Page 39 of Fake Game

“Another what?”

“Another movie that you like.”

I frown. “Why?”

She pulls back and huffs. “Gods, it’s like pulling teeth with you sometimes.” She swivels her whole body to face me and places both hands on my thigh this time. She is just as bad as Parker. No boundaries. “I’m asking what some of your other favorite horror movies are because you obviously have good taste. So, what do you recommend?”

A jaded part of me wonders if she is fucking with me a little. Maybe it’s because I have to drag Aleks with me to the cinema to watch horror movies or maybe it’s because Parker will unplug the TV if he comes home and sees one playing. I’ve never hadsomeone genuinely interested before—and fuck if that doesn’t do something weird to my chest.

“Some of the live-action Junji Ito movies are pretty hardcore.”

“Oh! His manga are so creepy.” Her eyes widen and her nails dig into my sweatpants as she leans forward. “The one with the deer-dude was so screwed up. I couldn’t sleep without seeing it every time I closed my eyes. Had to keep the lights on like a wee child.”

I can’t help the laugh that rumbles out from me when her Irish accent slips out.

It’s hard when you feel like there’s a part of yourself that no one else relates to. So, when you find someone who seems honestly fascinated by something you like and willing to learn more about it, it creates this sense of validation and partnership that you didn’t know you needed. And that’s what Deer has managed to do within just a few hours.

“What else?” Her question feels so sincere that a part of me decides to open up—just a little.

“Have you ever watched theDevil Nunfranchise?”

This time, she slaps her palms against my thigh. “I haven’t! You love those movies, right? I think I remember Blade mentioning that.”

“Yeah, he’s been coming with me to the premieres since we were in high school.” Begrudgingly, I don’t add. I have to bribe him with chocolate pretzels and ice cream every time I want him to come along.

“Ugh, I love that for you. Lee might share my love for true crime, but she draws the line at gory horror movies.”

“I feel that. We can watch the first one if you want? It’s still early.”

“Totally!” Her smile grows and her hands tighten on my thighs again. As if she just realizes what she’s been doing, sheblinks down and flexes her fingers. “Gods, your thighs are like steel.”

I expect her to take her hands away, but they linger.

“Thanks.” I force the word between my lips.

“You’re welcome.” She gives my thigh a pat and then,finally, she removes them, clasping her hands in her lap. She looks at me expectantly and silence stretches between us. Her brows dip. “Are you going to put the movie on?”

“Right,” I mutter. “Right.” I lean forward and grab the controller, switching out from the DVD to one of the streaming channels. As I mindlessly search for the movie, I attempt to gather my wits.

What the fuck is going on?

I hit play on the movie and relax back into the couch at the familiar opening scene. Deer curls her knees to her chest and places her chin on them.

Her attention stays hooked the entire time, and, once again, I find myself stealing glances at her. I could stare at her all day and probably never get bored; I’d merely get lost in the curves and dips of her changing expressions, committing each one to memory.

I hate to admit it, but I like having her around. It’s almost as if I’ve left the city for the country and looked up at the sky to realize for the first time that there are millions of stars lighting up the night. The thought of going back to the drab darkness is unappealing now that I’ve seen the sparkle.

We’re in the final stretch, only ten minutes left of the movie, when her lids start to flutter shut. Deer’s head begins to loll forward before snapping back. She squints her eyes and furrows her brows as she attempts to remain awake and focused on the movie. When the end credits finally begin to load, her eyes close and stay that way.

I let out a deep chuckle.

“Shh,” she mumbles.

“Tired?”

“A little.” She tips over, curling into a fetal position on the couch cushion.

I reach forward and shut off the TV before giving her shoulder a nudge. “You plan on staying out here?”

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