Page 160 of Fake Game

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Just let me take them down.”

What is with him?

“I said no.”

I push his arm out of the way, but then he just sticks his leg out, creating another barricade.

“Please.”

“Fuck, dude.” I reach out and grab him by the shirt, forcing him aside as my patience runs thin. “Stop.”

“Come on, Jackson.”

It’s then that I catch it—a desperation wavering through his eyes.

My grip tightens.

“What happened?”

His easy smile twitches down ever so slightly before he catches it. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, what are you hiding?What happened?” I push him against the elevator.

“Chill for a second.” His eyes flash with that rare heat and he puts his hand on my chest, applying a quiet force.

“Parker,” I growl out.

“What the fuck are you two doing?” Aleks stalks over and tugs Parker out of my grip. I’ve known Aleks long enough to know when not to put up a fight. I might be stronger than him, but he plays dirtier.

“He’s hiding something.” I point a finger at the platinum blond, who’s shifted behind our mediator and out of my reach.

Aleks lets out a loud sigh, turning to raise his brows at Parker, who in turn just points a finger back at me—or, more specifically, my container of brownies. Aleks’ face neutralizes, eyes flicking up to mine.

“You going to see Deer?”

“Yeah.”

He looks back at Parker briefly before placing a hand on my shoulder to guide me back into the apartment.

“I need to talk to you first.”

“But—”

“Jackson.” My best friend gives me a look that causes a rock to drop into my gut.

We sit on the couch, and he takes the Tupperware container from me, placing it on the coffee table.

“There’s something we need to tell you.”

“What?”

“Deer’s dad flew in last night.”

“Oh. Okay.” Shit. I would’ve gone down there and been caught completely off guard. I’ve been going there each day in just my sweatpants. Not how I would’ve wanted to meet him for the first time. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

“No, it’s,” he pauses, looking to Parker again, “it’s more than that.”

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