Playing for Keeps

by Whiskey Starr

  “Umm, it’s kinda the woman I screwed over.”

  “Ha, you screw a lot of women, be more specific, man.” Mickey stared as he looked at the woman with a lustful eye. A feeling of jealousy hit him.

  “The woman who I didn’t do anything to this time, but the fucking tabloids bugged to the point we put her in hiding—that woman.”

  “Shit, man, well I didn’t think she would look like that. Fuck, she's the one from the police station.” Hunter turned to see Mickey eyeing her once again.

  “What the fuck?”

  “It means she is cute and looks sweet. Not your type at all. You’re fake boobs, tons of make-up, and a stick. Her, well I wouldn’t mind finding out more about her.” Mickey joked, but at the same time Hunter knew Mickey well enough to know he would never go for her. But what the hell was her name?

  “Hey, guys, this is Shelly McKnight. Shelly, these are the guys. The big one is Joey, Sky’s husband, the brooding one in the back is Booker, the one next to him is Mickey who was at the police station, and you already know Hunter.” Each of his bandmates held out their hands to shake with Shelly. How could he forget her name, it was simple, plain, yet rolled off his tongue and felt great too. He wondered what it would sound like when he yelled it as he fucked her up against the wall. Shaking his head he needed to clear his thoughts about her. He fucked up and didn’t need to fuck her instead.

  Just as he was about to ask a question, Milo came running up to Scarlett.

  “Aunt Scarlett, look, daddy got me the coolest toy. Wanna see?” Hunter smiled at sweet Milo. The kid was amazing.

  “Sure, kiddo.” But Milo froze looking at Shelly.

  “Who’s she?” Milo suddenly took a step toward Joey. Milo didn’t do too well with new people at first but once he accepted you into his world, Milo never let you go.

  “Oh, this is my friend, Shelly. She is joining us for dinner. Is it okay?” Hunter took a drink if his beer to see what Milo would do.

  “Um, sure. Ms. Shelly, do you like video games and music?” Milo asked, still behind Joey who had a protective hand on his son’s head. Hunter watched with fascination as Joey interacted with Milo. Though he wasn’t his biological son, it didn’t faze Joey or Milo one bit. Those two were inseparable.

  Shelly bent slightly to look at Milo better. “Well, Milo, you see I haven’t played video games in a really long time so I can’t really answer that too well. I used to like Donkey Kong when I was younger and music of course. I love music.” Hunter’s cock suddenly took notice when she smiled at Milo. It was a sweet, honest smile and made him long to know how to make her do it again. Damn, he needed to stop it. Every woman he saw, he wanted to get close and personal with. Meaning he wanted to know if their cunt would be snug or loose around his cock.

  “Oh okay. Well after dinner maybe we can play. Well if Daddy and Mommy say it’s okay. Uncle Hunter plays with me all the time, maybe he can help you learn.” Hunter laughed at the sweet gesture. Soon the lot of them joined in and Milo went to show both Shelly and Scarlett his new air hawk toy. Joey finished the steaks and Sky called dinnertime.

  Walking into the dining room, everyone sat down in their normal seats but Scarlett had shifted down some so Shelly could fit in right next to him. Everyone put a steak on their plate and Joey helped make a cheeseburger for Milo instead. Passing around the bowls he watched as Shelly put small portions on her plate. Once the food was dished out, the woman had a glass of wine while everyone else had a beer and a root beer for Milo.

  “So, Shelly, what is it you do for a living?” Mickey asked as they all started to eat.

  “Up until recently I was an interior designer.”

  “Up until recently? I don’t understand?” Mickey kept pushing.

  “Oh, well you see, the company felt I wasn’t a good fit anymore because of well, you know, and so I’m not with them anymore.”

  Hunter watched as embarrassment flushed her face and then it hit him. Damn he was a fuckup, he got this woman fired. “They fired you because of me?” Hunter wasn’t playing anymore. He was generally concerned. He could survive the fallout. But what was she going to do now?

  “It’s not your fault, Hunter. It is what it is. I’ll be fine. Scarlett has been wonderful. I’m going to look into other companies and for a place to live tomorrow now that I have my laptop.”

  He swore he could hear a pin drop as the room got silent.

  “Wait, a place to live too?” Sky looked at Hunter now with a glare he swore would melt ice in Alaska. “Okay spill, Scarlett.” Shelly lowered her head as Scarlett explained how her roommate was paid off and now leaving. How her boss was a douchebag and fired her, making Shelly homeless and jobless. Unable to stop himself he grabbed her hand and leaned in to whisper in her ear.

  “We will fix this, Shelly, I promise.”

  She looked up at him with her big green eyes. “I’ll be fine, Hunter. I’ve taken care of myself this long, I can get through this too.” Hunter had no doubt about her ability to do it, but why should she fix it if he made the mess.

  “Well, you can stay with us until you get on your feet.” His head snapped up as did Shelly’s as Sky spoke. “We have the room and I can maybe even help with a job if you want.” Hunter smiled; leave it to Sky to fix things.

  “Wow, umm, I don’t know what to say.”

  Hunter prayed she would say yes. He really wanted to get to know this sweet woman more. Her soft curves drew him in and for some reason he really wanted Mickey to avoid her as well. His male pride was at stake.

  “Come on, Shelly, say yes, it has to be better than the hotel. Plus no one will know you’re here with us.”

  Hunter watched as Shelly twisted her hands in her lap thinking.

  “Okay, I guess, but just until I get some other place to live. Thank you, Sky.”

  Hunter wanted to do a happy dance but decided to hold off. He had more time to get to know Shelly now.

  After dinner and dessert from their favorite bakery, Sky showed Shelly where she could sleep while Scarlett sent everyone home. He grumbled the whole time but knew what Scarlett was doing. As he turned the key to his house, the silent echo was the exact sound he needed. With an empty house he thought of his perfect plan, well after he smoked a little to wave off all his energy. He would hire Shelly to fix his house up while it allowed him time to get to know her better. Yup, it was the perfect plan.

  Chapter Six

  Sky had shown her to a room she could stay in, but she needed to go back to the hotel and grab her few belongings. Both Scarlett and Sky had informed her movers would be going to her apartment and packing and moving everything to storage until she found some place new to live. With all their reassurances, she was able to sleep great, especially with the amazingly large bed. She woke the next morning feeling better than she thought she would have, but maybe it was because she had people who were looking out for her for once in her life. Happy to see a bathroom attached to the room, she took a quick shower before changing into some jeans and a simple t-shirt. As she brushed out her hair, Shelly took a good look in the mirror, not liking what she saw. Maybe it was time to go on a diet again, join a gym or try running. She wasn’t overly fat, just well proportioned in various undesirable areas. Resigned to her fate, she ended up pulling her long hair into a ponytail before heading downstairs. The smell of coffee filled the room along with really loud laughing. Making it down she noticed Milo was sitting at the table with a bowl of cereal with Joey and Hunter.

  “Hi, Ms. Shelly. I’m having cereal before school. Want some? I have Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops or Uncle Hunter’s favorite, Coco Pebbles.” The sweet boy looked at her and she couldn’t help but smile. He had an infectious personality.

  “I think coffee works for me, Milo, if it’s okay.” The boy smiled and nodded before he went back to eating and joking with his dad. In the kitchen she couldn’t help but smile and admire how big it was. She loved its open layout and how easy things were to find. Locating the cups she poure
d a cup, finding the sugar and creamer before taking a drink. The rich dark liquid woke the part of her still in a fog. This was really good coffee, and she couldn’t help but let a slight moan escape. She was used to the cheap stuff on sale or her Starbucks when she could afford to get it. This was heaven in a cup.

  “Man, how I wish I was the reason for the reaction.” She gasped and spun, almost dropping her cup, to find Hunter standing behind her. “Sorry, sweet cheeks, didn’t mean to scare you.” Shelly gave him her best glare. It seemed he liked to use the damn line on a lot of women.

  “Does it work for you?”

  “What work for me?”

  “Calling women sweet cheeks?” she asked.

  “Well they haven’t complained yet, so I guess so.”

  She watched as he looked slightly uncomfortable. “Well if it does or doesn’t, I would appreciate it if you didn’t use it on me. I have a name, it’s Shelly, in case you forgot.” Damn I’m in a mood.

  “Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t. Damn, this wasn’t how I wanted to start this morning.” He was looking at something other than her.

  “It’s okay, Hunter. I get the feeling this is normally how you are. Is there something I can help you with?” She tried to put on her sweet face because she wasn’t a bitch by nature, but the sweet cheeks comment really ate at her.

  “Um, yeah there was. I need your help or I mean I can hire you.”

  “Help or hire?”

  “Both, look this isn’t coming out right. My house, well, it’s empty, but that’s kind of an understatement. The only thing with furniture is my room and I have a few old pieces in the garage. So basically I need it to look like I live there. It feels really empty, if that makes any sense.”

  Shelly watched as Hunter floundered for words as he spoke to her. But in the end she really did need the money and having someone famous on her resume would really help her career.

  “Okay, if I do this, it’s just a work thing okay? I don’t want my name in the tabloid again, is that understood? I don’t want to be labeled some groupie you screw a time or two against a wall.” But as she said the words she felt him stiffen and a sad look crossed his face. Oh shit. “Crap, I’m sorry, Hunter, I know this wasn’t your fault or anything, I just. Hey, let’s forget about it. When do you want me to start?” God, he acted like a kid at times, and made her wonder if he ever had to grow up.

  “I can show you the house this morning. I have a charity function I have to go to with Scarlett tonight, but this way you can get some ideas.” She nodded and asked if she could finish her coffee before they left. Looking into one of her bags she pulled out a tape measure, her small digital camera, pen and paper, and went to grab her keys. That is when it hit her; she didn’t have her car either. She needed to fix it and soon.

  When she walked out the door Hunter was talking with Joey who was laughing at something he said.

  “Hey, honey, Hunter is taking you over to his house and I will pick you up when you’re done. We can get your car afterwards, if it’s okay with you?” Joey asked her sweetly. Looking at the man she only saw a rough exterior but it seemed he was like a giant teddy bear.

  “Sure, Mr. Hart, it’ll be good,” she answered, trying to sound polite.

  “Oh please, it’s Joey, Mr. Hart I’m not. And it’s no trouble, plus if I’m not nice, my wife would wring my neck and make me sleep in the pool house.” He smiled at her.

  Nodding, she got into the passenger side of the car as he held open the door.

  “Here is my cell number call or text me when you’re done. Sky is running some errands and should be back in a while but then she has to get Milo.” Then he shut the door leaving her in the small sports car with Hunter. His smell alone seemed to get her nipples standing at attention. It had been so long since she had paid any attention to a man, but it was always one way and not the other. She got the same complement all her life. You have such a pretty face, if you would lose about twenty pounds men would love you more. And so on. It’s not like she hasn’t tried but she enjoyed food, and running was not her thing. Looking out the window she tried to focus on the task at hand, and right now it was to make Hunter’s house the way he wanted it.

  *****

  Hunter drove to Joey’s house early to talk with him about hiring Shelly to fix his house up. However the bastard just laughed and told him he was falling for her. Was he? He didn’t know her. He said it was just because he felt sorry for her and the situation he caused. This whole being famous thing was a lot of work he hadn’t expected. He remembered when they played at dive bars and women flocked to them for a quick fuck and left. There were no pictures, tabloids, or secrets he needed to share with others. He didn’t have to call Scarlett for an NDA at concerts. But here he was stuck cleaning up his rep and helping someone who got caught in the crossfire when she helped a friend.

  Pulling into his house he took a quick glance at Shelly and the excitement in her eyes made him smile. She was sweet and kind. She also seemed to call him on his crap too. She told him to stop calling her sweet cheeks. The funny part was he hadn’t even realized he had done it. Trying to watch his P’s and Q’s, he stopped and climbed out of his car as did Shelly.

  “Home sweet home,” he stated while he walked to the door unlocking it. The evil echo sounded and he was really happy to avoid it again.

  “Wow, I can tell already you have nothing. When did you move in?” Hunter felt a small blush come over him.

  “Umm about a year now. I just didn’t get around to doing anything with it. I spend a lot of time either at Mickey’s or Joey’s house. They have good food and beer,” he said while he pocketed his keys shutting the door behind them.

  “Okay let’s fix it, well some of it.” Her sweet smile came out and he was happy to know he was the one who put it there. Her green eyes twinkled with excitement and, for once in his life, he wanted to get to know a woman better and not just for sex.

  “Okay, this is the hallway and the living room is over here.” He went over and explained what he would like in each room even though she was taking notes, she made several suggestions he actually liked. After showing her the rest of the house it was getting close to lunchtime. She said she still needed to take measurements so he offered to get lunch. Calling the local pizza place he loved, he ordered two pizzas and a bottle of Coke for them. She finished the living room by the time the doorbell rang and he went to grab it. The whole time she was measuring, he admitted to himself he was totally checking out her ass. She wasn’t his normal type of woman but maybe it was a good thing. She was curvy in all the right places. Large natural breasts that looked like more than a handful and an ass that could take a full handprint. The thought made his cock strain against his pants. He was glad for the distraction of food.

  “Shelly, food is here, come eat, sweetheart.” He pulled out some paper plates and ranch dressing along with two red solo cups.

  “I can see the bachelor pad now.” She laughed as she pointed to his choice of plates and cups.

  “I said I don’t normally stay home. Maybe we should add it to the list too.” He joked as he picked up a piece of peperoni and mushroom and put it on his plate with some ranch.

  “You eat it with ranch dressing?”

  Hunter laughed, he was used to people making fun of him because of this but, he liked it how he liked it. “Yup, you should try it.” He dipped it in before holding a slice up for her to try. He waited to see what she would do but she opened her mouth and took a bite. But her response made him happy. She laughed a full on laugh.

  “Okay, I admit it’s good. I think I will have some too.” Taking the bottle she squirted some on her plate. They ate for a couple minutes in silence before she started on her questions.

  “So, do you cook, Hunter?”

  “I can but I don’t like cooking for myself. I guess I should start again sometime. But all I have is one pot and one pan. So more we need, huh?”

  Her smile was infectious and soon he started talking abo
ut things he liked to make and she nodded and ate. This was the first time he actually had a conversation with a woman who wasn’t Scarlett or Sky. He missed it. It was different talking with her than his bandmates. Sure he could joke and make smartass comments with them but he knew no one took him seriously. He was the jokester of the bunch, the giant kid who played games and fucked the groupies. The one who still liked video games and hot women. But he wanted more, especially after seeing Sky and Joey. Maybe Shelly could help him grow up some or at least he hoped she could.

  “So you have a few pieces of furniture in the garage, what are those?” Her question shook him out of his trance.

  “Umm, a few instruments, a keyboard, things like that.”

  “Keyboard? Don’t tell me a rocker knows how to play the piano.” She smirked at him.

  “I play a lot of things but I learned the piano when I was younger and it’s my favorite when I’m stressed.”

  “Well I just had a brilliant idea then.” Her face lit up even more than before and suddenly he knew he needed to have this woman in his life. She gave him hope he could do more, be more than what he had been. Now, how to pull it off was going to be the challenge.

  Chapter Seven

  Joey picked her up at Hunter’s and she asked if he knew of a place she could get a piano and he told her he did. Now she knew what to do with the big empty room he had no idea how to fill—a piano. Doing a little happy dance she pulled out her laptop and got to work. This would be perfect, along with some photographs. Lost in work she didn’t hear the knock at the door.

  “Shelly, sorry to bug you but dinner is ready if you want some. It’s nothing fancy, just mac and cheese with hot dogs. Milo’s favorite on Fridays. Oh, hey are those the plans for Hunter’s house. I’m so excited you are doing this. His house gives me the creeps because it’s so empty I can hear myself breathe.” Sky came and sat down next to her. Shelly showed her the plans she had laid out, Sky seemed as excited about it all too.