Page 7 of Play for Power


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I told him that night I was a one-time girl and he agreed. But boy has he been blowing up my phone ever since. And don’t get me started on the casual catch-ups we have at Pucks or Bozzelli’s. He is good at not being obvious—I told him I didn’t want our friends knowing, I didn’t want it to become a thing—but he still tries it on every time. Like I’m going to wake up and suddenly decide,today’s the day I cave and have sex with Caleb again.

No matter how good the sex was, I will hold strong to my rules. I don’t have a lot of them…but when it comes to sex, I’m a stickler.

But it was good. So, so incredibly good.Mind-blowingeven. He promised eight…it was twelve. TWELVE. I can’t…just thinking about that magic tongue gives me shivers.

Casey knows, but only because she caught me at a weak moment one night. I haven’t told a soul since.

“Speaking of, dinner is up. Let’s eat!” Casey sing-songs, and we all jump up, heading for the table. The usual seating arrangement has me at the head of the table—just how I like it. Because let’s face it, I am the king of this little group. They should be so lucky to be in my presence.

“Smells incredible.” I hum as I lean over the bowl and sniff up all of Casey’s goodness. I sometimes wish I knew how to cook, but I quickly swat away those thoughts because it’s not like I’m ever going to need those kinds of skills. As Mom would say, why waste my time learning the skill of something I can pay someone else to do.

God, that is so shitty to think.

“What’s the face?” Jessie gestures in my direction.

“Huh?”

“The…” He pulls his face into a snarl. “You’re doing that.”

“Oh…it’s nothing. Just remembering the weirdo from earlier.” I artfully deflect as the girls laugh.

We all dig into the food, the usual sound of satisfied tastebuds and forks clattering with the bowls.

“Incredible, sunshine,” Jessie says quietly, leaning over to leave a kiss on Casey’s head as the other set of lovebirds nod in agreement. The meal finishes quickly—standard with Casey’s yummy cooking—and as we settle into casual post-weekend topics, Casey and Jessie make quick eyes before Casey rolls back her shoulders. “So, I have an announcement.”

“Oh shit! You’re pregnant!” No wonder the lumberjack has been so touchy-feely and Addison was cagey.

“Why is that always your first assumption?” Casey laughs, shaking her head.

“Well, maybe you need to find a better way to announce things.” I settle back into my chair with my glass of wine. “C’mon then, out with it, the suspense is killing me.” The sarcasm was thick with that statement.

“Well…I’m moving in with Jessie.”

Bubbles burn my nose and I struggle to catch my breath with the mouthful of wine I just inhaled. I sputter and cough through the burning haze, trying to catch my breath.

“You’re what?” I manage to get out. I look at Addison, but she just looks like she is trying not to cringe. When I look back at Casey, she looks like she is buried under a mountain of guilt and I suddenly feel even worse.

“I’m so sorry, Rosie, I didn’t mean to spring it on you, I promise I’ll cover my rent portion until you find another housemate. I’ll even still come over and cook dinner!”

“Ace—” Jessie attempts to interject, but Casey stops him.

“No, really, it’s the least I could do.” She would offer something so ridiculous.

“I thought you were working on your people pleasing?” I accuse playfully, which gets me an appreciative look from Jessie while Noah and Addy laugh silently. “Don’t stress about it, Case, I am happy for you guys. All of you, really.” I gesture around the table. “I’ll be fine. And don’t you dare pay the rent. You know as well as I do Papa Garcia isn’t going to care or notice.”

“So, you’ll be okay? On your own?” I don’t dignify the question with a real answer. Does she know who she is asking? Of course, I am fine on my own.

“When will you leave?” I ask instead.

“We’ll probably start the transition this week, I guess. We kind of wanted to get it over and done with. I have those self-defense classes starting next month and I want to be settled so I can give the studio my full attention.” I smile at her and try to come to terms with that new reality.

I’ll be living in a three-bedroom apartment. By myself.

And then the idea hits me out of nowhere, so quick I gasp, sitting up and hitting my glass to the table,

“What?” Casey looks startled, with her eyes glued to me.

“I can use your bedroom as a second closet. Imagine the Great Wall of Heels I can make in there!” I feel my smile grow across my face and imagine the new layout of the second wardrobe. It’s perfect. My current Great Wall of Heels—a name dubbed by Addison—is on a section of wall in my current room that is not nearly large enough to house my collection.