Page 121 of Playing Dirty

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That should’ve ended it.

It didn’t.

Because he replied:

that’s the first honest thing you’ve said

I stopped for a second.

Because I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment.

Or a warning.

Maybe both.

Mason

We boarded the bus early morning.

Same noise.

Same chaos.

Same routine.

But everything felt slightly off.

Not because of travel.

Because I kept checking my phone.

Without meaning to.

Jace noticed on the second stop.

“You’re doing it again.”

“I’m not doing anything.”

“You’ve checked your phone six times in ten minutes.”

I didn’t respond.

Because I was waiting for something I didn’t want to define yet.

Rowan.

Then it came.

don’t lose

I stared at it.

Then typed:

i don’t lose

Three dots.

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