Page 89 of Play Fake

“Of course.” My stomach tightens at the thought of her with him again.

I was all fucking bravado last night. Telling her to have fun fucking him, but now it’s a real possibility, I feel like I might be sick. If she goes back to him, if I lose any chance I still have. Fuck me. It will do permanent damage.

“Can’t say I blame her.”

“I just need to talk to her. She doesn’t have the whole story.”

“In my experience, the whole story rarely helps.”

“It would in this case. This all happened way before she and I got together.”

Wren gives me a doubtful look and takes a big gulp of her drink.

“You know I would never hurt her on purpose.”

“That much I believe.”

“Is she with him?” I ask, sorry the second I do because I don’t want the answer if she is.

“Wayyllonn!! I didn’t know you’d be here!” Holly’s voice echoes in the small room as she latches on to my arm.

“You know I can’t answer questions like that.”

“Then what can you answer?” I know I sound desperate, but I don’t care.

“Not an answer, but advice. Don’t do something stupid while she’s working through it.” Wren’s eyes subtly drift to Holly and then back to me.

“I’m not that fucking stupid.” I say, annoyed Wren thinks I would, or that I could.

“I hope not. Have a good night, Waylon,” she hops off the barstool and disappears out through the dining room and beyond.

“That was weird. I don’t know why you guys all keep insisting on partying here.”

“I like it here.”

“I like anywhere that involves you.” She looks up at me and grins.

“Listen, Holly. I don’t want to give you the wrong idea…”

I see her tense up and so I trail off, hoping she gets the idea without me having to explain. I don’t want to hurt her feelings. She’s a nice girl and pretty enough to find someone else here. Some guy will be lucky to have her, but it isn’t me.

“I know Waylon. You’ve made it pretty clear you only have eyes for the nerd chick who lives here. But she’s not here and you look awful, and if those two things are connected, I’m just saying I’m here if you need a shoulder to lean on. Or more.”

“I appreciate the offer, but she’s it for me. I’m good.”

“Well, it stands if you change your mind, or if you need me to change it for you.” She gives me a little wink and disappears out of the room without another word.

I can’t say the idea holds zero appeal. A small part of me, one that wants to revert to old behavior, likes the idea of an easy hookup with no complications. Where I can lick my wounds and forget how royally I fucked this all up. But there’s no going back now. Nothing will fill the void Mac leaves if I can’t fix this.

“Hey,” I feel a slap on my back and look up to see Liam. “You look about as rough as I feel. Did you get a beer yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Here,” he pulls one out the fridge and tosses it to me.

“Thanks.”

I roll it over in my hand. It’s obvious Mac wasn’t part of the planning of this party because it’s some cheap stuff, and not the craft beer she always hoards in the back of the fridge.