“Yeah. She’s got Ez,” Charlie said. “He’s always gonna be there for her.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Charlie changed the subject, because I don’t think either of us could talk about Opal any longer. “So when do we check on the potion? Tonight?”
“The potion will take time to decipher the atomic makeup of the crystal,” I said. “It should be ready in the morning.”
“It’ll take all night?” Charlie complained.
“I’m a master alchemist. My aunt trained me well, but I can’t make potions work miracles,” I told him crossly. “We’re just going to have to wait and see.”
Charlie gave an angry noise. “We don’t have that kind of time.”
“Would you relax? Ancestors, I thought I was the impatient one in the relationship.”
Charlie’s knuckles cracked. “There is no relationship because there is no us!”
Oberi stomped her hoof as hard as she could. She didn’t mind if we bickered, because that was just Charlie and I, but shehated itwhen we fought.
“And who’s fault is that? I’m not the one getting pegged by a succubus,” I said snidely.
“I’m not getting— hell, I fucking hate you sometimes.”
“I hate youallthe time!” I stopped walking and faced him as we came to the entrance of the cafeteria. “But why should you care how I feel? You’ve got a new girlfriend now.”
Charlie scoffed. “Scarlet is not my girlfriend. In fact, I’m hardly interested.”
“You’re interested enough; otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken her out,” I accused.
“So what?” Charlie threw his arms up. “We went on a date, and it wasn’t anything special.”
“Come on. We all know Scarlet’s hot. Have youseenher ass?”
“No!”
“Okay, that was a stupid question, but you have to admit you’ve copped a feel.”
“I have not!” Charlie yelled.
“Please. You can’t expect me to believe you didn’t sleep with her.” I crossed my arms.
Conversation inside the cafeteria, which had been loud before, had died down. People had overheard us arguing and wanted to listen in on the prison’s newest drama.
I didn’t care who heard. I was too upset.
“We didn’t do anything,” Charlie growled. “We had breakfast, and we talked. That’s all!”
“You don’t have to lie to me. I know you have needs.”
Charlie’s mouth dropped open. “You’re being overdramatic!”
“Says the man who can’t control his temper to save his life— or our lives, really!”
He was off the rails lately, flying off the handle every which way and turn. Eddie had told me the Elf training session the other day hadn’t gone well, but Charlie’s people were depending on him. He had to do his best to keep it together.
Charlie’s teeth gritted. “I don’t have to explain myself to you. I’m single, you’re single, and whoever I date— or whoever I sleep with— is none of your damn business!”
“Fine! You can fuck anyone you want, and you know what? So can I!” I screamed back.
