MainNovelChapter 11 ~ Card game
Chapter 11 Card game
Athena
Noah stood in the living room, his hair a mess. He was wearing a T- shirt and dark jeans, which was rare to see
since it seemed
like the Kings had a thing for suits.
Even Gia in her old age wore suits. | was always the odd one out in
my jeans and Plain tops.
"Why do you let him do this? You know Aunt Ari wouldn't let this go on if you just told her?" He takes a step
closer.
| almost laugh at that.
Alex would killand burrysix feet under if | ever tried to do that.
That's a known fact. But... deep down in my heart, | feel like this
secret between us is the only thing that keepsgoing. A sick
part oflikes that we have something we share that no one else knows.
"I'm not bothered by it." I lie.
Noah watches me. For a second | feel like he's about to argue but | was just humiliated a few seconds ago and
had he walked in a
few minutes earlier, he would have watched the scene like a damn movie in 3D.
| exhale, forcing my emotions down.
"Have you eaten?" | ask, changing the subject.
Noah studiesfor a moment, as if deciding whether to
push the conversation further, but eventually shakes his head.
"Con," | say, moving toward the kitchen. "I'll make you something."
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He follows me, settling onto
the kitchen island while | rummage through the fridge. The familiar act of cooking steadiesand gives me
something to focus on besides the storm raging in my chest.
Noah has always been my only friend since | cinto
this family. Don't getwrong, everyone is so kind to
sometimes it feels like | only get to shed that skin off with him and it's refreshing.
Noah leans his elbows on the counter, watchingwith amusement.
"You know, | never took you for the domestic type."
I roll my eyes at his mockery. "I cook because | have to, not because | want to."
Honestly, | hate chores and | can't lie that
| wake up at 4 AM to get my husband ready for work. | sleep in until 10 AM and | don't
even hear him leave sometimes.
Maybe that's why he loves Leah. She looks like she has her shit together. | bet...
"Whatever helps you sleep at night." Noah's voice bringsback.
What are we talking about again?
Oh.
Right.
Domestic chores.
| chuckle. The tension from earlier fades just a little as we slip into an easy rhythm-
joking, laughing. It's a huge contrast to the suffocating weight of Alex's presence.
For a minute, it feels like I'm drowning because every second, | keep thinking back to him.
As | place a plate in front of Noah, he picks at the food
and asks, "So, how's school?"
| sigh in relief that he doesn't teaseabout my red swollen eyes. Because | Know for a fact that they're puffy
as we speak. See why we click?
Sometimes you just need a friend to turn a blind eye to your misery and
ask you stupid shit instead.
"Exams start soon, and I'm terrified."
"You'll be fine," he says easily. "You're smarter than half the people in your class."
| snort. "That's not reassuring. Because that's a lie."
He grins. "I'm serious. You've got this."
"Well, you better buy me
a huge present for my white coat ceremony." | joke and he nods with a mouthful.
We finish eating, and Noah spots a deck
of cards on the counter. He grabs them with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Wanna play?"
| hesitate. Those cards belong to Alex. He plays
them With his best friends which is once in a blue moon but no one dares to touch
them.
They're just cards one might say.
But anything that belongs to Alex is not "just a thing."
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"Don't tellyour husband won't let you
touch a bunch of stupid cards." Noah eyes me.
Am | that obvious?
"Who said he doesn't?"
"It's written all over your face."
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| arch a brow, ignoring his statement.
"What's the catch if | say yes?"
2/3
'He pulls a bottle of vodka from the cabinet.
"Loser takes a shot."
"That's a bad idea." | laugh but the idea is thrilling and since I'm not into clubs, this will do!
I smile. "You're on."
The gstarts, and before long, I'm losing-badly.
Each shot burns, but | don't care. The alcohol dulls the edges of
my pain, making the world spin just enough to feel light again. The liquid is
hot against my throat but with each shot, I'm hopeful that the pain will stop.
It doesn't, so we keep playing and | keep losing.
"I'm starting
to think that you're losing on purpose just so you can drown in alcohol." Noah laughs and my heavy
eyes force an eye roll which | bet looks like I'm having a fucking seizure.
As if he just read my mind, Noah asks, "Athena, are you having a stroke?"
That does it.
| burst out laughing. Leaning my head on the counter as | hold my stomach. Noah is laughing along when
suddenly, the front door slams shut.
My head is spinning as | look at cold green eyes.
Alex strides in, his suit jacket gone, his sleeves rolled up, and his jaw clenched tight. His stormy gaze locks onto
me, then flicks to
the bottle of vodka on the counter.
His expression darkens.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
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