Page 47 of Perfectly Faked

“Missed you out there, Ego,” Vale says. He’s back in town since taking a leave from the Crushers to play for an NHL team in Tampa. He visits Sloan whenever he can, which is a lot, judging by how often I see him.

“So did a special waitress,” Rourke adds with a sly look.

My gaze flicks to Leo, whose eyes shift to a blonde in the corner, clearly watching him with hooded eyes. A surge of jealousy shoots through me.

“I only dance when I lose trivia night. She knows that,” Leo says. “And I pick my partner.”

The way she’s eyeing him from across the barroom, it most definitely seems like she wants to be Leo’s partner—for more than dancing.

“Speaking of trivia, we haven’t played tonight,” Rourke says, grabbing a box from the bar labeledTrivia Night Fun. “Who’s game?”

Lucian leans forward. “Depends. What’s the bet?”

Sloan leans over to me. “Trivia night is different every time. The box changes rules for winners and losers to make sure every game is unique.”

Rourke grins as he reaches a hand into the box and pulls out a slip of paper. “Tonight, the winner gets to kiss someone at the table.”

The guys erupt into cheering—all except Leo, who looks like he’s about to flip the table.

“Not happening,” Leo growls, pinning Rourke with a glare.

“Why not?” Rourke teases. “You didn’t mind when you won a few months ago.”

My gaze snaps to Leo. I don’t want to know who he kissed, but my traitorous brain starts guessing anyway. Given the blonde waitress’s not-so-subtle staring, I’d bet my skates it was her.

“It’s just a kiss, Leo,” Rourke fires back with a grin. “For fun. We’re not asking anyone to marry us.”

Leo narrows his eyes. “Maybe Victoria doesn’t want to kiss someone like you.” His tone is icy.

I know he’s just trying to look out for me, but it only fuels my irritation. He danced with that waitress, kissed someone else, and now he’s playing knight in shining armor? I came here for fun, not to feel like a delicate flower under his constant watch.

“I’ll do it,” I say before I can second-guess this. I need more fun in my life.

“We have our first player!” Sloan announces, grabbing the popcorn bucket and taking a handful.

Leo’s head snaps toward me, his eyes flashing. “You willnot.”

“It’s just a game,” I say, arching an eyebrow, daring him to argue. “And it doesn’t break any rules, does it,friend?”

The crease in his brow deepens, which feels terrific. Sure, I promised not to hook up with his teammates, but playing a silly game? That’s my decision, not his. I’ll take his anger over his indifference any day.

Leo’s voice drops. “Fine.Just remember what happened with those wings.” His words are laced with a warning. “You don’t listen, you get burned.”

“Maybe I like to play with fire,” I say with a smile, leaning back in my chair, knowing full well this game we’re playing. He doesn’t get to dictate my fun. Besides, there’s only one person I’d actually want to kiss at this table, and right now, he looks like he’d rather drink hot wing sauce than kiss me.

I turn to Rourke, my confidence ballooning. “I’m in—despite whatMr. No Funover here thinks.” I hitch my thumb at Leo.

Leo leans across the table, his eyes locked on mine like twin lasers. “Did you stop to think about what happens to the loser?”

“You had to dance when you lost a game,” I reply, my confidence wavering. “That’s not so bad.”

“Rules change every game,” Leo says. “They draw it from the trivia box.”

Rourke pulls out the loser’s punishment. “Tonight, the loser drinks a shot.”

A ripple of panic zips through me. “One shot? I can handle that,” I say with fake confidence.

“That’s for every question you get wrong,” Rourke clarifies.

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