Page 31 of Played
CHAPTER TEN
Julian's Kia pulls up in front of my building, and my stomach flips. I smooth down my corduroy skirt and adjust my red jacket. The black booties make my legs look longer. I know I look good. I'm not trying to look ugly—definitely not. But since this is the last time I'll see him, I don't feel too bad about it.
When I slide into the passenger seat, Julian turns to me, and the sight of his smile—genuine, warm, reaching all the way to those deep brown eyes—steals every bit of air from my lungs, leaving me breathless and scrambling to remember how to act normal around him.
"Hey." His eyes travel over me, warm and appreciative. "You look amazing."
"Thanks." I buckle in, trying to ignore how the brown leather jacket makes his shoulders look broader, how his dark hair curls just above his collar. "You clean up pretty well yourself."
"Pretty well?" He pulls into traffic, grinning. "That's all I get?"
"Don't fish for compliments. It's unbecoming."
"Unbecoming." He laughs, glancing at me. "You're the only person under thirty who uses words like that."
"I'm sophisticated."
"You're adorable."
The word hangs between us. I should shut this down. Instead, I smile at the window.
The meeting hits different tonight. A woman named Rachel shares about her ex-husband. The bruises. The apologies. The cycle repeated for seven years.
I grip the edges of my chair. My chest tightens. Images flash—sixteen years old, drunk at a party, a guy I trusted, the bedroom spinning, my voice saying no over and over until I couldn't say anything at all.
I shake my head hard. I never think about that. Ever.
"You okay?" Julian whispers.
I nod, swallowing hard.
In the car afterward, he doesn't start the engine right away.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Liza." His voice softens. "You weren't yourself in there. I noticed."
"Just the robbery." The lie comes easily. "Still shaken up about it sometimes."
He studies me, and I know he doesn't believe me. But he lets it go.
"My sister's place is just up ahead."
Alicia opens the door with a wide smile that mirrors Julian's. Before she can speak, a six-year-old crashes into Julian's legs.
"Uncle J!"
"Cooper!" Julian scoops him up, spinning him around. The boy's laugh is pure joy.
Alicia extends her hand. "You must be Liza. I'm Alicia."
I'm surprised she knows about me. As usual, I instantly overthink this. He probably just informed her about bringing a guest.
"Nice to meet you." I clarify quickly, "We met at a support group. For the robbery."
"Right." Something flickers in her eyes—curiosity, maybe. "Come in."
