Play Dirty (Make the Play #4) Read Free Page B

off the wall, feeling a little less agitated now. My conversation with Heather gives me confidence that this might work after all.
    “Wait a minute,” she says suddenly. “You’re not having second thoughts about this because of Hayes, are you?”
    And just like that, my confidence dwindles. “Why would I? Hayes is with Ashley.”
    “I know that, but that hasn’t stopped you from pining after him.”
    One thing I learned while I hung out with Ashley was that when telling a lie, you should use the truth whenever you can. That way it will seem more real, and also so you can remember what you said. “Yeah, I have been kind of pining for him, I guess. But he doesn’t want me anymore. Josh does.”
    “And Josh is a way better catch than Hayes.”
    She’s wrong. Josh is a jerk. Hayes is a good guy. But I don’t correct her. I can’t. “I know, right?” It’s the response that’s expected. The one I would give if Josh and I actually were a couple.
    “I’m so happy for you, Talia,” she says. “And a little jealous, but that’s okay. You totally deserve it.” There’s an edge to her tone that causes a chill to run up my spine.
    That’s the thing about being the new queen bee. No one will speak out against you, but everyone’s always looking for a way to steal your crown.
     

JOSH
     
    I know something’s up the minute I get home from practice. For starters, Dad is at my house. When I spot his car in the driveway, I almost turn my car around. He’s the last person I want to see. Ever since he started dating Chris’s mom, our relationship has been pretty rocky. I’ve never even been to his new place. Mom keeps trying to talk me into visiting him, but I have no desire to. Not after what he did to our family. What he did to my mom. Every night that I hear Mom crying in her room hardens my heart further toward my dad. At this point, it’s a giant chunk of steel. There’s no way he can penetrate it.
    My concern for Mom is what finally convinces me to park and go inside. Knowing she’s in there with him propels my feet forward. Since Dad didn’t protect Mom, now I’m left to do it.  And I sure as hell won’t let her down the way he did.
    Besides, I’ve always been braver than him. I’m the strong one. He’s a coward. Always has been.
    When I step into the house, my chest tightens. It’s not only Dad that’s visiting. Olivia is here too. I glance at the three glasses of iced tea sweating on the coffee table. Mom sits in the recliner facing Dad and Olivia who have taken over the couch. What the hell is going on?
    As if in answer to my question, Mom stands, motioning me over. Her hands are shaking, and I can tell she’s fighting to keep her voice steady as she says, “Josh, honey, come on over here. Your dad wants to tell you something.”
    Wary, I inch forward. Once I reach Mom she rests a hand on my shoulder. That’s the kind of mom she is. The kind that offers support even when she’s clearly hurting. I don’t need Dad to say anything. When my gaze falls to Olivia’s hand I know why they’re here. Still, I make him say it. If he’s going to come here and make Mom uncomfortable, then he should have to endure some discomfort as well.
    I don’t give him anything. I keep my face deadpan, challenging him to speak.
    Dad clear his throat, and I feel a small sense of satisfaction that I’ve unnerved him. Not that I’m surprised. I’ve had this power over him since childhood. With Dad, I could get away with anything. Mom consistently sides with me. Well, except for one time. It was when Dad made me clean up Olivia’s shop after I vandalized it. Honestly, I was shocked that Mom went along with it. She hates Olivia as much as I do. But later she told me it was because she was worried that Olivia would press charges. So she was protecting me, that was all. Dad was another story. I was positive the only person he was trying to protect in that scenario was Olivia. He was always trying to protect her.