The Gamble: A Novel

by Xavier Neal

  Luca laughs, but doesn't back down from the moment. “It won't be the same taking care of all of them without you. In a bizarre, fucked up way we're like a family. A good hunk of the kids have been with us since you started. We've kinda raised ‘em together. Taught 'em some basic life and social skills. Given them somewhere safe and comforting to be themselves like good parents should. Like some actual parents never do. But now we're splitting...” Turmoil I don't recognize slips into his eyes. “I fucking hate that. I mean I really fucking hate that.”

  There's a sharp twinge in my chest. “Luca-”

  “No.” He holds up a hand to stop me. “I know it's for the best. I know this new career of yours is what you've wanted and worked so hard for. Hell, it's not like I plan to stay that much longer here either. I just....I hate that we won't be ending our season together, ya know?”

  I swallow the expanding knot in my throat and nod.

  “Regardless, I just wanna say, not from the boyfriend stand point, but the co-worker one, it's been an amazing three years. Every day was an adventure that made coming here even more worth it. No one will ever replace you Alexxa, not just because they'll never measure up to the bad ass you were for these kids, but because I won't let them. They may work in this room beside me, but I'll never have another teammate like you.”

  Unable to restrain the lingering tears any longer, I start to sob. Quicker than expected, Luca's arms are around me, cradling me to his chest.

  Somehow I say, “I'm gonna miss this place and you so much...”

  He rests his head on top of mine. “We're damn sure gonna miss you.”

  Once my crying is almost back under control, I whisper, “I know about the party.”

  “Damn it,” he grumbles. “Lori, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Biggest fucking mouth...”

  I pull back to look up at him.

  He wipes away the tears from my cheek. “I wanted it to be a huge surprise.”

  As I stare into his eyes, I try to smile.

  He is the huge surprise. These past couple of months have been nothing but one cosmic fuck you Alexxa, he's not the guy you swore he was. The real surprise isn't the stupid party he planned with people I couldn’t care less about saying goodbye too, but the fact he did it for me. He wanted me to feel special. And I don't just mean because I'm getting a party when most people get a cake. I know at the party, Luca won't hesitate to treat me like his girl. The minute we're out of the school parking lot, it's his instinct. He's never had a girlfriend. He's never even brought a date to the Christmas parties, usually because he ends up taking one home after it. I'll be the first woman he introduces as his significant other. The ultimate way to feel special. See what I mean. It's like he's reading a how to book called 'Boyfriend's Guide to the Girlfriend Galaxy'. If dating me were a professional sport, there's no way he wouldn't leave with the MVP, the ring, and a place in the Hall of Fame. Just hearing myself admit that out loud is awful. Please don't tell him. He'll never let me live it down.

  “Flag football tonight, but what do you say I pick you up early before work tomorrow and we can go grab breakfast tacos?”

  “You wanna ride into work together?”

  He tilts his head to the side. “Is that a problem?”

  I shake my head slowly. “No...”

  “Good,” Luca whispers back. “Cause you're buying...”

  The playful change gets him a nudge away from me.

  “What!” He chuckles. “You're the one swimming in gift cards and probably goodbye cash.”

  With a roll of the eyes, I shake my head again, and laugh away the last of my tears. “Stop being a douche and help me carry this shit out to my car.”

  Luca winks and grabs some of the packages while I gather my swim bag from the day.

  Tomorrow will not only be a day for lasts, but for firsts.

  Alexxa

  “My head hurts,” Luca groans as he starts his car. “How does anyone retain that much information on child brain development?”

  “I ask myself the same question every night you make me watch some sports recall crap and they start spewing player statistics.”

  “That's different. That's educational.”

  “That's educational?”

  “Extremely.”

  Yeah. I know. Just...let it go.

  My head hits the back of the head rest. “I'm just glad this day is over.”

  “Me too. I smell like sweat and textbooks.”

  After a giggle I ask, “You gonna drop me off and swing home to shower?”

  “Any chance you'll let me shower at your place?” He backs out of the parking space. “Warren's having this chick over to help him with something for his paper. I'm hoping if I give them some space the drought ends with her.”

  Trying not to be offended he didn't mention anything to me about any female, I question, “What's her name?”

  Luca shrugs. “I don't know.”

  “How does he know her?”

  “I don't know.”

  “How long has he known her?”

  “I don't know.”

  Frustrated, I snap, “What do you know besides the fact she's coming over? Did he even say anything about actually being interested in her?”

  “Baby, he can't exactly afford to be picky. His cock hasn't had a play date since people started using Snap Chat.”

  I'm not sure if that's true or not. Still. Not the point.

  “But to answer that question, he didn't have to. He damn near came in his pants he was so fucking thrilled she was coming over.”

  It's not like I'm against Warren finding a girlfriend or even a booty call. I just don't like he didn't let me in on it too. Hate how it feels like as I get closer to Luca, I'm starting to lose part of Warren. He's still one of my best friends. Hope he knows that'll never change.

  I smile softly.

  “You better be smiling because you're happy he's into some chick and not at the thought of him coming.”

  His jealous snip expands my grin.

  Luca's little protective spells typically lead us down a road of him marking 'his territory' in a round of my screams and scratches down his back. One night after some bartender didn't catch on to me being Luca's girlfriend, he chewed him out in Spanish and mouth screwed me until his arms looked like he had been mangled by a pissed off house cat. He wore the marks like a badge of honor.

  The memory clenches my thighs together. “You can shower at my place.”

  He pulls up to the light by my apartment and pins me with a stern look. “That pussy better be aching over thoughts of something I did, Alexxa.”

  Loving the way his attitude makes me wet, I egg him on, “And if it's not?”

  “It will be.”

  “Sounds like a threat.”

  “Oh no,” Luca denies with a shake of his head, turning into the apartment complex. “It's a promise. It's a soaking wet, tongue fucking promise.”

  I press my lips together to suppress the automatic moan he causes.

  Swear up and down, moaning is now my second language, which apparently he's fluent in. I don't even know what all of them mean when they escape, but he does. He proudly uses them as his own personal pleasure giving guidelines.

  My phone vibrates in my lap with a text message and I'm grateful for the distraction.

  I'm nervous enough knowing what I'm about to do. I don't need the added excitement of orgasm presents he's preparing to give out like it's fucking Christmas. Could you imagine if that was a real thing? The line to sit on his lap is already long. The last thing it needs is a reason to get longer. Speaking of the line, how do I make it go away all together? I figured having a girlfriend would at least cut it in half, but I swear it's doubled in numbers. He gets more random booty calls now than ever before. And before you give me that suspicious look, his phone is his business, in my opinion, but he makes it mine. We're talking any time of the night or day, I can roll over, check it because I have the password and have
a field day telling them to fuck off if I want. I feel like I should be singing 'I've Got the Power' every morning.

  I check the message at the same time he parks.

  Marie: Grant surprised me with a weekend getaway! I'll be back late Sunday night. Have a good weekend!

  Smiling, I look over at Luca who has no idea why this will make everything perfect.

  In a curious tone he questions, “What?”

  “Grant surprised Marie with a weekend getaway.”

  “Maybe he took her camping and she'll become a bear's midnight snack.”

  “Luca!”

  He shrugs. “Fine. Pre-work out snack. Whatever. A snack is a snack really.”

  I roll my eyes and exit the car with him. The minute we're walking, Luca links his fingers with mine and fiddles with his phone.

  See what I mean. It's like second nature for him to attach himself to me like this.

  “Warren says he appreciates the space to concentrate.”

  “And by concentrate he means bone, doesn't he?”

  “Have I ever told you how much I appreciate your ability to speak our native language?”

  “Douche bag is one of the oldest languages in history,” I joke and unlock my apartment door. As soon as we're inside, I let out a deep sigh, “Can you believe in like ten days this won't be home anymore?”

  “I'm looking forward to not walking into Marie's bitchy face in the evenings.”

  I flop a hand on my hip. “I'm being serious.”

  He mumbles moving towards my bedroom, “So was I.”

  Just because I'm looking forward to my luxurious new condo with the pool in the back and housekeeping services included in my rent, doesn't mean I won't miss this place. Besides my parents’ house this is where I've lived the longest. Marie has been the best roommate I've ever had and honestly? I've never lived completely on my own and it's slightly terrifying. Knowing Luca will probably invade my living room every day does make it a little less scary. In fact, most things with Luca on my side are instantly less scary. Isn't that what love is? Yes. I actually have to ask since I've never been in it before.

  Luca rips off his white shirt and smirks. “Wanna join me?”

  Look at those abs and tell him no. Go ahead. I dare you.

  I prepare to answer when my phone begins to vibrate again. Ken's stoic expression immediately acts as a reminder to never let it go to voice mail.

  Think a younger James Brolin.

  On a disappointed sigh I say, “Go ahead. I have to answer this.” He sulks into the bathroom while I answer the call. “This is Alexxa Ward.”

  “Better,” his scruffy voice compliments. “That's how I want you to always answer the phone. Strong. Professional. To the point.”

  Helps I can see he's calling.

  “I've got news,” he declares at the same time I hear my shower kick on.

  Shower foreplay would be a great prelude to sex, right? Well..it would've been.

  “Tomorrow afternoon, you're gonna go over some current client intel with Betty. Monday morning, I'm going to send you with a car to pick up Mrs. Hastard and her not so darling daughter Olivia. You'll escort them to Merriam's Cafe downtown where we'll be having lunch. Most likely I'll be a few minutes late, leaving you in charge of entertaining their obnoxious questions without committing to any of the answers and you'll be the first wave of convincing them for a role I want Olivia for. I'll leave a copy of the script for you to review with Betty.”

  After I grab Luca's shirt and gym shorts he dropped before entering the bathroom, I toss them into my dirty clothes hamper and head towards the laundry room. “Doesn't sound like any of that should be too hard. Isn't that why they've signed their kids up with us? To get them roles?”

  He laughs sarcastically. “Don't be stupid.”

  If he weren't the man signing my checks, I'd probably kick him in the nuts.

  “They sign them with us so their brats can become stars. I sign them so we can pocket a large pay load, which we only get when they are picked during the auditions, which only happens when they go to the audition, which only happens when their parents allow it.”

  I toss the clothes into the washing machine and add a scoop of wash powder. “And what exactly is stopping them from allowing it?”

  “Most parents want a Disney star. Something mainstream and super child friendly, but hard truth of the situation is, most kids never become Disney kids.”

  “Don't we already have like three in the agency?”

  That's a little more than never, don't you agree?

  “We do, which is why you will make enough to enjoy that cushy little condo, but those are not as common as you assume. Most kids might land a role on a show that lasts a season, maybe two, and then we're back to countless auditions. Others might get a role in a commercial then a movie only to go right back to commercials. It's fickle. And the worst part is after their kid gets one decent role, parents and occasionally the children, refuse to take any of the other shit to keep up the constant exposure. By the way you're going to help me with that. Betty was okay with the people relations part, but you've got the face and tone and phrasing that both children and parents trust....”

  Thank you job I just left.

  “Back to my point,” his rambles begin to fade.

  I shut the laundry doors and relocate back to my room where I can hear the water from my shower being cut off. Hiding my pout, I sigh, “Right. Why wouldn't she be going for the script?”

  “It's a role in an adult comedy. Not exactly the Mary Poppins bullshit she's used to.” Before I can question further he states, “Betty will give you a copy of the script tomorrow. Look at it. Really look at it. Find a way to help me convince this woman her kid is right for the part and I'll give you a bonus.”

  “A bonus?”

  “An even bigger one if she actually gets the role.”

  “I'll spend Saturday and Sunday finding a way to make that happen.”

  “Alright, I've got a massage. I have to go. Monday morning, the car will be picking you up from your apartment. 10 a.m.”

  “Yes sir,” I say before ending the call.

  Luca leans one arm against the door frame, water droplets clinging to his chest in a similar nature to the baby blue towel wrapped around his waist.

  Can't blame either of them for not wanting to let go.

  “A Hollywood playground burn down or something?”

  “There's no such thing as a Hollywood playground.”

  “You've never been. You don't know.”

  “I haven't been yet.” I correct him and toss my phone on the dresser. “But there could be business trips in my near future.” Running a hand down his chest, I coo, “It'll just be you and your hand on those nights.”

  Luca's muscles tense under my touch while he watches my hand continue its path towards his crotch. “I prefer yours.”

  The moment I curl my fingers around his shaft it stiffens even harder. “Me too...”

  Luca leans down and locks our lips. With a gentle tug on the back of my neck, he captures my tongue, alternating between light pushes and hard ones, knowing the combination drives me crazy at the same time it turns my brain to mush.

  Instead of letting him get the upper hand, I pull back and lean against the door frame myself. While continuing to stroke slowly I state, “I'm gonna rinse off really quick.”

  He cocks his infamous smirk. “Get clean to get dirty again?”

  I drop my grip, back into my bathroom where I rip off my shirt. “Don't you want a clean canvas?”

  A groan leaves him as he bites down on his bottom lip. “I don't give a fuck if it's clean or dirty as long as it's mine.”

  “It will be,” I assure. “Just give me a few minutes.”

  “You have five before I get in there with you.”

  “Ten.”

  “Seven.”

  “Deal,” I giggle and shut the door.

  Quickly, I strip out of my bra, old gym shorts, and underwear.<
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  I don't actually need seven minutes to shower. It's more like a good time to give myself the extra pep talk I do need. Sex is a big deal. Huge in this case. Not necessarily because it's the first time I'll be doing it, but because it's with Luca. Good old fashion, been fucking since I found out what a hard on was for, Luca. I've already wrapped my mind around the fact on a scale from one to expert, I'll probably fall around a three thanks to internet porn, but I don't wanna be the worst lay he's ever had. First woman he actually dates and the one chick he actually wants to kick out of bed. See the dilemma. What? I'm not overreacting. Do you remember your first time? Okay now was it with the starting Quarterback for the Southern Sex Sinners? No. Didn't think so.