Page 115 of Intolerable Bishop

“This was my mum’s specialty. It still catches me off guard that she’s gone. I was just about to say, “My mum will love this,” like she was still here.” I blinked away the tears. This was a happy day. No more tears or sadness.

Theo put his arm around my shoulders as we walked in and took our time with each of the paintings. They were so beautiful. Each brush stroke almost looked chaotic until you stood back and viewed the painting as a whole. The overlapping colors added layers of depth and emotion. We finished one room and turned the corner to the next. I froze, the air ceasing to move in my lungs.

Stepping away from Theo, I walked closer to the three paintings on display. My eyes bounced from one to the other. Looking back, Theo was standing casually with his hands in his pockets, and I knew he’d done this on purpose.

“You knew?”

“I did.” The corner of his mouth curled up. “Your mom was exceptionally talented, and she may be gone Ren, but what she left for the world will live on for a thousand years. Gone, but never forgotten.” Tears poured down my cheeks as I walked back to him, and he hugged me.

“You have no idea what this means to me.”

“Yeah, I do,” he said, and I burst out in a short laugh. Such a Theo response.

“I love you,” I said and looked up at him as his mouth dropped open. His eyes searched my face before he cupped my cheeks and kissed me with such tenderness that it drew more tears from my eyes.

“I….” He started to say when his phone rang. “Dammit.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone and showed me the display. “It’s Mr. Paval. You ready?” I nodded. Theo answered the phone and then, after a quick introduction, handed it off to me.

I watched Theo as I spoke to Mr. Paval. He was standing in front of my mum’s paintings, staring at them like he could understand me through her work. Even if he wasn’t going to say he loved me back, this entire trip had been incredible, and I’d never forget it.

AUGUST 25 – THURSDAY 1:20 PM

Blake

I rolled my eyes as I walked into my new bedroom and found Theo kissing Ren. As if Myles and all his poetic prose weren’t bad enough. I had agreed to this, but fuck me, I wanted to hit my brother—in all of his perfect glory—every time I saw him touch her.

And, of course, Theo would plan a few days away, and it would go perfectly. No shootouts. All sweet gestures and a ride on his bike to add extra sex appeal. If the rest of us tried that, the building would collapse around us, or a hurricane would try to sweep us away. Unbelievable, I wanted to steal the horseshoe he had shoved up his ass and beat him with it.

Ren jumped when I dropped the box at the foot of the bed. Theo glared at me. “What? I’m working. Something you’re supposed to be doing.”

“How did I end up stuck in a room with you again,” Theo asked, and I shrugged.

“No clue. Maybe Dean Henry was sick of you and Liam keeping everyone up all night,” I said. He looked at me like I was ridiculous.

“You don’t normally get a new roommate each year,” Ren asked, and I shook my head.

“Nope. It’s pretty much whoever you start with freshmen year. You’re with them until you graduate. Well, everyone except Vicky. She couldn’t keep a roommate if she paid them, and we’ve never even heard of a room of three before.” Nash, Liam, and Myles were all in the same room.

“That’s weird. I know why I got a new roommate, and I’m happy it’s Ivy, but I just thought that was the norm.” Ren looked between Theo and me. “Is it safe having the two of you live together?”

“I’ve lived in the same house with him my whole life. I think I can handle one year of school,” I said.

“Him is standing right here, but yes, we should be fine,” Theo grumbled, walking to his side of the room and opening a box. The hallway was loud and chaotic as students, school helpers, and even parents wandered around. Music was playing from almost every room.

I sat down on my bed and opened my box. I traveled fairly light, but I did have a few things I liked to have out, and now I had a picture of Ren and me in Canada. Ren sat down beside me and put her head on my shoulder. We stared at the frame in my hands. That small act made everything all better.

“Have either of you heard from Myles,” Theo asked.

“No,” we answered together.

“That’s good,” Theo said, and Ren sat up straight.

“Why is that good?”

He shrugged. “No news is good news. If he were in trouble, he’d call. If he were dead, we’d already know. Silence until he’s back is what we want.” Ren shuddered beside me, and I pulled her into my side.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” We all looked at the door as we heard Nash bellow.

“I guess Nash just found out he has two roommates.” We laughed and, unable to resist watching the drama unfold, walked over to Nash’s new room next to ours.