Everlance Academy

Chapter 30

I don't have the acting skills to hide my surprise. My mouth opened the slightest bit, and I stare at Nikolai.

Holy fuck. Did he really just do that?

Oliver seems just as stunned as me but recovers quickly, taking Nikolais offered hand. "The pleasure is all mine," he says, but it sounds forced.

Nikolais smile widens. "Certainly."

I snort and try my best to hide it with a cough. An awkward silence settles as the two men look at each other as if they'd be in combat, waiting for the other to make the first move.

"So...", I say, trying my best to stay polite, "I didn't know you'd been invited?"

Correction. I prayed that he wasn't invited.

"Yes, we'll...", Oliver shrugs. "You know your father. Always in business."

Yes. I did, in fact, learn that the hard way. Business before all else. Business before me.

Stop.

This is exactly what I was afraid of when I saw Oliver on the staircase a minute ago. He brought up memories and feelings that I had fought hard to keep buried. It's why conversing with him wasn't a good idea.

I force out a laugh. Though I do not like Oliver in the slightest, I have to at least pretend that I do. For the sake of keeping peace in the family. So I laugh, hoping that the topic is done with that.

Oliver doesn't take the hint, though. "Well, obviously you do. You learned that firsthand a year ago, didn't you?", he stares me down, searching my face for even the slightest sign of weakness.

He hopes to see hurt. He hopes to see that I'm still angry, sad. He hopes to see that I still care.

I don't give him the satisfaction. My face remains perfectly neutral when I say, "Nikolai, why don't you get the keys to our room?"

Nikolai looks at me, surprise flashing over his face. He raises his eyebrows, just barely.

You sure?, that seems to say.

I nod slightly, and Nikolai takes off, looking at me over his shoulder as he does. I smile at him.

"Interesting choice."

My head snaps back at Oliver, who looks at me with a thoughtful expression.

"Are you trying to tell me something?", I ask, already exhausted by the conversation. "If so, cut to the chase. I have a long flight behind me and am in no mood for your games."

"Oh, I'm not playing games, darling. I just didn't pick you as someone who would fall for a boy."

I blink. "He's half a year older than me."

As soon as the words are out, I want to take them back. Oliver shouldn't think that I gave two fucks about his opinion on my love life. He doesn't have the privilege of an opinion on anything regarding me anymore.

"Oh, I didn't mean his age. Although that does make him four years younger than me. I was talking about the fact that he's wearing Converse."

"If you're here to criticize my boyfriend's sense of fashion, please don't waste your time. I don't care."

"You know what I mean, June. He doesn't belong here. He wasn't made for this. Not like I was."

For a moment, I just stare at him. Then a hysterical laugh escapes my lips. "I can't believe this. I can't believe you. After all this time, you're still bitter. Even better, you're jealous."