Page 300 of Hateful Games

“Designated driver?”

“She has an exam tomorrow.”

“You guys are making me sound like an alcoholic,” Iris says, giving them a side-eye. “I can enjoy a party without drinking.”

“Ignore them,” I cut in before either of them can say anything.

With a shake of her head, she does and allows a smiling Nathan to pull her closer. Everything about the two of them is perfect. Always in sync, finishing each other’s sentences, protecting and caring.

But their relationship is also very private.

I know Iris’s family is very conversative, which is why I’ve never seen the two of them kiss or do any PDA. Except the occasional hand-holding or forehead kisses. I brushed it off as normal.

But after seeing Bianca and Dash even when they were faking their relationship, they were all over each other. Dash, who never cracks a smile unless Bianca is around, is always kissing and touching her. Hell, in my own experience, I can hardly keep my hands or lips off Nova.

I know every relationship is different but there’s something about Iris and Nathan which is irking me, liking I’m missing something. Could it be because they’ve been dating for a long time?

Or maybe I’ve turned into Bianca.

Both of us hit by the same Cupid.

“Oh! There’s Shammi.” Iris squints to our left and tugs at my wrist. “He’s alone. Let’s go meet him. That man cracks me up.”

“I haven’t had a chance to properly meet him.”

“Then we ought to. Come on.”

Before she can pull me away, I twist and rise on my toes to kiss Nova. A quick peck that lasts for a lingering second and earns a soft contented look.

“I’ll be back.”

“I’ll be here.”

I let Iris tug me away. We’re out of earshot of the men when she playfully shoves my shoulder with hers. “Still in the honeymoon phase, I see?”

“Better than the fighting phase?”

“Still planning to leave him?” asks Iris somberly. “Or have your feelings changed?”

The question makes me pause and my heart hurt.

I’ve been living in such a bubble that I’ve neglected all the obstacles standing in our path. I’ve let my guard down, let Nova in despite my commitment not to while pretending our families don’t have a deceitful past. Half of which I’m still left in the dark about. The visit with my dad, the memories of that afternoon return like a vengeance.

I want you to meet someone.

I push down my father’s voice filled with morbid glee. The cruelty so toxic and terrifying, I’ve compartmentalized them in a dark recess of my mind. However, as days fly by and with Nova’s gloomy behavior, I’m close to flipping out. There’s still so much I haven’t shared with Nova while I’m selfishly coaxing him to reciprocate.

Maybe I am my father’s daughter.

“Rose?” Iris nudges me in concern.

I return a broken smile. “It’s no longer my choice, Iris.”

“What are you saying?”

“As long as my father stands in the way, Nova will never be mine.”

A frown pinches her brows. “Do you think Nova hates him that much?”

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