Page 89 of The Wrong Play

A man I didn’t recognize. His face half-shadowed, his expression unreadable. But it wasn’t the picture itself that caught my breath—it was the thick, red letters scrawled over it.Remember.

I frowned, staring at it a second longer before slipping it into my pocket. Later, I would find out who he was. Later, I would know why she had it.

My phone buzzed again.

Matty: Jace.

Matty: I hate you.

Matty: She just looked at me like she could see my soul.

Matty: SHE STILL HASN’T BLINKED!

I sighed, because really, I didn’t have time for this. I was still investigating.

Me: Maybe she’s impressed by your aura.

Matty: Or she’s deciding how to season my corpse.

Me: Either way, you’re doing great.

I turned to the wall above her desk. If I was going to be in her space, I might as well take advantage of the opportunity. I reached into my jacket, pulling out the tiny camera I had brought. It was barely the size of a quarter, discreet enough that she would never notice. I affixed it in the corner of the wall, angled perfectly toward her bed.

Once it was in place, I stepped back, satisfied.

Checking my phone again, I saw that she was almost back to the dorm.Shit. I used her bathroom, knowing I wouldn’t be able to go for the rest of the night.

I was about to take a sip from her water she’d left on the desk when my phone buzzed again.

Matty: This is a hostage situation.

Matty: She just asked if I believe in the astral plane.

Me: Go with it. Say you visit often.

Matty: …

I grinned, crawling underneath Riley’s bed, settling in like I belonged there.

Another text.

Matty: Jace. JACE, she’s smiling.

Matty: I’ve never known fear like this.

I typed out a quick,you’re a hero—just to bolster his self-esteem.

Matty: I swear to fuck, if I make it out of this, I’m setting your bed on fire.

That was dramatic. I happened to like my bed. Especially after Riley had slept in it last night.

I tucked my hands behind my head, feeling pretty damn accomplished. Mission success. Riley had no idea I was here, Matty was out there making a newspiritual connection, and all was right with the world.

Now, all I had to do was wait.

I had never been so fucking comfortable in my life.

Sure, I was lying flat on my back, crammed under Riley’s tiny bed like some deranged stalker, my shoulder wedged against a rogue notebook she must’ve kicked under here at some point. My legs barely fit, and if I shifted too much, I’d probably take out the bed frame altogether.

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