Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 667

TASHA

Twenty minutes.

My hand closed around the phone until the edges dug in, and I looked up at Sparrow and forced the words out.

"I have my own life to live."

He blinked.

"Yes, I love Scarlett. But I won't put my whole life on hold because she's in a hospital." My voice was steadier than it had been all morning and it surprised us both. "I'll see my fitness coach first. Then I'll go to Scarlett. That's it. That's how it's going to be."

I started walking, but his hand closed around my arm and stopped me, and when I looked up his eyes had gone flat and cold and genuinely furious.

"After we spoke at the hospital, I forced myself to believe you actually cared about her." His grip wasn't hurting, not quite. "And here you are, showing me your true face all over again. My first impression wasn't wrong. What saddens me is that Scarlett's feelings are wasted on a thing like you."

"Thing," I echoed, and my chin wobbled.

"You weren't worth the effort." He let go with a small push, more of a flick really, and my heel caught the edge of the runner and my balance went sideways. I grabbed the pillar at the bottom of the stairs and hung on while the world steadied.

He was already going up, two treads at a time, and he didn't look back.

"I'm sorry," I whispered at his back, and wiped my face with the flat of my hand.

Outside, Shaun straightened off the bonnet of the car when he saw me and got in without a word. I reversed out of the driveway faster than a woman with damp hair should, and drove to the fitness center with my jaw locked so tight it ached.

"Wait here," I told Shaun as I killed the engine. "I'll be quick."

Inside, I moved like a burglar. Bag off, clothes off, and into the white dress, long and body hugging, cut high on the thigh and low enough at the chest, So Big Bryan wouldn't have a reason to complain. No time for makeup, so none. I dragged on the red wig, tucked my wet blonde ends up under it, checked the mirror once, and left through the back door into the alley with the dumpsters.

Two minutes later a cab pulled over and I climbed in, gave the driver the address of the club, and sat back against the seat.

Twenty minutes to keep my life out of a headline. Twenty minutes before a video of the worst night of my existence got handed to the entire internet.

"Faster, please," I said. "I'll pay extra."

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