Page 124 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“I didn't do anything.”

“You were thinking about it.”

“Can you arrest people for thoughts now?”

“Apparently Bellweather can arrest people for existing.”

Elliot looked up. Ronan had his phone. So he'd seen it.

“Who sent it?”

“Dylan.”

Of course. Elliot's mood worsened. Ronan opened the refrigerator.

“You'd think he'd have bigger problems.”

“He probably thought you should know.”

“Yeah.”

Ronan took out orange juice. Elliot watched him drink directly from the container. “Glass.” “No.” “That's disgusting.” “We share bodily fluids.” Elliot almost choked on his coffee. Ronan smiled. “You walked into that one.” “It's nine in the morning.” “You started staring at my neck.” “I hate you.” “No, you don't.” Elliot looked toward his phone. Ronan noticed. “Don't read the comments.” “Too late.” “They're idiots.” “They're talking about you.” “People talk.” “They're lying.” “People lie.” Elliot hated how calm he sounded. Ronan poured juice into a glass only after Elliot glared at him long enough. “There. Happy?” “No.” “Shocking.” Elliot unlocked his phone again. Ronan leaned against the opposite side of the island. “Put it away.” “No.” “Elliot.” “Someone posted your disciplinary record.” “So?” “So that's private.” “Not anymore.” “They're making you look like some violent psychopath.” Ronan's eyebrows lifted. “Interesting choice of words.” Elliot stared. Ronan smiled. “Sorry.” “Not funny.” “No.” The smile disappeared. Elliot looked back at the screen. Another comment. He looks like exactly the kind of guy who would wear that mask. Something inside Elliot went cold. He imagined Ronan beneath the porcelain. The idea felt wrong. Almost offensive. That mask belonged to Elliot. Not sentimentally. Practically. It was an extension of anonymity. A boundary between the person everyone loved and the person Mason Kerr had seen before dying. Seeing strangers mentally put it on Ronan made Elliot's stomach twist.

“He didn't do anything,” Elliot said.

Ronan stared at him.

“I know.”

“They don't.”

“They don't matter.”

“They could.”

“How?”

“Police read this shit.”

“Police hopefully have better evidence than Reddit detectives.”

Elliot looked up.

“Vance asked about you.”

Ronan's expression tightened.

“She asked about both of us.”

“What exactly?”

“We did this yesterday.”

“No. You gave me pieces.”

Ronan sighed.

“Elliot.”