Page 210 of Scoring the Player
“Thanks.” I head straight for Anaïs.
I hear the opening tune forExosphereas I push open the door. She has her back to me, and I quietly place my bag down,peel off my coat, and throw it on the chair along with my beanie. I tiptoe over and confirm she’s asleep before heading to the bathroom.
I turn on the hot water and push the liquid hand soap spout four times.
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi, four Mississippi, five Mississippi, six Mississippi…twelve Mississippi…
Killing the faucet, I stare at my wet hands.
What did I do wrong?
I leave the bathroom and retrace my steps.
My skin raises like it’s separating from my muscles, and my nerve endings send a message to my spine—be careful, remember the cost of absentmindedness—as my gaze lands on my coat.
I reach for it and pause with my hand midair.
No, I am not a kid anymore. I’m not afraid ofhim.
I toss the coat back down.
Salem will marry Lucien.
My legs lock in place.
Just fight it.
I ball my fists.
Just this once.
You’ll lose him forever.
I snatch up the coat, drag it over to the closet, stab a hanger through the sleeves, and hook it on the rod.
I scrub my hands over my face. Here five minutes and crushing it.
I hear a meow at my feet.
I bend down and pick up Alfie, then nestle his head under my chin.
Walking us over to the window, I watch the tree branches thrash back and forth from the force of the wind and rain. Whenmy stomach rumbles, I pull up a food delivery app, copy and paste the address from Anaïs’s text, and check out the options. There’s a Thai place with decent reviews. I order everything mild in case Anaïs can’t have spice.
“Alfie tried to leave through the window too.”
My head whips around at the sound of Anaïs’s voice.
“I swear he sees ghosts here. Something creeps him out.”
That makes two of us.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
I pad over and get in bed next to her, tucking my knees on top of the comforter.
“I tried to wait up for you. How long have you been here?”
“Only a couple of minutes.”
