Page 47 of The Illicit Play

“Oh yeah, I just…” My voice trails off when his eyes narrow at me.

“You okay? You’re looking kind of pale.”

I blink, scrambling to come up with a good excuse. “I didn’t…” Sucking in a breath, I let it out in a rush, along with my lame-ass explanation. “Sleep very well last night. I’ve got a bit of a headache now.” I rub my forehead.

Wily frowns, giving my chin a soft, affectionate littlenudge with his knuckles. “You’re working too hard, sis. I didn’t even hear you get home from the library last night. Did you Uber?”

“Uh-huh.” I nod, my chest squeezing so tight it hurts to breathe.

“You should have called me. I could have sent one of the guys to come get you.”

“I didn’t want to be a bother.” I cross my arms, my eyes darting to Zander, then flashing back to my big bro. Shit, is my face turning red?

“Look, why don’t you take the day off and chill?” Wily rests his huge hand on my shoulder. “Stop studying every spare second and just relax.”

“Yeah.” I punch out a croaky laugh, glancing at Sienna, who’s giving me a pained frown. “I’m gonna go… take a shower.”

I move around my brother and make a beeline for the hallway, cringing when I hear him say, “What am I gonna do with her? She’s working so hard to be here and look after me. How do I get her back to Chicago where she belongs?”

His questions make me shudder.

Shit! He has no idea, and I feel like crap keeping him in the dark this way.

But how am I ever supposed to tell him what a fuckup his perfect little sister has become?

No one can know about my academic suspension. I couldn’t face it and decided to withdraw before shit really hit the fan. Like a coward, I quietly exited the school, and no one can ever know why.

This is my shame to bear.

But something is gonna have to come out eventually,which means I need to fabricate a plausible story for why I’ll never be returning to Chicago.

Reaching the top of the stairs, I walk into my room and gather up some fresh clothes, bundling them against me before spinning toward the bathroom.

But I don’t even make it out my bedroom door…

Because a tall, sexy-ass Grady is blocking my way. His brown gaze is dark with concern… and a knowing look that makes my insides writhe.

Shit. I so cannot deal with this right now.

CHAPTER 14

GRADY

Blake is looking so pale. So fucking fragile, it’s impossible not to worry about her.

Shit. She was a wreck when I brought her home last night.

As annoying as it was, hearing her start mumbling, then full-on singing “The Wellerman” was a huge relief. At least I knew she was on the mend. Her eyes were closed, her body floppy, but she was slur-singing that sea shanty like it was somehow keeping her alive.

Little weirdo.

My lips twitch before the memory starts to fade and that deep concern rides through me again.

“Morning.” I keep my voice soft, assuming she has a monster headache.

“Hey,” she croaks, her gaze darting away from mine, then suddenly pinging back up. Her blue eyes round as she chokes out, “What happened to your face?”

Lightly fingering my cut lip, I try to play it casual, notwanting to scare her. I’ve got a feeling she doesn’t remember much about last night.