Page 85 of Play Room Actor

“He’s about to screw everything up,” I said bluntly. “That’s what addicts do. God! That’s not him at all!”

Alex glanced up with a serious expression. “Nobody’s like that. They all have their reasons for being with Livio. Don’t forget that when you barge in there.”

My jaw clenched, and I realized I still hadn’t come down from my high. It wasn’t exactly the best mindset for showing compassion. Empathy had never been my strong suit, but in a neutral state, I could at least fake it.

“Here it is.” Alex pointed at his phone. “I think it’s number three. This house here. Just ring the bell for Tanner.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, spinning on my heel and hurrying toward the apartment door.

In the entryway, Alex grabbed my arm and turned me back to face him. “Kil, it’s obvious you care about him. But if you storm in there like a bulldozer, you’ll ruin everything.”

“And how, exactly, am I supposed to go in there?”

“Try putting yourself in his shoes. I know,” he added, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “It’s written all over your face that this feels impossible right now, but … please, just try.”

“Fine!” I replied, rolling my eyes. “For your sake. Because you were just as screwed up as the rest of them.” My gaze flicked past him to Noé, who was now busy on his phone. “Does he know?”

“Yeah,” Alex said, resting a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t judge Dominic for not telling you the truth.”

“Thanks for your help,” I said and left the apartment.

I reached Livio’s building in under ten minutes on my motorcycle. It was a five-story block, and a couple of bikes were parked out front. I rang the bell for L. Tanner and waited. Without anyone even asking my name over the intercom, the door clicked open.

I took the stairs, climbing up to the third floor without knowing for sure where Livio lived. Livio stood in the doorway, wearing only a pair of low-hanging, dark blue sweatpants. A slimy grin spread across his face when he saw me.

“Dominic didn’t mention the hottie was coming after all.”

A knot formed in my stomach as I immediately recalled Alex’s words about keeping my cool, which actually helped. Otherwise, I would’ve swung at Livio with a clenched fist. Silence might not be the worst strategy, I thought, and simply nodded as Livio stepped aside to let me in.

“Straight ahead,” he said, gesturing inside.

At the threshold of the dimly lit living room, I froze, stunned.

Where the hell have I ended up?

On a couch covered with a white sheet, three guys were fucking. Two more were making out in an armchair, rubbing each other’s dicks, and out on the balcony, two men were smoking cigarettes. Alcohol cluttered the coffee table, surrounded by pills and white powder scattered everywhere.

“If you’re looking for Dominic,” Livio whispered so close to my ear that the hairs on my neck stood up, “he’s in the playroom at the back.”

My heart raced faster and faster as I stood paralyzed. Slowly, I turned my head toward Livio. He smiled and even winked at me.

“Straight ahead, first door on the left.”

Every muscle in my body was rigid, and I couldn’t move. It wasn’t until Livio placed a hand on my back and gave me a light shove that I managed to get going. I walked through the living room, past the naked men, and stopped short again.

Jesus Christ! I was in the middle of this!

Horrified, I tore my eyes away from the two men on the armchair and focused on the table. A half-empty bottle of Moskovskaya. I seized it, kept walking, and took a long swig. The burning liquid flowed down my throat, stoking the fire already raging inside me. I felt like a volcano ready to explode. There was a fury inside me I hadn’t felt in ages, and at the same time, something else screamed out from within. A cry for help I drowned with another gulp.

The door was slightly ajar, and I had a clear view of a bed. Two guys were making out, naked. When the one on the bottom placed a hand on the other’s chest and broke away, I recognized Dominic.

Did it matter that he didn’t have an erection while the other guy looked ready to burst?

No.

Everything froze.

My breathing. My heart. My blood. Even the screaming in my head fell silent, and I stood there, mouth open, clutching the bottle so tightly I nearly shattered it.