Page 95 of Wicked Player
“Speaking of guests,” he says. “Will you give me the honor of attending my next party again?”
My heart sinks. Here we are, sharing a beautiful morning. We’ve been intimate, and shared so much. I’ve been the only one in his bed by his own admission. Yet… he’s still throwing those damn parties. I really don’t know what to think. He’s playing me, toying with me. He’s the cat, and I’m the mouse. Or is it the other way around? Either way, I’m done. Yet again. One step forward. Two steps backward. That’s how it is with him. And I fear that’s how it will always be.
“I think I’m going to skip it,” I say casually in an attempt to sound as nonchalant as I can.
“What?” he says. “Why?”
Because I don’t want to be part of your harem, that’s why,I think but choose not to say the words. The last thing we need here, on this boat with Christian, is to get into another argument.
Before he can say another word, there’s a hard tug on my line, and I know it’s the real deal, and not just a bunch of weeds. “I got something.”
He stands immediately to attention, forgetting all about our conversation. He grabs the net once gain, and Christian comes running to help. It’s a real fighter, and I struggle to bring it in. I use all my strength, my arms, even my legs, and I’m over the moon when it’s finally in the boat.
“It’s huge,” Christian cheers. “But we’re not keeping this one,” he reminds us, just in case we’d forgotten. This one’s even bigger than the one Christian caught, and I can see the disappointment on Colton’s face, plain as day. I throw Colton my phone, and he quickly snaps a photo.
Colton unhooks the fish and throws it back in the lake, keeping good on his promise, as much as it pains him. He hooks another worm on my lure, not saying a word. He’s obviously upset, and it’s not about the fish.
Christian has decided that he wants to switch places with me, most likely because I’ve caught the biggest fish. He and Colton find themselves at the stern, and I’m at the bow, thankful that I don’t have to carry on the conversation we were having. I’m done talking about it. The Player’s Game is a problem, and there’s no hashing it out. It’s just the way it is.
A few hours in, Christian and I are tired, and I desperately need to go pee. The boys have both gone over the boat, but I was just too shy to do the same, not around Colton anyway. Unfortunately, it’s a lot more awkward for a woman. And it’s a little too chilly to go for a swim, nor am I prepared for that either. So despite having a lot of snacks at our disposal, we choose to call it a day.
There are no more catches and funny enough, Colton is the only one who doesn’t catch anything. Colton and I don’t resume our conversation, but I’m sure it’s not the end of it. Christian and I thank him repeatedly and he invites us for dinner that night. I find myself in a pickle again. If I refuse, I’m the bad guy, and everyone is upset. So I reluctantly agree, telling him we can’t stay too long because it’s a school night.
Christian is all smiles as we hop into our Jeep. “Can I see the picture of me and the fish?”
I finish settling him in his car seat, and I gladly show him, delighting in his big proud grin. “Wait until you show Noah this picture. He’ll be so jealous.” Noah is his best friend at school, and also likes to fish.
“I’m sad it had to die though,” he says, and his words make me stop and ponder. How can this sweet boy have come from the seed of a man like Keith? Christian wouldn't hurt a fly. He does not have a malignant bone in his body. I’m just glad he takes after me and not his father.
“He had a good long life,” I remind him again. “And did you know… the biggest honor for fish is to grow big and be served as dinner for a nice family, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen tonight.” I’m stretching here, but my words seem to appease him. A hint of a smile traces his lips as I close the door. I climb into my own seat, buckle up, turn my attention to the wheel, and pull the clutch into Drive. And we’re off, soon to return.
Being a single mom, I struggle every day, but I think I’vefinallygot this whole parenting thing down.
* * *
It’s just past five o’clock when we arrive at Colton’s, yet again. I plan to leave by eight at the latest. I’m just here for Christian’s sake. He is super excited to go inside the ‘big giant house’.
Colton greets us at the front door, looking like a completely different man. Gone are the worn clothes, and back are the expensive dark hued pieces he seems to favor. “Come on in,” he offers. “So glad to have you over, Christian.”
Aramis peeks her nose in as is her way. Christian is instantly enamored, and stoops down to pet her. He reluctantly lets me pull of his jacket and boots. I slip out of my own boots, and Colton takes my jacket. I follow him to the coat room, bombarded by memories, including the one where I bawled my eyes out on the bench. I need to stamp that image hard in my brain because it represents it all; all the pain, jealousy and despair that getting involved with a man like Colton could entail.
“Follow me to the kitchen,” he says, and I do, not failing to notice how great his ass looks in those dark pants.
“It smells good,” I say as I take in the living area. Memories flood my brain yet again; his performances at the piano, the games, laughter, chatter and attractive women.
“Oh, there’s another one,” Christian yells. “There’s two cats, Mommy!”
I laugh. "There’s three, remember? We told you that already. There’s Aramis, Porthos and Athos, like the three musketeers.”
“I love your cats,” he says to Colton. “I wish I had three cats."
Colton smiles.
“Your house is so fancy,” he goes on, his eyes greedy. His gaze pauses at the weird painting, and he cocks a brow. But he’s quickly distracted by all the shiny surfaces.
“Don’t touch anything,” I warn him. “All this stuff is breakable.”
“It’s all replaceable,” Colton pipes in, busy in the kitchen.
This, I could get used to… He’s devilishly handsome, fun and can cook, not to mention filthy rich, not that I’m a materialistic person, but money’s always good in my book. Money means less stress.
Could a woman like me be in a serious relationship with a man like Colton, knowing he could very well be ‘entertaining’ another woman at any time? No… she could absolutely not. I wish she could, but no. Unfortunately, it’s a dealbreaker for me.
“I’ve made homemade fries and gravy, and a coleslaw salad to go with the fish,” he tells me, almost as if he can hear my thoughts, almost as if he’s telling me,Yes, I’ll probably cheat on you, but I will also feed you gourmet meals and buy you fancy things.“Does that sound good?”
“Yes… perfect.” I check the clock on the wall. About three hours, and then we’re done with him. Christian will probably be a little sad because he seems to really like him, but he’ll forget all about him before long. Children have such short memories.
