Page 103 of House of Deceit

I buzz first this time, with Jayden just seconds behind.

“Harper.”

“That’s correct,” Jacob tells me, and being on the board helps my stomach settle.

“Charlie, another category, please.”

“Game nights for three thousand.”

“How many different colors of card decks were there on the night the house played Rummy?”

All three of us press our buttons at the exact same time, but Jayden’s podium lights up.

“Four. Head Deceivers, three thousand,” he says, not waiting for Jacob to confirm his guess.

“Which Head Deceiver was Penelope talking to when she said ‘I hate this stupid game. You all suck and I don’t know why I came here’?” Jacob reads.

I buzz and provide the correct answer, furthering my lead.

“With Charlie in the lead, who’s going to come out on top? Find out after we hear a word from our sponsors,” Jacob Jacobson tells the camera.

Production starts moving around, touching up our faces as we go to commercial.

“You’re doing a great job,” Parker says, whispering into my ear, ignoring his makeup person.

“Thanks. I’m sorry you’re in the bottom right now,” I say, blotting my new layer of lipstick.

“Hey, this is every person for themselves. Kick my ass, if you must.”

His eyes crinkle as he smiles.

“No matter what happens, thank you for being my friend,” I tell him, emotion tightening my voice.

“Thanks for bringing me back to life,” he says.

I nod, unable to say anything for fear of crying. Production is counting down our return from commercial and we look forward, competitors once more.

“Charlie, next category, please,” Jacob says.

“Deceivers, two thousand.”

“Who was the deceiver that Saran wrapped the toilets?”

Parker gets this one. And then Jayden goes on a run, getting four questions in a row, including one about Ezra’s socks during a game night that is so random, I had no chance. What I felt was a solid lead is quickly overcome by Jayden.

“Weeks for fifteen hundred,” Jayden says.

“What week did Colyn learn how to do a handstand?”

I buzz, my podium lighting up. “Three,” I say.

“Incorrect,” Jacob says, calling Jayden’s name as he buzzes next, unaware the points falling off my board has stunned me like a blow to the head.

“Week four,” he says, his points going up as he calls for the next category.

Sweat starts to roll down my back despite the night air cooling down now the sun has sunk beneath the horizon.

“Competitions for a thousand,” Jayden says as I try to bring my attention back to the task at hand.

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