Page 19 of The Games We Play

“I could ask off work,” I offer.

“Great.” Mr. Collins clasps his son’s shoulder and goes into the house, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ryan and I settle into the car, and he backs out of the driveway before asking, “That was weird, right?”

“What? Your dadwantsto spend time with you? I think it’s nice. Coming from someone whose dad moved so far away, we live on different days.”

“Tess,” Ryan starts.

“I’m fine. No. I don’t think it’s weird. I think it’s normal, and you should definitely go.”

“Only if you come too,” he presses.

“Fine. But I get the room with the garden bathtub.”

It used to be my parents and me with Ryan and his dad on these weekend trips to the lake. But over time, Dad made excuses as to why we couldn’t go. He made excuses for everything until we were alienated, and people stopped inviting us. As I got older, Dad would let me go with Ryan and Mr. Collins alone while he stayed behind.

I haven’t thought about Mom in years, and most of the time, the fact that my dad lives across the world doesn’t bother me. Lately, however, memories have become more persistent.

Ryan’s hand lands on my thigh, and I jump. “I know the lake house brings back memories for you.”

“I can’t hide from everything that triggers a memory. Maybe visiting that place again will help somehow. It’s been two years.” The space in thecar turns somber. I draw my knees to my chest and plant my feet on the seat.

Two years since Dad left.Ten since my mom…

“Hey,” Ryan taps my leg, and I startle. “Maybe you’ll find your masked man here tonight.”

My heart lurches in my chest.How does he know about X? My mouth opens, but no words come out.

“You know,” he continues. “The ones from those videos you watch. I promise no cock-blocking.” He crosses an X over his heart, and I stare at him, dumbfounded. My body relaxes that my secret is still safe. Ryan doesn’t need to know I’m basically being stalked.

Basically? I scoff at myself. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck…then it’s a fucking duck.

“Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?”

“I just want you to be happy, Tess. You deserve happiness.”

I swallow the lump that forms in my throat. “That’s enough mush from you,” I say, lightly bumping his torso. “Find some music that doesn’t suck, and let’s have some fun tonight.”

***

By the time westop to eat and get gas, it’s dark when we park at Haunted Nights. Actors mill around, looking for their next victims while people wait in line for the attractions to open. The sound of metal scraping on asphalt quickly approaches from behind me, and I grab Ryan’s arm as a man with his face painted white and wearing all blackslides along the blacktop beside me, sparks flying from his fingertips and knees.

My eyes fixate on his through the paint and he smoothly stands and saunters closer until he’s towering over me. My heart lurches, and adrenaline burns through my veins. I search his eyes for something, anything. Wishing for recognition, but he walks away from me without a word.

“Scared already?” Ryan chuckles. I release his arm.

“No, he just surprised me, that’s all.”

“Looked like you two needed a room,” he teases. I roll my eyes and walk to the ticket booth.

You know what I’ll do if someone touches what is mine. X’s words play back in my mind. But he’s abandoned his right to call me his when he disappears for weeks. I don’t even know if he is coming back. What kind of pathetic loser would I be if I waited around for someone I didn’t even know?

“Maybe I should ask him for his number,” I say when Ryan catches up to me.

“You’ll have to fight for him.” I turn my head in the direction he is talking. There is a group of girls, probably barely out of high school, grouped around the actor, snapping pictures and fawning over him.

“Let’s just get our tickets.” I slap my money down on the counter.

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