Page 146 of The Illicit Play

And I try to absorb as much of it as I can while composing the ultimate apology to my roommate.

Even if he can’t forgive me, I have to convince him to forgive his little sister.

CHAPTER 50

BLAKE

Nothing is resolved by the time we go to bed.

I’m still not ready to face my brother and that disgusted, shocked,who the hell are youlook on his face, so I sneak up to my room, feigning a migraine, and desperately try to get some sleep.

It doesn’t work.

All I want is Grady’s arms around me and for this to all be over. But I doubt sneaking to his room tonight is a good idea.

Is Wily right?

Is Grady still in love with his ex-girlfriend?

Am I just a fling that he’s trying to get out of his system?

The thought sits horrible and heavy in my chest, making it hard to breathe again. I do my best not to panic but end up sitting up, kicking the covers off me, and pacing the room while I try to regulate my heartbeat.

It’s about two in the morning, and I’m close to losingmy mind when my phone buzzes with a series of texts and photographs.

Frowning, I snatch the device off the nightstand, wondering why my Do Not Disturb isn’t on, then feel my heart plummet into my stomach.

Cleo’s name is splattered all over my screen.

Cleo: Gimme more money. Or I’m sending these to your parents.

Fresh images pop up, ones I didn’t even know were taken. There’s a photo of me making out with Cleo. It was a dare, and I figured a little kissing wouldn’t hurt anyone. We didn’t take it further than that, but I have vague memories of Nico and Simon cheering us on.

My parents won’t see it that way. The skimpy outfit I’m wearing, my tongue in another girl’s mouth? They won’t get that it was just a little college fun.

Because it wasn’t fun. You felt so incredibly uncomfortable, don’t you remember?

I played it off like it was my idea, but Cleo launched herself at me first.

The next image is me flashing the camera, my boobs on full display as I pull my shirt wide and let the camera see it all. My tongue is sticking out, and I have this wild, crazy look on my face.

That was at the heavy metal concert. I can’t even remember the name of the band. It was loud, crashing music that made my eardrums bleed, but I pretended that I loved it.

I swallow, feeling sick as another memory crashes through me, Simon pouring beer all over my chest, then licking it off. He thought it was the funniest thing in the world.

And yep… there’s the photo.

I’m laughing, totally intoxicated and barely aware of what I’m doing.

Shit. I was such a fool.

I thought my parents had me locked in this prison of academia and perfect appearances, but all I did was walk straight out of one cell and into another. I wasn’t happy leading this reckless life. I was terrified the whole time. Worried I’d get busted.

And I did.

I got myself into the worst kind of trouble, and it didn’t end when I got to Nolan.

Whoops. Forgot to mention those indiscretions to Wily. Better add it to the list.