Sammy’s mouth flattened into a grim line. “Yeah.”
“Never seen you be so curt with someone.” Cordelia straightened a cupcake in its case. “Not that I blame you. He must have been hell to grow up with.”
Edisonhadbeen hell to grow up with, but Sammy hadn’t hated him until eight years ago, when he’d caught Edison and Olivia kissing less than anhourafter Olivia and Sammy broke up.
That’s right. Edison and Olivia. Kissing.
Renewed anger simmered in Sammy’s stomach as he remembered stumbling on the scene. Remembered the disbelief, the devastation, the heartbreak. He wouldn’t put anything past Edison, but Oliviaknewhe despised the man. Their breakup had been messy, but he’d thought she respected him enough not to pull such a low move—even if neither she nor Edison knew he knew. Sammy had stumbled away before they saw him and never confronted them about it. Technically, Edison and Olivia had both been single, so they hadn’t cheated on anyone, but it was the fucking principle of the matter.
Now, part of Sammy regretted offering Olivia a place to stay. He wasn’t sure what made him do it. The words just fell out of his mouth yesterday when she mentioned booking a hotel. Not only that, but she’d declined and he’dinsisted,like an idiot. He’d said her stuff was already in his car and reminded her it would be cheaper than paying hotel rates for God knew how long. She’d relented on the condition they sign a lease and she pay rent like any normal tenant.
By nighttime, Sammy had whipped up a week-to-week lease, they’d signed on the dotted line, and Olivia’s belongings had been transported into her new room.
Out of all the bad ideas Sammy had had since he ran into her Friday night, taking Olivia in as his roommate was possibly the worst idea of them all.
Or was it?
The nice part of him said he should help her find a new place as soon as possible. The not-so-nice part insisted he kick her out next week. The downright devious part encouraged him to make the most of the situation—by making her regret the day she walked out on him.
Olivia living in his house and at his mercy meant plenty of opportunity for mind games.
Sammy wasn’t a mind games person. They were cruel and a waste of time and energy. But nothing about his feelings toward Olivia had ever been “normal,” and like he said, he wasn’t as nice as people thought he was.
The devious part won.