Page 19 of The Games We Play

Glancing back over my shoulder, because clearly I’m addicted to the drama, Jeremy attempts to follow me. I see Seamus hold out his palm to him, calling a command like an owner to a dog. “Stay.” Then he turns to watch me as I round the corner of the entrance door.

Ugh!Why is he here? How is he here? Coming out of the woodwork, bossing my boring date around.

I pull out my phone, open the Uber app, and call for a car. Fortunately, there is one available within four minutes.

I should have driven, but I hate driving at night, and I never drive even if I have one drink.

Standing on the side of the curb, I glance up and down the street, looking for the silver Toyota Camry that is surely nowhere nearby yet.

“Do you know how much restraint it took not to reply withyour worst nightmare.” His voice is deep velvet, and even mocking Rambo sounds like cashmere to my ears.

My back is to him, thank God, because I have to press my lips together to stop my smile and suppress my giggle.

Damn him.My goofy Seamus. The one I remember so well.

Then I remember I’m mad at him.

“Seamus,” I turn to face him, “what are you doing here?”

“I had to see you.”

I scrunch my nose and screw up my face. “How are you even here?”

“I saw you.”

“Did you follow me?” He remains quiet.

“Do you live here?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“Seattle.”

I huff and roll my eyes as I look away from him. Yes, that’s wherehereis. Ugh.

“We need to talk. That last day...what you think happened, didn’t happen like that.”

“Seamus, stop.” I avoid looking at him. I can’t do this, I can’t listen to him telling me what I should think whenI knowwhat happened.

“I know what happened, Seamus, I was there. I knowexactlywhat happened.” I divert my gaze down at my phone, anywhere I can look except on his gorgeous, tight body and stupid, beautiful face.

At seventeen, he was cute. A soft, smooth jawline with far too much hair on his head that didn’t fit the frame of his face, but he still had a strong, lean build.

Now…Now his body looks hard and sculpted with a jawline that could cut glass. My eyes briefly roam over his thick arms that fill out his clothes to tailored perfection, and I’ve never found myself staring at a man's ass, but Seamus’ is a sight to be seen, like he spends all his spare time sprinting for the Olympics.

I need to get the hell out of here. I sneak another peek at my phone. The Uber is just around the corner and can’t come fast enough.

“You need to give me a chance to explain.” He steps toward me.

I step back and he stops, feeling my discomfort.

“Mimi, that night?—”

“That night you took my virginity and then you left!” I shout at him, and he recoils. “You left, without a word. Nothing!” I yell even louder. The back of my throat is heavy with boulders. I swallow thickly and fight back the tears that begin to pool in my eyes.

“Your ten years of silence has said it all.”

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