Fake Game (The System #3)

Chapter Thirty-One

THIRTY-ONE

DEER

“ O kay, and—last one—smile!”

I throw up my peace sign, grin, and pause for the pop of flash.

“Thank you so much for waiting,” I tell the fan.

“Thanks for coming, you’re awesome.” He gives me a wave. “And you crushed the cosplay competition this morning.”

I wave back, but the second he leaves the meet and greet area, my hand drops, exhaustion wrapping around me like a blanket. But with that comes a small slice of relief because nothing has gone wrong all day. No one being touchy, grabbing where they shouldn’t, and no one claiming to be part of the Deer Hunters threatening me. I am still a little on edge, but it isn’t half as bad as yesterday. Although, that may partly be because of the killer orgasm I had this morning. I could’ve easily gone for round two in the shower if Syd hadn’t shown up.

The only issue is, even after last night’s conversation, I’m still unsure where we stand. I agreed to extend this whole fake dating situation because I was feeling greedy in the moment. I wanted more of Jackson—more of his time, more of his touch, more of his attention. But now that we’ve added orgasms to the mix, it feels like it’s gotten complicated all over again.

“Would you like us to escort you back to the green room, miss?”

One of the new security members comes to stand next to me, pulling me from my spiral. He’s the addition from the boys’ personal team, and I’m a little surprised by how young he is. I crane my eyes past him to look over at Lee’s line. I’d guess she has a solid fifty or so people to go through before being done.

“Are the boys still going?”

“One moment.” The man presses a finger to his ear and speaks softly.

As I wait, I grab my phone and blue HP energy drink. The convention staff provided it to me at the start of the event, but I’ve hardly had any time between people to take a few seconds to even rehydrate. Probably not super smart on my behalf since I skipped lunch and am feeling a little lightheaded. This photo op, paired with the cosplay competition this morning, has left me socially drained—I have no idea how I’m going to make it to the brand party tonight.

“The System are finishing up shortly.”

“Okay, I’ll head back to the green room to wait.”

It’s closer to the artist booths anyway.

The security team creates a square formation around me. They’re efficient as they guide me through the crowds, not allowing anyone to stop in our path. It kinda feels a little excessive—drawing way more attention to me than normal, and that’s saying something.

I hope Jackson will let us ditch them when we explore the show floor later; I wanted to enjoy it without all the fuss of me being, well, me. I even stashed a change of clothes in my bag to switch into so I could be more discreet.

We reach the room in record time, and I immediately make a beeline for my backpack and tug out a black hoodie and skirt. Two of the security team follow me inside while two stand guard. I’m really not used to this. I normally have one person on me at events unless I am with Lee or the boys. Then again, after everything, I suppose it isn’t unwarranted. Maybe I wouldn’t be in these situations if I’d upped my security ages ago.

“Do you guys mind turning around?”

The security men nod, giving their backs to me. I unzip my skirt, letting it pool to the ground. I’d specifically worn something easier today for this exact reason. I step into the black pleated mini skirt, zipping it up before grabbing the black hoodie and slipping it on, tucking my pink hair into the hood.

“Okay, done.”

I move to the mirror and check myself out, confirming everything looks good before collapsing onto the couch.

I don’t move for a solid minute, letting my weary bones settle before forcing myself to sit up.

I grab my phone and check my notifications. There are hundreds, people tagging me in all their pictures from the meet and greet yesterday. My mods will go through it all and make sure there’s an emoji commented on each of them for me, but I still like to pop in and interact when I can.

I swipe out and pull up my text messages.

A wave of nausea rolls over me, making my lightheadedness feel even worse.

RICK: Hey, just wanted to let you know we’ve had a bunch of new DH accounts spawn this morning and they’re all commenting on your recent post at the con. Nothing threatening tho

Yeah, Rick, not threatening at all.

I guess, in the grand scheme of all the stuff they’ve done, it is the least creepy?

ME: Thanks for flagging it. Keep me posted if anything else crops up.

RICK: of course. Don’t forget to eat and stay hydrated

ME: I knowww

There are only a few more hours. I just have to get through it.

The door to the green room opens, and the three guys burst in, all of them immediately ripping off their LED masks, with Sydney hot on their heels.

I’m quick to school my face, reaching forward and grabbing my HP energy drink to twist it open and take a sip to hide my unease.

Parker tosses his mask on the coffee table and launches himself at the couch, causing the blue liquid to slosh around mid-sip. The drink goes down the wrong way and I choke on a giant mouthful.

“Parker,” Syd warns.

“Sorry, Deer.” He reaches up and pats between my shoulders.

I swipe the back of my hand across my mouth. “It’s fine.”

“Damn, my face looks sexy on that.” He eyes the energy drink with a grin. The bottle has his masked persona plastered on one side of the plastic branding band and his gamer signature printed next to it. I have to give Syd credit; it’s a killer sponsorship.

“Is that your way of asking for a sip?”

“Maybe.”

I hand the drink over and he takes way more than a gulp, downing half of it—classic dude move.

“Looks like you’re ready to go on a stakeout.” He nods to my outfit as he hands it back.

“I’m going to visit some of the booths.”

“Incognito, nice.”

“Alone?” Sydney’s voice carries an edge of worry.

“I’m going with her.” Jackson’s protectiveness rings out.

I catch his eyes as he peels off his T-shirt. The giant tiger tattoo on his back shines against his otherwise bare skin. He gives me a smirk, flexing his bicep slightly before reaching for his hoodie. I roll my eyes but don’t stop my smile from spilling over either.

“If I didn’t already know you guys banged, I’d know for sure now.”

“What?” I whip my head back to Parker. “We did not bang.”

“You don’t need to deny it.” He gingerly pats my knee. “We’re happy for you.”

“We did not have sex,” I protest.

“So, you’re saying Jackson didn’t introduce you to his ropes and whips last night?” Aleks’ takes a seat opposite us, wiggling his dark brown brows.

“Whips?”

Parker throws out his arm, pointing at me, “Aha! She didn’t deny the ropes.”

My cheeks heat. “What? No. I—"

“Oh, fuck off, guys,” Jackson cuts in. “Leave her alone.”

I chug the rest of the blue drink to keep my mouth busy and avoid incriminating myself any further.

“Aw, come on, mate. I’m just teasing.”

“Yeah, and I’m just going to tease my fist up your ass if you don’t shut up.”

“I am an ass man.”

“Okay, all right. That’s enough.” Syd steps up and places one of her heels on the coffee table. “Both of you, leave the two of them alone.”

“Love, you’re supposed to be on my side.”

Sydney’s professional mask cracks slightly, a slight flush pulling at her cheeks.

“Come on.” Jackson reaches a hand out for me. “Let’s escape while we can.”

I smile, taking it and letting him pull me away from the lion’s den.

“Wait,” Syd calls out just as we open the door. “Take one of the security team with you.”

“But—”

“Just let them trail behind, for my sake. Please?”

I sigh, “Okay.”

Jackson gives my hand a squeeze, and it brings the grin back to my face.

“Here.” He pulls out a black face mask from his pocket.

“Ooh. You came prepared.” Reluctantly, I let go of his hand so I can loop the mask straps around my ears. “Good?”

He finishes putting his own mask on and then reaches forward, tucking a stray piece of pink hair back under my hoodie. “Good. No one will know.”

As soon as we step onto the show floor, the noise returns full force. The constant chatter is a crackling buzz around us, and it takes me a second to acclimate as the crowds return, bodies everywhere I look. Now that I’m actually on the main floor and looking around, I realize just how busy the event is. It was easier to ignore it when the security team blocked it all from my view and I was kept safe in my designated areas.

My feet begin to lag, refusing to listen to me as that exhaustion creeps back with a vengeance. I shake my head a little, trying to clear the growing fog.

Maybe this is a mistake…

“You okay?” A strong, calloused hand grips mine, and Jackson pulls me close to his body.

His touch centers me, grounding me back in the present. And when I look up into his gaze, it helps turn some of that noise to a quiet hum.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

He squeezes my hand, and though I can’t see it, I know he is smiling at me from the way his eyes soften and the skin around their edges crinkles slightly.

“Come on, I mapped out where the booths are so we won’t get lost in the crowds.” He starts walking at a slower pace for me, and my chest warms.

“Really?

“Yup.”

Jackson really must have studied the hell out of the convention center because it takes us less than ten minutes to find the artist’s booth. That and because of his massive frame, the crowd basically parts and makes space for him to stalk through.

I should bring him more places; he’s quite efficient. If I’d been left on my own, I think it would’ve taken me a solid thirty minutes to get here…if I even made it at all.

“My lady,” Jackson gestures dramatically at the booth, and I giggle at him before taking a look at the booth and letting out a small squeal.

It’s so adorable!

All the art prints and merch are set up on the wall behind the artist, and I’m at a loss for exactly which one I am going to purchase. She has this really cool nineties shoujo manga art style that just melts my heart.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” I give her a small wave.

“Just browsing?”

“Oh, no! I’m totally here to buy. I’m a huge fan.”

Her face pulls in mild shock before she looks away. “Oh, wow. That’s…thank you.” She clears her throat. “The large prints are twenty and the standard ones are fifteen. Here, you can flip through this book if you need a closer look.” She hands a binder to me. “I also have some stickers that are three for ten dollars, plus keychains for six.”

“Awesome.” I flip through the binder, trying to decide which I want. The prints are a little blurry in my vision, almost like my contacts are giving out. I squint my eyes, focusing on them until I land on the ones I want to buy.

“Can I do these three? Large, please.”

“Sure, that’ll be sixty. I can take cash, card, or you can tap.”

“We’ll do cash.” Jackson holds out three twenty-dollar bills.

The girl takes the notes before I have a chance to stop him.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, softly nudging his arm with my shoulder.

He pulls his mask down and smirks at me. “Treating you.”

I roll my eyes, but when the girl hands me the plastic bag with the prints all neatly packaged together, he grabs that as well and a small part of me is a little giddy over the fact. I make more than enough money myself, and anything less than a hundred dollars doesn’t really blip on my radar—I know it’s the same for Jackson. Which is why it kind of matters even more; he’s not trying to be showy by flinging his money around or expecting me to front it because I have the capital, like other guys have done in the past.

He's doing it because he knows it’s something I actually care about.

I bite my lip to stop my smile, afraid he’ll be able to read my emotions even when they’re covered.

“Come on, the jacket place is on the other side of the Artist’s Den.”

He grabs my hand again, and it really just reinforces the fuzzy feeling going on inside that’s making me feel a little weak in the knees.

Or maybe…a lot.

I only take a few steps before almost tripping, my knees giving out temporarily. Jackson’s other hand shoots out to grab my elbow and steady me.

“Whoa, you good?”

My brain starts to feel all throbby, but I can’t really place what’s wrong.

It doesn’t feel like one of my panic attacks.

Is it because I haven’t eaten enough?

I thought the energy drink would’ve fixed that.

“Yeah, sorry. A little lightheaded, maybe low blood sugar or something.”

“Do you want to head back?”

“No! No, I’ll just grab a snack, but I want to keep going.”

A deep frown mars his forehead. “Fine, but if you get any worse, I’m taking you back. This jacket isn’t worth you passing out.”

“Ah, that’s because you haven’t seen it.”

Instead of holding my hand, he loops his arm around my back, his palm coming to rest just above my hip. I try not to, but my body leans into him, seeking support as we continue weaving through the booths.

The farther we walk, the worse everything gets. It really feels like someone stuck my head underwater; everything’s kind of in a big bubble. And all these people? They’re fish in the sea. Swimming past me. Why are there so many fish?

“Deer, baby, seriously. Are you all right?”

I slowly blink up at Jackson.

Wow. He’s sexy as fuck with that commanding tone.

“Deer?”

“You’re hot.” I reach up and touch his face. “Like reeeeally hot.” My tongue feels thick in my mouth, so it takes me a second to get all the words out.

I dig my hands into the mask covering my face and pull, welcoming the cooler air on my face.

Much better.

The humming around intensifies.

Jackson’s definitely saying something to me.

I’m looking at him, but I’m not looking at him because there’s two of him, and that’s weird.

Why are there two of him?

Everything feels like a sparkly dream.

Except my tummy. That feels kind of sick.

I feel like I should be worried, but I can’t remember why.

I think I’m sitting on the floor.

Nope, not on the floor. I’m moving too much to be on the floor. The colors around me are spinning, like a Tilt-A-Whirl ride.

They spin, and spin, and spin, and spin until all the colors come together and turn…

Black.