“Hey. Sevan,” Ollie says, a wild look in his eyes. “You have a criminal record, right?”
“I may or may not. Who’s asking?”
“Do you know how to pick locks?”
Sevan pauses for a moment, looks between the two of us, and repeats himself. “I may or may not know how to dothat,too. Again. Why are you asking?”
“I need you to help me break into a building,” Oliver demands.
“Sevan, please promise me you won’t listen to him,” I beg.
I can already see it now.
Ollie, overzealous, trying to do something to help me.
And it ruining his chance at a Crimson degree.
If he gets kicked out of school and it’s my fault… I don’t know how I’d ever live it down.
“Soyouwant to commit a crime with me, and Nikodoesn’twant us to do it?” Sevan asks, clarifying.
“Yep. Exactly.”
“Then fuck it. I’m in.”
“No, Sevan.”
“I can get you there,” Oliver’s already saying. “I candrive your Mustang, if you want. All you’ll have to do is pick a lock.”
“Niko, you’re going to need to chill out,” Sev tells me, already reaching for his winter hat. “Your boyfriend wants to help you. Learn to accept it.”
Sev fucking knows he’s not really my boyfriend.
But does he know that Oliver is going to be etched onto my heart forever?
22
Oliver
Oliver, scrolling through Niko’s private profile for the first time, months ago
Username: Hercules2210
The first time I find his profile, I knew I was done for.
It was something about the way he spoke, when he was close to the edge.
The way he moved.
Had I always wanted Niko, and just couldn’t admit it?
How could I ever look away?
Roman gets backfrom his family Christmas just in time for me to recruit him for my plan, too.
I’m running on pure adrenaline.
I can’t stop to think or I’ll question myself.
