Page 67 of Pawn

I rather stare at a hundred dick pics than stare at this board filled with numbers and equations I don’t understand.

I’m in class a few weeks later when my phone buzzes on my desk and I’m hoping I wished a dick pic into existence.

I’m also hoping it’s Damien’s.

I won’t get my hopes up. Damien hasn’t been the Damien I’m used to. He’s there when I get home and in the morning and he doesn’t run off to business meetings but it’s like something is missing.

Like he’s empty.

He doesn’t fall asleep with me by his side unless I smoke him out or give him a heavy dose of booze. Or sex. And while he says he loves me every day, I can’t help but think he lost something else he loves. Damien says to give him time, and unlike him, I’m trying to be patient. But I don’t know how long that will last.

Reaching for my buzzing phone, I pull it in my lap so my teacher doesn’t see.

Unknown: Want to save ur bfs company?

Glancing around the room, I don’t see anyone else on their phone before I text back.

Jo: Who is this?

The response is quick.

Unknown: Craig

A breath escapes my lips, my back hitting the chair when I realize it’s not someone threatening.

Is it?

After saving his number, his next text confirms it.

Craig: So? Do u?

I don’t know how he got my number but if he’s reaching out, maybe he knows something that will help push “time” along. Or I’m fucking stupid. It’s likely the latter.

Jo: What is it?

Craig: :) Meet me @ The Steam Room after school. Dont bring Damien

My eyes narrow at the screen.

Jo: Why? And wtf is the steam room?

Craig: If u want to help, Steam Room. 3 pm. C u. xoxo

When I text back, he doesn’t answer but there’s no chance I’m focusing on Calculus now.

What does he want with me?

What does he know that Damien can’t know?

I spend the rest of the day thinking about it. All through my swim class, damn near drowning in all the possibilities of what Craig could know.

Does he know about Marion?

Re-reading the texts after school while I’m in front of my locker doesn’t help. It’s hard to trust Craig when his dad is suing King up the ass, but it’s getting harder to see another option.

“Scandal?” Nate slows his stride when he passes by, Carlos beside him. “You look paler than Kristen Stewart on a red carpet.”

“C’mon, Nate,” Carlos wines. “We’re running late.”

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