Page 46 of Fake Game

My phone begins to buzz with an incoming call, and I quickly wipe my hands on a towel before swiping it open. I tuck it between my ear and shoulder as I crack open another egg and separate the whites into the clear bowl before me.

“Morning, I saw your texts. I haven’t forgotten.”

“Then why didn’t you respond?”

“Because I’m cooking.”

She pauses before letting out a resigned sigh. “All right. What are you making?”

“Soufflé pancakes.”

“I love those!” My little sister’s voice trills through the phone. “Why can’t you come home and make some for me?”

“Angela.” I recognize my mother’s warning tone. “Nei jou gen mut?Why aren’t you dressed yet?”

“I can’t find my music book.”

“I already packed it in your bag. Now, go put your dress on. I won’t have you be late.”

I laugh to myself as I begin to beat the egg whites to a stiff peak. I haven’t lived at home since the day I left for college, but I still miss being around my family. Thankfully, they only live an hour away, so I’m able to visit them often. I can’t imagine living any farther from them—I don’t know how Parker does it with his family in England most of the year.

“How are the dates going? I think tonight will be a good one. Everyone at your father’s hospital says she’s lovely and you know she comes from a good family.”

The question catches me off guard and a groan escapes my lips in the distraction.

She turns that warning tone over to me. “Jackson.”

“They’re going fine.” It’s not a complete lie. The dates aren’t horrible, and the women are fine…just not to my taste.

“Anyone promising?”

“Not really.”

I can hear the disappointment in her long, heavy sigh.

“Good morning.”

I spin around to find Deer strolling leisurely into the kitchen, her hair perfectly curled and her makeup back in place. There isn’t a trace of the shadows that marred her features last night—no hint of the demons lurking beneath the surface. They’ve been successfully covered with layers of sparkly pink blush.

She hops onto a bar stool with a smile, and I just frown. It’s clear she is going to pretend like last night never happened.

My gut roils with a low flame.

“Jackson?”

Fuck. My mom.

“Yeah?”

“Who was that? Stephanie?”

My eyes skate over the sexy spitfire who most certainly isnotmy roommate’s girlfriend. The woman I held in my arms lastnight. The same woman I woke up dreaming about with my cock stiff as hell.

“Uh, yeah. I’m making everyone breakfast, so…”

“Okay, okay. I’ll let you go. Just promise me you’ll give the girl tonight a proper chance. It’s important to yourbabathat you don’t mess this one up.”

“I promise. Bye.”

---