Romance: Playing With Fire - Contemporary Romance (Chasing Happiness Series, Romance, Contemporary Romance Book 1)

by Adams, Nancy

  The man took her hand. He seemed to massage his thumb into the surface of her skin. Tina stiffened at his touch. He was strong. “Brett,” he offered back with a smile. “I was so fascinated with your work. You said you cut the pieces yourself, right?”

  Pulling her hand back, Tina nodded. “I have several wood working tools I use to make my puzzles.” She paused, mystified by her own hesitation to simply converse with him.

  She was married—yes—but that didn’t mean she couldn’t talk to men, did it? Glancing around the room, Tina noticed that the loft was bare save for a sprinkle of single and coupled groups. From the stage, the singer let the saxophone player stretch out a soft accompaniment to the piano player’s melody.

  When she faced Brett again, she shrugged sheepishly. “Do you like puzzles?” Her voice was strained and uncomfortable, seeming to shake as she spoke.

  With a deep intake of air, Brett placed a foot on the foot bar lining the dark, stained structure. “I like creativity. I was at that fair because I was trying to find a unique gift for my niece.”

  Tina smiled. “So you don’t like puzzles?”

  Returning her grin, Brett leaned into the bar with an elbow on the surface. “I liked your puzzles,” he said with emphasis. “I bought two. I wish they were already put together though.”

  Relaxing, Tina allowed herself a small laugh. “I’m glad you liked my work to remember me,” locking free hair behind her ear, she crossed her arms loosely.

  “You were someone worth taking note of,” he said simply.

  His comment shook Tina. Was that a compliment or did he just hit on me? She took Brett in more closely. He wore a wide, infectious grin. “I’m just sorry I don’t remember you. Did we talk long back then?”

  With a deep shrug, Brett let out a belly laugh which warmed Tina as she stood in his presence. “I can’t remember!”

  When their shared laughed died down, Tina mimicked Brett’s relaxed stance and leaned on the bar. “How did your niece like her present?”

  With a smile returning, Brett hesitated before opening his mouth to speak, “She loved it. So much I gave her the second one to put together for me. I got her a bird house puzzle and the cottage house, plain. I think she’s getting ready to start painting them next.”

  Tina marveled at his words. “That’s incredible,” she felt a bead of pride sprout within her. John never commented on her puzzles or how well she did at the fairs she was invited to or submitted her work to juries for.

  Brett reached towards her then, touching the side of her arm. Feeling the touch jogged her out of the self-marvel. Their eyes connected. He smiled at her warmly. “That’s how I felt about your puzzles, too, by the way.”

  His words struck something within her. She wanted to open her mouth, but instead, only managed to maintain eye contact. His eyes were beautiful.

  “Do you come here often?” He changed the topic then, taking a moment to signal the bartender.

  “Oh, I used to,” Tina said, bubbling over, “but that was before I,” she stopped, voice caught in her throat. Before I got engaged.

  With her sudden silence, Brett turned back to her. “Before what?” She stammered, unable to hold his gaze. Did he see her wedding rings?

  “Here’s your water,” the bartender interrupted them. He put his own elbows on the counter top and nodded towards the stage. “Tonya adds some great fire to this atmosphere. You should see her on Fridays when we’re packed.” He directed the last part of his statement at Tina, causing her to glance towards the female singer on stage. “Think you’ll come back to hear Brett here Sunday?”

  Tina snapped her attention towards Brett. He laughed hesitantly at the bewilderment in her eyes. “I’m not a rock star,” he said quickly, shooting the bartender a look with furrowed brows. “Sometimes I sing here, nothing big.”

  “He usually plays solo though, why are you being shy?” The large man stood tall, laughing.

  Through gritted teeth Brett addressed the bartender, “Why don’t you get back to your job.”

  Tina chuckled, watching the large man leave them with a jolly smile. “Do you work here?” She asked, more at ease. Brett only smiled, hesitant to answer. “I won’t judge you. I think it’s awesome that you play and sing.”

  Finally, he allowed himself to laugh, catching his friend’s sidelong glance as he attended to a woman approaching the bar behind Tina. “No, I’m one of the owners.”

  “Oh,” Tina’s eyes grew wide, and then wider as she realized his words. “You own the club? This club?” She stopped herself short, unable to hide her surprise.

  With a sigh, Brett lifted his water to his lips. After a drink, he sat it down and looked at her squarely. “Tell you what—if you’re really curious, I can tell you the whole story. Not tonight though. I’m actually here on business,” he stopped abruptly then, glancing quickly at his watch.

  Tina remembered her own party then. How long had she been talking to Brett? “I’ve got to go too,” she stuttered looking around. No one was coming up the steps, in fact, she was sure she could hear Beth from the floor below. As she began to take a step away, Brett reached for her again.

  “Come back Tuesday in the evening.” His frankness accosted her. She blinked in returned. I’m married. I can’t come back. “You can come back tomorrow if you want, but I won’t be able to talk then.” He didn’t seem to notice her uneasiness as he let his soft grip on the tip of her elbow go. “So, Tuesday at five?” He didn’t wait for a response, giving her a smile and a nod instead. “I’ll see you then, Christina.”

  His lingering gaze set something aglow within her. Nodding with choppy movements, Tina remained silent. He slipped from her then, pausing to finish off the rest of his water before he turned from her and left the way he came. He approached two men who appeared older than he was. Definitely here on business…she observed, watching as he greeted the men with wide arms. They laughed and greeted, shaking hands freely.

  Before they turned to take a seat, Brett shot a glance over his shoulder. His right eye caught hers briefly in that moment, beautiful smile still dancing across his face.

  A New Possibility

  Chapter Five

  Tina left quickly after Brett had returned his attention to his business party. The bartender had given her a sly grin, one she ignored. She made her way back to her friends on the second floor. As she had suspected, the bottle was more than half gone with just enough for her to get one small glass.

  She had been gone so long that the attention was no longer on her. Hannah, Beth, and Sue were talking boy problems now. The alcohol had them all feeling frisky. After another 30 minutes of gossip and tipsy-girl sex talk, they decided to leave, their conversation only getting wilder during the ride home.

  The night passed by in a blur. Their loud voices fading into the back ground as Tina addressed the soft warmth bubbling in her stomach. She was too old to ignore the attraction she had towards Brett, and too wise to lie to herself about wanting to see him again. There would be no harm in it... She could have male friends, couldn’t she?

  By the time Sue and Hannah were dropped off, Beth felt safe enough to drive. She had calmed down and for the majority of the ride home, the two sat in silence. Tina was too lost in thought to notice that Beth had stopped outside her house.

  “You’re really hurt that he forgot about today, aren’t you?” Beth asked softly.

  Tina snapped her head towards her friend. She stammered as she came back to reality, thinking of John. “Oh—oh, yeah. He’s a jerk.”

  “No, it’s more than that, isn’t it?” Beth put her hands behind her neck, indicating that she had nowhere to go.

  “Well, yeah. You know John’s been a little absent lately,” Tina looked out the window. He would probably be asleep on the couch. “He’s not happy but I don’t know why.”

  “I don’t think it’s your job to find out why,” Beth said flatly. Tina stiffened, unsure of her friend’s tone.

  “What are y
ou getting at?”

  With a shrug, Beth took a deep breath. “I’ve been your friend for a while now. John is only getting worse. When will you let yourself live and be happy?”

  Tina blinked, repeating her friend’s word back to herself. “You think I should leave him?”

  “We’ve all thought you should leave him two years ago when he refused to visit your family for Christmas because you had just visited his for Thanksgiving and he was tired.” Beth gestured wildly when she talked, emphasizing certain words with hand quotation marks and making faces on other words she pronounced with disgust.

  “And now he forgets the one day that has always meant so much to you throughout the entirety of your relationship?” She rolled her eyes, throwing her hands up in anger. “How do you forget the day you proposed to your wife and she said yes?” Her voice began to raise. “You’ve never even asked him to remember or plan anything. You do the planning because it’s a day you want to cherish with him. And he’s too tired?” She scoffed thickly. “Tired from what?” She was nearly yelling now.

  Tina shifted uncomfortably, confused by her friend’s sudden outburst. Unsure of what to say, she remained silent as Beth breathed heavily. Her demeanor changed suddenly, and she sat up, running her hands over her face and then down over her hair.

  “I don’t mean to yell. I just,” she sighed deeply, “you always wonder why I am the way I am,” Beth turned towards Tina then. “You’re like a sister to me, Tina. You know that, don’t you?” Tina nodded, smiling kindly. “Well, I’ve seen jerks like John before. They’ve used me, abused me, and strung me along until I almost lost my sanity.” She shook her head.

  “You’re better than this.” Beth turned towards Tina, catching her eyes in a lock before she continued. “You’re better than him. You know I would never try to tell you what to do, but I can’t hold it in anymore. You deserve happiness.”

  Her friend’s words stuck with her as she said goodnight and retired to her house. John was asleep on the couch, a foot free to rest on the coffee table that was sprinkled with beer bottles. He had invited friends over in her absence that evening it seemed. So much for being tired.

  In her bedroom, Tina changed her clothes slowly, welcoming the silence to the loud thoughts buzzing in her head. She had never considered divorce before. Even the mere thought of the word seemed so taboo to her, raised in a strict southern-style Christian household, she knew no one in her family would understand or even support her feelings if it were a road she ventured down.

  Sitting down on the bed, she met her own gaze through the mirror accompanying the nine drawer chest directly in front of her. She sat with just her bra and panties on, and took herself in fully, noticing the length of her dirty blonde hair. She had a small, round face that ended with a smooth, pointed chin. Dusty emerald eyes stared back at her.

  She shifted her focus from her reflection to her wedding rings. John was so different six years ago when she had first met him. He fell over himself every day to get time with her. He canceled plans with friends and was always so eager to set up dates. His overt feelings for her touched her in a way no other man had. Suddenly, she was important and mattered to someone.

  When she fell for him, she fell hard. She couldn’t even remember when he stopped being the John she used to love so much—the John that accompanied her to her craft shows, that used to boast about her work to friends, and even helped her business by suggesting her items as gifts to friends.

  He used to be proud of her. And now? Tina slowly pushed the rings off her finger and turned them over in the pads of her fingertips. “Now he doesn’t even care that I exist.”

  Chasing Dreams

  Chapter Six

  The air was stuffy, a huge contrast from the previous night when only smooth music and a low rumble of mixed voices greeted Tina and her friends. It was Sunday, and there were a lot more people than before. She had just been given entrance to the second floor. These people weren’t kids. They were adults looking to meet and connect with other mature adults. That’s why she had purchased a membership to the club—that’s why anyone ever became a member here.

  They were tired of the college students and late twenty-somethings running from their responsibilities. Along with the increase in patronages, so too had the volume risen from a conversational rumble to a step below a cafeteria roar.

  As she ascended, she could make out a smooth voice over the speaker system. Her heart rate increased. Is that Brett? She tried to peer through the many heads and bodies standing on the open floor of the lounge.

  She heard pool balls breaking in the distance, empty glasses clanking, women and men laughing. There was too much shifting on the floor for her to see the stage. Some people grooved in their own world on the open floor. Several people lounged at corner tables, playing cards and dominoes.

  “Want a drink? On us this time.”

  Tina turned to the voice. It wasn’t Brett’s. Behind the bar she met the rusty eyes of the bartender grinning back at her. His smile eased her nerves.

  She stammered a yes, and then helped herself to a seat he motioned her too. As she sat, she pulled her purse around to rest on her lap, and took a deep breath. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in a place like this,” she admitted.

  The bartender only nodded, preparing for her a lightly mixed drink. “Hopefully this’ll get you to relax,” he laid out a napkin as he sat a tall, skinny glass down with three cubes of ice. “Enjoy. It’s a Jack and coke.” He nodded towards her drink.

  Tina smiled, feeling giddy inside. She lifted the glass, pulling the straw towards her. The liquid was both cold and hot. As it made its way down her throat, she felt its warmth smoothing out the flutters within her gut. She smiled, sitting tall with a deep breath. “That’s a great mix. Thanks.”

  “No problem,” he gestured towards the stage. “Brett will be on after this set is done. He’s great in the evening. Really sets a good mood.”

  Tina nodded, feigning mild interest at the stage. “He sings with just acoustic?”

  The bartender nodded. “Mostly. He’s a chill guy,” he paused, then smiled. “I’m Matt, his best friend.”

  Allowing a girlish giggle, Tina locked hair behind her ear. “I figured you guys must be close. How long have you known each other.”

  “Almost ten years.”

  Tina took another sip. “Wow,” she didn’t hide her astonishment, “That’s a long time.”

  Matt nodded. “Brett’s a good guy. You’ll like him. I’ll see if he can come over before he hits the stage—”

  “Oh no,” Tina shook her head quickly. “I just came because it’s Sunday and I wanted some me time,” she spoke so fast her words flowed together like running water. “He doesn’t need to try and see me, I don’t even know him.”

  Matt paused. “Oh, I thought you came to see him.”

  Tina flushed, face beginning to burn. This was a bad idea. In her hesitation, Matt put up a hand. “Don’t worry, you won’t be bugging him.” He didn’t wait for response.

  Get up and leave now. You can always come back Tuesday and play it off. Tina looked around herself hesitantly. She wanted to follow those thoughts, to simply slip off the chair and excuse herself. She didn’t even have to come back to the club. She never used to before except that one night a year…

  “Christina.”

  The familiar sound of Brett’s smooth voice sounded behind her. She stiffened, but at the same time, something within her perked. Turning to him quickly, she didn’t bother to hide her smile. “Hey, Brett,” she breathed.

  Sold

  Chapter Seven

  Brett beamed back at Tina. He wore a bright blue collared shirt fitted loosely over a pair of jeans. His hair had been styled loosely with gel.

  “Couldn’t wait for Tuesday to see me?” His grin sent chills throughout her body. She said nothing at his bold jest. “That’s okay. I was hoping I’d see you tonight, even if for a little bit.”

  Tina looked down
, unable to keep her smile from growing wider. Chuckling, Brett sat down across from her. He watched her closely, laughing again when she opted to busy herself with her drink instead of facing him again.

  “You know,” he eyed her, “you don’t really strike me as the shy type.”

  Feeling the warmth spread throughout her body, Tina felt her cheeks flush. She turned to him boldly then, daring to meet his eyes. “I’m generally not. It’s just been awhile since I’ve been out like this and you,” she paused, “and you’re something else.” She quickly turned her attention back to her glass, finishing the contents.

  Brett chuckled again, signaling for Matt behind the countertop. “What do you normally do?” He asked after ordering is own mixed drink.

  Tina took a deep breath, staring into her empty glass. “Work,” she said softly. She turned to Brett, offering him a weak shrug. “I had a bunch of interests,” she laughed. Brett followed suit, face beaming as he watched her.

  “Had?”

  “Well,” she shrugged again. “You know. Life happened. Bills. I kept a little for me, my puzzles because they made money, and everything else,” she looked away wistfully, deciding not to say more.

  Brett waited a moment, drinking in the silence. “I get it. I’ve been there too. When I was younger I had lots of interests. Only a few were important enough to stay these past ten years.”

  Tina smiled kindly. “Yes, you understand then. Was music something that stayed?”

  Brett shook his head quickly. “No, I just recently allowed myself that these past couple of years.” He paused, watching her motion for him to continue. “I’m just an owner here, but not one of the original ones. I bought into this place about five years ago.”

  “Wow,” Tina nodded. “You know,” she laughed at herself as she tucked hair behind her ears, “I had a membership when they first built this place nine years ago.”