Page 24 of Play Dirty
From the corner of my eye, I catch Nico shifting in his seat, opening his long, toned legs as if inviting me to dance for him. I smileat the thought, what a piece of shit. I’m not much better, but at least I'm not the one using June. Unlike him.
I’m sure he sees her as a meal ticket. Another rich girl he can marry and inherit her fortune, only to treat her as an option. A throb pulses through my clit, and shame washes over me as the ghost of his bulge nudges my hand. Shaking off the thought, I continue my way to Thiago, who pulls me into him the moment I’m within reach. He sits me on his lap directly in front of Nico, who drinks slowly. His Adam's apple bobs with each sip, one hand clutching the leather armchair.
Nico leans back, his legs part to give me a view.
Of nothing.
There’s no tent.
No bulge.
And he’s not even bothering to look at my face. If anything, he looks unamused and pissed off.
Not even as I grind on Thiago’s erection. Not even as his best friend grabs my throat and whispers sweet nothings in my ear. “Such a tease, Shi. Gonna let me take you home?” This time, I answer, not with a dance or pressing my ass further into him, but instead, I turn and cup the side of his face and press my lips against his.
His hand snakes up my neck as my lips open, allowing his tongue to slide against mine. Slow and deliberate, the muscles move against each other. Through my lashes, I glance up and look at Nico. That’s when I see it. The moment the mask slips— is that anger? Jealousy?
Couldn’t be.
Not when he’s with June.
Barely visible, but it’s evident to me that I’ve struck a nerve. The way his knuckles are white from the strain. His jaw tight and eyes dark as they’re fixed on us. He looks like he’s about to rip his roommate off me, and that makes me deepen the kiss. Thiago groans into my mouth. “Shi, let me take you home and show you a good time.”
I pull away to answer when something hits between us. A piece of ice that lands in my lap between my closed legs. I look up and catch the feral look on his face. “Not tonight. I need sleep.” Nico shouts over the music before shifting in his seat, making sure to show me that I'm truly not his type. That he’s truly not affected, and all I did was show my desperation. Show that I want to make him burn, but he’s not even simmering. My mind begins to spiral just as a scream pierces the air.
The music goes off, and people run towards the commotion. “What the fuck is going on?” Ezra grunts from behind us as he pulls away from the rest of the guys and moves towards the chaos. More people scream and circle around something in front of us.
Something inside me cracks. I don’t know how to exactly explain what I’m feeling. Somehow, I know that whatever is happening is about to change everything. My body moves on its own as I stand and walk towards the yard where the crowd is gathering. Brown locks come into view, and my heart sinks.
Instant realization.
It’s like your body warning you before something terrible happens. That's the best way I can explain sensory overload. My body breaks out in a sweat, then goosebumps, the closer I get, and then I’m front row. No matter how many times I blink, the image doesn’t change.
My brows pull together, and my hands tremble with anxiety.. I’m unable to process the scene before me. My eyes cloud with tears; finally, my knees give out as I collapse to the ground. My knees sink into the grass, “Noooo.”
Strong arms wrap around me, and I don’t have time to process that it's Nico.
Holding me together, trying to shield me from the corpse. My hands fist his shirt, I’m not sure if I’m pushing away or burrowing myself deeper into him. He holds me firmly, “shh.”
“June.”I manage to croak, my eyes glued to her naked and battered dead body. “Clo-” I choke out between sobs, my finger curling tighter around the fabric. “She needs clothes.” I manage to say.
“What?” Nico asks, slightly pulling away. I don’t meet his gaze; my entire body shakes. Another sob works its way up my throat. “Shh… I got you, Shi.” He whispers as I try to claw my way from his embrace.
“JUNE!” I wail out, “JUNE!”
People circle around us, phones in their hands, not to call for help but to record. “What the fuck? Back the fuck up.” I hear Thiago from somewhere behind us. I continue to fight with Nico as Ezra uses his jacket to cover June, and somewhere in the background, I hear Zayden calling 911.
“June.”
“I know, Shi.” His voice breaks, and finally, I look up to see his eyes shimmer with pain and unshed tears. Once again, I lose focus, my eyes fill with tears faster than I can shed them, and I beat on his chest. “You did this,” I repeat over and over as I beat the man who dated my best friend. “You didn’t protect her.”
He finally lets me go.
And I scramble, crawling over to my best friend and resting my head on her chest. “She’s so cold,” I whisper, as I place my palm on her chest. Begging for her to breathe, for her chest to rise. “June, wake up.”
But I know she’s gone. Her once soft skin is cold and rigid. The smell of death overpowers the smell of hibiscus. My hand hovers, clenching, opening, and closing, not knowing what to do. Another scream escapes my lips. “Don’t leave me.” I sob.
From a distance, I can hear the sirens over the commotion, but all I can focus on is June and the man who stands before her. Guilt written over his features as he swallows his own tears and pain. This time, it’s Thiago who cradles me, lifting me from the ground as first respondersclose in. My hand reaches for her, expecting her to take it– to tell me this is a joke. Nothing happens, of course.
