Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“Some old German guy. I think the name was like Mueller or whatever?” She shakes her head. “I can double check if you want.”
“No, that’s totally fine.” Raw disappointment roils in my guts.
She beams at me, eyes sparkling with excitement, oblivious to how I’m feeling. Wearing a mask has its benefits. “It’s amazing. I’m so, so happy for you.”
“Thanks.” I clear my throat and take a drink. “Sorry, I’m going to go for a little walk around the room.”
“You okay?” Elena asks, and she reaches to touch my arm, but I step away before she can. I’m not really the touching type—except for with him.
“Totally fine.”
I go for a lap. Once again, nobody knows that I’m the artist, and that suits me fine. Nobody bothers me, and I can observe the crowd while getting my head in a better place.
The first thing I felt when Claudia said all my pieces sold was disappointment.
I had wanted Jackal to buy one—ideally, the jackal ear I finished only last night. I should have set it aside as a gift for him, but I had assumed he was going to show up on time. Instead, it’s over an hour past the opening, and he’s still nowhere to be seen.
This is stupid. I need to get myself together. I’ve had two tiny little encounters with this random guy, and here I am thinking about him all the time.
Jackal is dangerous. He proved that when he hacked into my computer. He’s also a selfish prick—as evidenced by his absence tonight. If I keep letting myself get more deeply attached to him, I’m going to end up getting hurt.
I need to keep reminding myself that whatever’s going on with me and him, it’s only about the game and nothing more.
Another hour passes. I stick with Elena, Stefania, Emily, and Claudia, and there’s no sign of Jackal. The party slowly begins to break up, and Angelo brags about how many new prospective members left him their information. I’m happy for my brother and my sister-in-law, and I should be happy for myself since this second showing went even better than the first, but it feels hollow.
I didn’t do this for the accolades. I did it to see Jackal again.
Maybe I need to rethink my priorities.
The best part of this evening was getting my ass out of the house. Seeing Jackal reawakened some of my desire to get out into the world, and that should be a positive thing. Jackal and our game is just a catalyst—the real focus should be on finding my footing and deciding what I want to do with my life. Aside from hiding out in my basement breathing rock dust until I grow old and die.
As the night winds down, I get my second martini and excuse myself from the group. “I’m getting some air before we head back to the oasis,” I tell Elena. “I’ll meet you all downstairs in a little while.”
She nods like she understands why I’m in a melancholy mood. I head over to the stairs and take them up to the emergency exit. When I push out, the cool night air feels good on my throat, and I take a few deep breaths to steady myself as I stare out at the skyline.
I tip my mask up and take a sip. The vodka warms my throat and belly. I fight against the disappointment swimming up through my guts. Jackal is just a guy; the game is only a game.
It doesn’t matter that he’s not here.
“Took you long enough, little demon.”
I go very still. My heart starts racing and a chill runs down my back. I turn, and there he is, leaning against some tall ductwork, his arms crossed over his chest. The gold on his mask gleams in the moonlight, and he comes toward me, prowling like a jungle cat.
“You’re here.” The words escape before I can stop them. I close my jaw, frustrated with myself.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” He stops a few feet away from me, his muscular arms crossed over his big chest. “How was the show?”
“It went good. You’ve been up here this whole time?”
He nods slowly. “I thought you’d want a private meeting sooner or later.”
“I hoped you’d see what I made.” I tilt my head and look away. “But I guess it doesn’t matter. It’s all sold now.”
“Don’t worry, little demon. I made the rounds without you noticing, and I even picked out the best of the bunch.”
I stare at him, chin tilted up. “Seriously?”
“The jackal ear. You made that for me, didn’t you? I had to purchase it under an assumed name, but I love it. You’re very talented, Laura.”
His praise hits me hard and I struggle not to let it overwhelm me. This is just a game. I don’t want to let this rush of emotions take over. I can’t forget how I felt downstairs just now. I let myself get all excited and obsessive, and it only made me miserable.