CHAPTER 110: MORNING THEORY

Chapter ONE HUNDRED AND TEN

**OLIVER WEST**

The shrill ring of my phone was what woke me up.

I fumbled for it on the bed space beside me, squinting at the screen through sleep-heavy eyes.

Mom?

"Good morning, Mom," I muttered groggily. Last night’s late night drive had sounded like a good idea until now.

"Good morning, my son." Came the reply in the most childish ridiculous attempt at a parental tone I’d ever heard.

Annoyance flared within me as I scowled at my phone screen, "Why the hell are you with mom’s phone?" I yelled at Pumpkin when her shrill complaint pierced my ear next.

"Moooooom! Oliver is cussing!"

Dang!

I wished she was right here, I could have throttled her little neck.

"Give me the phone, Pumpkin." I heard my mother’s exasperated voice in the background and clenched my eyes shut.

"I’m still bonding with my elderly son!"

I could imagine her face in that annoying pout that made her lips look like a spoiled duck.

"Pumpkin, phone now! " Mom called out sternly.

I half expected her to scold me, but her voice sounded anxious when she spoke.

"Oliver, honey, how are you doing over there?"

"I’m okay, is something wrong, mom?" I said, adjusting to a sitting position.

"Not really, I’ve been talking to insurance, the police also sent another footage from the security cameras last night."

I sat up straighter, suddenly wide awake. "Did you recognize anyone?" I asked slowly, I couldn’t voice my next question.

Was it actually dad?

I was really hoping that he didn’t do it, even if he wanted nothing to do with us, I still wanted to hope that he wouldn’t stoop so low to hurt us by destroying the only roof above our head.

"I’m sending it to you now." Mom spoke and I heard the ping of a message coming through.

My heart pounded as I waited for the video to load. This footage from this angle was indeed clearer - clear enough to see their unmasked faces, even the deliberate way they moved through our yard like they knew exactly what they were looking for.

But I still didn’t recognize a single one of them.

"Mom, I don’t know any of these people." The words felt hollow in my mouth.

Mom sighed from the other end of the line, "Oliver, it wasn’t your dad. The police investigated, he was out of town when this happened. There are other evidence that he couldn’t have sent those thugs,"

Something that felt like relief clogged my throat, how did Mom know what I was fearful about?

"But I’ve thought about it all night long, why would random people do this to us? They also didn’t steal anything, it doesn’t make sense. We’re nobody special, we don’t have enemies... I’m so tired, I’m exhausted about it all."

The tears in her voice which she was trying to hide made my chest even tighter.

I stared at the screen, watching these strangers destroy our lives for no apparent reason. The randomness of it was somehow worse than if it had been personal.

"I don’t know, Mom. I wish I could—"

"Who are you talking with so early?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of Kieran’s voice behind me. I spinned around and my phone slipped from my fingers, and I had to scramble to catch it before it hit the floor.

Kieran was out of the bathroom, he was wrapped in only a white towel, I tore my gaze from the water droplets that rolled down his solid built chest, glazing down his abdomen until it was absorbed by the towel.

"Oliver? Oliver, are you there?" My mother’s worried voice came through the speaker.

"Sorry, Mom, I’m here. I just... I dropped the phone." I shot Kieran a wary look as he settled on the bed beside me, his hair still wet from the shower.

"Let me check what’s on the stove, I’ll call you later."

Mom hung up and my shoulders slumped against the pillow.

"Is something wrong?" Kieran’s gaze roamed my face.

"Not really, it’s my mom," Without further explanation, I opened my message app, ready to show him the footage and explain that the police knew the faces of the attackers now and that it was only a matter of time before the culprits were caught.

But before I could get a word out, my phone buzzed with a text.

’See you in two hours.’

I stared at the message, confusion washing over me. The number wasn’t in my contacts, but somehow I knew exactly who it was.

’How did you get my number?’ I typed back quickly.

The response came immediately. ’Looking forward to our tutoring session, Ollie.’

Xander.

What the hell!

My eyes zeroed on the endearment.

Only Kieran called me that!

I’d also never given him my phone number. I’d never given him Kieran’s address either, now that I thought about it.

A chill ran down my spine as I realized he’d somehow gotten both.

WAS HE ACTUALLY STALKING ME??!

Didn’t he mention that his stepdad recently moved over to this place, he knew nothing about this town, there was no way he was supposed to know where Kieran’s house is!

My mind immediately went to our conversation at the restaurant last night. I still wasn’t sure if his presence yesterday was coincidental or purposeful.

Also, there were also his strange accusations about Kieran.

Oh god!

I glanced at Kieran, who was watching me with intense questioning eyes.

I bit my lip in contemplation.

Should I tell him about what Xander had said?

I already knew the answer.

If I told Kieran about the accusations, and Xander’s stupid suggestion that he had been involved in our break-in, there was no telling how Kieran would react when Xander actually showed up here.

I could practically see it now - Kieran’s face going dark with rage, and Xander getting beaten to a pulp right here. The thought made my stomach churn.

’Please let today go smoothly,’ I prayed silently. ’Please don’t let anyone get hurt.’

"What’s got you looking so worried?" Kieran’s arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer. His voice was soft, concerned, and I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders at his touch.

"You really don’t have a problem with Xander coming over?" I asked instead of answering his question.

The change in Kieran was immediate and dramatic. His entire body went rigid against mine, and when I looked up, his eyes had gone cold and I grimaced inwardly.

Did he have to get jealous every single time? Wasn’t he also the one who suggested that Xander came here?

"First thing in the morning, and you’re already thinking about another guy?" His voice was lowered in that dangerously quiet tone that had me squirming.

"No! Xander just texted that he’ll be here in two hours, I was just wondering if you are still cool with him coming over!" I yelped as his arms tightened around me. Those intense orbs flickered on my face for some extra seconds.

And to my surprise a slight smirk broke out in his face, "Two hours, huh? I don’t have a problem with it. Besides, I’ll be here too."

The calmness in his voice surprised me. I actually blinked in confusion. Where did all his earlier anger go?

I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously, he better not have any tricks up his sleeves!

"You’re really okay with this? You’re not going to start a fight?" I asked him again just to be sure.

"You really think I don’t know how to behave? I know you like me and not him," There was amusement in his voice now, and my shoulders relaxed. He’d also said this the other day, I just hoped his mood swings wouldn’t spark.

Maybe, I should give him a little reward?