Page 92 of Power Play

I groan and push open the door to the bathroom. Once inside, I walk to the sink and stare at my reflection in the mirror. Loosening my high ponytail, I let my hair down to veil my shoulders. My fingers thread through my hair. My pink-tinted lips smack into a pout. I don’t look happy. And I’d be lying if I said it was just because I’m annoyed.

Happiness isn’t something I’ve felt for a while…and I don’t know how to fix it. How can I fix something with someone who doesn’t think anything is broken? Eli says we’re good, that I’m imagining things, but at this point it’s more like gaslighting when he tries to convince me of something I know isn’t true.

Too bad I’m in love with him.Things would be a thousand times better if I wasn’t.

Turning on the faucet, I let the water run until it’s ice cold. I collect water in my cupped hands and then splash it on my face, trying to avoid my eyes. The last thing I need is to ruin my makeup. I spent way too much time making sure it looks good.

I’m afraid that in my attempt to prove to my ex that I’m happy and in love, I lost sight of why I even need this charade. Clay has always seen right through my bullshit, and he didn’t buy my lies today. Just like I expected.

Someone knocks on the door, and then it opens and Clay steps into the bathroom. Our eyes lock in the reflection of the mirror, then I watch him close the door behind him. The sound of the lock rings through the space.

His yellowish-green eyes have an unfamiliar glint to them. Something is hidden behind his irises, and for now I can’t crack the meaning of it. He barely smiled today, and I suspect me showing up to Ava’s birthday with Eli is exactly the reason why. His hair is tousled, messy on top, probably from all the times I saw him raking his fingers through it. His white tee and dark blue jeans look wonderful on him, emphasizing how muscular his chest is, how deliciously lean his body is. He’s as handsome as he’s always been…and he’s unhappy too.

“Sorry for the intrusion,” he offers with a little grin, stopping behind my back. “I wanted to have a moment with you. Alone.”

I turn around and lean against the bathroom countertop. “Why?”

“You know why.” Clay lets his gaze roam over my face and down my body. I cross my legs at my ankles, trying to hide how nervous he makes me feel. “Why is he here?”

“Who?”

“That guy.”

“Are you referring to Eli?” I know he is, but with how anxious I am, playing dumb might be my best tactic.

“Yes. Why is he here?”

“He’s my boyfriend.” I lift my shoulder in a shrug. “I think it’s logical that Ava invited us both to her birthday.”

“You aren’t happy,” he tells me, slipping his hands in his pockets. “You don’t love him.”

I snort. “I’m sorry, but what do you know about love? Since when did you become such an expert?”

His gaze darkens as he steps into me. A glowering mask crosses his features as he stares at me in silence. “I know everything about love, and I’m telling you…that guy is bad news. He doesn’t deserve you. Hell, he doesn’t even love you.” The tip of his tongue slips out one corner of his mouth, and he traces his bottom lip. “Why is he here, Layla?”

There’s suddenly not enough air. Clay’s presence crowds me, heating up the space between us. My cheeks become warm; hot, sizzling lava boils in my veins. I lower my eyes to my feet.

“He’s here because he’s my boyfriend,” I repeat quietly. My heart gallops; an artery in my neck pulsates. It’s always better to rip off the Band-Aid fast. It will hurt less. “We live together, Clay.”

“You what?”

I look up. His brow is furrowed, his lips pursed together, but that’s not what makes my knees go weak. It’s the tortured gleam in his eyes that pierces my heart with a pang.

“Eli asked me to move in with him, and I agreed. We live together. Things are serious between us.”

Clay puts both of his hands on top of his head and locks them. A puff of air springs out of his mouth. “But what about the plans we made? You said you signed a contract for a year with this agency, that you wanted to gain experience. Then you promised to come live with me. So we can finally try to be together for real.”

The pain in his voice cracks my heart. I chew on my bottom lip, avoiding looking at him. “That was before Eli. Everything is different now.” I focus my attention on the wall behind his back.

Raising his face to the ceiling, he keeps silent. His Adam’s apple moves up and down as he swallows. When he finally brings his gaze back to me, I want the ground to open up and swallow me. Flashbacks of the day I broke up with him flare in my mind as if I’m doing it all over again.

He moves, his body blanketing mine. His arm curves around my waist as his other goes to the back of my head. He makes me look him in the eyes, the feel of his skin on mine setting my body on fire.

I love him…but I’m not in love with him now. I’m in love with Eli.

“Layla, please, have I ever lied to you?”

I shake my head.

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