Page 113 of Fake Game

“It’s complicated.”

We’re teetering the line of fake and real, and I’m not sure where we are going to land. We’re still a fake couple, but part of me keeps questioning why it needs to be fake at all?

Sydney stops pacing and gives me alook. “Fine. Whatever. We’ll deal with this later. I need you back in the suite and getting ready. You’ve got the showcase this morning before the meet and greet in the afternoon; it’s a tight schedule.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll just say bye, and then I’ll be right over.”

“I’ll wait.”

“Why?”

“So, you don’t get distracted.”

“Come on, Sydney. It’s me.”

“Mm, no. Hurry up.” She makes a shooing motion before going back to her phone.

I jog back to the bedroom, taking a second to collect my clothes and throw them on before ducking my head into the bathroom.

“Hey, I have to head out.”

Deer rubs her hand against the shower glass so I can see her through the steam. “How’s Syd?”

“Confused, but it’s fine.”

“If you say so,” she sighs. “I’ll see you later.”

Some base instinct inside urges me to kiss her goodbye, but I shove it deep down—that would definitely tip us over the line, and we are straddling the gray area as it is.

I shut the bathroom door and return to a waiting Sydney, who already has the front door open to usher me through.

“See, no distraction.”

She just shakes her head and stalks across the hall to scan into our suite, leaving me to trail behind her.

The security team in the hallway keep their faces straight, but the one nearest to Deer’s door makes eye contact with me before quickly looking away. Something tells me that maybe these walls are a little thinner than I’d assumed.

“Yo, where were you all night?” Aleks comes out of his room and slings a hard arm around my shoulders as soon as I enter the suite.

“I was with Deer.”

Aleks’ brows rise. “Huh. Thought you might give me a little more run around than just coming clean.”

“Do not mention this to your girlfriend. I don’t need her getting ideas in her head.”

“Oh, dude, too late. We spent half our video call last night speculating. Stevie has all the theories.”

I groan.

Parker comes darting out of his room, socks sliding on the shiny floorboards, wearing nothing but his briefs.

“Thought I heard you.” He grins, throwing finger guns at me. “Busy night, huh?”

“Parker.” Sydney’s admonishment breaks through. “What are you doing? I told you to get dressed fifteen minutes ago.”

“I got a little distracted.”

I snort. “And you were worried about me.”

---