Page 118 of Fake Game

I only take a few steps before almost tripping, my knees giving out temporarily. Jackson’s other hand shoots out to grab my elbow and steady me.

“Whoa, you good?”

My brain starts to feel all throbby, but I can’t really place what’s wrong.

It doesn’t feel like one of my panic attacks.

Is it because I haven’t eaten enough?

I thought the energy drink would’ve fixed that.

“Yeah, sorry. A little lightheaded, maybe low blood sugar or something.”

“Do you want to head back?”

“No! No, I’ll just grab a snack, but I want to keep going.”

A deep frown mars his forehead. “Fine, but if you get any worse, I’m taking you back. This jacket isn’t worth you passing out.”

“Ah, that’s because you haven’t seen it.”

Instead of holding my hand, he loops his arm around my back, his palm coming to rest just above my hip. I try not to, but my body leans into him, seeking support as we continue weaving through the booths.

The farther we walk, the worse everything gets. It really feels like someone stuck my head underwater; everything’s kind of in a big bubble. And all these people? They’re fish in the sea. Swimming past me. Why are there so many fish?

“Deer, baby, seriously. Are you all right?”

I slowly blink up at Jackson.

Wow. He’s sexy as fuck with that commanding tone.

“Deer?”

“You’re hot.” I reach up and touch his face. “Like reeeeally hot.” My tongue feels thick in my mouth, so it takes me a second to get all the words out.

I dig my hands into the mask covering my face and pull, welcoming the cooler air on my face.

Much better.

The humming around intensifies.

Jackson’s definitely saying something to me.

I’m looking at him, but I’m not looking at him because there’s two of him, and that’s weird.

Why are there two of him?

Everything feels like a sparkly dream.

Except my tummy. That feels kind of sick.

I feel like I should be worried, but I can’t remember why.

I think I’m sitting on the floor.

Nope, not on the floor. I’m moving too much to be on the floor. The colors around me are spinning, like a Tilt-A-Whirl ride.

They spin, and spin, and spin, and spin until all the colors come together and turn…

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