Page 74 of House of Deceit

I feel my mouth drop open as I look at Molly, an equally shocked expression on her face. Unlike last week when the room erupted into a full-blown panic, this change is met with devastated acceptance.

Our family has to be broken apart week by week, but now we are the ones causing the fissure.

“Parker, as one of our Head Deceivers, you’re first.”

He stands from his chair and makes his way to the interview room.

“Psst, Red.”

I look to Keith leaning around Molly, his cowboy hat perched on his head.

“What’s up, Grandpa?” I ask, trying not to cry. Or worse, vomit from stress.

“You can vote to eliminate me. It’s okay. I see the panic on your face.”

“But I don’t want you to leave either,” I say, tears blurring my vision. I reach a hand out across the space, and he takes it. Squeezes. His hand is warm and dry.

“You have to vote for someone, Red. Vote for me.” Molly pretends she can’t hear us, but her eyes water and I know she’s touched.

Our hands release as Parker comes back into the room. He gives me a sympathetic smile as Jacob calls my name.

The walk back to the interview room feels endless. No matter what, someone I love is going home. I think about my time with each of them. The deep talks I’ve had with Molly. The silly moments I’ve had with Keith.

There is no wrangler in the room this time. Only the camera with the red light, letting me know I’m being recorded as I sit down in the seat.

I try to cast my vote, but my voice is lost, choked with tears and sorrow. Clearing it, I look into the camera, at the people sitting at home and show them my devastation.

“I vote to eliminate Keith,” I tell the viewers. Wiping away the tear rolling down my cheek, I make my way back out to the living room.

Jayden stands and makes his way to cast his vote as I move back into the room.

Leaving my chair empty, I decide to sit on the floor between the two chairs and hold up my hands, one for each of them to hold on to. We sit like that, in silence as person after person files from the room. When the final vote is cast, there’s a momentary pause before Jacob is handed an envelope.

“Molly, Keith. Let’s find out which one of you will be continuing on the hunt for half a million dollars, and which will go home.”

The lights in the studio and our house dim, the music compelling. He pulls out the white envelope and opens it before reading, “Molly. I’m sorry, you will not be joining us next week. Keith, congratulations, your hunt continues.” He continues talking to the audience, but I don’t hear any of the words. No matter who went home, I was going to be broken by the loss, but that doesn’t stop my heart from cracking in two.

I stand and crush her to me, as she bends down to hug me.

“It’s okay. You’re okay. Don’t let them see you cry,” I tell her. She nods into my shoulder before standing up and putting a broken smile on her face.

“You have to win the money so you can come visit me. Promise?”

“I promise,” I tell her.

Without another word, she hugs everyone and makes her way to the front door. With a backward glance, she blows us all a kiss, and she’s gone. Crushed, I stand in the entryway long after she’s gone, my tears streaming down my face.

Eventually, Parker comes and ushers me to bed, tucking me into his sheets.

As I fall asleep, his body dipping the bed on his side, all I can do is wish Alec was the one in bed next to me.

I pace the interview room while I wait for Charlie to get dressed. Normally I don’t call her to the interview room this early, but watching her cry herself to sleep last night made me feel like I was seventeen again, only this time, hopefully, I can make her feel better. I might have failed Lorelei, but I won’t fail Charlie.

The door cracks and I all but tackle her to the ground.

Her soft body is pressed against every inch of mine, and my mind quickly goes from wanting to support her to wrapping her legs around my hips and pinning her against the wall.

Pulling back before she can feel what my thoughts are doing to my body, I look into her blue eyes, my thumbs stroking her cheeks.

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