Player's Guide To Catfishing (PLAYBOOK #1)

CHAPTER 29: Reunion night.

LIAM

The boys and I are decked out in our best suits and look very sharp for the booster's event.

We walk into the banquet hall they booked so the school can kiss their ass with pride and glamour but not all that glitters is gold.

I'm listening to Tommy talk about something as a beautiful piano melody fills the room and someone passes with a tray of champagne. We shake our heads and move to our table.

"Boys," dean Banks intercepts our path. "I'm sure we'll be on our best behavior tonight?"

He fakes a smile and Tommy rolls his eyes. He doesn't like him either but he's the man that can blacklist us with one call.

"Of course sir," we say in unison and walk away.

My table of 6 consists of Jonathan and some girl, Parker and his date and me with...an empty seat?

Why is there an empty seat next to me? I never bring a date. I pick up the seat card and look at the cursive name.

O. Vecker.

"Shit." I look around but I don't find her.

"What?" John B whispers on the table next to me, he is with America, Tommy and his date Heidi and Coach Carter and his wife.

"I think Vecker is here." I put the card back on the empty plate.

"Yeah, she's playing over there." He points to the grand piano below the stage with a microphone and glass podium.

I look at the woman playing the beautiful melody and she has Odessa's face. Her dark hair is pinned to the side and her fair skin is exposed in a one shoulder gown.

"Shit." I run my fingers through my tousled back hair.

"What? Don't tell me you didn't know she was coming," John B looks at me then at Vecker. "Shit, you didn't know she was coming?"

"Clearly not." I whisper yell.

"How the hell did you not know she was coming? It's a private event and she's your girlfriend."

"I don't have a phone. She's my fake girlfriend and it's a private event!"

"Is everything okay?" America leans back in her chair.

"Yeah," I say the same time John B bites a "no."

"What?" She's looking at me for the explanation.

"Excuse me," I stand. "I need the rest room." I walk away and avoid all paths by the stage.

I storm into the bathroom and go straight to the sink where I wash my face then run my wet hands through my hair.

My chest hurts.

Everything fucking hurts and I don't know why!

"Liam?" I feel a hand on my shoulder and jump. "Are you okay?" It's John B, of course he followed me here.

"I don't know," I finally admit.

"Should we go? We can fake food poisoning or something?"

Bless him but he knows everyone will lose their shit if we leave. We're part of the starting line and I'm the captain, Banks would personally kill me himself.

"I'll be okay Banner," I look at my reflection. "It's just Vecker."

It seems it's always been Vecker.

"Banner?" He winces, "you haven't called me that since—oh shit Liam what the hell is going on?"

"I don't know." I repeat because I really have no clue.