Page 54 of Set Play

Chapter 27

Élise

“I-I need to go.”

Mateo stares at me as if I’ve grown a second head, which is honestly a fair reaction considering my sudden shift in mood. “Is everything okay?”

The concern behind each word serves as another punch in my already confused heart. I’m supposed to hate the man in front of me, yet nothing about him matches the stories I’ve been told time and time again.

What the hell am I missing?

“I’m fine…” It’s a lie. An obvious lie, but there’s no way I can explain what’s going on in my head to him when I can’t even explain it to myself. “I just…I just need to go.”

Before he can respond, I jump up and start looking for my clothes, desperate to escape his presence so I can just process everything. I need to talk to Niamh.

No, I need to talk to Henri.

Wait, I can’t talk to him. He’ll flip out if he finds out about this…fuck.

“Élise, what’s going on?”

I close my eyes, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart and find any words to ease his mind right now. None come to me. All I can do is shake my head, and even that is a weak movement.

“Did I hurt you? Please, Chispita, talk to me.”

Hearing that nickname is the last straw. Tears well in my eyes as I turn to face him. He pales at the sight of them. “Thank you for dinner and…” I wave a hand wildly through the air. “...everything else tonight. It really was an amazing night. I’m sorry to have ruined it w-with my mess. I’ll text you later. I’m sorry.”

Standing on my tiptoes, I press a chaste kiss to his cheek, ignoring the tears painting my own and grab my dress and bra from the floor. I can’t find my panties, but I don’t need them.

With one last look at the stunned man standing in the center of the room, I slip on my sandals and out the door back to my own room.

Today 10:09PM

Me:

9-1-1. Mayday.

Niamh:

Él…why are u texting past midnight? What’s wrong?

Gracie:

It’s only 10 here, Niamh, but the question’s still valid, E.

Me:

I fucked up. I fucked up bad.

Reya:

Fucked up as in 4-way Facetime or as in Gracie and I need to come over while Niamh calls in?

Me:

As in I just hooked up with Mateo.

Gracie: