Page 1 of Not Fooling Anyone

CHAPTERONE

LEXIE

“Don’t forgetrent’s due tomorrow.”

Shit. Is it the end of the month already?

I keep applying my winged eyeliner, not looking at Travis. “Thanks, I’ll get it to you.”

He lingers in the doorway of my room, shuffling his feet, until I have no choice but to look over.

“And you still owe me for last month’s electric and water bills,” he hedges, clearly uncomfortable.

Damn it, I know. It’s been the only thing on my mind for the past two weeks.

I stand and grab my phone off my dresser. “Oh my God, I totally forgot. I’ll send it to you right now.”

Well, looks like it’ll be ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with my empty bank account. I won’t start out on the wrong foot living with my best friend. I’m already so lucky he agreed to let me move in after his roommate graduated and left.

I can’t mess this up. There’s nowhere else to go.

“Thanks.” His relief is obvious, but along with it comes a kernel of guilt that wedges its way into the pit of my stomach. He shouldn’t have to ask me for the money I owe him.

He walks behind me, fingering a long strand of my dark auburn hair in its high ponytail. “How about you come out with me and Isaac tonight for dinner? My treat.”

God, he’s too good to me. I don’t want to intrude on his time with his boyfriend, though. “I’d love to, but I’m working.”

“Rain check, then?”

“Definitely.”

He leaves, the room seeming to dim without him, and I finish applying my makeup in silence, then open the bifold doors of the closet to find my faux leather bustier. I swear I make better tips when I wear it, so I’ve pretty much made it my bartending uniform along with low-cut jeans that show off my midriff.

I head outside, wincing at the screech of my car door as I open it. Maybe I should buy some WD-40 for it. Heaven knows the whole thing’s only running on duct tape and sheer luck.

I hate the longer commute it takes to get to Element, the club I bartend at, but it’s more upscale compared to my last dive. And that means better tips. Now if only I can get them to give me more shifts.

One of the other bartenders gives me a head nod as I enter through the back door. “I didn’t know you were working tonight.”

I pause, sliding my bag off my shoulder. “I was the last time I checked.”

“Oh, I think Sarah changed the schedule.”

I stow my stuff in an empty locker, then head out to the bar, pasting on a smile as I see our shift leader. “Hey, I’m here. What do you need help with?” It kills me to play nice with her, but I’m never going to get the lucrative Friday and Saturday night shifts if I don’t.

“Oh, Lexie,” she simpers. “I meant to text you. You’re not needed tonight.”

I grit my teeth, keeping the smile on my face. “Well, I was on the schedule when I last checked.”

“Yeah, I had to switch some things around since then. But it’s up to you to check the latest version of the schedule.”

Is this lady for real? If she changes it and doesn’t tell me, how the hell am I supposed to know? “So I should call every night to see if I’m actually working?”

Her gaze sharpens. “You don’t have to be snotty about it.”

I firm my jaw even more to contain the expletive that wants to come out. “Well, since I’m already here, can I still work? I’ll run drinks or clean tables. Whatever you need help with.”

“We’re covered, thanks,” she says, blatantly dismissing me before turning around.

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