Page 22 of Play Dirty (Villalargos University #1)
Chapter Sixteen
Shiloh
O nce the studio is empty of listening ears and prying eyes, I scoot my seat back and rise to my feet.
I walk over to Ms. Medina as she looks at her laptop screen.
“How can I help you, Ms. Johnson?” She asks without casting a glance my way.
I let out a shaky breath, running my sweaty palms over my skirt.
“Ms. Medina, I was wondering if there’s time to switch partners.
With everything that happened with June, I just don’t think Nico and I—” She finally looks up with a warm motherly smile.
“And that’s why I paired you two together.
What can be more emotional and personal than two people grieving together? ”
“But–”
“I know you and Mr. Reyes seem to have some kind of dislike, but I truly think you both will create something marvelous.”
“He left midclass.”
She lets out a soft snort, pushing back on her leather chair.
“You slapped him, if I recall. That was uncalled for. However, I can imagine it’s due to the mention of June’s name.
Have you ever sat down and thought that maybe he’s grieving?
Despite what you think of Mr. Reyes, there’s a person beneath his exterior. ”
We don’t break eye contact, but I feel the sting in my eyes and quickly blink. Diverting my gaze, I almost choke on my words. “You’re right, Ms. Medina. I’m sorry, I won’t ask again.”
I try not to feel defeated as I turn away and grab my things. Maybe what I need to do is talk to Nicolas, really talk to him— but it’s the last thing I want to do. After a few seconds of self-doubt, I find myself walking towards his dorm and not mine, when my phone buzzes in my hand.
I look down at the screen, trying to piece together the message
Anonymous
Can you trust him?
The question echoes in my brain, scratching beneath the surface, trying to piece together anything that could be useful.
I know he’s a liar, that much I’m sure of; we both are.
We both share a secret— one that I’m ashamed to speak.
The picture of Nico and June arguing is clear as day; he pinned her arms to the side, jaws clenching as June cowered.
I swallow hard as I get closer to the dorm.
I don’t care that Nicolas Reyes is Villalargos' star player, my father’s fucking sponsorship recipient, and boot licker.
I don’t care who he is. He will pay if he’s responsible.
That’s a promise, I won’t stop until I find out what happened to June. Starting with the last person to see her alive.
Nicolas Reyes.
My knuckles brush lightly over dull grey doors before softly knocking. Placing my ear on the door, I hear the sounds of footsteps and then his deep, gravelly voice. “Who is it?”
“Shiloh.”
“Go away.”
I roll my eyes. What a fucking child. However, two can play this game. My knocking grows louder, more insistent. After a couple of curses, he gives in. The footsteps grow closer, and the door unlocks. Then it finally opens. “To what do I owe this great honor, Ms. Johnson?” he asks sarcastically .
Raising my hands up in mock surrender, “I want peace and answers.”
He leans onto the doorframe, his arms folding over his chest – causing the white t-shirt to cling to his taut muscles.
Still, he won’t look my way, won’t look me in the eyes; instead, he focuses on the tree that stands behind me.
I want to slap him across the face, make him focus on me. What does that say about me?
Is it arrogance?
Is it that I’m a spoiled rich girl who always has her way and can’t fathom someone not giving it to her? But again, if that was the case. I wouldn—
I shake off the invasive thoughts and focus on what I’m here for.
“Shiloh, why are you here?”
“First, we have a project that affects us both, and I care to finish it. Second, I need you to tell me about June. You are the last person to have seen her alive. Give me something.” My tone lowers. “Anything.”
“I already told the cops everything, Shiloh. I suggest you start there. For the project, I’ll work on it.
” He motions between us. “But us being friends or playing detective together, forget it. Ask Daddy to just hire a private investigator to look into it, buy your answers. Do what you need to do, just leave me out of it.”
He doesn’t miss a beat.
After all, it's said and done. I remain standing in front of the now closed door, fury burning me from the inside out. My ears ring and my heart beats too loudly when soft hands land on my shoulder.
“Shi.” Thiago’s familiar voice pulls me back from my wrath; my eyes sting.
But it’s my pride that burns the hottest.
“What are you doing here?”
Blinking away the proof of my emotions. “ I came to ask Nicolas some questions. ”
“Oh yeah. How’d it go?”
I turn to face him, biting my lower lip and then smiling. “As good as you can possibly imagine.”
“He’s an ass.”
I nod. “He is, but we have a project that requires us to work together.”
Thiago’s pouty lips form an ‘o’. “He didn’t tell me that.”
“Why would he?”
He shrugs as he pulls out his vape and takes a long drag. Smoke curls between us when he exhales. “Did you hear anything that night?”
Thiago narrows his eyes. “Which night?”
“The night June went missing. She was here with him.” He looks like he’s going to throw up, his face pales, and he shakes his head before replying. “You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“How do you know?”
“I know, Nico,” he replies flatly.
“And I, June.”
Thiago looks at me in the eyes, making sure that I understand. “Nico isn’t who you think he is.”
I roll my eyes, folding my arms over my chest and slightly tilting my head. “So tell me who he is.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but the way his eyes soften with pity and distrust tells me he isn’t spilling anything. “Just trust me.”
“Trust you? No, you also have some things you have to clear up. Why were you at the Club?”
Thiago gives me a look of disbelief before using his hand to tussle his dark hair. “I was asked to look into something, and I found you. We found you.”
“He—” I don’t finish my question before Thiago replies with a nod of his head .
“Like I said, Shiloh, he’s not who you think he is. If you can’t believe what I tell you, believe in what June saw in him. Trust her.”
This time, I don’t reply; instead, I stalk out. Trying to fizzle out the anger beneath my skin. Nico has them all fooled. Do they know?
Do they know what happened that night between us?
I’m sure that’s a secret he will never share. For the same reasons, I never would.
From behind me, Thiago calls out, “I have people looking into The Pulse IP. I’ll keep you posted, trust me.”
I flip him off and continue to walk.
Trust him.
As if I could ever trust anyone but the woman this fucking school killed.
After the walk back to the dorm, some warm noodles and a shower, I sit on our small cloud sofa. My eyes fixate on June’s empty bed, I figured Tati would be here by now. However, my dear friend is one to party and enjoy being around people. She's changed a lot throughout the years.
My phone pings with a message, and I look at the screen. It’s a message from Tati. A selfie of her by the pool.
Tatiana
How about some night swimming? We can play detective if you want. Stop being a Debby downer and get a moving ice queen. Love u. Kiss Kiss.
I roll my eyes, holding back the urge to smile; however, I don’t go out. Instead, I get up and do the only thing that feels right. Going through June’s belongings. Grabbing the empty totes left in the closet, I open the aqua color one and gasp when I see a small journal.
Alongside clips of newspapers.
“What were you doing, June?” I whisper, grabbing the leather notebook and manila folder that contains the clippings.
Investigation on the way. Missing Bajo Bay area woman.
Why was June looking into this— all of it was information about the missing Jane Doe from Bajo Bay, but why would June care? How would she have met someone from Bajo Bay? We don't really go into those areas due to the high crime rate.
It wasn’t safe.
Nico.
He’s from that area, and so is Zayden.
Biting into the corner of my manicured hand, my free hand shakes as I open the journal. Plopping down on her bed, I open the diary to read the first entry. My stomach knots, making me queasy. It feels wrong to invade her privacy, but I need answers. And who better than her to give them to me?
June.
My tears fall on the paper, smudging the blue ink as my hand moves to my mouth. Placing the journal beside me, I gather deep breaths into my lungs. The room feels suffocating, but being around anyone right now feels like a prison.
I jump to my feet, grabbing my phone and keys. Heading to the only place I know peace.