Page 85 of Power Play

“I thought so too, but then, when I finished texting with you, I went back to her, touched her forehead, and it was sizzling hot.” I cross my arms over my chest. “She’s been throwing up all day, but the thermometer showing 102 was definitely the highlight.”

“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do? Do you need some meds or maybe food? When was the last time you ate?” Clay asks. His tone is annoyingly placating.

He shouldn’t be here. Not when I’m in this mood and state.

“Everything’s fine. This isn’t the first time Maya’s been sick, and it’s not the first time I’m dealing with several things at once. I’m sure tomorrow morning will be better.” My stomach aches, and I press my hand to it. I need him to leave, or I’m going to puke at his feet. “What I need right now is to be alone.”

He frowns, his eyebrows pulling together as he takes a step forward. “You want me to leave?”

“Um, yeah.” The pounding in my temples becomes harder, my vision darkening. I grasp the door with my hand for balance. “I don’t feel well, and it’s late.” I jab my thumb toward Drake and Angie’s house. “Plus, Drake is home…and I don’t want to deal with him now if he sees your car in my driveway.”

Silence follows my words; only my own ragged breath interrupts the quiet. Clay stares at me with an unreadable expression on his face.

Then he takes a step forward and stops before me, his head tilted so our eyes are level. He scrutinizes me with his lips pursed into a tight line. “It’s always going to be like this with you, isn’t it? Always hiding our relationship, always pretending that there’s nothing going on between us? That’s what you want? For me to stay your fucking little secret? Your fuck buddy?”

What?“Clay, I?—”

“I came here because I was worried about Maya. I was worried about you, and I felt bad that you were dealing with this all alone. I wanted to help. To be there for you. To be present so you’d know that you can count on me no matter what.” He keeps his voice low. “We fucking lost tonight. Five to two. It was awful.Iwas awful. I left with so much pent-up frustration and anger…but I knew that seeing you would help me feel better. But apparently I’m not welcome here.”

“Clay, I’m sorry that you lost, but it’s really not the right time…” A wave of nausea hits me and I shut my mouth. Oh my God, what’s happening now is disastrous. He’s taking it all wrong. “Clay…”

He hands the box he’s been holding to me and takes a step back. “Okay. I better go.” Another step away from me. “We don’t want your brother to see my car parked in your driveway. We don’t want him or anyone else to know that, God forbid, we’re fucking, or maybe that we are together. We don’t want him or anyone else to know.”

“Clay, wait?—”

Shaking his head, he turns on his heel. I try to catch his elbow, to stop him.

“No. I better go.”

“Clay, wait.”

He’s ready to walk down the stairs when I finally line up with him.

“Please, I can explain?—”

“Explain what?” Clay brings his eyes back to my face, and I’m drowning in how sorrowful his gaze is. Everything he’s been hiding, all the hurt and anger is spilling out of him. And I can’t even blame him for that…I am the reason he feels this way. “Isn’t this the same thing that happened to us three years ago? You made a fucking promise and didn’t keep it. Everything was exactly like today, with the exception of your absent ex. You promised to stop hiding the truth, and yet even three years later, you’re still lying through your fucking teeth.”

My eyes veil with tears. I swallow down my saliva, hoping it will stop me from throwing up so I can talk to him. “Listen, Maya felt terrible, and I was nervous.” My fingers are trembling as I hold the box close to my chest. “I have a fever too. I’m not feeling well, and?—”

Clay steps back. His eyes are full of disappointment. “Hope you feel better soon. We can talk later.”

“Clay, please don’t go.”

“Night, Layla.”

With that, he stomps down the porch steps and straight to his car, while I stand here frozen. Only when his car is gone do I go back inside. I place the box on the floor and storm to the bathroom, bending over the toilet. I don’t know for how long I stay on the floor, but when I finally feel good enough to stand up, my legs are shaking.

I go to the living room for a thermometer. My eyes fall on the box in the hallway with Clay’s surprise for Maya. Slowly, I walk closer and slide down the wall to sit on the floor. I open it, and a gasp springs out of my throat.Oh my God.I cover my mouth with my palm, and tears start streaming down my face.

It’s a custom-made toy. A bright pink unicorn with a pastel pink peony on her chest. He bought her a Bon-Bon, her favorite imaginary friend.

I sit on the floor in the darkness of my hallway. My heart hurts. My miserable soul is wailing from all the pain I caused myself, and him. I’m in my own little world of hurt, fevers, and stupid decisions.

A world that is full of regrets.

Chapter 29

The Ring

---