Page 52 of IOU

“I want to know if you’re lying.”

His eyes narrow and his jaw clenches, the prominent muscle in his cheek flexing, making his bone structure look even more chiseled—if that’s even possible.

“I didn’t realize I had to prove I drink my own beverages to guests in my house.”

I was prepared for him to get mean.

Still don’t care.

“You don’t,” I tell him, a light tone to my voice. “But I’d like to know that I can trust you.”

“You can’t trust me.”

His jaw is still tight, and he seems serious.

“I think I can.”

“I think you’re drunk.”

And here we go again.

“I think you like people to believe you’re this big bad, beer-drinking, poker-playing god. But really, you’re just a water drinking nerd.”

His head rears back like I slapped him.

Maybe I went too far this time? I need to know, though. “Are you plastic like everyone else?”

Plastic. Imposter. Fake. It doesn’t matter what word I use. The question still means the same.

“I want to know the truth.”

It takes him a second, digesting my words, but then he relaxes and settles back into the couch, lifting one hip and fishing out those damn cards. Ugh. Have we not been over this? These don’t scare me anymore. I mean, they do, but they don’t. They are future Ainsley’s problem.

“Okay, Ainsley. I’ll play,” he says finally. “You want to see me drink this beer?”

I nod, ever so softly. “Yes.”

“You think I’m fake?” His voice has taken on a hard edge, and I’m not sure I want to keep playing this game. It’s taken a trip down the serious hill. But still, I’m a sucker for the truth.

“I do.”

“You think I’m not drinking the beers I keep buying at the store every week?”

He says it all sarcastically, like I should feel stupid for thinking such things. Trust me; I don’t. I feel pretty confident I’m right on this one.

“Again, I do.”

He smirks and settles back into the couch.

“All right. Let’s see how much it’s worth to you.” He flips the playing cards between his fingers, like a threat.

“I thought we were doing the roommate discount?”

I already know the answer to my question.

“You forget, I don’t do freebies.”

I didn’t forget. I was just hoping I had grown on him a little, enough for him not to consider everything with me a deal.

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