Page 110 of Shameless Game

“Look,” I soften my voice, “I’m sorry we didn’t work out and I’m sorry I ended it so abruptly. We should’ve talked about it.”

“Why?” She tosses her blonde hair. “It wouldn’t change anything. Once that gothic freak got her nails into you, you were pale pussy whipped.”

“I’m not with Blair.”

Amber smirks while the bartender replaces her empty glass with a full one.

“Yes, you are.” She’s got those super long fake lashes glued on today. I stare at them, reminded of a black widow waiting in her web. “You’re fucking Blair Monroe, you and your best friend. I know how close you are and that you’re living together. I have my sources.”

I try to hide my deep inhale while forcing my eyes to stay on hers. While I make myself lie when I hate to.

But unfortunately, I’ve gotten pretty damn good at it.

“Beau’s in love with Blair. They’ve been in love since college.” The trick is to pepper in some truth. “Hell, they’ll get married soon. They belong together, and I’m happy for them.” And pepper in some authentic emotion because I wish I could marry Beau, too. “I’m only living with him until my house is done. And… ” But here’s the real gamble. Pepper in a diversion. “I’m kinda seeing someone.”

“That little redhead?” Her smirk drops. “The one on your arm when Blair fell on her ass? Gawd, that was priceless: her touchdown panties. My posts about it go viral, and I bet your new girlfriend hates her guilt by tacky association.”

Shit, I lit her fuse. I just hope she doesn’t blow. An Amber bomb is really ugly.

She likes creating collateral damage. Like smashing glass and throwing phones.

My favorite was when Amber threw my phone at my car window, pissed by a text she thought was another woman, but it was my cousin, Alicia.

And it was karma calling.

My Range Rover has bulletproof glass. My phone only bounced back, hitting Amber’s shimmery Hermès nose like a beacon light and making it bleed.

Yes, I was a gentleman and gave Amber my sweatshirt to catch the blood. And yes, I’m only human because I wanted to laugh my ass off the whole time.

“It was just a date,” I tell Amber about Ruby. “We’re not serious. The truth is, I never really grieved my mom last year, and now I’m taking the time to do it.”

See? That was true, too. It’s Blair who’s helping me heal.

“So just leave Blair alone,” I tell her. “Quit dragging her on your socials.”

“If you’re not with her, why are you here defending her?”

“Because she’s my best friend’s girlfriend. She did nothing wrong. And honestly, I’m defending you, Amber.”

Her chin shocks back. “Defending me from who?” Her neck weaves. “That bitch can’t do shit to me.”

“She doesn’t need to. You’re doing it to yourself. Talking shit about other people says more about you than them.” I pause. “It’s making you look bad. It’s hurting your brand.”

She purses her lined lips because I’m right.

So, if I can’t appeal to her better half now, I’ll appease her bottom line.

“Look, I’ll pay you back. I’ll give you some money to cover what you lost in sponsorships over me and a bit more to start something new. You used to tell me about all kinds of makeup you wanted to create, so do it.”

“That costs millions.”

“Come up with a business plan, and I’ll silently invest the seed money. Then, court other investors. You’re a businesswoman. You can do it.”

Will I probably lose my money? Yes.

Is it worth it?

I’d give it all away to protect who I love. To have a chance with them. It’s all I want.

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