Page 43 of The Illicit Play

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I’ve been hungover before, but I’m pretty sure when I crack my eyes open, I’m experiencing death. Or pre-death. Or maybe it’s just torture—this dull, aching torture that’s radiating throughout my entire body. The kind that makes you wish for death.

Groaning, I slowly roll over, taking in my surroundings and realizing I’m not in my bedroom.

Oh shit!

Who the hell did I hook up with?

I bolt upright, instantly regretting the move.

My stomach roils while my head barks at me to be more fucking carefully.

Cradling my forehead, I squint at the room and… Hey, I know this place. I’ve been in here before.

Spying the corner of a little pink bed tucked behind a half wall, my eyes then track to the basket of toys and building blocks, then across to the drawers, framed pictures of Zander and Sienna littering the top. There’s a big image of Zoey hanging on the wall above it, and…

Why am I in their converted garage?

For a harrowing microsecond, I have the ugly thought that Zander and I got up to something we shouldn’t have and?—

No, no. He’s not a cheater, and I…

I was so fucking out of it last night, I can’t remember a thing.

I don’t know how I got in here.

I don’t know whose T-shirt I’m wearing or where any of my clothes are.

Sniffing my hair, I grimace and can’t even remember when I threw up, but I must have because I reek, and the taste in my mouth is vile.

My brain is dredging up memories from the day before.

There was nearly getting caught in the pharmacy. A shudder rolls through me until I remember the way Grady came to my aid. Shit. I would have been screwed without him.

Did I thank him?

I must have.

Please say I did.

We walked down the street for a little bit, and then I left him. I was antsy and…

A party.

I went to a party.

Some guy invited me in, and I walked through the front door, and it was all so familiar. It made me miss Cleo, and when those guys smiled at me, I walked straight toward them. There were some girls there, playing a drinking game, and they invited me to join. I can’t remember what the game was, but we threw backshots, and I was laughing.

And…

And that’s it.

I don’t remember anything else, and now I’m here and… How did I get here?

“Shiiiiiit.” I groan, running a hand through my hair and hoping like hell that I didn’t call Wily.

He’s never seen my party side. I’ve tried to keep all of that carefully hidden away. I need to maintain my sweet-girl persona when I’m around my family. They’d be so disappointed if they knew.