Read Online The Believing Game by Eireann Corrigan - Free Book Online Page A

an innocent request shows your illness. The word is depravity , actually. It shows that you are depraved.”
    I sighed. “Well, we knew that.” I turned to face Addison. “How is it an exercise in trust?”
    But it was Joshua who answered. “When you sleep, you are vulnerable. That will be hard for you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with your guard down.”
    â€œSo you just sleep next to me?”
    â€œIt’s most important that you sleep.”
    â€œI’ll bet. Do we wear clothes?”
    â€œI’m not interested in being insulted.” Joshua’s jaw set. His eyes shifted from mine and moved to focus on some space past my shoulder.
    Addison reached his hand across the table. “Greer. It’s okay if you’re uncomfortable with the idea. But try to be respectful, okay?” I nodded and he looked relieved.
    But then I asked, “When did Joshua spend the night in your bed?”
    â€œThat’s not how it works.” Of course not. I tried to keep the smirk off my face.
    When Joshua pushed himself up, the plates rattled. “I don’t want to sit at this table right now. I’m sickened.”
    I kept my eyes on Addison. When the door slammed, he bit his lip. “Are you going to go after him?” I asked.
    â€œNo. Joshua and I can talk later. It’s okay if you’re not comfortable with this.” But Addison’s voice was hollow. We both knew that was just how the script read. That’s what the good guy was supposed to say.
    â€œI don’t even sneak you into my room.”
    â€œThis is more important.”
    â€œIf I get caught …”
    â€œYou won’t.” He was pleading just a little.
    â€œIt wouldn’t just be bad for me, you know —”
    â€œNo, it would be much worse for him,” Addison told me. “Joshua knows that. I hope you understand that. He’s still offering this.”
    â€œOkay.” I don’t know why I said it. Because it was late and I was tired of smelling marinara sauce. We’d miss our sign-in, and that would bring its own kind of trouble. Really I just wanted Addison to stop looking at me in that disappointed way. He reached out, held my face in his one hand, like he did when we had just met and he hadn’t kissed me yet.
    â€œBut listen,” I said. “If I do this, I’m doing this for you. You can’t expect me to also be thankful for the honor of hosting Joshua in my bed. It’s weird. You know it’s weird.”
    â€œIt’s about trusting people, though.”
    â€œWell, for me it’s about trusting you. That’s all.” Addison didn’t say anything. I pressed harder. “Can you take that? I mean, is that enough?”
    â€œYeah.” Addison’s voice sounded rough at the edges. “That’s plenty.”
    Â 
    Sophie’s red Chucks were the first things I spotted when I got back to my hallway. She’d parked herself right outside my door. She had on black leggings with a black leotard, so she looked like a skinny little insect wearing red sneakers.
    â€œIt’s our very own cheer squad — Sophie Delia.” My voice boomed through the corridor, announcing.
    â€œShut up — I hated those bitches.”
    â€œYou were totally on cheer squad.”
    â€œWe called it dance team . And I still hated it. Where have you been?”
    â€œSame old.” She looked blankly up at me. “Sal’s.”
    â€œYou’re late even for you, though,” she said. I shrugged. “Did you get in a fight?” Another shrug. “A big one?”
    â€œDo you want to come in?” I nodded toward the room four doors down and across the hall. “Or do you want Jenn Sharpe to blog about this?”
    â€œGod — is she still writing that shit?” Sophie shouted toward Jenn’s door. “Someone needs to learn the definition of the spirit of