...What.
No. No way.
But this kid had no reason to lie.
The blood froze in Ari's veins and he just stared at Nike, uncomprehending for a few beats. "Darvish? You're kiddin', right? Ya thinkin' some other guy 'cause...uh...Darvis h? No way..."
But the sight of Nike's bruises flashed in his memory and his stomach did another anxious flip-flop. He rubbed his sweaty palms onto his pants and swallowed hard. Darvish? He was the sicko? He'd lied to him? Pretended? And there, beneath the fear, a spark of anger kindled and he sucked in a deep breath, fists tightening.
Holy fucking shit.
"How the fuck do I 'play along'? Just...just keep pretendin' I don't know? Fuck!" He slammed a fist into the wall, ignoring the pain that blossomed as his skin split. "I shoulda fuckin' known! Fuck I'm a moron!"