《Of Romance and Revenge》Nine

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I stand up and grab both of our plates to rinse off and put in the dishwasher. He cooked, so it's only fair for me to clean up despite Oliver's many protests.

"So, what are your plans for the day?" I ask cheerfully as I load up the last dish.

He stands up from his chair to stretch, giving me a good view of his abs. I look away before I embarrass myself.

"Well, I need to go to the office for a meeting and then I, uhh..." he trails off and looks away awkwardly.

"What?"

Oliver doesn't have an awkward bone in his body. He's usually the epitome of poise and control, so what could possibly have him fidgeting this badly?

"Well, I uhh, I was going to see Lily afterwards."

"Seriously? I haven't talked to her since I left, how has she been?"

I don't understand why that was so difficult for him to tell me. Besides Oliver, Marley is the only friend I've seen since I've been back and I genuinely miss everyone. I wonder if I could convince him to let me go with him.

He rubs at the back of his neck uncomfortably, but he finally looks down at me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he looks sad.

"Yeah, she's good. We've... we've kind of been seeing each other."

My heart drops. My stomach clenches. I feel like I might vomit or pass out or maybe both, but I don't think I can blame it on breakfast.

Logically, I know that it's been six years and I shouldn't have expected him to stay single. Hell, I've been dating- he should be allowed to do the same. Still, knowing it and hearing it straight from him were two very different things. Hearing my best friend and the guy I've always been in love with tell me that he's seeing another friend of mine is like a punch to the stomach.

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"Cammie, I-"

"It's fine," I cut him off.

Now's not the time for him to try and be all informal and cute with me.

"I want to go to the meeting though," I tell him, making sure to square my shoulders and maintain eye contact.

I won't let him see me upset again, the way he did all those years ago.

"I beg your pardon?"

"It is still a family business, even if you run it now. I should see how things are done."

"Your dad went to great lengths to protect you from it. It's not a business you want to be a part of, trust me."

His expression changes from sadness to shock. He reaches into the pocket of his pants that are laid out on the back of the couch and pulls out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. I scrunch my nose at them, but the look in his eyes begs me not to give him shit for it right now.

"I'm not a kid anymore, I don't need to be protected. I want in."

He glares at me, like he's trying to get me to submit and back down. I hold my ground and glare back. He finally looks away with a frustrated groan. I watch him pull a cigarette out of the pack and twirl it anxiously between his fingers.

Part of me wants to feel bad for putting him in this position. He's obviously warring with himself, weighing out his options. Mostly though, I'm just satisfied that I got my way.

"Can you be ready in ten?" He sulks.

I nod and give him my best smile. He narrows his eyes in response as I bound up the stairs gleefully. I keep it simple and stick to a white sundress and some brown strappy sandals. I leave my hair down in its usual messy waves that hang to the middle of my back, but I throw on some mascara and a little concealer under my eyes to cover up my lack of sleep last night.

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It's more effort than I'd usually make, I'll admit it, but after hearing about Lily I feel like I need to step it up a little.

When I get downstairs, Oliver is on the phone, dressed in his suit from last night.

"I want you and Kingston to keep an eye on him. I don't trust that guy. Find out who he's working for."

Oliver pauses when he sees me and gives me a once over. I blush a little when he licks his lips, but I don't even think he notices he's doing it.

He motions for me to follow him and opens the front door for me. His pride and joy, an all black 1970 Chevelle is parked out front. I remember when he bought it on his sixteenth birthday. I had never seen him so excited before.

Oliver would spend hours working on it after school while I sat with him, working on homework or reading.

The nostalgia sitting in it once again is bittersweet.

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