Page 77 of The Illicit Play
No. I shake my head. It can’t be that way.
It’s just me. Going on my own and staying the hell out of temptation’s way.
A solo hike will do me good.
I can shake off any stress, go at my own pace, and just enjoy the wild.
It’s gonna be awesome.
So why the hell do I feel so gutted as I head down the stairs to find Blake and let her know she’ll need to find something else to do over spring break?
CHAPTER 22
BLAKE
So we didn’t mean to, but thanks toTrollhunters, Wily and I have been binge-watching all the shows we grew up on as kids. And now we’re immersed in a hilariousLooney Tunesepisode that Satch put us onto.
She’s sitting beside my brother, all curled up against him and giggling away as Road Runner screeches to a halt next to a smoking Wile E. Coyote and goes, “Meep, meep,” before disappearing down the road in a cloud of dust.
“This shit is ridiculous.” Wily laughs before kissing Satch on the head. “I love it.”
“Yay.” She nestles her cheek back against his chest, still grinning.
Ugh, could these two get any cuter? Seriously, they’re so sticky sweet, I can practically see sugar particles floating through the air.
They whisk past me, and I try my best not to be irritated by them.
I’m happy for my brother. He deserves a sweetheart care bear like Satch. I’m just annoyed because…
Shit, I don’t even know why I’m annoyed.
Yes, you do. It’s because the one you want isn’t available.
Except that he is… if it weren’t for the big, overly protective lug sitting next to you.
The cartoon wraps up with Road Runner once again triumphant, and I figure this is my cue to feign studying and disappear up to my room. But before I can even rise off the couch, Grady steps into the archway, and that flush of desire rockets right through me.
Shit. I can’t even look at him without feeling something. This hiking trip is going to be interesting. It’s lucky that Tyrell will be there. I’ll just have to stick close to his side, I guess. Do my best to always keep him between Grady and me.
Although, that really doesn’t sound like as much fun.
Oh man, why can’t Grady and I just get it on the way we want to?
I force myself to look at his face and act as though nothing is bothering me… until I notice that something is definitely botheringhim.
He gives me a half-hearted smile before raising his chin at Wily.
“Hey, Satch.” He smiles at her, and she gives him a shy wave.
“Hi, Grady.”
“How’d your test go this morning?”
“Yeah, good.” She sits up, her confidence boosted by a safe topic like schoolwork. Blech! “I finished early but stayed for the full time.” Her cheeks tinge pink, andWily’s smiling at her, brushing his fingers through the ends of her hair while she speaks. “How did yours go?”
“It’s tomorrow, but I think I’ll pass. I’ve been studying my ass off in prep, so…” Grady nods. “It’s my weakest subject this semester, but I’m feelin’ okay about it. As long as the questions aren’t any harder than my practice ones.” He grins, and I take a mental snapshot of that smile.
“I love it when that happens.” Satch grins back, then glances at me. “Have you finished all your online assessments?”
