Page 114 of Play to Win

Could they?

Now panic rushes through me, scalding my veins.Calm down, dickhead.Calm down.

I grab my phone and fire off a text to her.

Where the hell are you?Are you okay?

It strikes me that she very well may not answer, given that I ignored her messages the last few days.But Lacey isn’t a petty person.She doesn’t play games.She says what she’s thinking.And her reply comes quickly.

U have a lot of nerve texting me and asking me that when u wouldn’t answer MY texts.Asshole.

I want to hit the button that will call her number and talk to her, but Christ, she’s right.I am an asshole.

You’re right.Where are you?

I’m in Vegas, asshole.Home.I’m fine.

Vegas?Jesus!I pause, trying to gather my thoughts.I tap in another message.

Just wanted to make sure you’re safe.

Thanks for your belated concern.I want a divorce.

Well.That’s exactly what I was going to suggest.A burn hits my chest again, and pressure builds inside me, all the way up into my head.My temples throb.

I can’t move.I don’t know how long I stand there staring at my phone, not even seeing it.It feels like the condo fades away around me, and I’m standing in shadows.I swallow past the hockey puck lodged in my throat and tap in another message.

Of course.

Then I add,

I’m sorry.

I watch my phone for a long time, but nothing more from Lacey comes.

25

THÉO

“Get your ass over here.”

My demand is met with silence.Then JP says, “New phone, who dis?”

I snort-laugh.“Ha ha.Look, we need to talk.”

It’s been a week since Lacey left, and I’m losing my fucking mind.I can’t stop thinking about her.I need to talk to someone.The only one I can think of is JP.He’s always been my best bud ...until the last year.I also need to know what was going on with him and Lacey that day I came home early, even though I know it was innocent.

“Yeah, I guess we do.”He sighs.“You come here.”

“Jesus Christ.Not everything’s a competition.”

“Okay, let’s meet halfway.Time Out Sports Bar on Sepulveda, in Manhattan Beach.”

I shake my head.“Fine.I’m leaving now.”I end the call and google the sports bar.

It takes me about half an hour to get there.I find JP already there, which means it wasn’t halfway.

“You made me drive further,” I say, dropping onto a stool at the high-top table against the wall where he’s sitting.

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