Page 161 of Fake Game

“Al,” I deadpan, “you’re killing me here.”

“Her dad came and took her home. He thought maybe—”

“What do you meanhome?”

“I mean Ireland.”

No.

No, there’s no way.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not. She’s gone.”

“No.” I shake my head, pushing up from the couch and beelining for the elevators.

“Jackson,” he calls out.

They both follow me inside the elevator, and I hit the button for her floor over and over and over until the doors close. A gentle hum begins to build in my ears. My foot taps against thecold floor as I try to swallow down the knot in my chest, trying to make it go away.

Aleks stands silently in the corner, watching me. Parker nervously spins his cartilage piercings, looking anywhere but me.

They’re wrong. They have to be.

The doors open, and before I realize it, I’m running, sprinting down the hallway to her apartment. My steps falter when I notice the Tupperware container is missing.

“Deer,” I yell, rapping my hand against the hard door. “Deer, baby, just let me know you’re in there.” My knuckles smash on the wood again and again, but the pain is nothing.

Come on.

Comeon.

“Deer!” My voice cracks, the fear leaking out.

“Jackson,” Aleks whispers.

“No,” I snarl, spinning to face him. “No, she’s in there.” My eyes zero in on Parker. “What’s the master code? Let me in.” I stalk over, scarlet clouding my vision.

Parker raises both of his hands, palms facing me. “Hold on, mate. Give me a second.” He treats me like a rabid dog, speaking slowly as he carefully circles me.

He presses a code into the electronic lock, and it makes a light chiming noise before he reaches over and pulls down the door handle, flinging it open and stepping aside so I don’t barrel into him.

The apartment is dark, blinds closed, lights off—not even the magenta hue from her streaming room shines through. I can feel it in my bones, the emptiness, the lack of life inside.

“Deer?” I call out hesitantly.

Her bedroom door is open.

A stampede of animals is thudding inside my chest, knocking against my ribcage with each silent step I take.

I swallow, trying again, “Deer?”

My feet breach the doorway, and the world falls out from under me at the sight of her empty bed, the sheets strewn haphazardly. My nose pricks, and I clench my teeth at the pressure building behind my eyes.

I dive into her closet, trying to find her favorite suitcase, but it’s not there.

“No.”

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