Page 56 of Dirty Play

“I’d say so. I just made you come with only my words—I’d say I’m pretty fucking awesome.”

She blushes, rolling over to get up, but she stops when she’s sitting at the edge of the bed, looking back at me.

“Where’d that nickname come from? Why Tink? She’s a tiny blonde fairy, and well… I’m quite the opposite of that.”

She’s not wrong in that aspect, but it’s less about what Tink looks like and more about her attitude.

“When I was growing up, my sister, Veronica, was the oldest, so she used to always pick what movie we would watch—she loved Disney movies, specifically anything with a fairy or magic. Her favorites were Peter Pan and Cinderella, so we watched those both at least one hundred times each,” I say, remembering one of the times we watched Cinderella, and she sat next to me quoting it line for line like it was her job.

Staring at the ceiling, I think about how to explain this.

“This might not make sense, but Veronica used to give me a hard time. She said I would need someone fierce to put me in my place—someone who could hold their own. One night, when we were teenagers, we were watching Peter Pan, and she mentioned Tink would be able to keep me in check and force me not to be so naughty all the time. We all got a good laugh out of it, but the more I thought about it, the more I watched the movie, the more I realized that Tink did have the kind of fierceness that I admired. Flash-forward to meeting you. I immediately knew you were bold and feisty, and I liked it even when I fought it, so the nickname Tink just sort of happened. It’s just funny that we ended up here, doing whatever this is, and you really might be the only woman who can put me in my place.”

“How can you be such an asshole sometimes but then you can turn around and be so damn cute and genuine? It’s infuriating,” she says, but her blush and megawatt smile tell the true story.

“It’s a gift and a curse. Now, go on and get ready before my mom gets impatient and comes to find us.”

She comes in for a quick kiss, before she stands up, her long t-shirt just the right length to show off her perfect legs and incredible ass, both of which I want to sink my teeth into. Walking toward the bathroom, she smirks. “I’m going to shower. Why don’t you head out there, and I’ll meet you once I’m ready?”

“Yeah, but you might wanna let me sneak through the bathroom first. Unless you want them all to see me slip out of your room?” Her eyes widen immediately, and I start to laugh as she all but shoves me through the door, locking it behind me.

Chapter 22

Cade

After just a few minutes of indecision, I drag myself out to the kitchen. My parents are sitting at the table, each with a cup of coffee in hand and their usual reading materials. My mom’s a reader. Any book she sees, she’ll probably read it. My dad, on the other hand, loves reading the paper, always starting his morning with his coffee and the crosswords.

At least, that’s how it was when I lived here.

I feel their eyes on me, staring as I walk in. It’s my mom who cracks first, standing and running over to me with a smile that both makes me happy and crushes my soul because all I can see is the pain Kylie has been telling me about—the pain I didn’t believe existed until I saw it first-hand.

“I was starting to wonder if I dreamed seeing you last night,” my mom says, still hugging me, only letting go when my dad comes over for a hug.

“Hello, son,” he says warmly, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes like he’s holding back, and it hurts. It makes me wonder if I should’ve stayed home.

Everyone in my family has the same look in their eyes when they see me, the same look that tells me how much they hold back. It’s that look that I’ve been running from for years, the look that tells me I’ve disappointed them.

“Hey, dad,” I say before grabbing a cup of coffee and starting Gwen’s drink.

“It’s good to see you. It’s been way too long,” my mom says as I sit down across from them.

“It has been too long, I—” I start, but she cuts me off.

“No, no. We aren’t going to do any of that right now. Right now, I’m just happy you’re here. Now, tell me about how you’re doing. I feel like I’ve missed so much.”

Now would be the best time to tell them I’ve had surgery—break the ice before Gwen comes out. But like most times, I chicken out right as the front door opens, and like a tornado, Kylie and Vince come blaring into the house, both scanning their surroundings, obviously looking for me. I see the surprise on each of their faces when they find me actually sitting at the table with our parents.

They probably thought you’d bail, again.

Kylie runs over and gives me a quick hug before sitting next to me, while Vince passes by, giving my shoulder a squeeze before sitting next to mom. All of them notice as I wince in pain, my side more tender today than yesterday. That damn drive really did me in.

“You good?” my dad asks, a concerned look on his face.

“Uh… yeah. About that, it’s kind of part of the reason I’m here… I probably, no—definitely, should’ve told you guys about this but, uh—I had surgery almost two weeks ago.”

Just as expected, they all start talking at once, all trying to be heard, and each of them making sure I know how pissed they are. Which I deserve. After a minute or two of them complaining, the concern and questions start. Their desire to want to understand will always impress me.

“What do you mean you had surgery?” Kylie asks incredulously. “Isn’t that something you’d want to tell people about? What kind of surgery?”

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