Page 7 of Play Me

CHAPTER

FOUR

Astrid

I hum along to the radio as I wait for my opponent to make his final move.

Playing a quick game of chess before I get out of my car and go into my house is one of my small joys in life.

I started doing it years ago when I was in my last relationship, mostly because I didn’t want to go in and deal with …

that. But I've come to enjoy the peace, and the way it feels like I’m in a protected bubble away from the world.

It’s a habit that I have no interest in giving up.

“Just make it,” I say, humming happily and watching my phone screen. “End your pain, sucker.”

My opponent wastes entirely too much time choosing his next move. Finally, he slides right into the trap I set six moves back. And I win.

“Check …” I make my final move, wait for him to accept defeat, and then log off the app. “Mate.”

I reach for the door handle to go inside, but my phone buzzes with an incoming text. Audrey’s name is printed on the screen above her message.

Audrey: Sorry for the delayed response. My reception was awful on the beach. I know, I know. Poor me. Dinner tomorrow night sounds great! I fly back in the morning and land around noon.

Me: Stupey’s at seven. Does that work for everyone?

Gianna: I’ll be there.

Audrey: Me, too! Love you guys!

Me: xoxo

Gianna: MUAH!

I close the app but reopen it when it buzzes again, figuring Audrey must have forgotten something. I’m surprised to see Renn’s name on the screen.

Renn: Just wanted to thank you for being the bigger person today. I know you didn’t hit it off with Gray, and I appreciate you setting your sword down to get the job done.

Laughter topples from my lips at the memory of Gray’s face when I shifted tactics. He thought he had me . He wanted to make me look bad in front of Renn and control the situation. But, by his reaction, he didn’t expect me to play along—or to play the game better than him.

If he thinks we can be a “great team,” I’ll make him regret it.

“Stay out of my way, and things will be fine.”

The memory makes me chuckle. I’m going to be so deep into his business that he’ll wish he’d have taken my advice and found a way out of this while there was time.

Me: I still have the sword, but I promise to make you proud.

Renn: I knew I could count on you.

Me: Always. Have a good night.

Renn: You, too.

I gather my things from the passenger’s seat, slip my phone into my bag, and head inside.

I need a glass of wine and a bubble bath. It’s time to get to work figuring out how to get a step ahead of Gray fucking Adler.