Page 181 of Challenge Me

“Give me one roll of the dice.”

“When he says he’ll kill for the people he loves, he’s not being dramatic.”

“He’s protective. I get that. But this isn’t just about me. He’s said as much multiple times.”

“He’s doing what’s right for him,” he agreed. “As much as I like you and want you to marry each other, I can’t and won’t fault him for that.”

“Even if it’s the wrong choice?”

“Who’s to say it is? Remi, despite his precious eccentricities, isn’t impulsive. He knows what he’s doing at all times. When he went back to Cole, he always knew what would happen, yet he did it over and over. Why?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

He shrugged. “If this is his decision, he won’t change it unless the circumstances are drastically different. Unfortunately, this one appears to be fixed.”

“You’re saying the real problem can’t be changed, so I have to accept that it isn’t going to work.”

“Sure, if that’s how you interpret it.”

I blinked a few times. “Well, is that what you’re saying?”

He smiled while he took a drink. “We all have a different lens through which we see the world.”

“This isn’t really helping.”

“I never said I’d throw you a bone, buddy.”

After finishing my whiskey, I dropped a hundred and an envelope on the counter.

Oli looked at the word written on the bill, then chuckled. “Ah. You’re not a master of words, but you’ve got heart.”

“Do you guys share everything?”

“Duh. We’re trauma-bonded or something.”

“Isn’t that a bad thing?”

“Everything is relative, friend.”

“Right, well, I’m heading out.”

“Oh, did I tell you? Dean and I have an out-of-town guys’ weekend starting Friday.”

“That’s cool for you, I guess.”

He raised and lowered his brows. It wasn’t until I got outside that I realized what he’d meant. Luckily for me, I’d be doing a home series until Monday.

Chapter 51

Remi

If gods won’t grant me gentler ground,

Then war will have to do.

I’ll tear my fate from out their hands,

And make them all bleed too.