Page 33 of Play Fake

“You fucking bitch!” She grabs a drink and hurls it at me, splattering cold liquid all over my clothes and skin, and then storms off across the room.

I should be pissed, but I just collapse into a fit of laughter in Waylon’s lap.

“What the fuck is happening?” Waylon asks nervously, laughing along with me, wrapping an arm around my waist so I don’t fall onto the floor from laughing too hard.

“Oh. That… your little mistress there told me I was too fat for someone like you or Ben. That I would quote ‘smother’ you. So, I made a point. Thanks for playing ball,” I pat his leg and grin at him.

“She what?” He stops laughing.

“She was being helpful, you know, making sure the fat girl knows her place around here.”

“What the fuck. You aren’t fucking fat, Mac.” He honestly sounds angry, which is rich coming from someone who made a fat joke himself the first time he met me, but maybe now we’re friends, he feels protective. I don’t know. I won’t dig into the nuances of that at the moment.

“I am by her standards. Anyway, it’s fine. I just thought it would be funny. And it was, minus the shower,” I glance down at my clothes. Thankfully, whatever she threw was clear in color.

“It’s not fine. She shouldn’t have done that. Any of that. I’m sorry. She’s just been relentless lately, and I can’t seem to shake her.”

“Does Waylon have girl problems?” I give a mock gasp.

He levels me with an annoyed look.

“It must be so hard, having so many women want you. So much they’re fighting over you and throwing drinks. A real burden.” I say dramatically, patting his chest like he’s a poor lost soul.

“It is, actually. Keeps getting me into trouble. But then I just remembered, I have a girlfriend to ward all the crazies off.” His arm pulls me tighter to his chest.

“Very funny.”

“Oh no. I’m dead serious. You owe me, remember? Twice over.”

“You’re kind of a bastard.”

“Yourbastard,” he winks at me. “Seems like we’re going to have to keep this ruse going a while longer.”

“Oh my god, it is true!” Olivia puts her hand over her mouth when she finds me and notes my drenched condition.

“Did she pull your hair or just throw a drink? The rumor mill can’t decide.” Wren appears from out of the crowd next to Olivia.

“That was fast. Just a drink. And speaking of, I need one. Ready to take some shots, ladies?”

“As long as you fill us in,” Wren shrugs.

“Let’s go!” Olivia grabs my hand and helps me out of Waylon’s lap.

“Don’t get into too much trouble, sweetheart!” Waylon calls after me, and I glance back at him and give him the finger. But if I’m honest, I kind of like it.

TWELVE

Waylon

The next timeI see her; Mac, Wren, and Olivia are dancing together on a table, wildly gyrating much to the entertainment of half the men in the room. She raises a flask in the air, lets out a wild yelp, and takes a sip before handing it to Wren. I can’t help but smile because seeing her just enjoying every second with her friends warms my heart a little.

“Holyyyyy fuck,” I hear Liam growl as he pulls up next to me just as Olivia’s dipping low and shaking her ass.

“They’re just having fun.” I press my hand to his chest as he looks like he’s ready to charge in like a bull and tear the room apart.

“To the benefit of these fucking heathens.” He glares at me and eyes my hand like he might rip it off.

I shrug. “Gotta let loose sometime.”