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“Ready? You mean a fake smile? No. I had to get the real one.” He fa
“Black and white?”
He shook his head. “There’s enough color between us, don’t you think?”
“Yeah,” I said through an exhale as I looked up in awe at the first photo we’d ever taken.
“I’m keeping this one.” He stuffed the picture under his pillow and turned to face me. “The rest is yours. Take as many pictures as you want, I have a box of film at your disposal. See if you can find inspiration somewhere.”
After taking a few more pictures, reading a few chapters, and spending the afternoon being lazy in bed like we always seemed to love, Ollie and I walked through the mess hall together and headed straight for the di
We carried on with our routine, saying goodbye to Zeke and headed for the bathroom early before the rush. The silent battle to see who could brush their teeth the longest was in full effect, and we both spit into the sink at the same time. I hopped up over the sink and took a seat as he turned the water on, both of us moving in sync.
Slowly, students made their way into the bathroom as I sat facing Ollie’s shower stall.
Ethan appeared beside the wall. His expression exhausted and locked eyes with mine. We hadn’t spoken much since I left solitary, and I wondered where he slept or if he slept at all anymore.
“We need to talk,” Jake said, appearing out of nowhere.
I glanced back at Ollie’s stall. “What is there to talk about? You completely shut me out over something you know I didn’t do.”
“I know. I’m starting to realize that now. Bria is a fucking bitch. I can’t stand her anymore.”
“Let me get this straight … ” I snapped my head in his direction. “You and Bria are going through some girly tiff, and now you have no one? Your sudden need to want to talk is begi
Jake rolled his eyes and leaned into the counter. “Don’t be like that. I miss you, okay? I know you didn’t mean for that to happen. I know someone is messing with you and has been since the year started. But, come on, Mia. You wrote my secrets down in a journal. Those weren’t yours to write. They were mine. Now Liam won’t even talk to me.” He crossed his arms over his chest and looked out in front of him. “Not only did I lose Liam, but I lost you, too.”
I dropped my chin to my chest and crossed my legs that had been dangling off the counter. “We’re cool. Let’s forget it happened.”
“Thank fuck,” Jake muttered through an exhale. “This whole polygamist relationship those three have going is downright disgusting. Jude is a nice guy, don’t get me wrong, but having to watch the three of them smash grosses me the fuck out.”
“You got a mouth on you now.” I chuckled, and Ollie opened the curtain, stepping out of the stall in nothing but his boxers and a towel in his hands.
Ollie’s eyes slid between Jake and me. “Everything good now?”
“Was this your doing?” I asked with a raised brow.
“No … not at all.” He walked up to the sink beside me with a smile that didn’t match his words.
“I was the one who went to Ollie. I had to know where we stood,” Jake said in a hurry.
“It’s fine. I’m glad you did. I missed you too.” I waved Jake over and wrapped my arms around him. “And I’m sorry about Liam, but he’ll come around.” Ollie and Jake shook hands, and my attention drifted over to two girls eyeing Ollie. I leaned over and snatched his clean pair of joggers and threw it into Ollie’s chest. “Get dressed.”
Ollie let out a small laugh and looked past Jake to see two freshmen ready to devour him. His green eyes hit mine as he raised a brow and pushed his legs into his joggers.
“They want to lick you all over,” Jake sang, “and over again.”
If anyone was licking him all over, it would be me. Ollie and I hadn’t had sex since he’d fucked me and left me hanging in my dorm room. We’d had numerous opportunities, but Ollie had said he wasn’t ready for lovemaking yet.
And Ollie could take all the time he needed. I’d wait for as long as it took.
Ollie shook his head and took a step forward, filling the space between my knees. “Never allow it to bother you,” he whispered.
“I don’t like the fantasies probably ru
Ollie’s eyes darted between mine, and his fingers gripped my waist while his other hand grabbed at the nape of my neck. Wet lips and a rush of mint slammed into me, and Ollie kissed me slowly, brushing his tongue against mine and sending flurries through a hot summer day. Fire and ice. His hand moved to the base of my neck and up to my jawline before he pulled away. “There,” he licked his lips, “That should ruin their fantasies.”
He winked, and I playfully shoved him off me as we shared a laugh.
Jake whistled. “Bloody hell, you two didn’t miss a beat,”—He fa
My cheeks heated and Ollie pulled his shirt over his head before pulling me off the counter and landing a kiss over my head.
Things were finally going back to normal.
Ollie.
My lashes parted to see Scott standing over me with his arms crossed in the dark and I jumped up from my bed. “Jesus Christ, Scott,” I muttered.
“It’s Mia.”
My feet landed on the cold hard ground, and I shoved past him, heading straight to Mia’s dorm. It was a
Five bloody months until we could break free, and I could finally show her the life I’d pla
The door closed behind me, and Mia laid drenched in a cold sweat. Wayward strands stuck to the side of her face as she moved back and forth, crying in her sleep. I pulled the sheet up to see her in her usual white tank and panties—her skin glistening and her lips trembling. “Ollie,” she called out through her terror with her eyes screwed tight.
“Mia, you have to wake up.” I pushed the strands from her face and swiftly rolled her over to the side as I continued to chant her name.
Mia’s lashes fluttered, then her eyes opened meeting mine. “Ollie?”
“I’m right here.”
“I couldn’t reach you,” she uttered.
My eyebrows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
“I heard you. I heard your voice. But I couldn’t see or touch you. You were talking to me in my head. It was dark. I was falling really, really fast and everything was closing in on top of me. Like being buried. I couldn’t breathe.”
“It’s gone now.”
“It’s the same dream over and over. And I’m stuck, and I can’t get out!” Tears sprang in her worried eyes, and fear had her in its death-grip as her body shook. It had been the first time she was able to remember. But now it all made sense.
My love’s brilliant mind played tricks on her, forcing her back to the girl she used to be—the girl who lacked emotion and was numb to it all. And it was all my fault.
“Look at me.” Her eyes snapped to mine, and I grabbed her hand and placed it over my chest. “You feel that? This is real. Whatever’s got a hold of you in here,” I tapped her head, “it’s working really hard to turn that fucking switch again. But I have a hold on you too, and I’m never letting go.”