“Excuse me?”
“Jordan Baker, Daisy’s best friend. That’s not my actual name, but if we’re drawing lines from the book to our reality, I’m Jordan, and you need me.”
“I don’t need anyone,” I lied. Their confidence in figuring things out grated my brain. They blinked sarcastically and stood.
“Well, if that’s the case, I can take off and enjoy the night. Good luck getting to her, though. What would I know, being her security and all.” Tuth started toward the door.
“Security?” I blurted out, instantly regretting it. They saw my hand, the desperation. They turned back with a grin. “Oh, you didn’t know? Daisy Lovelace is in such high-demand, she’s hired me to be her bodyguard when she goes into the city. I escort her to and from everywhere. You aren’t seeing her without my permission.”
Now was my turn to be cocky.
“Everywhere?” I raised an eyebrow. Two evenings of Daisy in my opera house came to mind. I hadn’t seen anyone with her then. Where was Tuth? Their expression was scrutinizing. They narrowed their eyes and stepped toward me.
“Look, do you want my help or not?”
“Tuth, I admire your ability to connect the dots between the original book and our story, but I don’t know if I truly need your help.”
“Gatsby needs Jordan to talk to Nick for him. I have Nick.” They pointed to themselves.
“Are they not at this very party downstairs right now?” I walked around my desk and sat on the ledge, playing it much cooler than I felt. “It appears, I have Nick.”
“I can go downstairs right now and tell Neal to go home and never come back. I can tell them horrible things about you until they view you as a monster and sells their house. I—” Tuth paused when I flinched at their words. They backtracked. “I-I apologize. I would never lie to anyone about you. Hell, I don’t even know you.” They chuckled nervously, finished their drink, and ran a hand through their hair.
“Gatsby, whoever you are, I need to start over. I came off too strong.” They paused in their pacing and came toward me, hand extended. “I need to reintroduce myself. I’m Tuth, and Daisy is my dear friend. I love her like a sibling. She’s miserable and trapped, and I’d do anything to help her out of this. How can I help?”
I shook their hand, then returned to my drink, sipping slowly. Peering over the rim, I nodded. “Well, Jordan, let’s go get our Nick.”
Chapter 20
Gatsby
“I’m not tryingto live out the book to the T,” I explained Tuth. They were entirely too excited to be officially a part of all this. “It’s just my way of getting her attention.”
I flopped down in a chair as they leaped to pour me another drink from the mini bar.
“Well, obviously. Plus, Daisy isn’t like... Daisy. Okay, that can get a bit confusing. I see what you’re doing. You’re rewriting the story and I’m here for it. God, this is all so fascinating.”
I threw my head back and pinched the bridge of my nose. This was either the best plan of action or the fucking worst.
“Okay, are you ready?” Tuth asked after I drained another glass.
I stood and blinked, my vision slightly doubled.
“Yes. Let’s do this.” I inhaled deeply. “Actually, you go on. I’ll find you in a bit.”
They gave me a look, almost warning me not to run and hide. I rolled my eyes, despite those thoughts being in theforefront of my mind. It was odd—after everything I’d been through, years of abuse and prison, I should have been hardened, but deep down, I was still the scared little coward I had always been.
I waited a full minute after Tuth exited to do the same. I returned to the party, opting to go outside. I mingled with guests who were fascinated by the fountain that moved with the music. There was a small lull where I had a moment to myself, and I felt a presence behind me. It was as if my instincts knew. A slow smile spread across my lips and I turned.
Embodying the character in all its glory, I slid on a mask of confidence to greet Daisy’s cousin, Neal. They weren’t paying me any attention. They bumped into me and spun around, apologizing.
“Sorry, mate. This party is wild!” They lifted their head to the sky and howled. Neal’s pupils were dilated, and there was a sheen of sweat beading on their forehead.
“They’ve been having fun.” Tuth laughed and came from behind Neal. They came to stand with me.
“I can’t believe I hadn’t come to one before. This is insane!”
“Insane?” I smirked, then reached into my pocket for my cigarette case. I lit a smoke and watched Neal dance with some nearby guests. I raised an eyebrow at Tuth, who chuckled.
