Page 14 of Play Dirty

He paused to look up at me. “The hot house?”

“Whatever.”

My attitude was on full display. Not like I was trying to hide it.

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed for a moment.

“They didn’t let you in.”

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

“Nope.”

He nodded once, like it confirmed something.

“They won’t,” he said quietly.

I shook my head slowly.

“Ever?”

There was another small pause.

“Not right away,” he said.

I studied his gaze, and found judgment in his eyes. At least he was being honest.

“Are you going to tell me why?” I asked.

His eyes shifted momentarily, then returned to mine.

“You know why.”

I did… but I also didn’t. I opened my mouth again, but he spoke first.

“Look, the hot house is theirs,” he said simply. “It’s the one place—”

“I got it,” I cut him off, sharply.

Turning back to continue my climb, I could feel his eyes still on me.

“Haven…”

This was getting to be a thing: him calling me back. I almost kept going, but then sighed and stopped.

“What?” I asked, without turning around.

“They’ll get over it,” Sebastian said.

Another pause. More awkward silence.

“Will they?”

With that I trudged upstairs, feeling the colder air embrace me like a new but annoying friend. I crossed to my door, pushed it open, and stepped inside.

Somehow, it was even colder than before.

“Fuck a duck.”