Page 105 of Rules of Association


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“But you do know. You just brought it up like you’ve heard about it before,” Clint drilled. “How?”

“I-I’m just repeating what I heard from Malcolm earlier,” she said. “He was telling me about some project since college or something. I just assumed maybe his own family’s company would be the first to take advantage…”

Clint’s eyes fell to me and he looked for a long moment before sliding his gaze back to Ceci as he shook his head. His voice was quiet, regretful as he said, “We didn’t know.”

Annoyance swam over me as I listened to the silence around the table. No they hadn’t known but theycould haveif they even cared the slightest bit.

And Ceci. Sure she sounded remorseful now that she realized she fucked up, but she couldn’t just keep her fucking head for one goddamn second in the first place? Really?

This night was not supposed to be like this. And that is why I said something I probably wasn’t supposed to say to the girl that had been, in her own way, sticking her neck out for me.

“Celestia.”

“Hmm?”

“Just shut up, okay?”

What did she do? She reared back like I slapped her, her eyes racking up to mine and clashing with them like we were in our own mental battle. I could see it all there. Anger, frustration, irritation, all in her eyes. I tried to tell myself that she had shown up that way already. In a bad mood. But sometime throughout the night that mood had changed from being aimed at me to being aimed for me. To defending me. Yet for some strange reason, that too made me feel stupid and weak. Like having her be the one to tell my family about my passions and her be the one to stand up to my mother made me just as small as I felt.

It was embarrassing to watch.

Swallowing, Ceci’s expression morphed into something way too private to be having in front of the dinner table, but it was clear neither of us cared.

“Are you really telling me to shut up right now?” she asked.

Her implication was clear. Was I really choosing herof all peopleto push back at? And yeah, I guess I was. Because chaotic family dinners aside, she was the one taking me on this rollercoaster of emotions. She was the one who could make this situation better or worse.She was the keeper to my emotions.And all I wanted her to do was turn this stirring feeling back to normal, not stir it up more.

But instead of understanding that, I saw the distinct flash of hurt pass through her eyes before she shot out of her seat, storming past me and into the house.

“Nice, Connor,” I heard her mumble for the second time as she left me behind.

* * *

I thought I would find her in my sister’s room but funny enough I found her in mine.

After Ceci stormed off, the room continued to be silent for several long seconds. I needed to think. But all I could see behind my eyes was a mixture of Ceci flirting with my best friend, my mother and her fighting, and the hurt in her eyes.

“I’ll go check on—”

I didn’t even look at him. Raising a hand in the air I said, “Malcolm you don’t even know her. Sit down.”

“Right then.” He sat quickly, seeming almost relieved to be let off the hook.

Next Tiney began to rise, “Then I’ll go—”

“Iwill find her and apologize in a second. I’m the one that said it,” I grumbled.

Tiney gave me a small smile. “Okay, thanks. She’s probably not that mad at you anyway, she’s been in a bad mood all day.”

My ears perked up at that.

“Why—” I started to ask but was promptly cut off.

“No kidding,” Mom huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you really friends with that girl?”

“Yes.”

I was spared the embarrassment of having to explain my vehement response. Because Tine and I weren’t the only ones who spoke up. We all vouched for Ceci. Our little hardass. But ours.