Page 12 of Siren's Game

Well, I mean, he definitely could if he wanted to. What a scaredy cat. What does he think is going to happen? That fate or the universe or whatever is responsible for this love at first sight crap will give them their magical moment, all by itself?

There's no way I'll keep dealing with this whiny, infatuated mess of a best friend. I have to do something. Even if it’s awkward as fuck to messageher.

She might be the only link, the only chance Luca might have.

Once training is done and I'm waiting outside of the locker for Luca again, I take out my phone, flicking it between my hands.

I remember that Van sent me Kayla's number one day, with the intention of having me send her an apology.

Well, that never happened. One moment I remembered, the next someone shouted for me and I forgot all about it, and then the topic died and I didn’t want to bring it up again.

I guess it would be weird to message her. Then again, who knows? She might have similar problems with her best friend.

Kayla

Unknown number: We need to get our friends together.

I look at my screen with my eyebrows scrunched in confusion, my coffee halfway to my mouth.

Who is this? Did Naroa give out my number to some rando without letting me know? My eyes grow wide. Did it get leaked somewhere? Oh God, is it another stalker?

I hope not, because getting rid of those is almost impossible with the lack of legal standing. We pay a hefty fee to our lawyers and security each month to handle them, but having one message me would be a first.

As fun as dark romance books make it sound, it’s really not.

I gulp before I let my fingers fly over the screen.

Kayla: Who is this?

My heart thumps rapidly as I wait for the reply, my fingers tapping against my arm holding the phone as I wait for my phone to light up.

Maybe it’s naïve. A stalker wouldn’t introduce himself and say, ‘hi, I’m your new stalker.’

I watch what’s happening in the studio through one of the glass panels. Millie is going through the choreography again with our instructor while I'm taking a quick break outside of our dance studio. I love our songs, but there comes a time during practice when I just can't listen to them anymore, and for today, I am way past that point that point.

Thank God this glass is soundproof, even though it makes Millie look ridiculous when she dances to silence.

My phone buzzes and I quickly unlock it, my heart beating to my throat.

Unknown number: It's Asher.

Asher? I sigh, relieved, then I freeze, and my face turns into a grimace.

Now I'm even more confused. Where the hell did he get my number from? I can't imagine Naroa passing it along, given our history. Then again, his demand to bring our friends together . . . it makes sense. But a stalker could say that, too.

Setting down my coffee, I wonder what to answer until I decide on a simple:

Kayla: Prove it.

I startle when my phone immediately buzzes with an incoming video call.

Oh, no. Not what I had in mind. Then again, it seems very on brand for Asher.

I pinch the bridge of my nose with my fingers. God, why did I ask that? I could bang my head against the wall.

Now I'll have to answer it, red, sweaty face and exhausted from training. And I can't just not answer it either, because I’m the idiot who demanded he prove it. With a deep sigh, I accept the call.

I want to curse when his smug face actually appears on the screen, of course looking perfect while I look like I’ve just run a marathon.

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