Page 143 of Wicked Games

“Touch her in some way. Push her or break her camera.”

“Maybe he’ll just yell at her.” I don’t really wantanythingto happen to her—because I know how it is. I know what it’s like to have someone gunning for you. Especially someone as dark as Theo. As dark as Caleb.

“Is that a bet?” Eli asks me.

“I sure as hell don’t have a hundred bucks to give you.”

Caleb snickers. “I’ll pay if you’re wrong.”

Eli and Caleb shake hands, and I roll my eyes.

“He might not even react at all,” I murmur.

“Nope. See?” Eli points.

Sure enough, Theo and Liam have arrived. They’re wearing mostly black, but they’re on the Lion’s Head sideline. And they stalk right past the players. Well,Theostalks. Liam follows, seeming resigned.

“Ah, hell,” Caleb mutters. “Game hasn’t even started yet.”

Theo stops just shy of her. She stands still. He waves his hands in front of her face, but he doesn’t touch her. He might be on the edge of it, because I picture steam pouring out of his ears, but Liam grabs him and yanks him back.

Theo goes.

And it’s over.

Caleb hoots. “Pay up, Black.”

Eli grumbles and holds out a crisp hundred-dollar bill. More money than I’ve ever held at once, I’d reckon.

I eye it like it’s kryptonite, and both boys laugh at me. Caleb takes it and tucks it into my front pocket, patting my thigh.

“Good call,” he whispers, kissing my temple.

“Well, we did fake date. You really get to know a person that way.” I realize the instant the words leave my mouth that I shouldn’t have said it.

Caleb’s expression drops. “Is that right?”

“Um, no…”

He takes the cup from my hand, setting it on the bleachers, then yanks me to my feet. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Riley watches me with wide eyes, but she doesn’t say anything.

We’re past the point of Caleb torturing me.

Right?

We get to the grass and keep going. The roar of the crowd quickly fades the farther away we get.

“Caleb, stop.” I yank my arm, but his grip doesn’t loosen. If anything, he holds me tighter. “Oh, come on, I was joking.”

The cold mask I had grown to recognize has settled over his features. Scary Caleb.

I was wondering if he would ever make a reappearance.

We round the back of the concession stand, and he backs me against the wall. He cages me in, leaning down. His lips brush the shell of my ear.

I stay perfectly still.

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