Page 113 of Love is a Game

“Tuck, where’s your sense of humor? Seriously, I wish I could’ve seen it. With Mia’s acting chops, I bet she put on a hell of a show. And Mom? That icy look of hers? Really sells it.”

“Fuck! I felt terrible—”

“It was just a little prank, Buddy. Relax! No one actually blames you. The asshole who drugged me? Brady’s guy? He got charged and got what he deserved. All good.”

I shake my head. All a fucking joke. Well, they got me, alright.

“Tuck? You there?”

I slowly unfist my hand. “Yep.”

“Hey, speaking of parties, what about Mia’s spa day? I spoke to her earlier, and she was still out of it. Kept rambling about passionfruit daiquiris and some secret pact. Told her to go lie down and I’d call her later. Then Brady texted me to call you—”

“Why?”

“Who the hell knows why Brady does anything?” He laughs. “But seriously, I can’t wait to get back and finally catch up with you guys. Fuck I’m so jealous—all of you together in Blue Mountain Lake. I’m missing out big time.”

“No one there to share your street satay with?” I jest. “Besides the enforced detox, how’s things going?”

“Oh—damn exciting!” I can hear the smile in Mason’s voice. “Esports is off the charts here. And you know, I love the rep work I do, but getting back into the thick of it—the sponsorships, the talent scouting? Man, it’s insane. It was my first big project, you know? Feels good to be back in the mix.”

I let him run with it, sharing insights, new ideas, his plans already in motion. His energy is contagious. Or it should be. But all I feel is the opposite.

Nothing gets me that excited anymore.

Mason’s passion makes him money. My passion wastomake money. And now I have it…what the hell comes next?

“Sorry, what?” I snap back to the conversation.

“Pen. How’s she doing? I felt terrible that I couldn’t get back for the funeral. Got stuck in a goddamn dust storm in Beijing.”

I hesitate. “Uh, she’s doing as well as you’d expect, I guess. Trying to figure out what to do with the house.”

“Well, she’ll sell, won’t she? Get back to the city ASAP?”

“Seems like she’s gonna hang in Blue Mountain Lake a little longer. But yeah, shouldn’t be long till she heads back.”

Shouldn’t be long.Yeah, sure. What do I know?

Then a shift in Mason’s tone: “Is this why Brady said to call?”

“Huh?” I frown.

“Because you sound about as chilled as a Bangkok wok,” Mason presses. “What’s up? Was it hard yards helping Pen through it all? I really wish I could’ve been there.”

“It’s not that.” I sigh. “It’s more what happens now. She’s pretending to be fine when all her insecurities are running wild, and…” I drop my head, staring at the angular patterns in the carpeted floor.

“And?”

“Well, she doesn’t appear to want my help. In fact, I made matters worse by pushing her to…make decisions—” I break off. “Look, never mind, it’ll be fine.”

Mason chuckles. “Oh, totally. Because Pen loves making decisions under pressure. She’s so good at it.”

I let out a hollow laugh. “Yeah. Hopeless.”

“If it’s about the house,” Mason suggests, “she should just get a financial advisor and let an agent handle it.”

“It’s…a bit more than the house. But yeah, fair point.”

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