Playing Me

by Jenny Lynn

  Blake took my hand in his and kissed it gently.

  “I’ve heard so much about you Corinne.”

  “Likewise,” I replied, my voice flat.

  Thankfully a ringing interrupted the tense moment. Blake glanced at the screen.

  “I need to take this. I’ll come find you shortly.”

  He walked away and Ashley trailed after him like an obediently trained poodle.

  “I need a drink,” Archer said. I followed him to the corner bar where he ordered a double whiskey and got a glass of champagne for me. His jaw was clenched as he poured half the drink past his lips, swallowing hard. It was clear being around his father had a negative effect on him. I touched his cheek softly.

  “Stay with me Archer,” I whispered. He looked down at me, the cold expression in his eyes thawing when our eyes met. My green looking into his pale blue. He let out the air trapped in his lungs.

  “What would I do without you?” he said.

  “You’ll never have to find out,” I told him.

  I took his drink and set it down on the bar with mine, taking his hand and guiding him over to the dance floor by the band as they started to play At Last by Etta James. The tension left Archer’s body as he held me in his arms and we started to sway to the music. I lay my head against him and we moved to the music, our bodies synchronized. It was as if we were the only two people in the world, as if all that existed was music and Archer’s touch against the exposed skin of my back.

  He kissed me, softly, and my heart skipped a beat. Whatever damage had been done to us in our pasts, whatever ghosts haunted us, together we could heal old wounds. I had never felt safer, and I knew Archer felt the same way for me. We lost ourselves, I’m not sure how much time passed, as we danced song after song. The feeling of his strong body cradling mine, the masculine scent of his cologne.

  “You’re more of an idiot than I thought,” a stern voice snapped me from my trance. Archer and I turned to see Blake standing there.

  “Excuse me?” Archer’s voice was brimming with anger and I saw his fists clench.

  “You’re letting this bitch make a fool of you.”

  Archer took a step towards his father, every muscle in his body pulled tight ready to attack. I held onto his arm, holding him back from doing something he would regret. The band had stopped playing and everyone was staring at us.

  “What are you talking about?” I stood to face Blake, demanding an answer.

  “You’ve been exposed,” he replied. He pressed something on his phone and turned the screen to face us. A reporter with TMZ started to talk on the screen.

  “Exclusive news, music’s hottest new couple is in hot water. It turns out new artist Corinne Williams is dating heartthrob Archer Evans for publicity and has another guy waiting for her when she’s done. And speaking of, here he is - Tyler Baker.”

  Tyler came on camera and my jaw dropped.

  “Corinne and I met at one of my concerts, I let her open for us. She told me everything, that she was just using Archer. We laughed about it all the time, she even wrote me this.”

  He pulled out the napkin and showed the camera. The napkin I had written in anger, that I had written before anything had ever happened between me and Archer.

  I looked at Archer who was staring at the screen expressionless.

  “Why are you coming clean now?” the reporter asked.

  “Because I realized this is wrong, and I can’t be a part of this. I’m not that kind of person, I’m a nice guy. Corinne just seduced me, but I see now that I can’t be a part of her lie.”

  I felt all the color drain from my face.

  “That’s a lie, he’s lying,” I said, suddenly dizzy.

  “Save it,” Blake shoved his phone back in his pocket. “What did I tell you Archer? I was right about her.”

  “Archer I can explain,” I turned and grabbed his arm, but he pulled away from my touch.

  “Did you write that note?” he asked, his voice hollow. “Did you write that I was temporary, and you were going to date Tyler after me?” He looked so hurt, and it was because of me.

  “I did, but it’s not the way Tyler says. Please, just let me explain.”

  Archer’s eyes grew stern as he glared at me.

  “I don’t want to hear it. Go to the hotel, get your things, and go to the airport. I don’t want you to be there when I get back to my room.”

  Before I could say another word Archer turned and walked away from me. Tears started to spill from my eyes and people whispered around me as I watched his back retreat from me.

  “Archer!”

  “Leave, now,” Blake told me. “Or I’ll have security escort you out.”

  Choking back a sob I ran for the doors, past the crowd and into the unforgiving cold of the Chicago night.

  Chapter Twenty One

  Archer

  After grabbing a bottle from the bar I found a back room and drank myself into near oblivion. It was late when I stumbled into my hotel suite, Corinne was gone and so were her things - just like I had asked.

  I felt like shit, hung over my flight back to New York the next day. I hid behind dark sunglasses and didn’t say a word to the paparazzi as they hounded me at the airport. When I got back home, I got right back to drinking. It was the only thing to dull the pain, to take the sting out of the fact that I had been used by the last person I thought would do that to me.

  I ignored all the missed calls, letting my voicemail fill up. Scott, Billy, and especially the calls from Corinne. I sent her a blunt text telling her to leave me alone, then blocked her number cutting off contact.

  I filled my stomach with scotch, with whiskey, with the contents of my bar. When the buzzer for my door went off the noise sliced through my head making me wince. I sighed then answered.

  “Hello?” my voice was a hoarse croak.

  “It’s Scott. Let me up Archer.”

  I groaned. The man was determined. I let him up and then went back to my drink by the couch. Minutes later Scott walked in. He walked straight towards me.

  “Jesus Archer, you look like hell.”

  “Well I feel like a million bucks,” I sneered, swirling my glass. A bit splashed out onto my arm.

  “You didn’t answer any of my calls, so here I am,” Scott told me. “I wanted to give you an update on the situation and where we go from here.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” I told him, then took a drink.

  “Then it’s a good thing you pay me to give a fuck. I talked to Corinne. She admitted she wrote what was on that napkin, but insists Tyler was lying about everything else. We’re working with her hard right now on damage control, this really did a number on her good girl image.”

  “She fooled a lot of people with that,” I said.

  “Ironically, this has been good for your image,” Scott told me. “The bad boy who opened his heart and got hurt. Women eat that shit up.”

  “That’s fucking fantastic,” I said through gritted teeth.

  “Look, this thing between you and Corinne was all my fault. I didn’t expect it to go this way, but you’ll be okay. You’ll bounce back from this.”

  I ran my hands over my face, feeling drained. And angry. And sick.

  “She used me. I knew she was too good to be true.”

  Scott placed his arm on my shoulder. “Look, like I said, I talked to her. And if you want my opinion…”

  I shrugged his hand off me.

  “I don’t want your fucking opinion. Now if there’s nothing else, I’m busy.”

  I stumbled to my bar and refilled my drink. Just hearing her name tore through me and made me ache again. I couldn’t stand it.

  “Okay Archer, okay. Try to slow it down.”

  Scott walked back to the elevator and left, leaving me alone in my space once again. The drinks weren’t helping anymore, they weren’t doing their job and dulling the pain. She made me look like an idiot, made me look weak. How dare she. I pulled out my phone and found the nu
mber I wanted. It rang twice.

  “Billy, it’s Archer. Get the guys together, we’re going out.”

  ***

  The bar was loud and crowded, filled with people dancing and having a good time. Me and the guys were shown to the roped off VIP section and I immediately asked for bottle service. When the bouncer walked by I tapped him on the shoulder.

  “We’re lonely. Can you find us some company?”

  I slipped him a few hundreds and he nodded, then walked into the crowd. Everyone had started to drink, having a good time. I poured one for myself and raised it to my lips while Billy watched me closely.

  “What?” I asked.

  He got up and sat beside me, keeping his voice low beneath the blaring rock music.

  “This isn’t going to help man,” he told me.

  “You’re wrong, this is helping a lot.” I slammed back the drink then made another. My liver was really getting the workout of a lifetime, but I was a professional drinker. I could handle it.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Billy pressed on, not letting up.

  “Do I look like I want to fucking talk about it,” I seethed through clenched teeth.

  “You look like you need to sleep and eat some food,” Billy replied.

  The bouncer came back with four women in tight dresses, smiling at us. I looked them over, then nodded. He let them past the rope to join us. I singled out a sexy brunette with long legs and pointed at her.

  “You. Come sit over here,” I shoved Billy away from me making space for her. She strolled over, swaying her hips, then sat beside me.

  “My name is,” I put my finger against her lips, stopping her.

  “I don’t want to know, and I don’t care,” I told her. “Have a drink, let’s have a good time.”

  She nodded then poured herself a drink. I draped my arm around her as I continued to pour liquor past my lips. I was like a statue in the middle of a crowded party. They were all laughing, flirting, touching and having fun while I was dead inside. I was layering cold hard stone over my heart, and I was never going to let myself be hurt again.

  My father, that bastard, was right. He was right all along about women, and I was an idiot to think that I had found something different. That she was different. I hated that she had done this to me, and I wanted to hurt her just as badly.

  “On second thought,” I told the brunette. “I do want to hear your name. But I don’t want you to tell it to me. One second.”

  I took out my phone and dialed, then passed it to the brunette. She looked confused but took the phone.

  “My name is Danielle,” she said. “Um, I’m not sure.”

  She looked confused, I took the phone from her.

  “Hey Corinne,” I said with a smile. I rubbed Danielle’s thigh, the drinks lighting a fire in me.

  “Archer, where are you? Please, talk to me.”

  “We are talking,” I said. “I just wanted to thank you for teaching me a valuable lesson.”

  “Archer you sound drunk. If you’d just let me explain.”

  “I would, really, but I think I’m going to be rather busy for the rest of the night with Danielle here.”

  “Archer, why are you doing this?” Her voice was cracking, she was starting to cry. Instead of making me feel better, it was making me feel worse for some reason. She fucked me over, yet I was still the one paying the price.

  “Because you deserve it,” I shouted into the phone, then I hung up.

  I topped off my drink, then drank it all in one shot. I stood up to head to the washroom, swaying on my feet, and I must have gotten up too fast because I almost fell over. Billy was at my side in a flash holding me up.

  “I’ve got you man,” he said.

  “I want to go home,” I said, feeling defeated. This wasn’t working. I didn’t feel better. Danielle stood up expectantly and walked towards me. I shook my head.

  “No. I’m going home alone,” I told her.

  She nodded then rejoined the party, falling into conversation with one of my friends. I leaned on Billy as he guided me back through the crowd and out onto the street, into a car. He stayed with me, he got me upstairs, and he helped me to my bedroom where I collapsed on my bed.

  “Need anything Archer?” he asked.

  My eyes felt glassy. I clenched my fists, trying to keep the emotions from spilling over.

  “I want this to stop hurting,” I said finally, my voice shaking.

  Billy looked at me with pity, then squeezed my shoulder.

  “I know man, I know. Look, you don’t want to hear this, but you should talk to her. Sober.”

  Billy left the room, everything was spinning. I closed my eyes, then everything went dark.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Corinne

  The things they were saying about me on gossip sites were not great - everyone hated me. Archer hated me, and most of all, I hated myself. How could I have been so stupid? I thought Tyler was such a nice guy, but I was wrong. By spreading the rumor that I had used Archer, Tyler was using me to get publicity for himself. He was despicable, and I couldn’t believe I ever thought I could date someone like that.

  If Scott was disappointed in me he didn’t say, but when he talked me through the PR strategy then reviewed my album he was strictly professional. It would have been better if he had just yelled at me. Instead he continued planning my career, and I had to act strong even though my heart was broken. I had a small concert booked in New York next week, and I was going to need to pull it together.

  After Archer called me from the bar with another woman, driving the dagger into my chest and twisting it, I spent all night crying. I had never hurt like this before, never felt this much pain. While I gasped and choked, unable to catch my breath between sobs Nancy had crept into my room and crawled into bed behind me, wrapping her arms around me and stroking my hair. At some point I drifted off to sleep, only to wake up hours later.

  I went into the living room and wrote Archer all the things he wouldn't let me say to him. I told him that at first, even though I was drawn to him, I didn’t trust him. I was hurt by him pushing me away, and I believed this was just a stunt manufactured by our label that would be over soon. I thought Tyler cared about me, and considered dating him. This was all before that night at the art gallery, the night that changed everything. This was before we spent time together and I got to know the real Archer Evans. It was before I realized I was falling in love with him. I told him I was so sorry I hurt him, and that even though he never wanted to see me again I would never forget him.

  I took a taxi, my letter in my hands, and I dropped it off for Archer at his front desk. The concierge looked from me to the letter, then said he’d deliver it. I left, wondering if Archer was home. Wondering if he would ever read the words I had written or if he would throw it away unopened. I had no way of knowing, but at least I had tried.

  ***

  I walked into the restaurant, my mom and sister were seated at a table in the middle of a conversation. I smiled then rushed over, they stood up when they noticed me and wrapped me in a tight hug. I lingered in their arms, it felt good to have physical contact. It felt good to be loved. They must have known I needed it because they held on and didn’t let go until I did.

  “You look good sweetheart,” my mom told me.

  “I can’t believe this is really happening,” Beth told me. “I’m so proud of you sis.”

  We sat down and they exchanged a nervous glance.

  “How are you doing?” my mom asked.

  “I’m okay,” I said, trying to smile. “It’s been hard.”

  “It was strange, reading about you and Archer on gossip sites. Having people at work ask me about it, it was all so public. I’m so sorry it ended that way.”

  “Were you able to talk to him?” my mom asked. “To explain? As soon as I heard it, I knew that wasn’t something you were capable of.”

  I shook my head. “He won’t talk to me, he wants nothing to do with
me.”

  My mom reached across the table and squeezed my hand.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  I squeezed back and sighed, tears pricking my eyes.

  “I was really starting to fall for him. We have so much in common, and when he kissed me, the world stopped. I’ve never felt that was before, and I’m scared I never will again.”

  The eyes staring back at me were filled with pity. For a few minutes, it was quiet. No one knew what to say.

  “I know what you mean Corinne,” my mom said softly, breaking the silence. Beth and I both turned and looked at her.

  “I met your father in a bar. I was out with friends, he was on stage playing guitar.” She smiled at a memory she was retrieving from the corner of her mind. Beth and I were frozen, we rarely ever heard her talk about dad.

  “He spotted me in the crowd,” she continued. “He played the rest of his songs while looking at me. It felt like we were the only two people in the room. It was love at first sight. I went home with him that night, I had never felt as alive as I did when I was with your father. We never had much money but it didn’t matter. But then when the years went by, when you were both born, I wanted more for you. I didn’t want to have to scrape by for groceries, I hated not being able to buy you toys or take you anywhere. And after your father died… a piece of me died too.”

  My mother’s eyes started to water, Beth and I both reached out at the same time and touched her hand as a tear fell down her cheek. She wiped at it then cleared her throat.

  “But I stayed strong. I raised you both, and I could not be prouder of the women you have become. What I’m trying to say Corinne is that the heart breaks, but it’s the strongest muscle in our body. It will be hard, but you’ll be okay if you take it one day at a time. If you remember your father, and if you let his music flow through you.”

  She reached out and caressed my cheek.

  “You remind me of him so much,” she said with a smile. Then it was my turn to let a tear fall down my face.

  “I miss dad so much,” I whispered. I noticed Beth had tears in her eyes too.