Playing His Game Part 13

bath oil, shampoo, and lotion." Mya unscrewed the bath oil to sniff it and instantly recognized the scent.

"He has this specially made."

"What else is in the box?"

Mya laid the basket aside and lifted out a portable spa unit. "Oh, my G.o.d. I've been dying for one of

these."

"I have to try that before we leave tomorrow." Carly reached for the box to take it from her.

Mya slapped at her hand lightly. "Wait your turn."

"There's more."

"Yeah." Next in the box was a satin black robe with midnight blue piping. The matching slippers invited

her feet inside, and Mya slid them on. "Oh, these are amazing."

"Is that everything?"

"Yes... No." Mya pulled out a smaller box. "You want to open this?"

Carly nodded and reached for it eagerly.

Mya delved into the box once more and found only a card inside. When she held it up to the light, she

saw it was actually a day-pa.s.s for Rendezvous Spa. The subt.i.tle said 'Where Lovers Come Together'.

The pa.s.s was valid for Tuesday only, and she could arrive anytime after ten. "Look at this."

"Look at this," Carly said at the same time.

They both giggled as they looked up. Mya handed her the card after she took the hairbrush from her sister. The white bristles were softer than any she had ever touched, and Mya didn't doubt the back and handle of the brush were real silver. Abstract swirls were etched into the brush, and her initials were engraved on the handle. Mya ran a finger across the M.I.L. "How did he know the initial for Isabelle?"

Carly giggled. "I have no idea."

Something in her tone caused Mya to raise her head. "Did you...?"

"I might have answered a few questions for him when he called here Wednesday night."

Mya shook her head. "He just happened to get through to you?"

"No. Roarke said he had to hang up three times before because Mom answered."

"Oh." She and Dad had gone to pick up dinner on Wednesday night. They had left Mom and Carly-

who claimed to be too tired from shopping to move-at the apartment. Bobby, as usual, had worked

late. What would Roarke have done if she had answered the phone? Or if Bobby had?

"So, it looks like you've got a date with him for Tuesday." Carly tapped a peach nail against the thick spa pa.s.s.

Mya sank into a chair and wriggled her toes in the satin slippers. She felt decadent. "I'm not sure I can go

through with what we talked about."

"Sure you can."

She bit her lip. "I can't get past what I'll be doing to Bobby."

Carly sighed. "He'll never know the details. It's not like you're going to tell him if you enjoy f.u.c.king

Roarke."

"But I'll know! How can I pretend like I don't or ignore what I've done?"

Carly's eyes wrinkled, and she fidgeted. "You know I don't like Bobby, right?"

Mya's eyebrow raised by itself. "Well, duh. None of you have ever bothered to keep the animosity under

wraps."

"But you don't know why I hate him."

"Hate?"

Shrugging, Carly began putting the items back in the box. "When I was a freshmen, a lot of people were

mean to me since I was so fat."

"You weren't fat. You just hadn't outgrown it all yet."

With a snort, Carly said, "I was fat, but that's not important to the story."

"Okay."

"Some of the boys used to tease me by asking me out. I was no fool. I knew it was a big joke, so I

ignored them." Carly's eyes dropped to the table. "A few took their games a step farther. They would

touch me."

Mya frowned. "Touch you?"

"My b.o.o.bs, mostly. They were a lot bigger then."

"I'm so sorry, Carly. Why didn't you say something?"

"It was your senior year. You were busy with your own stuff."

"I would have done something."

Carly's eyes s.h.i.+mmered with unshed tears. "What could you do?" She swallowed. "Besides, it was the impetus I needed to make changes."

"What does this have to do with Bobby?" Mya's stomach clenched with dread.

"He was one of those guys."

"Bobby used to touch your b.r.e.a.s.t.s?"

Carly looked ill. "That wasn't enough for him. When I stopped crying and trying to get them to leave me

alone, most of the guys lost interest in their cruelty. Not Bobby." Her mouth twisted. "One night at a

football game..." She blinked. "I even remember which one. The Serpents were beating the Eagles

fourteen to two. You were cheering and everyone loved you."

Mya s.h.i.+fted in her seat. "That's not true."

Her sister nodded. "It is. People were always drawn to you. I used to hate you for that."

Mya's head dropped forward. "Oh." She looked up when Carly touched her hand. "I never meant to hurt

you."

"I know. It wasn't your fault I wanted to be like you. I outgrew all that petty c.r.a.p a long time ago." Carly heaved a sigh. "Anyway, that isn't part of what I'm trying to tell you."

"What happened?"