Gold

by K. A. Linde

  Bryna smirked, wondering what he had in store for her.

  “First, I have to do some work in the area. Will you drive with me?”

  “Of course. You know I’m yours on the weekend.”

  “Hopefully, all the time.” He circled her waist and kissed her lips.

  She let herself relax into the kiss. It was only in these moments when she could forget. She craved them.

  She didn’t want to think about the fact that Hugh had said “all the time.” They’d never discussed their relationship. She’d thought it was pretty clear what they were doing. But he seemed more…attached every time they were together. She enjoyed their being around him, and she liked Hugh. But it wasn’t love or anything. This was too good for him to fuck it up with real emotions.

  They took the elevator to the valet station. He had a metallic-blue Ferrari convertible waiting for him, and her mouth dropped. God, I’m such a car whore.

  “Oh my God, she’s beautiful.”

  He laughed. “I thought you might like it.”

  “Like? Love. This is the definition of perfection.”

  “You’re right. I’m looking at it.”

  She felt his hot and enticing gaze on her. She sauntered toward the passenger seat and let him check out her ass.

  “Where are we headed?” she asked.

  “I’m looking at some real estate.”

  “Oh, exciting,” she said. Sitting in the plush leather seat did a lot to lift her spirits.

  He sank in the driver’s seat, shifted into gear, and peeled out of the resort. She wished she were the one controlling the stick shift, but on some level, she was.

  As he took the highway east, the wind whipped her hair all around her face. It was refreshing, finally getting the warm weather back. They meandered through a neighborhood not too far from her condo right now. Her eyes wandered over all the beautiful two-story houses. Each one was a little bit different, and she liked the elegance and diversity in her desert home.

  Hugh stopped outside of a house with a For Sale sign up in the yard.

  “I like it,” she said immediately.

  “Let’s check out the inside.”

  They walked up to the front, and Hugh punched in the code to enter. He let her in first.

  The walkway was massive with a huge staircase leading up to the second story. She looked straight out through the glass French doors that opened up to a balcony. The kitchen was top of the line, all stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and a big bay window surrounding a breakfast nook. The living space was outrageous with a sunken living room that connected to the dining room and office. Upstairs, there were three full bedrooms. The master took up half of the house with one enormous walk-in closet and a waterfall shower that could have been its own private lagoon.

  “Wow,” she murmured once they finally made it outside.

  The backyard had a landscape swimming pool, complete with a waterfall, lazy river, and twin hot tubs.

  “This is epic. You should definitely get it,” she said.

  Hugh held his hand out, and she walked back toward him.

  “Here.”

  She looked down and saw a key in his hand. “What’s that?”

  “I got it for you.”

  “Got…what for me?” she asked, astonished.

  “The house.”

  Her jaw dropped. “You…got me a house? I thought we came here to look at real estate for you for, like, an employee or friend or relative or something.”

  “Well, surprise.”

  Her eyes surveyed the incredible house in stunned silence. Hugh had gotten her a house. She didn’t know what to say.

  He pressed the key into the palm of her hand. “You have been so out of it lately. I figured it must be related to things at home. You mentioned you were having difficulties with your stepbrother. I wanted to do something special for you.” His lips were tender when they met hers. “I hope you like it.”

  “I love it.”

  This was more than she could have ever imagined when she’d started this with him. A house? A fucking house? Shit!

  “Good.”

  She beamed at him. “Thank you. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. What do I need to do?”

  “Seeing that smile back on your face is thank-you enough. Don’t worry about anything. I paid for it in cash. Your name is on the contract, but I have my accountant handling taxes and upkeep. I wanted this for you.”

  “This is insane,” she said, unable to keep from smiling.

  He laughed. “A little. All you have to do is furnish it. Maybe we could do that together,” he suggested.

  “Absolutely,” she squealed. I have my own house! She pulled him closer and planted a very thankful kiss on his lips. “We’ll have to christen every room.”

  Sunday afternoon, Bryna left Hugh, so he could fly back to Vail. They had ordered a good deal of furniture together, but it would take a lot more work before her new house was all in order. She still couldn’t fucking believe it. The only way to make it real would be to tell everyone she knew.

  She dialed Trihn’s number and waited for her friend to answer.

  “B! You’ve resurfaced from your secret weekend arrangements,” Trihn joked.

  “And what an amazing secret it has been, but I think it’s time to clue you guys in.”

  “Hot stranger?”

  “Oh, yes. Big news. You and Stacia are going to flip when you hear this.”

  “Ah!” Trihn screamed. “I’ll call her, and we’ll meet at my place?”

  “Sure. Be there in ten.”

  Stacia was already at Trihn’s off-campus apartment when Bryna parked her Aston Martin on the street. She jogged up the first flight of stairs, and Trihn let her inside.

  “Oh my God!” Stacia cried. “Look at you! You actually look happy. I have my bestie back.”

  Bryna laughed. She felt like herself again. The past month of depression had seemed to wash off of her in one afternoon. It wasn’t that she had forgotten about Jude’s devastation, but she had renewed purpose. Things with Hugh were on the right course, and the irony wasn’t lost on her that she had gotten the house because of her distress over Jude.

  “It’s good to be back. So, you both know I’ve been seeing Hugh, my hot stranger.”

  “Yeah,” Trihn said.

  “For so long! We’re dying to get details,” Stacia said.

  “Well, he’s a resort owner.”

  Stacia’s mouth dropped open. “For real?”

  Bryna nodded. “Oh, yes. I mean, I’ve gotten luxurious things from him, but today took the cake.”

  “Better than the Alexander McQueen dress and the Harry Winston bracelet?” Trihn asked. “This should be good.”

  Bryna produced the key out of the front pocket of her purse. “This.”

  “Gah!” Stacia cried. “What does it open?”

  “Let me guess!” Trihn said. “A car?”

  “Does this look like a car key?” Bryna asked.

  “No. A fancy hotel room?” Stacia guessed.

  “A safety deposit box,” Trihn said.

  “Oh my God, no. You’re crazy.”

  “Tell!” Stacia said.

  “A house!” she squealed.

  Both girls jumped up in shock.

  “A house?” Trihn asked.

  “Yes! And on top of that, he’s letting me furnish it however I want.”

  “Are you moving in together?” Stacia asked.

  Bryna wrinkled her nose. “No. Please. He doesn’t even live in Vegas. He flies in most weekends to see me. This is mine, and he’s covering everything! So, I figured, once I have it all in order, we should throw a huge party!”

  Stacia jumped up and down with excitement, and Trihn turned up the music she was streaming from the LV State radio station. Like lunatics, the girls danced around the room to the song that was playing. The DJ’s voice filtered through the station at the end.

  “God, I love his voice,” Trihn brea
thed. “I’m a sucker for an English accent. It was the best part about modeling in the UK.”

  “Totally,” Stacia agreed.

  “I’m happy to announce the international debut of America’s sweetheart’s first single,” the DJ said, his thick English accent making every word delectable. “This is ‘Homesick’ by Chloe Avana.”

  Bryna’s jaw dropped. “Chloe Avana?”

  “I loved her in Broken Road,” Stacia swooned.

  Bryna rolled her eyes. Yes, Chloe was her ex-boyfriend Gates’s costar in the smash hit Broken Road. And Chloe was the girl he had slept with after Bryna had broken up with him over the phone. When he had come back, he had pretended like they hadn’t broken up, and he’d forgotten to mention that he’d slept with Chloe. Bryna could have fed him to People magazine, but she had done enough damage in his life.

  Chloe’s career had exploded over the past year. She had starred in another movie last year, and she’d be starring in two more blockbusters scheduled for this year. Now, apparently, she had dropped a record, too.

  Jesus!

  “I officially love this song,” Trihn said. She swayed her hips in time with the catchy techno backbeat. Growing up, she had danced most of her life, so when she got going, she was a sight to witness.

  “Ugh! Turn it off,” Bryna complained. She wished it weren’t so catchy.

  “You’re nuts. I love it!” Stacia said.

  “Okay. You listen to her then. She’s sweet and all, but I’ve had enough of her for one lifetime.” Bryna sure knew how to hold a grudge. “We’ll plan later. I’m going to head over to E’s.”

  “Wait, what?” Trihn shrieked.

  “Eric’s?” Stacia asked.

  “Yeah,” Bryna said.

  She hung out with Eric all the time now. She had gone from hating him to wanting to spend all her time with him.

  “You are so dating him!” Stacia said.

  “No, I’m really not.”

  “Admit it, Bri,” Trihn said. “You’re with him so much. You two go and get food together. You spent Christmas together.”

  “That’s called dating, honey,” Stacia remarked.

  “You guys don’t understand.”

  “Then, help us understand.” Trihn crossed her arms over her chest and incredulously looked at her. “Because everyone thinks you two are dating.”

  “Oh my God!” Bryna cried. “He’s gay!”

  “WHAT?” Stacia and Trihn cried in unison.

  “Yes. Okay? Eric is gay. One hundred percent not interested in girls. Last time I checked, I’m a girl. He’s not into me. Thus, we are not dating.”

  “No way!” Stacia said. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Yeah. I’m with the cheer slut. I can’t see someone like Eric being gay,” Trihn agreed.

  “What does that mean?” Bryna asked defensively.

  “Nothing. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant, he has an ex-girlfriend. He totally hits on you,” Trihn said.

  “Yeah, an ex-girlfriend who was a cover and a girl who is a friend, who is a cover.” Bryna pointed at herself. “We talked about it. He’s cool with me acting as a cover.”

  “I just…wow,” Stacia said. “You’re serious?”

  “Yes, I’m serious!”

  “I’m so shocked.” Trihn sat down heavily on the bed. “I for sure thought that you two were dating behind everyone’s backs and hiding it poorly. He seems to ground you. I thought you were perfect together.”

  “Nope. Nothing mushy going on. You both know I don’t believe in love, emotions, and other disgusting things. Eric and I are just friends.”

  “Wow,” Stacia repeated.

  “But you two have to swear to never breathe a word of this. Not even to Neal, Trihn. Eric’s obviously not out and not ready to be. Football players are hard enough to be in charge of. I wouldn’t want any of their prejudices to interfere with his coaching. He’s still a great coach.”

  “I won’t say anything,” Trihn said automatically. “You have to worry more about the big mouth over here.” She pointed her thumb at Stacia.

  Her blue eyes went wide. “I’m horrible at secrets, but I promise not to say anything. If I do, you can cut me off from the cheer world.”

  “That would be the end of her,” Trihn confirmed.

  “Okay, good. Not a word of this. I couldn’t stand you two saying that Eric and I were together any longer.” Bryna shouldered her purse. “I’m going to head out now.”

  “Tell Eric we said hi,” Stacia said.

  Bryna shook her head. “Sure.”

  Trihn walked her to the door. “You know, I’m still really surprised. I thought he was into you.”

  “I never get that vibe, and it’s for the better.”

  “Well, I hope you find someone who stirs emotions back into you. I know you’ve been hurt. I can tell.” Trihn placed her hand on Bryna’s shoulder. “We’re here for you. Maybe…let people in every now and then.”

  Bryna bristled under Trihn’s scrutiny. Letting people in was what had caused all of her strife in the first place. She didn’t mind Trihn and Stacia. She had never had friends like them before, but guys were a big no. It was easier to get everything she needed from them and keep them at a distance. She wasn’t making the mistake of letting anyone get close to her like Jude again. Look what it had done. One afternoon with Jude, and she had been a mess. Never again.

  “I appreciate it, Trihn. But I’ve got it all figured out.”

  “I know you do,” she said, letting Bryna walk out the door. “But sometimes, when you let people into your heart, it doesn’t automatically equal heartbreak.”

  “I’d have to have a heart to break,” she said.

  Trihn’s laughter didn’t reach her eyes. They both knew Bryna wasn’t joking.

  Bryna left Trihn’s apartment and drove across town. She hadn’t told Eric she was coming over, but she didn’t think Eric would care. Spring practice would resume soon, and they would have less time to hang out. That made her frown, but then she reminded herself that she had a whole new house to herself.

  She entered through the unlocked front door and found a pitcher of margaritas hanging out in the blender.

  “Eric?” she called.

  No answer.

  She poured herself a glass of margarita and then carefully walked out the back door. There Eric was, in nothing but swim trunks and Ray-Ban Wayfarers. He had a notebook out in front of him and a half-empty margarita on the table. He looked…god-like.

  Fuck me sideways. He’s so freaking hot. The hot ones are always gay.

  When she padded out toward him, he glanced up from his notebook.

  “Oh, sure. Pour yourself a glass. I wasn’t going to drink that.”

  “I knew you made a double batch just for me.” She beamed.

  “You’re nothing if not predictable.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, right. What about me is predictable?”

  “You’re here”—he gestured to the pool area—“every Sunday afternoon like clockwork.”

  “I’m here all the time. That’s not fair.”

  “Life isn’t fair, Hollywood.”

  “Well, that’s the damn truth.” Even though a half-dozen lounge chairs were around the pool, she sat down right on the edge of his seat. Half of her body blocked his sun, and she lounged halfway back on his lap. “Ah, this is the life.”

  He looked down at her from over the top of his Wayfarers. “You’re chipper.”

  “The universe has been very nice to me today.”

  “Is that so?” Eric asked.

  “Mmhmm. I am now the proud owner of a new house.”

  He tilted his head to the side, and it was all she needed to know that he thought she was being ridiculous.

  “A house? How the hell could you afford to buy a house? Or did your dad finally budge and let you out of you living with Pace?”

  “No, he didn’t, and I didn’t buy it. It was given to me.”

  “Someone gave you a new
house? How exactly did you acquire this property?”

  “Hugh.”

  “Is…”

  “The guy I’m seeing,” she finished for him.

  “Digging, you mean. I know those words are kind of similar, but they mean slightly different things.”

  “Sure. Seeing, digging—whatever. Same thing.”

  “So, this poor sap handed you the keys to a house?”

  “Yep. Pretty much.” She tipped half of the margarita back in her mouth. “Like I said, this is the life.”

  “I feel so bad for this guy.” Eric closed his notebook and set it down next to his drink. “He has no idea who he’s dealing with.”

  “Oh, please,” Bryna said, dismissively waving her hand. “Don’t get all judgy on me, E. He likes it, and he knows exactly what’s happening.”

  “And do you?”

  “Of course,” she purred. She closed her eyes and soaked up the sun. “I always know what I’m doing.”

  He snorted at her comment. “Sounds like someone needs a reality check.”

  All of a sudden, Eric was moving. His arms slid under the crook her legs and then her shoulders. She didn’t even have time to wriggle out of his grasp before he was hoisting her into the air and cradling her against his chest. He was smirking, and she knew that was not a good thing.

  “What the fuck?” she cried. “Oh my God, what are you doing?”

  He walked toward the edge of his pool.

  “If you get me near that pool, I will murder you.”

  “This is for your own good.”

  “Eric!” she screamed.

  But it was no use. Without another thought, he effortlessly tossed her, completely clothed, into the crystal-clear water. Her body crashed through the still water, and she sank under.

  Holy shit!

  She clambered for the surface, sputtering, as her head popped out of the water. “It’s fr-freezing, you asshole!”

  But Eric wasn’t listening to her. He was doubled over, laughing hysterically. His laughter was infectious, and even though she was pissed at him, she suddenly couldn’t stop laughing either.

  “What did you just do?” she asked.

  She swam to the edge of the pool and lifted her shaking figure out of the water. Her dress was ruined. It was silk, and now, she was going to have to toss it. Not to mention, her hair and makeup that she had just had done at the spa earlier this afternoon was beyond ruined. Hundreds of dollars had gone down the drain, all with one throw into the pool.