Page 127 of Wicked Games

They pause their conversation. Riley’s eyebrows jump up.

“Come on, Margo.” And then he just leaves. His feet pounding down the steps to the basement.

“You okay?” Riley asks me.

If only people would stop asking me that. I force a smile. “Super okay.”

“Don’t let him push you around,” she says.

I scoff.

“She’s been on a roll standing up to him,” she adds, glancing at Eli.

He glowers at her.

“On that note, I’m going home.” She slings her purse over her shoulder.

Eli jumps up. “What? Already?”

“I still have a curfew.”

“Fine,” he snaps. “You need to drive me back to my truck.”

Her eyes round. “InBeacon?”

He shrugs.

I watch the two of them walk out, and suddenly I’m entirely alone.

It doesn’t feel good.

I hurry to the basement and stop on the third-to-last stair. Caleb suddenly appears at the bottom. At this angle, I’m just a little taller than him.

“Eli and Riley leave?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

“And you?”

I shake my head. “What about me?”

“Do you want to leave?” His eyes are impossibly dark.

“You should get some rest.” I go up a step.

He follows me. One for one. “They say the opposite for a concussion.IfI have one, which is doubtful. I’ve had a few concussions in my life.”

“From your uncle?”

“From hockey.” His smile doesn’t linger.

“What do you remember?”

He huffs. “I’ll tell you if you’re naked.”

I hesitate.

“Clothes off. All of them this time.”

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