Page 87 of Play the Game

“I have the app.” Judging from his tone, I’d say he’s annoyed. “It tells me everything about my car, including its current speed.”

Of course he does.

“You’re the one who left your keys.” I slowly back off the gas but probably not enough for his liking.

“I’m well aware. Stop speeding.”

A sarcastic noise leaves me. “I don’t like the way you’re bossing me around.”

He sighs loudly. “And I don’t like the way you’re constantly on my mind. You’re distracting me at practice, so stop it.”

The car jerks.On his mind?

In a panic, I move to hang up, but I see that he’s already ended the call.

I turn up the music to drown out my pounding heartbeat and think of all the ways Emory irritates me instead of all the small gestures that most would call sweet.

Don’t lose focus, Scottie.

I grip the steering wheel and continue reprimanding myself.

We may be legally married, but the actual marriage is make-believe. Emory and I are nothing but a fictitious fairy tale, and I can’t forget that.

After pulling up to the apartment complex, I’m almost embarrassed to climb out of Emory’s car.

How silly it must look to my old neighbors and landlord to see me in something as expensive as this when not even a couple months ago, I was snuggling up on my couch with ramen noodles and throwing shoes at the cockroaches who liked to play hide and seek.

Thankfully, Gerald isn’t sitting outside in his lawn chair, but as soon as he sees me enter the building, he hobbles to his feet behind the yellowing plexiglass window.

“What are you doing here?” he snaps.

His upper lip is in a sort of snarl as he looks me up and down with disgust.

“Paying my rent, like I said I would.”

The wrinkles along his face deepen with his confusion, and my heart falls.

“You turned me in to collections, didn’t you? I told you I would pay, Gerald!” I cross my arms, and my shoulders tense. “I ignored all the problems of this stupid apartment complex that are completely against code and still offered to pay the rest of my lease, and you turn me in to collections?” I shut my eyes and try to breathe through the frustration.

“I didn’t turn you in to collections. Pay up,” he grunts.

I open my eyes slowly and can see right through his smooth features and calm voice. Two seconds ago, he was looking at me like I’d slapped him, and now he’s looking at me like a puppy wanting a treat.

“Quit lyin’, you stupid fool,” a voice from behind me says.

I turn and see my old neighbor, the only one who offered a kind smile every once in a while. She’s too old to be working,but she’s still supporting her children and grandchildren, always giving them what’s left over from her checks.

Betty holds onto the railing with one hand, and the other is pointing at Gerald. “You know that man came and paid off what she owed. Stop tryin’ to get more money out of her.”

My heart physically moves inside my chest.

I look all around the grimy building, trying to make sense of what I just heard.

Gerald calls Betty an old hag, and she gives him the finger before turning to go up the stairs. I dash after her, almost tripping on the laces of my Converse.

“Wait, what do you mean?” I step in line with Betty and take her bag to carry it. She stops for a second and rubs her sore shoulder before continuing up to the third floor.

“That one man. The tall one I saw helping you move your things out.”

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