when you look at Olivia, she screams relationship and commitment.
Two things I’m unfamiliar with.
My little brother’s voice finally erupts over the line, and my lips turn up into a real genuine smile, as we catch up.
“How’s school going?”
“It’s all right, I guess. The kids can be jerks, but it’s not too bad. Could be worse.”
My stomach muscles tighten. “Why?”
“They know where I live and who I live with. Doesn’t exactly make me popular.”
I grit my teeth. Blowing out a steadying breath, I try to reel in my ire. “I’m trying, bud. Just a few more months, then we’re doing this. You hear me? I promised you I’d have you back before your fourteenth birthday, and I’m keeping that promise.”
He’s silent for a beat. “Okay, Rome. Are you coming to visit soon?”
“I am. I have a few things I need to do today, so I’ll be by tomorrow.”
“Is she going to let you come?”
Fury simmers low in my gut. “She won’t have much say, when I’m at the door, now will she?”
Ryder snickers, and I swear to God, it’s the best sound. “Yeah, you’re right. See you tomorrow, Rome. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Ry. Call me if you need anything.”
He sighs. “You know I can’t call you. She doesn’t let me use the phone that often.”
I grit my teeth. Fucking bitch.
“I know.” I heave a deep sigh, rubbing at my forehead and the looming headache. “I’ll figure something out. Bye, bud.”
“Bye.”
Raking a frustrated hand through my hair, I add something else to my list of activities for today. On top of the hardware store, it looks like I’ll be going to add my little brother to my phone plan. I don’t care if he’s not allowed to have one. I’m tired of waiting and doing everything by the rules. This is the one thing my brother deserves. And fuck anyone who thinks otherwise.
I drop all the supplies at my feet and ring the doorbell. I know she’s home. It’s not hard to tell. All I have to do is close my eyes, and I can practically hear her shitty music, bleeding through the walls. It also helps that her car is in the driveway.
Olivia swings the door open, and as usual, she’s much too lively and chipper for a mood like mine. Like I said before, not compatible. She frowns when she sees me with all the supplies at my feet. A part of me wants to bark at her for being so dense. Obviously, if you see someone with a shitload of supplies at their feet, at your front door, wouldn’t you let them in, so they can get started? Guess not in Olivia’s world. I refrain from calling her out, not wanting to take out my impatience on her. I’m trying to do something nice. There’s no need to put a damper on it, if I don’t have to.
“What’s all this?”
“Your piping.”
Her eyes grow round, the hazel softening. “What? Roman, you don’t have to do this.”
I nod, pick up my shit, and turn to leave. “Fine, I won’t.”
“Wait!” she yells, stopping me in my tracks. “Do you really have to be such an asshole? You weren’t supposed to turn and walk away!”
I shake my head at her, fighting the itch to grin. She makes it hard to hold on to my exasperation. I have to work overtime, just to pretend I don’t care. It’s a façade I created to make her hate me. To make me seem unapproachable to her. Though, for the most part, that plan has backfired. You’d think I’m more than approachable, what with the way she acts around me. Like she doesn’t give single shit if I’m an asshole.
I follow Olivia through her house, taking in all the recent changes she’s made. She’s finally primed most of the walls. It’s not the best job, but it’s also not the worst I’ve ever seen either. I recognize the boxes from last time still stacked in the center of the room. I’d imagine, once she’s finished painting, she’ll declutter and start unpacking more thoroughly.
I pause in her bedroom, taking it all in. I try not to stare too long or focus too intently on anything. I brush past her into the bathroom that’s damn near identical to mine and get to work. Olivia goes back to her task at hand, whatever that may be, and I start working my way through her bathroom. I won’t be able to finish the job in one day, and I tell