Page 80 of Set Play

“Get in.”

It’s not exactly the warmest invitation, and I look around to make sure he’s talking to me. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Reyes, just get in the truck.”

I hesitate for another second, but the numbness spreading from the tips of my fingers urges me forward. He keeps his eyes focused on the steering wheel as I get settled before begrudgingly asking, “Where are you staying?”

“I didn’t exactly get that far in my plan. I was more focused on getting here to make sure she was okay. The closest hotel is fine. Well, the closest one that isn’t sketchy or gross.”

His lips twitch at my hurried addendum. I wouldn’t put it past him to drop me off at some rundown motel. He puts the truck into drive and pulls onto the main road, not bothering with a GPS.

I guess he’s familiar with the area.

“Why are you here, Reyes?”

My brows rise in confusion. “What do you mean? Élise got hurt. I didn’t want her to be alone and when she was on the phone with Niamh, she sounded terrified. Despite what you think, I genuinely care about her.”

He hums low in his throat. My eyes track the passing buildings, and I notice we’ve left the main part of the city. “Aren’t there usually hotels close to hospitals?”

That drags a chuckle out of him. “No need to stay at a hotel. You can stay at my place. I have plenty of rooms.”

I’m too shocked to respond. He’s offering to let me stay at his place? Is he plotting my murder? My phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I smile when I see a new text.

Today 10:50PM

Chispita:

I hope you make it to your hotel safely. I’m sorry I kicked you out. It got overwhelming. I’ll be discharged in the afternoon.

Me:

Actually…Henri's letting me stay at his place. so if I go missing, u know who to suspect.

Me:

I’m so fucking glad u r ok, Chispita. Get some rest. Goodnight, Chispita.

Chispita:

Thank you & Lukas for the flowers, btw. Goodnight, Big Shot.

“I thought this thing between you two was supposed to be fake,” Henri grumbles, but it’s missing the normal heat his statements carry.

Before I get a chance to reply, he’s turning into a parking garage. Damn, I was so distracted by her messages, I didn’t even realize that we had arrived. He whips the truck into a spot and jumps out, leaving me to hurry after him as he stalks toward an elevator and punches in a code. Thankfully, we don’t wait long for a car to arrive.

The ride is filled with a very awkward silence, minus the stereotypical elevator music, and I beg the mechanism to go faster. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

When he opens the door to his apartment, the view stuns me. I’ve only been to Québec City for games and never wandered around it, but it’s beautiful. With a few brusque words, Henri directs me to a guest room and bathroom. I turn to thank him but instead find myself staring at his door as it shuts.

Alright, guess he’s going to bed.

I wake up to Henri making an excessive amount of noise. What the actual hell? Surely he’s doing that on purpose. It takes a Herculean effort but I manage to drag my ass out of bed and across the hall into the bathroom.

Surprisingly, Henri has laid out fresh towels as well as clothes and a note that reads, “We’re close-ish to the same size, so these should fit. Since you didn’t plan for a hotel, I doubted you had clothes. - H.”

Well, that was nice of him.

I planned to ask him to stop at a store so I could buy something to wear, but this is way easier. Holding up the pants to my hips, I agree that they should fit. The shirt, however, looks debatable.

Oh well, it’s better than these dirty clothes.