Page 109 of Deceptive Games

“Yo, can we swing past my place? I’ll bring my car so I can get myself home later,” I called over the music as I leaned between the seats, and Jensen nodded. The last thing I wanted to do was get stuck there all night.

Lukas let me out when we arrived, and they waited for me as I got into my Roadster to follow them.

I smoked as I drove, my fingers tapping on the steering wheel to a silent beat. Burning that house down had only made me twitchy, but I couldn’t keep burning things.

I’d just chill with the guys for a few hours then head home to smoke weed in the bath. That should fix me and help me sleep.

Jensen parked in the garage while I left my car out front, the three of us walking up to the house and being greeted by the staff.

Relief hit me when Jensen asked to play video games, so we headed to his bedroom and got comfortable, starting Call of Duty.

My mind was silent for a while as my fingers smashed buttons and we trash-talked each other. I’d kicked off my shoes and tossed my blazer aside, loosening my tie a little to relax. Jensen and Lukas had gotten changed into T-shirts and sweats, but I’d wait until I got home so I could have a bath.

We ate Chinese for dinner before putting a movie on in the theater room, and it was half an hour before I glanced over to notice the guys had gone to sleep. It was only seven, but I wasn’t surprised. With Jensen’s dad being home, he probably hadn’t slept that great, and Lukas was stressing about his mom.

I watched them for a few minutes, noting how peaceful Lukas slept now he was curled into Jensen’s side. Even Jensen seemed dead to the world, suddenly making me feel like a third wheel.

Was this how things were going to be from now on? Everyone pairing up and leaving me on my own?

The guys had always been close, Caden and I were the same, but things felt different now that Rory was in the picture. They weren’t doing anything wrong, but it was like everyone was just passing through life together while I watched from the sidelines.

A spark of panic ignited inside me at the thought of being left behind. I should’ve seen it coming, I was always left behind.

Mom and Dad didn’t give a shit, none of our old staff gave a shit when they were told they weren’t needed anymore despite me being a child, and now my friends were pulling away.

Was there something wrong with me to make people do this?

I got to my feet and walked quickly through the house, not wanting to bother the guys. My fingers twitched, and I automatically took out my lighter to flick it on my way to the car, the panic turning to terror, then anger.

Why did they always leave?

I thought I’d driven home, but when I parked the car and glanced around, I realized I was at the Shed. Music blasted from inside, and I figured I might as well have a drink while I was here.

“Hey,” Diesel greeted as I approached the bar, raising an eyebrow. “You need a beer?”

“A bottle,” I grunted, pulling out my wallet and tossing some cash his way. “Anything interesting happening here tonight?”

“Apart from a few of the guys fighting, nothing much.”

“Who’s fighting?”

“Skeet and Matteo had one for fun. Well, that’s what they called it, but they’ve been wanting to beat on each other for weeks now,” he tsked, sliding a bottle of whiskey towards me. “You want a glass and some ice?”

I nodded, pouring myself a drink once it was in front of me and downing most of it in one go.

“Rough day?” he chuckled, but concern suddenly flashed across his face. “Rory okay?”

“She’s fine. She’s snuggled up with Holloway,” I muttered, refilling the glass. “Anyone in tonight that I can fight?”

He blinked at me for a second as if not hearing me, then he frowned. “You want to fight in the cage?”

“I need to blow off some steam.”

“No offense, but the fighters in here would kill you, Ty. It’s mostly crew members tonight.”

“If Rory walked in, you guys would bend over backwards to fucking find her someone,” I snapped, his eyes narrowing.

“No, we wouldn’t. Rory’s not allowed to fight in here anymore.”