Rory (Coded for Love 1)

“What the hell are you doing?” Draco stared at her.

She growled at him as she passed. “Please don’t hurt Rory,” she said to Jackson in a pleading voice. “I’ve got the real kit right here in my pocket. Rory gave it to me for safekeeping.”

Rory stared in disbelief when she pulled a USB on a lanyard out of her pocket and offered it to Jackson.

“Smart girl. Good doing business with you.” Jackson pocketed the USB with a grin and walked away.

Rory shoved his own USB in his pocket and looked at Sky for an explanation. “Why the hell did you do that?”

“I didn’t like him.” She glared after Jackson.

“Didn’t like him?” Draco stared at her.

“You’re a liability,” Rory muttered.

“I didn’t want him to have your kit.”

“I wasn’t going to give it to him,” he growled. “I was going to destroy it in front of him, as you yourself suggested.”

“Yes, well it was a good idea…of mine.” She paused and gave a pleased-with-herself smile. “But once I saw him I didn’t want him to have the slightest chance of getting hold of it. Plus…it was fun giving him a dud.” She chuckled.

Rory pushed his fingers through his hair. “I’m on the back foot again, further away from being done with it.”

Draco stared at her. “What the hell was on that USB anyway?”

“The reading list for the art history element of the course I want to do next term.” She laughed. “Don’t worry, I can download it again.”

“That’s not what I was worried about.” Exasperated, he gestured at her. “You’ve fobbed him off with a phony. How long do you think an art history reading list is going to keep him occupied?”

Annoyed, Sky flipped her hand at him. “It bought some time, didn’t it?”

Draco cursed, loudly. “Jesus, Rory, what the hell have you dragged her into this mess for?”

“I haven’t dragged her into anything,” Rory responded, quickly.

Sky noticed he didn’t look convinced by his own words.

“We just bumped into each other,” she interjected, worried that Draco would pick up the fight where it had been left. “I’d never seen that other guy before tonight.”

“Is that true?” Draco looked at Rory for the answer.

Typical. The guys have a better bond than I do with my own brother.

“Yes.”

Draco put his hands on his hips, eyes narrowed.

“We were having a drink.” Rory put his hands out, gesturing. “Come on Draco, you knew we liked each other, we’re just hanging out is all.”

“It doesn’t seem right.” His frown deepened.

Sky laughed. “You were the one who didn’t want us to act like the Brady Bunch.”

“Doesn’t mean I wanted you to do the complete reverse!” He glanced at his watch. “Fuck it. I’m late.” Frustration marked his expression.

Sky’s hopes lit. If he had something to do, maybe he’d leave.

“Wait,” Rory said, “what the hell were you doing with Jackson anyway?”