Page 136 of The Illicit Play

Her dad laughs over top of her mother’s reprimand, like he couldn’t be prouder that his children are more than just siblings… they’re friends.

I can’t see all of Wily’s face from where I’m standing, but I bet he’s grinning—that smile he gets when he talks about his sister. He really does adore her… and he’s gonna be gutted when he finds out the truth.

“Because I’ve been able to do both,” Blake goes on to explain, “I just figured I’d stay here for as long as I could.”

“I think it’s safe to say that your time’s up, sweetheart.” Her dad’s tone leaves no room for argument.

“I know, Daddy.” She puts on her good-girl smile just for him.

“Now, we’ve let you have your fun over spring break,” her mother starts saying. “We let you go off and be in the wild.”

Let her?

She’s nineteen, for fuck’s sake. She doesn’t need anyone’s permission.

“And we’re glad you had so much fun. But it’s time to get back into the swing of things. You have classes to ace, exams to get top marks on. You really need to get back to reality.”

Blake’s lips tremble as she forces them into yet another fake smile. “You’re right. I’ll go up and start looking at flights now.”

“That’s my girl,” her dad says while my shoulders slump.

Shit. She bailed.

Shaking my head with a frown, I quietly turn and walk away. Looks like the truth is gonna have to wait for another day.

I mean, what the fuck does she honestly think she’s gonna do? Fly back to Chicago and live out of a hotel again, wasting her dayspretendingto go to school?

She’s just made things harder for herself, and I don’t know if I can get her out of this hole she keeps digging. I want to help her so badly, but I can’t if she won’t let me.

CHAPTER 46

BLAKE

Mercifully, this hideous video call with my parents wraps up a few minutes after I agree to book my flight back to Chicago.

My heart is hammering as I duck out of the kitchen and head upstairs. All I can see as I ascend is the disappointed look on Grady’s face. It’s killing me.

He’s pissed off that I won’t tell the truth.

No, he’s let down, and I hate that more than anything. I’d rather he be annoyed. It’s easier to deal with.

No, it’s not. None of these emotions are easy to deal with!

This is exactly what I’ve been so afraid of facing with my brother and parents. I didn’t mind so much when I annoyed Grady before, but now he really means something to me, and the idea of me letting him down is too much.

My heart kicks out of place, picking up another notch until my breaths start getting too shallow. It hurts to inhale and?—

No, no, no! I won’t give in to another panic attack. I won’t do it.

Pausing at the top of the stairs, I grip the railing and sway on my feet. Closing my eyes, I force air in through my nose.

My entire body feels on the verge of snapping—muscles so tense I can’t even move.

What the hell am I supposed to do?

Tell the truth!

But how? If I let the first part out, the rest will have to follow, and my family will never look at me the same again. All of Mom and Dad’s pride will vanish in an instant, and then what’s left? If I’m not their shining star… what am I?