Page 33 of The Illicit Play
“I just feel bad.”
“Don’t,” I assure her. “I still have Carson and Tyrell coming with me. We’re gonna have a great time together. Unless you need me to delay my trip, and I can come and help you guys with the move.”
“No way.” Dad shakes his head. “You need to get into the forest for a few days. It’ll do you the world of good.”
“I can be there for you, though. I don’t mind.”
“Well, I do. Your spirit is yearning for nature, and I won’t get in the way of that. I’m just sorry the timing is working out this way. I was looking forward to joining you. But I promise to be there next time.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll check my calendar so we can schedule something in.”
“Sounds good.” He rests his cheek against the top of Emma’s head when she snuggles against him.
“Thanks for letting me have your old man.” She gives me a wincing smile.
I laugh. “Anytime, Em. I know you’ll look after him for me.”
She smiles back. “Always. It’s my pleasure.” Leaning up, she gives him a sweet kiss on the lips, and I wrap up the call.
Shit, I’m surrounded by lovebirds at the moment. That would usually fuel my sappy, romantic heart.
But not right now.
I hate being single.
I miss having someone to snuggle with. Make plans with. Someone to call my own.
Fuck. I’m gutted that Dad can’t make the hiking trip.
But I am genuinely happy for him and Emma. They’ve been dating for over two years now, and I thought she’d move in ages ago, but they’ve taken their sweet time, Dad no doubt being overly cautious after everything he went through with Mom.
I don’t know if he’ll ever marry Em, but at least they’re moving in together.
Slipping my phone into my back pocket, I head back to the shoe rack. Maybe I’ll just go for a walk around the block. The rain has eased up, the fresh air will clear my head, and?—
Another phone starts ringing. I look over my shoulder. The sound is coming from the living room. It must be Wily’s or Satch’s. Do I take it to them?
Wandering into Wily’s temporary bedroom, I notice the device lighting up on the coffee table and glance at the screen.
A hilarious picture of Blake making a face at the camera and the word Butt Face underneath makes me smile. These two are fucking hilarious. Picking up the phone, I smile down at her picture until I realize Blake is calling Wily.
And for reasons I can’t explain, something in my chest hitches with worry.
I have no idea why I’m feeling this way, but I should take the phone to Wily.
Or answer it for him. He won’t mind.
Clenching my jaw, I briefly war with indecision until I realize the call is about to cut off. I quickly swipe my thumb across the screen.
“Hey, Blake. It’s Gra?—”
“Sooooo.” She breathes down the line, then lets out this giggle that turns into a groan.
I can hear thumping music in the background, a chaotic symphony of noise.
“Blake?” My instincts put me on instant alert. “Are you okay?”
“I feeeel weird.” Her words are sloppy and barely coherent.
