but I don’t think he’d be okay with knowing Mr. Barlowe is dead. Or that I watched North kill him, know his body wasburned in an incinerator, and his clothes and belongings are buried somewhere on Atlas’s property.
Even if I was tempted to tell Olly everything, I wouldn’t. Not only would that put North in danger, but Atlas and Wylder too. I haven’t known the latter two for long but I like them. They’ve welcomed me into their family and trust me with their secret. I would never betray them. I love Olly, but I love North more.
Focusing back on our conversation, I say, “I saw him leaving a gift at my door and North had some words with him. Told him to fuck off or he’d call the police. He promised to stay away from me when North said he was going to move in and would know if he tried anything.”
“That’s scary, Ranen. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”
I swallow roughly, thinking about the slap across my face and the cold blade on my cheek. It was scary, being at Mr. Barlowe’s mercy that way, and thinking North wouldn’t get to me fast enough to stop him from hurting me significantly. I’m sure when I come down from the high of watching North kill him, I’ll have nightmares about Mr. Barlowe and how crazed he looked. How his brown eyes had reflected his urge to harm me, to possess me.
My smile is shaky. “Me too. It was scary, but it’s over now.”
Olly grins at me and holds out the bowl of popcorn. I grab a handful and toss them into my mouth, the taste of extra butter bursting over my tongue.
This is the life—having a boyfriend who cares about me, takes care of me andlovesme, and having a best friend who spoils me with movie theater popcorn that he knows I’m obsessed with.
We both get comfortable on the couch and pass the bowl back and forth. I bark a laugh when Olly hurries away to grab me a napkin. I make a show of wiping my buttery fingers on it, then throwing the waded paper at him when he grins smugly at me.
The movie is great, and we’re engrossed in it the entire time. At some point, Olly lays his head in my lap and I distractedlyrub his hair. It reminds me of times I used to stay the night at his house and we’d stay awake late into the night, talking about nothing and everything.
When the movie is finished, Olly sits up, stretching his arms over his head. “Wanna go out and grab some dinner? I don’t have anything to eat here and I’m sick of takeout.”
“I should probably go,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket to text North.
Olly grabs it from my hand, holding it high in the air. “Come on, Ranen. I hardly see you anymore.” I chuckle and reach for my phone. He stiff-arms me, making me laugh harder. “I don’t want our day to end just yet. Dinner, then I’ll release you.” His voice takes on a haughty quality, making me laugh harder.
I won’t win this battle. I enjoy spending time with Olly, so I give in pretty easily. “Okay, fine. Where to?”
I hold my hand out for my phone, but Olly shakes his head, pocketing it. “You’ll get this back when I finish my shower.” I give him a dry look, then pout, crossing my arms over my chest. He pokes my lower lip, making me giggle. “Don’t pout. I won’t be long. Want a drink before I go?”
“No.” I kick my feet up on the table, hoping North doesn’t call or text while Olly is holding my phone hostage.
Thinking of North has me remembering what Wylder said. “Oh, North has a brother who might be interested in you.” I stand from the couch, walking into Olly’s room so he can hear me better. “He’s cute. Gives me Paul Bunyon vibes, but in a hot way.”
Olly pokes his head out from his closet. “Yeah, I’m sure he’s not my type.”
“You like them big and muscular, just like I do. I think he might beexactlyyour type.”
With an exaggerated eye roll, Olly comes over and kisses my cheek. “I’m sure he isn’t.” He steps around me, going to his en suite bathroom to get his shower going.
He left the closet with no clothes, so I figure he hid my phone in there to stop me from texting North for a ride home.
