Page 43 of The Games We Play

SEAMUS

Iwalk toward my house, my mind reeling from what just happened. I’m still high on the feeling of touching her, feeling her against my body for the first time in a decade, wrapping my lips around her perfect, pink nipples while drowning in the sensation of how she makes me feel.

I can still smell her on me, which does nothing for my pissed off, rock hard erection that doesn’t want to relax nor accept that it’s not getting a release right now.

Because as I recall the look on her face when I pinned her against the tree—the sheer panic stricken response she had—I’ve lost all desire for anything more than to figure out what the hell is going on. Especially after seeing her response to the aftermath of her orgasm when all I did was walk away for a high-speed second to grab her clothes.

And she must be absolutely crazy if she thinks I’m not going to call her Mimi. I have no idea why she all of a sudden doesn’t want to be called by the name I’ve always called her. Other people can call her Naomi, but she’s my Mimi, and I won’t call her anything different.

I don’t understand what the hell is going on with her and whyshe completely fell apart after. None of it makes any fucking sense.

Walking through my front door, I pull out my phone.

Seamus: I need a security clearance background check. Full details.

Rocco: On who?

Seamus: Naomi Masumi.

Rocco: The yoga instructor that you had me look into a few months ago?

Rocco: Is she gonna be teaching yoga to the president?

Seamus: Roc…

Rocco: What do you want to know?

Seamus: Everything.

16

SEAMUS

17 years old

“Lineup in alphabetical order by your first name. It’s been a week, so by now you should know everyone’s names, but if you don’t, ask and introduce yourself, then get into line,” the camp leader announces to all of us as we stop in the middle of a wooded area surrounded by trees.

“Are we in kindergarten?” Wes spits out as he walks to the back of the line.

“You’re just pissed because you’re always at theback end,” Nathan yells, with a chuckle at his immature joke, as he takes his place in line right next to Mimi.

He bumps her shoulder playfully, then leans in closer to talk to her.

There are only a few people between us, but it’s enough that I can’t hear what he is saying. My jaw tightens as I watch him talk to her, all smiles with his cocky personality taking full flight. She seems interested, but I find that Mimi always makes everyone feel good by listening, engaging with them, and making them feel like the only person in the room.

I know because it’s how she’s made me feel since the moment I got here.

I have to admit it’s been nice, not having to worry about my dad or what’s going on at home. I worry about my mom, but I always worry about her. I’m trying to do exactly what she wants me to do and just have fun.

I’ve befriended my cabin mates, and we’ve been staying up after lights out just shooting the shit about almost anything, playing cards. And it’s actually been…nice.

Our group leader rallies in front of us, whistling to get our attention. “Alright, everyone, starting with Wes at the rear,” Nathan chokes out a laugh, “break out in groups of four. You three,” he points to me, Shane, and Toby, “follow Wes to obstacle number one.”

We head that direction, stopping at the wooden sign staked into the ground with the wordsOB-1.

Appraising the area around us, it’s expansive, wide open, and lined with trees and huge rope displays. Between the trees are ropes criss-crossing over each other, secured in different places between them that completely surround us. Some have ladder style ropes, others are just one lone rope with vertical hanging ones that look like you can use as a grip.

I’ve never seen anything like this, and it’s clear that the guys haven’t, either.

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