Page 126 of The Illicit Play

Shit, it took everything in me not to open that door and step right into the tub with her.

I wanted to wrap my arms around her, cocoon her against me like I’d been doing for the last few days.

Truth be fucking damned, I was about to risk every consequence in order to go in there and comfort her, but I was stopped by Zander.

“Hey, you’re back.”

I whip away from the door like I’ve just been struck by a bolt of lightning.

He snickers at me, obviously surprised by my reaction. “You okay?”

“What are you doing up here?” I scrub a hand over the back of my head.

His face buckles with confusion as he points his thumb over his shoulder. “Saw your Jeep and wanted to come see how it was. Blake behave herself, or was she a nightmare?”

I force out a laugh, shuffling away from the bathroom door and then trying to explain myself. “Just bringing her a fresh towel.” I point to the one I placed on the floor and my best friend nods, still obviously waiting for a coherent answer. “Yeah, it was good.” My head starts to bob as I walk toward my room.

Zander follows me, and I stick with the facts. Simple truths that don’t hurt to say.

I quickly run through the hike I mapped out, mentioning how I taught Blake to pitch a tent, fish… then adding that she beat me at chess.

“Really?” Zander’s eyebrows rise as he perches on the edge of my desk, sliding his hands into his pockets.

“Yeah, she’s good, man. Real smart.”

“But you’re a chess king.”

I shrug. “So is she.”

“Huh. Looks like you’ve met your match.” Zander glances at something on my desk, and thank fuck, because I can’t hide the emotion I’m feeling right now.

Shit, I want to tell him.

But I can’t.

I won’t put him in that position.

“Did she handle the hiking okay?”

“Yeah. Didn’t complain once. She seemed to really love the outdoors. Think she’s found her happy place, you know?”

Zander glances back at me. “So, you think it’s helped her shake off this angst or whatever she’s battling?”

I nod, not knowing how much to share. Those aren’t my secrets to tell. They’re Blake’s, and hopefully she’ll have the courage to share them soon. She’s running out of time and excuses to stay in Nolan. She’s gonna have to come clean about Chicago before they find out another way. If Cleo ends up sending those photos to her parents… yeah, I don’t think Blake will survive that, especially if she hasn’t given them a heads-up.

Anger toward her ex-roommate fires through me hot and fast. Being away in the forest, I was able to forget about all the things hanging over her. But now that we’re back, it’s hitting me full force.

“Well, it was nice of you to do that for her.” Zander stands up, having no fucking idea.

I didn’t do anything for her. I gave in to temptation, and I took.

Fuck, I’m such a shitty friend.

“You seem tired. We can catch up more over the weekend. Although, I’m sure the coaches will be working us hard. You ready for spring training?”

I’m honestly not sure, though focusing on football for a while will probably be a nice reprieve.

Giving him a pained frown, I apologize for being so morose. “Sorry. Once I’m clean, I’ll probably feel better.”