“Nothing…” he sighed. He balanced his elbows on his knees. His gaze was absent, a preoccupied expression that exposed his obvious worry.
“Logan,” I said more firmly. He looked at me, upset as he chewed his lip before finally giving in.
“We got another riddle this morning,” he admitted, all in one breath, and my eyes went wide with horror.
We’d all stopped thinking about Player after Neil’s graduation and the revelations about John. I suppose we were all foolish enough to imagine that he’d stopped thinking about us as well, and his sudden reemergence was alarming. Looking anxious, Logan stood up to pull a note out of his jeans pocket.
“Here…” He handed it to me, and I took it hesitantly as he sat back down beside me. “He sent this along with a bouquet of black roses that I’ve already thrown away.” His jaw clenched as he passed a hand over his face. I opened the folded piece of paper and ran my eyes along the printed lines:
Photo
Mosaic
The missing piece
Game over
Player 2511
I stared at him, dumbfounded, and let the paper drop to the floor as though it were a superheated piece of metal. I rubbed my temples, and I could no longer tell if my awful headache was from the fever or simple exhaustion with everything that was happening.
“Have you talked to your brother about this? He needs to know, Logan.” I lifted my head to look at the boy who was now on his feet in front of me, nervously pacing the living room.
“After the way he booted us out of his office, I doubt he cares that much about what happens to us,” he snapped with uncharacteristic abrasiveness. He was still angry and disappointed about Neil’s behavior, and I couldn’t blame him.
“Try him. I can’t believe he’d truly be indifferent to this,” I continued, trying to ignore the headache that was steadily worsening and the weakness in my muscles.
“I’ve already texted him,” Logan admitted. “He said we’ll talk about it when he gets here.”
So hewascoming. I hadn’t been sure before, and the knowledge made me uneasy. I had no idea how I was going to react when I saw him again. What, if anything, would he say to me? Did he still have any feelings for me?
I had no idea how his life had changed in the last six months. I didn’t know if there was someone else in his heart now or if that person was Megan.
I tried to stifle the thought of her; I didn’t want to believe things would have progressed that far between them.
Would he really be capable of having sex with the woman who’d gone through a nightmare with him?
I’d always felt jealous over Neil and all the women he had eating out of his hand, but I considered Megan much more of a threat. He allowedhimself to let go with me in a way he never did with his casual lovers. He made love with me the way he’d never done with anyone else before.
But what did he do with her?
I clung to the memories that I’d been living off for the past few months. I clung to hope and to the sheer instinct that made me believe that he valued me more than he’d ever been willing to show.
“I’m going to go get cleaned up, then,” I said, getting up from the couch. I climbed the stairs slowly and moved into the bathroom. I scrutinized myself in the mirror. I had lost some weight, and the fever only made me look even more bedraggled.
My eyes were only half-open and glassy, my cheeks were red, and my lips were chapped and puffy. My hair was a long, wavy tangle.
I had lost all desire to take care of myself.
“You look awful,” I muttered to myself before turning on the faucet and cupping my hands below it. I rinsed my face with the cold water. Chills passed through every part of me, and I swayed on legs weakened by muscle aches.
I should have just gotten into bed and rested, but I wanted to wait for Neil. I wanted to see him, no matter how uncomfortable I was. I sighed and pushed open the bathroom door only to startle when I found Anna standing there.
“Selene, are you okay?” She frowned at my drawn face. I smiled and gave her an insincere nod.
“Sure am. Do you think you could find some fever medication when you get a chance? I think my temperature might be going up.” I didn’t just think it; I was positive. I was basically on fire, but my obstinate brain made me keep fighting it. Anna cocked her head to one side suspiciously, undoubtedly aware that I was lying through my teeth. Fortunately, she didn’t push the issue, so I just walked around her and slowly made my way back down the stairs, my vision both blurring and tunneling.
“Oh hey, you’re already here!” I heard Logan’s voice from deep in the living room, and like I was equipped with invisible sensors attuned to his presence, I scented Neil before I even saw him.
