Playing Me

by Jenny Lynn

  ***

  I saw Tyler walk in, tall and handsome as always, he was wearing jeans and a plaid shirt rolled up at the sleeves. He noticed me and smiled such a genuine smile it warmed my heart. He walked over then sat across from me in the booth.

  “I was surprised you called,” he told me.

  My cheeks flushed. “I felt like seeing you.”

  “Hey, that’s what friends are for right?”

  A waitress came by, reminding me of my old job. My old life, not too long ago yet it felt like another lifetime. Cindy was so proud of me when I went in to deliver the news, even Brick seemed sad. But I had their support, and they made me feel excited that my dream was coming true.

  I ordered another coffee and pancakes, Tyler ordered coffee and a BLT. When we were alone again, Tyler was staring at me not saying anything. I started to feel self-conscious.

  “What is it?” I asked. Tyler gestured to my outfit.

  “I feel underdressed for breakfast all of a sudden.”

  “Oh, this is the outfit I wore out last night.” I remembered where I went after the bar, what almost happened, and I wished I hadn’t said anything.

  “You haven’t been home yet,” Tyler said slowly. “You stayed at Archer’s… then you called me.”

  My heart dropped. I wished I could tell him everything, but I couldn’t.

  “Hey,” Tyler added. “It’s okay, don’t look at me like that. You were honest with me, you’re dating him and you and I are friends. It’s the way it is.”

  “Tyler,” I sighed. “It’s complicated.”

  I grabbed my mug of fresh coffee, wrapping it tightly in my hands for warmth and courage. I needed to choose my words carefully.

  “I’m starting to realize how much of my own life, my privacy, everything I have to give up because I’m suddenly in the spotlight. Archer can’t go anywhere without someone asking for an autograph or snapping a picture. Now that we’re… together… it’s a bit hard to deal with.”

  “You have a shot at making it, isn’t that worth it?” Tyler asked. “Check this out.”

  Tyler took out his phone, typed something, then turned the screen towards me. It was the video someone had shot of my duet with Archer.

  “This video is already at half a million views, and people are asking who you are. You’re getting noticed.”

  I didn’t want to see it. I didn’t want to be reminded of the fun night I had with Archer, because it just made how he treated me this morning sting even more.

  “When people know who I am, I’m going to have you play with me at one of my shows Tyler.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “You don’t have to do that. I’d drag you down.”

  I reached across the table and touched his hand gently. “Tyler, the only reason I got discovered in the first place is because you let me open for your band. I owe you.”

  “Corinne, you’re something special. It was just a matter of time before someone noticed you. I hope it happens for me someday too.”

  There was a comfortable silence, it felt nice to touch his hand. Natural. Realizing we were still holding hands, Tyler cleared his throat and took his hand back.

  “So,” he asked. “What is Archer Evans like for real?”

  “He’s, well…” an asshole. A pig. Arrogant. All things I wanted to say but couldn’t.

  “He is who he is, what you see is what you get,” I said finally.

  “I have to admit, and don’t hate me for saying this Corinne, but I didn’t think he would be your type.”

  “Oh?” I asked. Our food was dropped off by the waitress and the fluffy pancakes smelled incredible. I was starving, and carbs would help soak up the alcohol left in my system.

  “I mean, he’s good looking. Women go for his brooding, bad boy thing. I have female friends that are obsessed with him, I know he’s got this effect on women. I just thought you’d go for more, I don’t know. A sensitive guy.” Tyler took another sip of his coffee and I smiled.

  “Well, if you meet any you’ll have to let me know,” I told Tyler with a giggle. I bit into a fork full of pancake and smiled. This was nice.

  “What’s the plan with your label? Are they telling you what to do?”

  “They’re reviewing my existing music,” I told him, avoiding any mention of dating Archer for publicity. “From there we’ll put together an album and release it. Schedule a few shows. I’m really in their hands now, trusting the experts.”

  “Do they approve of you being with Archer?”

  I sighed. “Listen, Tyler, I like you. I can’t get into all the details, I wish I could, but I don’t see this thing with Archer lasting much longer. And when it’s over, I’d love to go on a date with you. A real one.”

  Tyler brightened. God, I loved his smile. “That’s great Corinne, really. Just make sure not to lose yourself in the process, and don’t agree to anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

  Could Tyler read my mind? My eyes darted to my coffee mug and I picked it up, taking a long sip. When my phone rang I glanced at the display.

  “I’m sorry Tyler, I need to get this. It’s my manager.”

  “It’s no problem,” he said, then bit into his BLT. I pressed the phone to my ear.

  “Hi Scott,” I said.

  “Have you seen some of these headlines? ‘Archer Evans hits the town with singer-songwriter Corinne Williams’, ‘Corinne Williams wows crowd at New York karaoke bar with Archer Evans’. This is working, they’re noticing you.”

  “You were right,” I admitted begrudgingly.

  “Of course I was. Listen, you and Archer are going to an art gallery show tonight. Black tie. I’ll have wardrobe send a dress to your place and have a car pick you up at eight.”

  “Okay,” I told him. “I’ll be ready.”

  “I also want you to come into the office tomorrow for three so we can discuss your new album.”

  My heart skipped a beat. Finally, we were talking about my music.

  “That’s great, thanks Scott.”

  “Have fun tonight Corinne, and see you tomorrow.”

  “See you tomorrow.”

  I hung up, Tyler was watching me closely. “Good news?”

  “My manager wants me to go to the office tomorrow to talk about my music.”

  “That’s great! Wow, it’s really happening for you Corinne. I have to admit I’m a bit jealous.”

  “It will happen for you soon Tyler. You’ll see.”

  “So, I hope this isn’t inappropriate, but would you like to see a movie with me tonight? As friends?”

  My heart sank. Why did this have to be so complicated?

  “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m going to an art gallery with Archer.”

  “Of course you are. Can’t really compete with that.”

  Tyler returned his attention to his breakfast, looking defeated. It broke my heart.

  “Another time, I promise,” I told him. He just nodded. In an instant the mood had changed, heavy and tense between us. There was a chasm stretching between us, putting Tyler just out of my reach. I wanted to tell him everything, I wanted to see what there could be between us with Archer out of the picture. Yet a small part of me felt guilty, like I was betraying Archer by thinking about Tyler this way. Which was ridiculous, Archer and I were nothing. He said so himself.

  I don’t know why, but I wanted to make Tyler feel better so I picked up a napkin and scribbled on it, then handed it to him. He read it, then smiled. “That’s my guarantee,” I told him. It said; Archer is temporary. We’ll go on a date soon. XO Corinne

  Chapter Thirteen

  Archer

  I looped the tie around my collar, pulling the black silk between my fingers then wrapping it, pulling the knot tight at my throat. I picked up my scotch and took another drink, letting the smooth smokey liquid flow over my tongue.

  “You’re so fucked,” Billy laughed from the couch.

  “You’re here to help,” I shot back. “If you’re not going to
give me advice then you know where the goddamn door is.”

  “Advice? On what. You like this girl and you want me to tell you how to switch that off? It doesn’t work like that Archer.”

  “I don’t date,” my voice was strained. A stranger’s voice. The voice of a man on the edge.

  “Yet you want to date Corinne. You’re starting to have feelings for her.”

  I dropped into a chair and ran my hand over my face.

  “You’re right. I am fucked.”

  Billy tossed a pillow at me, I caught it with my free hand, my other hand clutching my drink.

  “You don’t have to be Archer. Talk to her. Tell her how you feel, and see where things go.”

  “I don’t know how to do this. And anyways, the way I treated her this morning she probably hates me.”

  “You’re a charming motherfucker. Tell her how you feel, give her that panty-melting look you give women and all will be forgiven.”

  I sighed. He was right. I was going to have to tell Corinne I liked her or this was going to eat me from the inside out. I didn’t know how she had buried herself under my skin but she had, and now she was all I could think about.

  “How do you date one woman?” I asked Billy.

  He shrugged. “I find someone I like, that I can talk to. That gets me excited. It’s a different kind of thrill than a new woman every night, it’s the thrill of getting to know someone and letting them know you.”

  “Sounds fucking exhausting,” I grumbled. My phone started to ring and I picked it up.

  “Well you better figure it out fast, it’s seven thirty. That’s probably your ride.”

  It was my driver. I groaned, then tossed back the rest of my drink. I walked over to the bar to pour myself one more.

  “Liquid courage for the road,” I told Billy as I raised the glass and pounded it back.

  “Archer Evans is falling for a girl. Wow. I never thought I would live to see the day,” he mused. I shot up an eyebrow.

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I like her. Let’s just leave it at that.”

  I pulled on my jacket and turned.

  “How do I look?”

  “A determined Archer Evans dressed in a custom Gucci suit? This girl doesn’t stand a chance. Go get her tiger.”

  I headed for the elevator, down to the lobby and into the sleek black car idling by the curb. Billy was right. I needed to be straight with Corinne, I needed to tell her that - as unlike me as this was - I wanted her. For more than one night. I didn’t know what would happen or how to do this but I knew I wanted to try for the first time in my life. I wanted to try for her.

  As we drove through traffic I thought about the conversation I had with Scott earlier. Being out with Corinne was buying me tons of positive publicity. People loved seeing what they were calling ‘the softer side of playboy Archer Evans’. Scott and the PR team were proud of themselves convinced they had pulled off the world’s best publicity stunt. The truth was that Corinne, with her sensual and delicate nature, was bringing something out in me. A side of myself I never knew existed. That wasn’t manufactured, that was all real.

  I toyed with my phone, pulling up a photo of Corinne. God, she was beautiful. I wanted her, all of her. I had never wanted to possess a woman so badly in my life. She was something unlike anything I had ever encountered before.

  I slammed the phone down onto the seat. What the hell was I doing? I couldn’t go through with this, it was crazy. Relationships didn’t last. Love didn’t last. Look at my father, at the trail of money-grabbing wives he’s had since my mother died. My mother was a beautiful, kind woman. She deserved better. They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, maybe I am no better than dear old dad. Maybe I would be the worst thing that happened to Corinne. I would eventually hurt her, betray her, because it’s in my DNA. If I did care about her, I’d spare her that.

  “We’re here,” came the voice from the front seat. My head snapped up. How long had I been lost in my thoughts?

  “Thanks,” I said as I opened the door and straightened my spine.

  I walked out as cameras flashed from the sidelines, stopping once to let them get their shot, then I marched towards the doors. Maybe once I saw her, I could explain everything. Through the doors there was a crowd and I walked through, scanning for her face. I took a glass of champagne off a passing tray and continued my search deeper into the gallery.

  There were abstract paintings, sculptures, a three-piece band in the far corner playing soft music. Then suddenly, the crowd parted and I saw a woman standing in front of a large canvas with red lines moving up and down across the center. I couldn’t see her face but I knew it was Corinne, the way she stood. The curve of her body. She was wearing a soft grey silk dress, tightly skimming her figure. I stood there, just staring, caught under her spell. Then, she turned and looked over her shoulder and our eyes met. She felt me there, just like I felt her. The energy between us.

  I walked towards her until we were standing face to face.

  “Archer,” she said coldly, then turned from me back to the painting.

  Fuck. She was still mad at me, and I couldn’t blame her.

  “What are we looking at?” I asked, standing beside her.

  “It’s a painting of a soundwave. The artist recorded himself saying different words and phrases, then brought them to life on the canvas.”

  “What was he saying in this one?”

  “He doesn’t reveal that, he just gave each painting a name. This one is called secrets.” She turned mechanically towards me. “Are you coming here to tell me I’m contractually obligated to hold your hand, or to kiss you?”

  “No,” I sighed. “Corinne, listen. I’m sorry about how I acted this morning. Can we go somewhere private to talk?”

  She stared at me, thinking about my request when a photographer approached us.

  “Hi there, my name is Brent. I’m a photographer for the society pages for the New York Times. Can I get a quick shot of you together?”

  I looked to Corinne and she nodded, standing beside me. I looped my arm around her waist and we both smiled facing forward. The photographer snapped away, then thanked us before moving on. As soon as he left Corinne stepped out of my grip and the smile left her lips.

  “Come on,” I said, nodding towards the back of the room.

  We walked through the gallery, past coat check to a back door. I tested the handle and it popped open, revealing a staircase leading up. I gestured for Corinne to go, and followed after her up the stairs and opened a door on the roof. Corinne wandered towards the far wall, looking at the city lit up and stretched far into the horizon in front of us. A breeze blew past us and she wrapped her arms around her exposed skin. I slid off my jacket and placed it around her.

  “Here, you’re cold,” I told her.

  “You don’t have to be nice to me, there are no cameras around for you to convince.”

  That stung. I finished my champagne and leaned on the ledge looking out on the New York skyline.

  “I deserve that,” I said finally.

  “I don’t understand you Archer,” Corinne turned to face me. “One minute you’re so charming, the next you act like you hate me. And the worst part of this all is that while we’re fake dating there is a legitimately nice guy who is interested in me that I have to push away.”

  My head snapped up and my blood started to boil. There was another guy?

  “Who?” I asked.

  “His name is Tyler, he’s a musician. Just starting out, like me, but he’s good. And he cares about me. So the sooner this is done between us…”

  “You want this over?” I sneered. “Fine. I’ll call Scott now.” I pulled out my phone and Corinne placed her hand over mine, stopping me.

  “No games Archer. Enough. Tell me why you wanted to talk to me alone.”

  This was it. It was time to face what I was feeling head on. I sighed.

  “I want you,” I told her.

  “I was
drunk and willing the other night, but you didn’t do anything. Why?”

  “I want you for more than one night, Corinne. Listen, I’m fucked up. I don’t know how to do this, I don’t date. I screw women and show them the door. But I can’t do that with you. I want more. I want all of you.”

  “So you tried to push me away?”

  I stepped closer to her, until our faces were inches apart.

  “I tried. And I failed.”

  “How do I know you’re not just playing another game right now to get me to sleep with you?”

  “You mean how do you know I’m a nice guy, like this Tyler?”

  “Exactly.”

  I laughed and placed my hands on her arms. “I’m not. You want me to lie to you and tell you my intentions are honorable? That I don’t want to drag you out of here and finally do something about this tension that’s been building between us? I want you thrown across my bed Corinne. I want to touch you and make you scream my name until your beautiful voice is raw.”

  I felt her shiver under my fingertips, and I knew it wasn’t from the cold this time.

  “I’m not your knight in shining armor, we both know that. But this between us? It’s real, I know you feel it too. I know you want this as much as I do.”

  “Archer…”

  My name on her lips was too much. I groaned and yanked her towards me, pressing my palm flat against her back forcing her body against mine. I slid my tongue past her soft lips and stroked against hers, trapping her small mouth with my own, making it mine. I kissed her, hard, until I felt her delicate body go slack in my arms as she gave herself over to me. As she gave in and let me take from her, letting me taste her. I pulled back and held her face. She bit her lip, her eyes slowly opening and locking with mine.

  “That was… quite a kiss,” she said finally.

  I smiled.

  “Good. I’m trying to ruin other men for you.”

  Her cheeks were flushed as she turned her face to look out over the city. I reached for her chin and turned her face to look back at me.

  “I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you,” I admitted.

  She was taking short, quick little breaths, her chest rising and falling.