Page 45 of Wanna Play A Game?

“I’m sorry. I’ll get you pain meds and breakfast.” I sit on the bed.

Cali looks like she’s going to jump off the bed, despite the chain not being long enough for her feet to hit the ground. Her body is dusty from her run from me, and her hair is full of stickers from the ground. I raise my hand with the towel slowly. Her beautiful eyes watch me as I dab the burn.

I know it must hurt like fuck, but she doesn’t flinch or try to get away. Instead, she stares holes into me. It’s silent for a bit, and then she softly asks, “Where did you go?”

My gut twists, and I get the urge to clear my throat.

“Where?” She asks again, with more power. “Did you go?”

“I had to run and get something.”

Cali’s chest heaves. I glance up, and there’s burning anger in her gaze. She doesn’t say anything for a bit. Then she says, “I see.”

I feel her shut down. Whatever slight peace we had before is completely gone now.

I continue cleaning. “You’re going to need a comb for the stickers.”

“And a shirt. Tell Sawyer I won that shirt fair and square.” Her voice is emotionless.

Once I’m done cleaning, I grab a comb and bring it back. Cali holds out her hand. “So you just take whatever you want, fuck whoever it hurts, right?”

I stand. I clench my jaw. “I’ll be back later with meds.”

I stalk out of the room, catching myself before I slam the door.

Chapter 20

Ryder

Iglance out of my cell at the digital clock in holding. Why hasn’t Miles called yet? I always forget just how slowly time moves here.

Finally, a CO comes and gets me for a phone call and brings me up to the booth.

“Hey, Miles,” I say.

“Hey.” His voice sounds tense.

I stiffen. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing. Bored. Sawyer got that package.”

What the hell? His voice sounds off.

“Only instead of a men’s shaving kit, it was a women’s. I told him not to use it, but he opened it and did anyway. Now he’s throwing it all around and ruining it. But he also says I have to use it, and if I don’t, he’ll destroy it completely.”

My stomach clenches. Something is wrong. He never talks like this.

Miles laughs like he’s joking, but I hear the tension in his voice. “Anyway, need you back here to straighten him out.”

I clench my jaw. Miles is afraid. And I know what he does when he’s afraid.

He runs.

I grit my teeth, “Two more days until my hearing. Lawyer is gonna get me a bond.” I name the insane amount the judge will let me out on. That, plus our extra to line his pockets.

“I’ll get it,” he says. “Just hurry, will ya? I’m starting to see myself shaving with a pink razor for the rest of my life, and we can’t have that.” He laughs, and it’s a bit manic.

“I’m coming. I’ll get rid of it when I get home.”