Page 85 of Fake Game

In my periphery, I see a man flash his phone at the bouncer before stalking in. The woman gracefully slides off her bar stool, legs eating up the distance as she walks from the back of the lounge to the entrance.

“Took you long enough.” Her voice has a sultry pull to it.

“Savannah.” The man’s voice is deep. Familiar.

“I’ve kept an eye on her, don’t worry.” She rolls her eyes playfully and then reaches out to dust off his shoulder. My vision turns red at the edges, and I have no idea why until the next sentence leaves his mouth.

“Where is she?”

With just three words, I know who it is. I don’t even need him to turn around.

“She’s right there.” Her finger points directly at me, and I freeze like a fox caught in a hen house.

TWENTY-THREE

JACKSON

“Jackson?”

Deer’s bright blue eyes blink at me as she stares, frozen at the bar of the Cardinal Club.

“What are you doing here?”

She snaps out of her daze, shoulders stiffening as she tilts her chin up. “I wanted a drink.”

“Here?”

“Yes. Why? Is that a problem?”

It issucha problem. How’d she even find this place? Did she find my duffle bag when she was staying in my room? She never gave off the impression that she was the type to snoop around.

“What happened to the party?”

“It was lame.”

“Lame?”

“Yes. Lame.”

The videos on Parker’s story say the party is anything but lame. In fact, it seemed like it was spawned from the third level of hell—everyone a glutton for drugs, sex, booze, and fame. But that isn’t exactly Deer’s style.

“Come on, let’s get you home.” I hold my hand out, but she pushes it aside, looking past me.

“Who’s your friend?”

“I’m Savannah.” The woman next to me smiles and reaches out her hand to Deer, but instead of shaking it, she places a kiss on her knuckles. “It’s lovely to meet you, Deirdre.”

All the life drains from Deer’s face, her skin turning as white as her eyeliner.

“What?” The word is barely a whisper as it leaves her glossy lips. She scuttles off the bar stool, walking backward until her back hits the wall like a cornered rabbit.

I shoot a look at Savannah before squeezing around the bar. “I thought you said nothing happened?”

Her brows furrow. “Nothing did. As soon as I realized who she was, I didn’t take my eyes off her. I’m not sure what’s wrong?”

“Deer?” I hold my hands out as I approach her, watching her eyes dart like a ping-pong ball between Savannah and me. I look around myself, trying to figure out what spooked her. “Deer, what’s going on, baby?” I lean forward, bracing my hands on her shoulders and giving them a light squeeze.

“Who are you?” Her panic dissipates, instantly replaced with venomous anger. Deer shoves out of my arms, stalking past me until she is chest to chest with a startled Savannah. “And how do you know my name?”

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