Page 70 of Set Play

His self-satisfied chuckle follows a sharp prick of pain as he pinches my clit. Game over. I lose. Thankful for Mateo’s arms holding me up, I shatter with a silent cry. “Shit, that was—”

I’ve barely returned to this plane of existence when I’m spun back around to face him. He’s going to push the issue again. It’s written all over his smug face. “So, are you going to tell me?”

Looking at him, I realize I have no anger or annoyance left to call upon. A tidal wave of resignation crashes over me, snuffing out what little fight I had left.

“I—” The words lodge in my throat.

Fuck. I don’t know how to do this.

I can’t…I can’t do this.

Mateo stares at me with a mixture of confusion and hurt. I don’t understand why until he whispers, “Can’t do what, Chispita? Talk to me, please. What’s going on?”

Guess I said that out loud…whoops.

My eyes sting with unshed tears, but I fight like hell to not let them fall. How do I make him understand this when even I don’t?

Really, universe? I know you hate me, but out of all the possible guys…I had to fall for ?

“This.” I gesture between us, praying to whatever deity is listening that my voice doesn’t break, “We never should have introduced a physical aspect to the story we were trying to sell. It’s messing with my head and I just can’t.”

“After all this time, why now? What’s changed? Please, just explain things to me, and I will let you walk out that door right now.”

My hands fly into my hair and pull slightly at the roots. A hoarse chuckle leaves my throat as I try to pace the tiny space, refusing to meet his eyes. “Because you’re my brother’s rival! Because according to him you’ve made his life a living hell for six years. Because according to him, you didn’t bat an eye before dragging my family, dragging me, into the rivalry.” I see Mateo stiffen, but I’m not done.

“Because the Mateo I’ve gotten to know is the complete opposite of the one he described. Because I don’t know what is true anymore and Henri won’t answer my calls. He’s my brother, the only person other than our parents who stuck by my side after my injury! And now, I don’t know if I can believe anything he’s said about you!”

My voice finally breaks toward the end and I smack my hand over my mouth, trapping my sob. Trapping the words I almost said.

Because I’m falling in love with you…and that scares the living shit out of me.

I didn’t intend to confront Mateo; I wanted to talk to Henri first. But I did, so now I’m stuck in this closet, listening to the ragged sound of his breaths while I wait for him to respond.

Is he mad?

About to walk out?

After a few minutes, I can’t take the silence anymore. Slowly, I lift my head to look at Mateo and quickly wish I hadn’t. Hurt, anger, and understanding swirl in his stormy eyes.

The first two have my chest tightening with anxiety and my eyes scanning the room for an exit.

But the third?

That one has my heart crying out with hope.

Merde.

1. Qu'est-ce que tu fous? = What the hell?

2. Ce trou de cul = the asshole

Chapter 38

Mateo

Devastation. Rage. Shame.

My brain can’t decide what to feel as I struggle to process everything Élise just blurted out.