Page 19 of Lessons in Sin

Jumping off of the seat, I stumble as my head goes spinning.

Ugh, no more cocktails Scarlett.

Cocktails are bad … better yet anything with the word cock in is bad. They should define cock as BAD in the dictionary.

‘Whoa!’ Noah grabs my arm to steady me. ‘You okay?’

I smile up at him. ‘I’m going to get some air.’

‘You want me to come with?’

I shake my head and stumble away before he can object. Noah is nice - he’s good and kind and isn’t my professor. Why can’t I be attracted to him instead of Tristan? Messy, complicated Tristan who also happens to be my professor.

I make my way outside, the cool breeze nipping at my skin. Pulling out my phone I click on my message thread with Tristan. The last text stares at me, the sight of it sad to see. Stop - like he can tell me what to do.

I should text him.

I giggle. I don’t know what time it is, or if he’s asleep or if he’s blocked me already after what I pulled yesterday but I type out a message anyway.

Scarlett: Heloooooo it yor turn to ak a Q

The screen is blurry, and my fingers feel numb. I have no idea how coherent the message is, but I click send anyway, giggling as the little whoosh sounds from my phone. Seconds later my hand … no - my phone vibrates. Tristan’s name beams up at me.

‘Hello?’ I slur.

‘What are you playing at Scarlett.’ My name on his tongue sends a rush of pleasure running down my spine.

’I’m trying to get you to play our game. It’s your turn.’ I form the words slowly, my tongue working in overdrive under the strain of the alcohol in my system.

He pauses, and then, ‘Are you drunk?’

‘No.’ I say but a giggle falls from my lips.

’Scarlett--’

’Scarlett.’ I deepen my voice, a mockery of his and then burst out laughing.

‘Where are you?’ He says, a note of worry hidden beneath his stern words.

‘Finally! You’re playing the game again.’ I lean against a wall, the brick scraping my skin, the low-back top not affording me much protection. ‘I’m at a bar.’

‘Which bar.’

‘Nuh-uh.’ I wag my finger even though I know he can’t actually see me. ’It’s my question now.’

I hear him release a frustrated breath and it makes me giggle. You show him who’s boss Scarlett!

‘What’s your question?’

I put my finger to my lips and try to sort through my muddled brain for something to ask him when little miss garter belt pops up in my mind. ‘Did you enjoy your date with little miss garter-belts?’

There’s silence on the other end of the line and then I hear him moving. Bed sheets rustle and then I hear keys jangling against one another.

’Scarlett, I want the name of that bar right now.’

‘Answer the question and I’ll give you it.’ I sing-song.

‘Fine. No, I didn’t enjoy it.’ So, he did go on a date then. My eyes blur with tears before I can stop them, but before they can spill, he continues. ‘Now tell me where the bar is and what the name of it is.’

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