Page 90 of Power Play

I don’t know how to explain how it all started between us. After we met for the first time at the bar on Valentine’s Day, there wasn’t a day when we didn’t talk to each other. At first, it was just a friendship. Walks in the park, going to movies, going for dinners and lunches, talks on the phone, texting. More and more, I started opening up to him, started finding myself waiting for his call, for a new text. I missed him when he couldn’t see me because of his band’s rehearsals.

When Eli kissed me for the first time almost a month after we met, it was mind-blowing. We walked out of the movies, smiling at each other, and then he turned to me, cupped my face, and puthis lips on mine. Everything else disappeared. There was only this guy and his mouth on mine. All I needed was him.

And nothing has changed, even two months later.

All I need now is Eli.

As we’re about to walk into the pizza place, my phone starts ringing. I pull it out of my purse and freeze on the spot. It’s Clay.

Eli glances at the screen, his lips twisting in a scowl. “Why is he still calling you?”

Because he doesn’t know about us.

But instead of telling the truth to Eli, I force a smile. “He’s also my friend, don’t forget that.” I swallow the bile clogging my throat. My lies taste bitter. “Go, find us a table. I’ll talk to him.”

“You sure you don’t wantmeto talk to him? I can make him stop bothering you.”

“He’s not bothering me. Don’t worry.” I kiss his lips and playfully push him away. “Go. I’ll be right behind you.”

Eli stares at me for a moment, then turns on his heel and walks into the pizza place. I press my cell to my ear the second the door closes.

“Hey.”

“Hey, Layla.” His voice is muffled. “How are you?”

“I’m good. You?”

There’s a bit of silence and then Clay clears his throat. “We lost three games in a row, so I don’t know…everything kinda sucks.”

Shoot. With how much time I’m spending with Eli, I stopped watching Clay’s games. Stopped reading news and statistics. It didn’t seem important enough.

“Sorry about that.”

Another bit of silence follows. “Er, I don’t like beating around the bush, so I’m gonna ask you something.”

“Okay.”

“Who is this guy you’re hanging out with? Before you always told me if you met someone, but you’ve said nothing about him.”

My heartbeat skyrockets, echoing in my ears so loudly, I barely hear anything around me.

“What do you mean?”

“I-I still follow Grace on Instagram,” Clay explains quietly.

Fuck.

“She posted a few pictures from her birthday, and…you were there with some guy. Brown hair, tattoos on his right hand. Who is it?”

“It’s Eli.” I bite my bottom lip. I feel nauseous. My hands are trembling. “He’s a friend.”

“How do you know him? Is he your coworker?”

“Clay, I don’t understand why it is so important?”

“Are you dating him?” The words in my ear sound strangled.

“No. Not exactly.” I take a deep breath. I shouldn’t lie to him. “Well…yes, we’re kinda seeing each other. Nothing serious.” I love Clay, I know it, but I think I’m starting to fall for Eli.

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