Page 79 of Wicked Games

Tomorrow is also the night of the Rebels’ annual Rapture party, and if I’m being honest with myself, that’s fucking me up more than Thanksgiving or anything that might happen during the break.

The party is essentially an excuse for the incredibly exclusive guest list to get high and indulge in some last-minute hedonism before the break. I don’t know much about what actually goes on since I’ve never been invited, but the fact that everyone who attends has to sign an NDA before they’re even allowed inside tells me exactly what kind of stuff goes down.

Normally I don’t give a shit what people get up to or how my spoiled classmates choose to let off steam, but the thought of Killian indulging in the kinds of things my imagination is conjuring up every time I think about tomorrow night is enough to make me want to put my fist through a wall.

I shouldn’t care what Killian does, and now that he’s officially single, he has every right to do whatever he wants with whomever he wants. I know that this thing between us is just part of the game we’ve been playing with each other, but it’s getting harder to remember that it’sonlya game.

Killian doesn’t like me, and he isn’t trying to protect me because he cares about me. He’s doing it because that’s what hisfamily does. I’m his stepbrother, so an attack on me is an attack on him. That’s it, that’s all.

It’s the same with everything that’s happened between us. All of this is nothing but a game and a novel way to get off. None of it means anything, and I need to get the fuck over myself and stop obsessing about where my damn stepbrother may or may not be putting his dick in the near future.

Ping.

The soft chime from my phone startles me out of my daze, and I shake my head as I’m jarred back into reality.

Absently, I pick it up and open my text thread with Eden.

Eden: I hate j so much

Felix: what did he do this time?

Eden: he just told me I have to leave tomorrow after my classes are over instead of leaving with him and the guys on sat

My heart drops into my stomach. Eden and I planned to do a friend sleepover as a last hurrah before the holidays since Jordan will be distracted by the Rapture and won’t have time to micromanage her life. I was looking forward to spending the night watching bad horror movies and gossiping with my best friend to distract me from all the shenanigans Killian will be getting up to.

Felix: what? Why?

Eden: I don’t know

Eden: I thought maybe it was because he somehow found out we were doing a sleepover and he was in controlling asshole mode, but he wouldn’t answer when I asked why I have to leave early when he’s allowed to stay

Eden: I’m so tired of this crap. I even tried talking to my mom and seeing if she can maybe be on my side for once, but she just brushed me off and said I’m lucky I have such a protective older brother and I should be grateful he’s looking out for me

Felix: does she know there’s a difference between looking out for you and controlling your every move?

Eden: apparently not

Eden: of fucking course

Felix: what?

Eden: Heidi just came home wasted and it looks like she’s about to puke

Felix: gross

Eden: and she just puked all over the floor

Eden: I have to go. There’s a house inspection in the morning and I need to take care of this so I don’t get another strike on my file because my roommate can’t hold her liquor

Felix: good luck with that

Eden: thanks

Eden: I’m going to need it

I wait to see if she has anything else to say, then toss my phone aside when the screen goes dark.

I’m just picking up my book when the door bangs open and Killian comes into the room.

---