Page 74 of Their Cruel Play
Go easy on Death, little nympho
Me:
What happened?
War (Caden):
He got hurt. We’ll explain later. Just don’t lean on his left side.
My stomach clenches. He’s hurt. What does that mean? Did Zach do it?
“H.!” Kenz waves and walks toward me and Jack. I’m still looking perplexed at my phone when she and Brandon stop in front of us.
“Where’s the rest of your group?” She smiles a little crookedly. She’s obviously been partaking of the party juice. Being drunk would make all of this easier, but I want to keep my wits around me tonight.
“On their way. Eli is over there.” I point toward the group he’s with. His eyes are on me as he talks to the others. Even though he’s not beside me, he’s had me in his sight the entire time. He gives me a little nod, and a rush of awareness flows through me.
“Can we join you?” Kenz glances at Jack, who nods.
“Of course.” I smile, happy to have someone not glaring at me like the other girls at the party. Those girls don’t come up and talk with Jack, just flash some skin and give him flirtatious grins.
Kenz and Brandon sit on the couch beside us. Brandon touches fists with Jack before leaning back and looking over the party.
“I haven’t seen Sidney and her merry band of bitches at the party.” Kenz leans in so we can talk without yelling over the sounds of music and teenagers. More people are in the pool, still in underwear.
“I don’t think they’re here.” Glancing around again, I’m actually glad they aren’t here. I could use a night off, but if theydon’t show up, it might be a while before the guys get the info they need.
“Do you want to go dance?” Kenz smiles and grabs my hands. “We haven’t been able to go out to parties together.”
I glance at Jack. He shrugs and tips my chin his way.
“Stay where we can see you, sweetheart.”
Grinning, Kenz grabs my hand. As we get up, Brandon leans in to talk to Jack. There’s a crowd of people inside dancing where the music blares. She drags me into the crowd. I laugh as she spins around and we dance together, ignoring the people surrounding us.
For the first time in a while, I feel light and carefree. Without the weight of Sidney watching, I might as well be any other teenager at this party.
Except I have five boyfriends, which still weirds me out to think about.
It’s not like I feel wrong about it though. It’s just not normal. Yeah, it’s normal to date around in high school, but no one would call those guys their boyfriends until they made a commitment to one of them. Is the rest of the school year an actual commitment?
If it makes Mom feel better about this and gets the rest of the girls to back the fuck off though, I’m all for it. Kenz grabs my hands and we dance through five songs until I need a drink.
I pull her with me back to the chairs where we left Jack. Caden and Nico are back. Luke’s pale eyes fix on mine. His eyes are slightly glazed. Is he on something?
When I stop, Kenz runs into me. It happens in a flash. I lose my balance right next to the pool. Kenz grabs at my arm, but it slips from her grip. At least I won’t be the only girl to have fallen into the pool, but the girl earlier seemed pushed and wasn’t wearing a dress.
Arms wrap around me and pull me in tight. I open my eyes. Luke’s face is next to mine and pain is etched on it.
“Watch your step, princess.” His words are only for me.
We straighten, and he flinches, but it’s so slight no one else would have caught it. I’ve made it a point to study Death’s face. To learn all the little expressions he makes. My gaze drags over him, looking for anything off, but he appears whole.
Maybe he’s hurt under his clothes, but I’m not supposed to react to it.
“Luke.” I touch his jaw. I try to search his eyes, but he’s closed off to me. He leans into my hand with a smirk.
“The only one that should make you wet is me.”
