Page 58 of Hollywood Undercover
“What?” he said, laughing. “Tell me that wasn’tfunny.”
“It’s all fun and games until the cheaterloses.”
“I was just playing. Come on, I’d never cheat. You wouldn’t have to worry about that with me. I’m as fair and loyal as theycome.”
She turned away from the game and looked at him. He wasn’t talking about the race anymore. He didn’t look at her. His car shot across the finish line and he threw his handsup.
“We have a winner!” he yelled. “Don’t worry. This is the warmuplap.”
She shook off the need rising up inside her again. He just said he would never cheat. He was as loyal as theycome.
This is freakinginsane.
I can’t be falling forhim!
“Want a rematch?” heasked.
By now she was staring at him with one raised eyebrow and her mouth slightly open. He looked over at her like he didn’t notice it, so she played along, nodding to the rematch. They geared up for the next race, and she put a little more distance between them on the couch. It didn’t help. It was no use. There was no way to avoid bumping into him at the shoulders, hips, knees, somewhere. Still, she couldn’t stop herself from getting completely lost in the game. Hours passed, and in the back of her head, she was still turning over his comment about loyalty. The stakes were higher now. He had actually gotten bold enough to hint at wanting to date her—‘Alex’.
I’m playing withfire.
One of us is going to getburned.
“Whew!” she said. “This was a great idea, Bash! I think I’ll head backnow.”
They had played countless races. They had moved up several levels, and the racing tracks got harder. Her shoulders ached from jerking around. It felt like she had really been driving all this time. It was a blast. This was loads of fun, but shehadto pretend she felt nothing, like they were nothing more than two guys hanging out. It was time to leave before any other confessions got thrownaround.
“Anytime you need to get away, you know where to find me,” hesaid.
Bash turned to her and brushed her hair back from her face. They were arm’s length apart. She felt closed in, but didn’t pull away. Their eyes connected. She didn’t know what tosay.
“I always have a good time with you,” Bash toldher.
“Me too,” she said, clearing herthroat.
His eyes darkened for a split second, but they both let the moment pass. He pulled back, arms crossed. “Well, I’m going to miss you when you leave. It was fun hanging with you while you were here,Alex.”
“Samehere.”
He straightened up on the sofa. “When are you flyinghome?”
“Soon.” She couldn’t remember the date, not with him looking at her like that…like they were just friends…like he wasn’t going to miss her one way or another. She rose awkwardly and started toward to the door. “Thanks for having me over, Bash. I’ll find my wayout.”
“Hey. Why don’t you leave a phone number for me to stay in touch withyou?”
She shrugged. Giving him any contact information would effectively be an admission of her deception. She only had contact details for Lexxi Rock, not AlexRoberts.
“How about an email address?” hetried.
She shook her head. “Sorry, Bash. It’s been cool, but I don’t think it’ll work out. I’m not—I’mnot…”
“I meant as friends,” he stated pointedly, rising to his feet too. Bash slid his hands in his pockets as he looked over at her. “I’ve never asked you for more than that. I don’t know why you’d assume I wantmore.”
“Well…I mean, I thought…I didn’t think...” she was sputtering like a busted car. “What I mean to say is I didn’t assume you wanted more. I’m really bad at keeping in touch. I don’t want to get your hopesup.”
