Page 97 of House of Deceit

“It’s not.” I don’t sit back down and just stare at her, hoping she’ll balk. “Sit.” She points a finger at the chair.

I don’t take commands from anyone but Alec.

My stubbornness must be written on my face because she quickly changes tactics, softening.

“Charlie, please. We have to work together. We are going to have to see each other every single day for, hopefully, another week beyond this one. Please, sit?”

“What is it? I would like to get back to the house.”

“Sure thing. I’ll make this quick.” She gives up and stands, tucking her hands in her pockets. “I don’t care that you’d prefer Alec, a lot of women would. From now until you leave this house, I am your wrangler and even though I didn’t pick you, I want you to understand I support you a hundred percent. Anything you need, I’m here to help. You don’t have to be my friend. You don’t have to like me, but it would do you some good to have someone to talk to. That’s what I’m offering here.”

“I’m good. See you at our next interview.”

I don’t need Alec.

I certainly don’t need Martha.

All I’ll ever need, all I’ve ever needed, I realize, is me.

I walk to the door to make my way back into the house as Martha calls out once more.

“Snuggle with Parker some today! Everyone is eating it up!”

That’s the last thing I want to do, but I still have a game to play.

The happiness that permeated my days of the past few weeks has taken a nosedive. Parker has noticed, and I’m sure he has a guess, but he hasn’t forced me to talk. I know he’s here for me if I need him, but this is something I want to process on my own.

Parker and I are sitting in the living room with my feet on his lap. His strong fingers rub my arches and I try not to moan out loud. Cain stomps through the room as he makes his way to the kitchen. He seems even more furious every time he sees me the past few days. I would care, since he never seems entirely stable to me, but with a broken heart, I just don’t have it in me.

“Do you realize this time next week, we could be walking out of this house for the last time?” I ask Parker.

“How does that make you feel?” He holds his thumb against a pressure point before moving up to my ankles.

“It feels surreal. And surprisingly, a little sad. Obviously, I’m going to miss seeing you every day, but everything is easier here. I don’t have to think about bills or work. Or how I don’t own a couch. I’m going to miss that simplicity.”

“What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you leave here? Other than buy a couch, because we’ve talked about that every week,” he jokes.

“I am going to go home and dance around the living room naked. Or just sit in complete silence and enjoy being the only person in my living space for the first time in three months. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to sell my company and all of my stuff and move somewhere that isn’t saturated in memories. Maybe a new state entirely.”

“Well, you’ll always have a friend in North Carolina if you choose to move there.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he says, smiling.

I take my feet out of his grip and turn to hang my head off of the couch, my legs in the air where my head should be. Molly and I would sit like this most days. There’s something about looking at the world upside down that we enjoyed.

“Are you ready for the final competition?” I ask. “Court and I were always impressed with how much people could remember.”

“My journal is full to the brim.” Jayden stands up from the chair in the corner.

I jump as he startles me, throwing off my weight. My legs fall into Parker’s head and I kick him in the face. I try to get my feet to the ground and they land in Parker’s lap as I slide to the ground. He gasps as my feet connect with what feels like his balls. He grabs his junk and pushes my legs off him as he curls into a loose ball.

I untangle myself from the heap I landed in on the floor.

“When did you get in here?” I ask Jayden. “Are you okay?” I say, turning to Parker who flashes me a thumbs up but retches.

“I’ve been here the entire time. I was sitting here when you two walked in.” He looks at me with observant eyes and for the first time I feel like I see him. “You’d be surprised at how easily you’re overlooked if you don’t appear confident and capable. But I made it here. And I’m going to win.”

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