Playing the Player

by Lisa Brown Roberts

  Slade smiled at me as I slid into the car. “That was fast.”

  Did I look too eager? Desperate? I buckled my seat belt. I had no idea how to play this game, or whatever we were doing. Everything in me hoped it wasn’t just a summer fling that was only happening because we were forced to spend so much time together.

  “What movie do you want to see?” he asked as we drove.

  I hesitated. I doubted he’d be up for the chick flick I’d been planning to see. “Maybe The Takedown?” I named the latest action movie.

  He glanced at me, surprised. “I thought you’d want to see the one set at a witch college. With the frat house full of hot demons.”

  I laughed with surprise. “Actually, that’s my first choice.”

  His brow furrowed. “Then why didn’t you say so?”

  “Because I didn’t think you’d want to see it.”

  He pulled into his driveway and turned toward me. “I’m horning in on your plans, remember?” He grinned. “Besides, I like chick flicks. Just don’t tell anyone.”

  “That makes two secrets I’m keeping. Show tunes and chick flicks. I might need some incentive.”

  “I’ll think of something to buy your silence.” He leered at me. Actually leered. I’d never been on the receiving end of one before, but I knew it when I saw it. “Come on.”

  He took my hand as we walked up the driveway, lacing his fingers through mine and squeezing gently.

  I didn’t know what we were doing or what any of this meant. But I intended to follow it all the way through, because for the first time in forever, I felt fully alive.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Slade

  Friday, July 12

  It’s been three weeks since I first kissed Trina. As Alex reminds me daily, it’s a personal best in terms of relationship duration, other than Kristen. And what I feel for Trina is light years beyond what I ever felt for Kristen.

  We’ve taken Max and Gilly to Elitch’s Six Flags, The Wildlife Experience, Dinosaur Ridge, the Children’s Museum, and the zoo (again). Max and Trina are slowly moving out of their comfort zones, so we spent a day in Heritage Square doing the alpine slide, and I’ve almost got them talked into zip-lining.

  There’ve been two stripping/swimsuit escapes by Gilly (caught by me), three panic attacks by Max (calmed by Trina and her magic), and one bat-shit crazy freak-out by both kids at the circus. Turns out they both hate clowns.

  Trina’s been to my house a few times. My parents are freaking delirious, but they’re trying to hide it. Well, Dad is. Mom couldn’t fake disinterest if she tried.

  I go with Trina to Redemption Shelter on the nights she volunteers. She reads to the kids, and I shoot hoops with them or play hide-and-seek. Sometimes I help Sharon move stuff or box up donations or whatever else she needs.

  We’re also doing private swim lessons at the rec center. I suggested doing them at my house, but she didn’t like that idea. For some reason, she gets nervous around my mom, so I didn’t push it.

  It’s like I hardly recognize myself. I feel like life turned up the sound and color to frequencies scientists haven’t even discovered yet. Some days I don’t even want to eat, because I don’t want anything to weigh down that feeling like I’m flying.

  Trina instituted a no-kissing-while-nannying rule after Gilly busted us behind a tree one day while the kids played hide-and-seek. We make up for it after we drop the kids off at the end of the day. I’m addicted to her cherry lips, and everything else about her.

  Alex paid up on the bet, not even waiting until Carson’s party. He said I’d worked a miracle already, since Trina is definitely way more chill than she used to be. I didn’t keep the money. Instead I snuck into Sharon’s office at the shelter and left it on her desk.

  Hell, if I had to pay someone in order to spend time with BB, I would.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Trina

  Friday, July 12

  “Come on, Mom.” I grabbed two cans of diet soda from the fridge. “Let me treat you. Summer’s halfway over and we haven’t done anything fun.”

  Mom sighed from the couch, where she’d propped her bare feet on the coffee table. Her toenails were in serious need of a pedicure, which was what I’d planned for us that night.

  “I already made appointments for seven o’clock. This place is cool. They serve wine and snacks while you get your nails done.” I plopped down next to her on the couch and handed her a soda. She took a long swig, giving me a sidelong glance.

  “Trina, I don’t want you wasting your money on me.”

  I rolled my eyes. “God, don’t be a martyr, Mom. When do I ever buy you stuff? One pedicure is not going to bankrupt me.”

  She gave me a small smile. “Of course not. But it just…I don’t know…seems decadent or something.”

  “Mom, you bust your butt all day. You’re on your feet constantly. Think of this as a way to improve your job performance.” I grinned at her. “If your feet are happy, you’ll be happier at work.”

  “I’m surprised you’re not going out with Slade tonight.”

  “He’s trapped at home with relatives visiting from New York. He invited me over, but I’d rather hang out with you.”

  She laughed. “I’m honored. You passed up time with your boyfriend for me?”

  I shuddered. “His relatives sounded scary. Super-genius professor types. Slade said they always make him feel like an idiot.”

  Mom frowned. “That’s too bad. Maybe you should be there to give him moral support.” Mom had totally fallen under the Slade spell. It was disgusting how much she adored him.

  “That’s the same argument he used.” I snorted. “I told him no way. Besides, we’re going to the concert at Red Rocks tomorrow night. And we’re off all next week since the families are on vacation. He can handle one night with his scary rels.”

  Mom shrugged. “I guess I have no choice, if you’ve already turned down Prince Charming.”

  “Exactly,” I said, smiling.

  Mom and I sat in overstuffed massage chairs while our feet were scrubbed and pumiced so hard our eyes watered. It was awesome.

  “This is fantastic, T. Thank you.” Mom looked blissful.

  “I’m glad I could do it.” Now was the perfect time to tell her a couple of secrets. She was relaxed and maybe a bit tipsy from the glass of wine. Plus, she was trapped by the tiny but strong woman trimming her toenails.

  “Mom.” I took a breath. “I started swim lessons this summer, at the rec center. And now Slade’s teaching me, too. Private lessons. Since he teaches kids how to swim and he lifeguards, he’s a great teacher and…” I broke off, aware that I was babbling.

  She stared at me, shock chasing away the relaxed, mellow Mom who’d been there just moments earlier.

  “Trina, why didn’t you tell me? Or ask me if you could take lessons?”

  The pedicurist glanced up at Mom’s sharp tone.

  This was the hard part. “Because you would’ve said no. Mom, I’m seventeen. No one else my age has to sit out pool parties and Water World.”

  Mom frowned into her wine glass.

  “I don’t mean to sound like I’m blaming you,” I said, my voice soft. “I understand why you were so freaked out. Why you didn’t want me around the water.”

  Mom’s chest rose and fell as she inhaled deeply. She focused on the framed photos lining the wall, photos of freak show hands with unbelievably long nails, curling like spirals and painted in swirling colors.

  “I’m finally learning,” I said. “Not ready for the Olympics, but I’m making progress.” And I was. Though, lessons with Slade weren’t always as focused as they should be, since kissing tended to get in the way of actual practice.

  She finally looked at me. I could tell she was doing her best to fight tears. Her lips curved into a tiny smile.

  “I’m so proud of you, sweetie.”

  “You are?”

  She nodded then reached across the space between us to squee
ze my hand.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t encourage you sooner,” Mom said. She watched her pedicurist paint her toenails candy apple red. “It was completely irrational.” She shrugged. “I can’t explain it.” She met my eyes. “I mean it, honey. I am proud of you. Your brother would be, too.”

  A long shuddering sigh eased out of me as I pictured Brian’s laughing face. “Thanks,” I said, fighting back my own tears.

  She took another sip of wine. “You should let me pay for your lessons.”

  I was grateful for the change in subject. “Slade’s not charging me anything.”

  Mom wiggled her eyebrows. “Of course he’s not.”

  I blushed at her suggestive tone, and we laughed together, causing our pedicurists to scold us and tell us to hold still.

  After our pedicures, we got take-out food and spent the rest of the night at home watching chick flicks and admiring our toes. Happiness settled around me like a cozy blanket.

  I hadn’t told her about my secret deal with Slade’s mom, but it didn’t matter.

  That deal was over, and the fewer people who knew about it, the better.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Trina

  Saturday, July 13

  The sun lit up the towering copper colored rocks framing the amphitheater. I’d been to concerts at Red Rocks before, but tonight was different because of Slade. Alex and Tim were there, too, but they were off buying food.

  Slade’s kisses turned me into a puddle of mush, as usual. He didn’t seem to care that we were surrounded by people, some of them kids.

  “Everyone’s staring,” I told him, pushing against his chest, but he just laughed into my mouth.

  “So? Let them stare.” He pulled me close and shut me up with his lips.

  No one cared about the opening band, but everyone cheered when they finished, in anticipation of the headliner. Alex and Tim reappeared, bumping into us on purpose and ending our lip-lock.

  “You two need to get a room,” Alex teased, leering at us. Tim shot me a conspiratorial wink. They were disgustingly cute as they cuddled on the bench next to us.

  The stage went totally dark, then light flooded the stage and the looming rocks on either side of us as one of Slade’s favorite country singers let it rip. The crowd screamed with excitement, and we jumped up from our seats. We all danced and spun together, laughing and singing at the top of our lungs.

  It was the best time I’d had in forever. The lights of Denver and the entire Front Range spread out in front of us, and the moon shone down like nature’s spotlight. I could pick out Colfax, one of the longest streets in America, by the unending stream of red taillights flickering in the distance.

  I wanted to preserve this night in my memory so that I could escape into it whenever I wanted to feel sublimely happy.

  When the last encore finished we filed down the steps, getting separated in the crowd. Alex caught up to me and I saw Tim and Slade bobbing ahead of us. Alex knocked my shoulder and I returned the friendly gesture.

  “Hey BB,” he said, grinning.

  “Hey you.”

  We hopped down the steps together like little kids. He reached out to grab my hand. “I’m so happy for you guys. I can’t even tell you.” He floated somewhere between tipsy and drunk. Slade had smuggled in a flask. Alex and Tim had way more sips than me. For a notorious party animal, Slade was good about not drinking when he was driving.

  “Thanks. I’m happy, too.” Understatement of the year. I’d lost sight of Slade and Tim, but I knew we’d catch up to them at the car.

  Alex leaned in to me. “I knew you guys would hook up. I freaking knew it!” He hiccupped in my ear, loudly. “That’s why I took the bet, even though it would cost me.”

  My feet stumbled, and I reached for the railing to steady myself. “Bet? What bet?” My stomach churned, anxiety swelling inside of me.

  Alex laughed and knocked my shoulder again. “My bet with Slade. That he could get you to lighten up. Turn you into a party girl.” He looked down at me and raised an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe you’re not ready for Girls Gone Wild, but…you two…” He leered at me.

  The world tilted on its axis, and I couldn’t believe my legs still propelled me forward.

  “You…you bet Slade that he’d…he’d…”

  “Hook up with you. Yeah, totally. And he won, but it’s cool. Best fifty bucks I ever spent.”

  A bet? My mind reeled with visions of all the time we’d spent together. The chick flicks we’d watched in his basement. The nighttime walks that had become our thing. Hanging out with the kids at the shelter. The swim lessons. The make-out sessions that left me barely able to stand.

  It was all to win a bet?

  I let the crowd surge around me, watching Alex disappear in the sea of moving bodies. Maybe I could hitchhike. Take a bus. Pitch a tent and never go home.

  My cell buzzed and buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. I waited for the tears but they didn’t come. Instead, I felt numb. Completely dead inside.

  Screw it. I’d stay here all night if I had to. No way was I getting in a car with Slade.

  Eventually I got sick of the phone’s constant buzzing. My screen lit up with a zillion text messages and voicemail notifications. Against my better judgment, I listened to the first message.

  “Where are you? Trina, I’m freaking out! I’m about to call the cops.” Slade sounded genuinely worried. Pretty good acting for a guy who just cared about winning a bet.

  I texted quickly. Go home without me. I’ll get a ride somehow.

  WTF? Where are you?? R u ok??

  I sat on a rock for a while, ignoring all the people stumbling around me, laughing and still singing songs from the concert, while he blew up my phone with more texts and calls.

  I sent another text. You won the bet. You’re free to go.

  His reply came slower this time, but it was a doozy. If you don’t tell me where you are, I’m grabbing one of the cops on duty and we’re going to find you if it takes all night.

  God. I staggered to my feet, still numb and dead inside. Fine. I’d ride in the backseat on the way home. Run to my apartment and lock the door. Quit my job. Never see him again.

  I sent another message. I remember where we parked. Don’t say a word to me. Just take me home.

  About ten minutes later, I found them. Alex and Tim stood huddled together, whispering and darting wary looks at Slade, who sat on the hood of his Jetta, eyes narrowed, waiting. He didn’t move when he saw me.

  I stopped right in front of him. “Take me home,” I whispered.

  His eyes bored into mine. “I have a lot to say.” His voice was low and angry. “There’s been a big misunderstanding.” He shot a glare at Alex, who stared at the ground, kicking his feet.

  What the hell gave Slade the right to be angry? I owned the angry tonight.

  “I don’t want to hear it.” I turned away and wrenched the back door open. Tim slid in next to me, and Alex sat in the front with Slade.

  Slade cranked up the stereo and we drove the whole way home without speaking. For the first time ever, he didn’t walk me to the door, or even to the bottom of the stairs. His car squealed out of the parking lot, and he didn’t look back.

  Chapter Forty

  Trina

  Monday, July 15

  “It’s got to be a misunderstanding,” Desi said. She perched on the end of my bed, pawing through my tub of nail polish. She held up a bright green bottle. “Is it me?”

  I shook my head.

  “You’re right. Too Comic Con.”

  How could she focus on nail polish at a time like this? “You do realize I’m dying inside, right? Heartbroken. Devastated.”

  She held up a red bottle full of swirling glitter. “This is more me, I think.” She tilted her head and smiled at me. “Yes, I’m aware of the situation. The emo vibes coming off you and Slade have darkened the aura of the entire state of Colorado.”

  I sat up straighter. “Why are you talking to
him? Your loyalty should be to me.”

  She tossed the polish into the tub then crossed her legs, facing me on the bed.

  “My loyalty is to true love. Which is why I’m stuck playing mediator between you two.”

  “There’s nothing to mediate. He used me, Desi. To win a freaking bet.”

  She scooted back on the bed, leaning against the headboard and stretching out her long legs. “I don’t believe that. He has never, and I mean never, treated a girl the way he treated you.” She glanced at me, her eyes narrowed. “He’s a wreck, girlfriend. He wants to explain everything, but you won’t answer his calls or texts.”

  I plucked at a loose thread on my bedspread, not looking at her. “Duh.”

  “You know, I never thought I’d say this, but you’re kind of being a bitch.”

  I jerked my head up, shocked at her words. “What? I’m the bad guy?”

  She shrugged. “So maybe things started between you two because of a stupid bet. They’re guys; they’re morons. It goes with the territory.”

  My stomach twisted and rolled. How could she be so casual about this?

  “But God, Trina,” she continued. “The guy is in love with you. Everyone can see it.”

  I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “It’s what I was always afraid of with him. Just being one more notch in his belt.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “You’re not, though, right? You guys didn’t…” She didn’t finish the question.

  My face flushed as I thought of what we’d done together, and what we hadn’t. I shook my head. “He never pressures me…like that.”

  She sighed. “I told you he was a good guy. That’s more proof of how much he cares about you.”

  I pulled my knees up to my chest. “I don’t know what to do,” I whispered. My emotions vacillated between anger and despair.

  Slade’s calls and texts had stopped last night. As angry as I was, the thought of us being over, really over, shattered my heart into a million pieces. The only saving grace in this whole situation was having the week off from nannying so I didn’t have to see him.