Page 70 of Under Water
Lex is grinning, and he snorts. “Probably not, but if he gives you shit, call me over.” When I nod and start to walk away, his hand darts out, and he grabs my arm, spinning me toward him. “You and Rune, huh?”
“Uh, no. Dude, no, it’s not…it’s not like that.”
Lex’s brows fly up. “That was not what I meant. I know you don’t like guys. I just meant you two are burying the hatchet.”
“Ohhh. Uh. Yep.”
He frowns. “Did you just get homophobic on me, dude?”
“Fuck off,” I snarl. “I just don’t want people giving Rune shit tonight. He’s been through enough.”
Lex softens. “Yeah. He has. I’m glad he’s got us.”
I am too. I fucking am too.
FOURTEEN
RUNE
“I’m not saying I don’t believe you. Everything about the scene points to arson. But are you sure you want to go on record accusing your ex?” Teddy presses as I gather all of Elio’s medications.
Everything in the house reeks of smoke, and the damage in my room is extensive. Contractors are going to have to tear out most of the wall and replace the whole fucking thing. But my parents are insured to the fucking end of the universe and back, so it should be fine.
And I want Neal charged for this.
“We had an argument yesterday.”
Teddy’s eyebrows fly up, and he leans in close. “You said argument?”
I nod my fist. ‘Long story, tell later?’
He shrugs. “You can wait for the inspector. Probably better that way. But…did you see him here?”
I shake my head. ‘No. Heard noise. Fire after.’
He sighs heavily and rubs both hands down his face. “Alright. I’m going to put that in my report. Are you sure about staying with Easton though?”
My brows dip. “Why?”
“It’s just…he’s…” He hesitates, then shrugs. “You two have a complicated past, is all. And I know how you feel about him. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
My cheeks go hot, but it’s dim enough in the living room that he probably doesn’t notice. “He won’t hurt me,” I promise. Easton has been more than attentive. Even if I’m not the man he’s got his sights on, he’s not acting like I’m some filler lover he’s using to pass the time.
And if I am an experiment, he’s making it amazing for us both.
If my heart breaks, it will heal. I’ve been through worse.
Teddy sighs and steps up close. “He might not hurt you on purpose, but…”
“I promise I know what I’m doing. And if I get in over my head, I’ll call you.”
“FaceTime,” he says. “I don’t bother with hearing at home.”
Rolling my eyes, I shove him back. “Yes, fine, you pedantic fuck. I will FaceTime if I start edging toward breaking my own heart.”
He smiles softly, sadly. “You deserve someone who loves you. You know that, right? Hell, you could have multiple someones.”
“Not my scene,” I say. “I barely have time to breathe. I couldn’t handle more than one person. And I can be happy on my own too. Trust me. I’d rather be alone for the rest of my life than with some asshole like Neal.”
