Page 51 of Fake Game

Mm. Nope.

I want zero part in whatever is happening.

Taking a deep breath, I sit up straight and allow a tight smile to thread across my face as I raise both hands to wave them side to side in a “no thank you” gesture.

Our silent exchange is blissfully interrupted as our waitress returns to our table.

“Hi, can I get either of you anything else tonight? One last drink, maybe?”

“No!” The word basically catapults out of my mouth, stunning the woman. Shit. I soften my face and give her a placating smile. “Sorry, no. We’re good. Just the check, thank you.”

The woman nods her head, collecting our empty plates. “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

I refuse to look back at Jackson’s booth. Instead, I busy myself by grabbing my handbag and sifting through it for one of my credit cards.

“Deer.”

“Yeah?” I chance a glance over at Lee, who has gone stock-still.

“They’re coming over,” she whispers through gritted teeth.

“What?” I’m torn between looking over and throwing my body under the table. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, they are walking over here.”

“Why?”

“How should I know!”

Oh my Gods.

Fuck it.

I grab two hundred-dollar bills that are floating around in my mess of a handbag. It has to be enough to cover our meal and drinks.

I slap the notes onto the table and then grab Lee’s wrist as I stand up.

“Let’s g—” The words die on my lips as my eyes meet a pair of deep black pools.

“Babe.” Jackson’s hand rests on my right shoulder. His thumb rubs my skin in a weirdly reassuring pattern.

Babe?

His date pops her head around Jackson’s giant form, her slick black hair swaying to the side. Her perfectly plucked brows pinch together as she clutches her hands to her chest.

“Hi, I amsosorry about all of this. Jackson explained everything.”

What?

“I’m Grace.” She holds out a hand.

My mind begins to whirl, but I allow myself to slide my mask back on, lifting my chin as a dazzling smile softens across my face. I reach forward and shake her hand.

“Deer.”

Her grip tightens as she looks deep into my eyes, sincerity bleeding out. “I completely understand the struggle. I dated my last boyfriend for a year before I told my parents, and they still took forever to accept him. We broke up because he couldn’t deal with the pressure from them.”

I’m so lost. Why is she being nice?

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