Page 110 of Challenge Me

“I thought it was succinct enough,” I muttered.

“It was,” Amir replied. His voice was monotone and his expression was thoughtful. “Is it because of me?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but I didn’t know how, so I shrugged one shoulder.

“This ex,” he went on. “Is he the one you’ve mentioned before?”

“Honestly, all of my exes are evil incarnate, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“In essence, he’s bad news and isn’t allowed within a mile of you. Got it.”

“Got . . . what?”

“I wasn’t going to let you sleep here regardless, but now there’s not a chance in hell.”

“Oh?” I leaned across the counter and took his hand. “Am I sleeping over?”

“Are you going to fight me on it?”

“No, I was planning for it anyway.”

“This is my favorite fucking part,” Oli said. He had the gooiest expression imaginable as he looked between us.

“What part?” I asked.

“Men being protectors. It’s just . . .” He kicked his feet with a flustered growl. “Next thing you know, he’ll give up his limbs to save your soul.”

I snorted. “If it’s equivalent exchange you’re after, it’ll take more than an arm and a leg to get that shit back.”

“I’ll chip in. Dean?”

“Sure, whatever,” he agreed.

“Come on, Dean,” I chided. “I thought you were smarter than that. You know my soul’s a lost cause.”

He looked at Amir. “Gate of Truth. You in or out?”

“I don’t know what the hell is going on,” Amir admitted.

“If they’re talking anime, you go with it.”

“Oh, is this that Attack on Titan thing you mentioned?”

Oli made a sound of disgust. “Remi, I’m going to rescind my approval if you don’t fix him.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I sighed. “I’ll bring him to team Eren.” I raised and lowered my brows at Amir. “I’m the Eren of the story, by the way.”

Dean laughed, then covered his mouth. “Bro, you’re Bertholdt.”

“Oh, fuck you, Dean. I am not Butthole.” When he burst into laughter, I huffed. “You don’t have my blessing anymore.”

“Blessing?” Oli looked back and forth between us.

Dean shot me a glare. With a grimace, I grabbed the bottle of whiskey and poured some into his glass. “Simmer down, big guy. I know what you sound like when you climax.”

“How ‘bout a poem?” Amir suggested, lifting his glass with a glimmer in his eye.

“Far be it from me to deny a man his request.