Page 10 of Wicked Games

I don’t like the irritation that prickles in my chest at his easy dismissal.

It’s been a week since Felix moved into my room, and I’ve barely seen him. He’s gone every morning when I wake up, and most nights he’s not even home when I go to sleep.

I have no idea how he keeps managing to slip in and out of the room without waking me, and instead of being glad he’s making himself scarce, his disappearing act is pissing me off. So is how he can so easily ignore me and pretend like I don’t exist when we’re in the room together.

None of it makes any sense, but I can’t push down my anger as he rummages through one of his drawers.

“Where have you been?” I ask before I can stop myself.

He stops rooting through his drawer and slowly slides his gaze to mine. “Why do you care?”

“I don’t.”

“Then why ask?”

“Why not ask? Isn’t that what roomies do? I’m just showing concern for your safety and whereabouts.”

He pulls something out of the drawer and shoves it in his pocket. “I was having dinner with Eden.”

“Are you fucking her?” The question slips out before I can stop it.

He snorts out a laugh and shoves the drawer closed. “No, we’re just friends.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Believe whatever you want.” He shoots me a flat look. “But why ask if you’ve already decided what the answer is?”

“Maybe I’m testing to see if you’ll tell me the truth.”

“I told you the truth.” The corners of his lips curl up in a little grin that looks more like a sneer than a smile. “Do I get a prize for passing your test?”

Some of my anger melts away. Usually Felix can keep his mask of indifference in place no matter what, and I don’t understand why I like that he’s not wearing it right now.

“What?” he asks warily, his sort-of smile falling.

“Nothing,” I say as casually as I can. “I’m just deciding what your prize is going to be.”

“Can it be you leaving me the hell alone?” he snaps as more of his iron-clad control slips away.

I grin as he pulls in a quick breath and squares his shoulders like he’s resetting himself after letting me see him crack.

“Nah. You were a good boy,” I drawl. “And good boys deserve a reward.”

“Is it too late to be a bad boy and lie to you?” He crosses his arms over his chest, his icy blue eyes fixed on mine. “Eden and I are fucking like bunnies all day and all night. How was that?”

“Too late.” I shake my head. “I’ll think of something, don’t you worry about that.”

He rolls his eyes. “Why do I feel like my prize is going to be a punishment?”

“Because you’re paranoid and have no faith in your big brother.”

His eyes narrow in a glare. “Fuck off with that big brother shit.”

“Isn’t that why you’re here? So your big brother can take care of you?”

“I’m here because no one at this school gives a fuck about what I want,” he snaps.

Excitement moves through my chest. I can’t remember the last time I saw Felix snap at anyone, and a weird sense of anticipation fills my chest as he levels me with another glare.

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