Page 216 of Plaything

Finally, I got to my professors. My back was facing everyone else as I excitedly wiggled my diploma. “I’m like so smart now,” I joked in a valley girl falsetto.

Aiden was the first to reach out to shake my hand—having to play it cool, of course. “Yes, you look exceptionally smart,” he casually complimented. He reached out and touched one of my honors cords. “One for each limb,” he said in a hushed tone.

Limb? I barely had time to express my confusion before I stepped away to Dominic. “Congratulations, Darling,” he whispered in his low tone.

I grinned at his boldness, shaking his hand, surprised that he was so warm with the chill in the air. “And to you too, Sir,” I teased before stopping in front of Niko. Out of the corner of my vision, I saw Dominic crack a smile at my endearment. I knew he’d love it.

Niko clicked his tongue. “Not even a single limp for me, Miss Whitlock? I must admit, I’m disappointed,” he teased, putting on a fake formal hushed tone.

I shook my head at him and smiled as I shook his hand. “I hate you,” I lied.

“She said with a satisfied smile,” he narrated.

“Limp?” Wyatt joined in. “Is that why you were late?” He discovered, sending Niko a pointed look.

“It wasn’t my idea,” Niko whispered back defensively.

Wyatt smiled down at me. “It was a pleasure having you,” he declared loudly, gently taking my hand before shaking it.

My lips subtly parted at his bold innuendo. Dumbfounded, I just whispered his name in a gentle scolding as I continued on to the less important professors.

“Congratulations!” Anna was the first to find me in the growing crowd. She was here for her brother, but she and Henry stopped to say hi and congratulate me. “The local news has been crazy. How are you holding up?” she asked, referring to Charles’ passing.

I gave her a dismissive, closed-mouth smile. “I’m okay, but I’ll miss playing with you,” I admitted while touching her arm. I was sure I’d be too busy figuring out how to be the face of a dozen companies to play on a team.

“I thought you only played with me?” I turned to Reesia and my other friends, who approached.

Henry waved at Tristan after spotting him in the crowd. Anna awkwardly smiled at Reesia, looking slightly intimidated by Jamie, before she squeezed my hand. “Call me sometime, okay?”

I nodded and waved as they left to congratulate Tristan.

“Have you no shame?” I asked Reesia while laughing.

“None,” she sadly shook her head.

“Unfortunately, that’s true,” Jamie commented. “Congrats, Cupcake,” she smirked. “I’ve got a gift for you in my car,” she vaguely stated.

My brows lifted in surprise. A twinge of guilt hit me. Her being here was plenty; she didn’t need to give me a gift... “Oh, you didn’t—”

“Stop. I say for you very loosely,” she ordered. Her words only added to my confusion.

Reesia gently poked her husband. “Say something nice,” she instructed.

Collin eyed me for a few seconds. Just as I began to feel awkward in his silence, he spoke. “Congratulations. I’m glad they found you,” he said, and I could hear how happy he was for his friends in his calm tone. “But,”

Uh-oh.

“You should know. If they ever screw up, I promised Reesia she could have you—”

“I’ve got dibs?” Jamie gently shoved Collin’s shoulder. “Literally from day one, I said if they fuck up, I call dibs,” she defended.

Vincent stepped up, holding a finger in the air. “I don’t have any claim, but I’d also like to be put on the ‘if they fuck up’ list,” he smirked.

My eyes were wide as I blinked at them. I’d laugh, but they were completely serious. Especially Reesia, as she was shooting daggers at Jamie and Vincent.

“There is no list,” I gently told. They wouldn’t ‘fuck up’. I said I was theirs, and I meant it. “I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’m pretty content with where I am,” I chuckled.

Niko and Aiden suddenly appeared. Niko flicked Reesia on the arm. “Back off my girl, Reese,” he warned.

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