Page 87 of Played By Design

An hour ago, I would have climbed in without thinking. Wouldn’t have questioned if I was allowed. But after finding the workbook…

My jaw clenches.

I consider the foot of the bed. Maybe that would be acceptable. A pet could sleep there, tucked out of the way.

But a nurse would still probably have a rule against it.

William clears his throat. “He was at Stackers. Was he picking up dinner?”

I don’t answer.

“When did you last eat, Reef? Or sleep?”

“Before he was hurt.” I barely get it out.

“The vending machines on this floor have sandwiches. I can bring you one,” he offers.

“I was supposed to eat dinner with Kain.” Kain’s mouth remains slack, his chest rising and falling beneath the hospital blanket. “I’ll wait until he wakes up.”

“He could be asleep for a while.”

“I’ll wait until he wakes up,” I repeat.

“This isn’t your fault, Reef,” he murmurs. “And Kain will tell you that as soon as he’s conscious again.”

My lips feel numb. “He wanted me to go with him.”

“And he’ll be damn glad you didn’t. Kain would burn the city down if something happened to you.” William shifts, the rubber soles of his shoes squeaking on the linoleum. “Try to get some sleep for now⁠—”

“I can’t sleep until he wakes up and tells me to.”

William’s hand falls from the chair. “What does that mean?”

I reach down, unzip the duffel, and pull out the workbook. My thumb traces the worn edges of the blue cover. “He’s my Player.”

William stares at me. “Your what?”

“My Player.” I turn the workbook in my hands. “He knows what to give me when he wants me to eat. What to play when he wants me to stop working. What to do to help me focus.”

William straightens, his exhaustion suddenly gone. “Is this some kind of consensual kink you guys play at home?”

I frown in confusion. “No. It’s what I just learned tonight.”

“How?”

I lift the book. “I found this strategy guide in his dresser.”

I open the workbook, flipping past food and fixations and music until the pages blur together. “See? Food. Games. Songs. Everything has a function.”

William steps closer, his arm extended. “Let me see that.”

I snap it shut. “No.”

“I want to look at what you’re talking about.”

I hug it to my chest. “It’s Kain’s.”

“And you found it tonight?” He motions toward the duffel. “Hidden in Kain’s dresser?”