Page 49 of Oleander

Caspien:

It’s amusing you think I wouldn’t.

My heartbeat quickened, panicked.

Me:

Leave her alone.

The three dots appeared a few moments later.

Caspien:

Maybe you’re the one who should leave her alone. Since you like boys.

My cheeks flamed and my mouth dried. Of course, I wasn’t going to answer that. Or refer to it whatsoever.

Anyway, I was pretty sure I didn’t like boys. I just liked one boy. Who I in fact hated. My head hurt.

Me:

Are you seriously this bored?

Caspien:

It’s not boredom, Jude. I just really like playing with you.

I loathed how my body reacted to that. My dick took notice instantly and I shoved the phone away from me and stuck my hand down my boxers.

Caspien:

I think I’ll start with ‘Hey Ellie, I feel shit about this, but there’s something you should know about Jude: Surprise! He likes boys!’

Me:

Are you psychotic? Like, is that your thing?

It would certainly explain a lot.

Caspien:

I bet you’d like to know all about my thing, wouldn’t you, Judith?

Me:

Fuck off

I threw my phone down on the bed again. It was another minute before it vibrated again. Another five before I felt brave enough to look at it.

Caspien:

You have until 12 to get here or I’m messaging her.

Thirteen

Though I was pretty sure I was going to be doing more murdering than studying, I shoved my biology textbook and my laptop into my bag and headed out of the house. Luke and Beth had gone out earlier to some farmer’s market on the other side of the island and wouldn’t be back until later.

I dumped my bike at the back door, noting that Gideon’s car was in its space, and made my way to the library. It was empty. I was passing the sunroom when I spotted Gideon standing at the far end, where the Oleander plant had been before Luke’s specialist contractor had ripped it out. He was staring at the one we’d put in its place; a Brugmansia Aurea. It took calling his name twice before he turned around, blinking as though coming awake.