Don't Game Me (Game Lords Book 2)

by Zoe Forward

  He wondered about Noah’s impatience to get down the aisle, exchange rings, and get on with life. Kids, holidays…the whole shebang. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad future.

  Oh, hell, no.

  Wedding madness had infected his brain. He didn’t do this kind of forever shit, the kind Becca deserved and wanted.

  A small voice nagged inside his head, asking, “Why not try?” He should talk to Becca. At least smooth things over a bit and see if she needed someone to talk to about her stressful job. Maybe all she needed was a push to quit the job.

  There’d be no do-over of last night. He’d end up hurting her. Okay, already done that, at least emotionally this morning. Physically? He’d never touched a woman out of anger in his life. That’d been his father’s M.O. Heightened emotions led to crazy in his family. The only time he lost it, on his father, scared the hell out of him because it’d felt natural.

  Becca stood by Michael, preparing to walk the aisle to the beat of the Pachelbel’s Canon in D played by a piano and cello duet. Her right middle toe burned with the development of a monster blister. This was what she got for going for beauty over comfort when selecting heels. Yet she smiled and disregarded her foot pain. No limping allowed, a dictate her mom laid down when she offhandedly mentioned to Emma her toes were killing her in these heels.

  Michael whispered, “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks. You look pretty handsome yourself.”

  He winked and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “I’m proud of Noah. He did well.”

  “That he did.”

  “You okay? You seem off. The whole catching the bouquet thing last year doesn’t mean anything.”

  “I’m fine. It’s not such a bad thing to be unattached. Maybe I’ll start dating again soon. If I find someone, but we don’t get married right away that’s a loophole in the prophecy, isn’t it?”

  “You think Mom won’t drive you nuts for a wedding too?”

  “She might, but it’s not her decision. She just wants grandkids. She won’t care if we’ve got rings on fingers.” She raised her eyebrows meaningfully at her brother.

  “Don’t be giving me that look. I’m not ready for kids. I just broke up with my girlfriend.” Michael shuddered.

  She patted his hand. “I’m so sorry about all that. We’re up.”

  Cameras clicked to the side of the church, at least two photographers were from big-name magazines, and there was the official photographer. Michael dropped her off on the bridesmaid side. She nodded thanks.

  When she found her spot in the bridesmaid lineup, her glassy eyes met Jake’s for an instant. He smiled.

  Guilt hit hard. She glanced away.

  This moment wasn’t about them. This was Noah and Tori’s moment. Like her, maybe Jake was caught up in the beauty of the music, the decorated church, and the hundred or so guests who’d packed in to see these two tie the knot.

  If only the minister would behave himself today and not go on forever about some arcane topic.

  The bridal march. Everyone stood. Tori’s dress was spectacular—a stunning fairy princess gown. So perfect. The fit was just right for her. Noah beamed. Becca wanted that kind of love—the kind that could barely contain itself to have the rings on the correct fingers and be on the plane to the destination honeymoon.

  About an hour later, Becca shifted on her feet while the minister blathered on and on and on. Come on, enough. Let’s get on to the party. His speech reviewed the sanctity of marriage, a reprise from yesterday, and tossed in the importance of family and friends. All excellent topics, but her foot pain had now progressed beyond toes to the entire arch of her foot. Her mother’s warning echoed in her heard. Keep your shoulders straight and stay still. People are watching.

  Jake trapped her in his gaze again. He maintained a professional, concentrated look, but something in the depths of his eyes flared hot. She shot him a when will this ever end wide-eye.

  His lips twitched but didn’t break into a full smile.

  Long minutes later, the minister said, “As you exchange the vows, which will start your journey together, know that the love and support of everyone here today goes with you.”

  Yippee. Finally, the vows.

  As soon as the ceremony ended, the wedding party was herded outside for pictures. Press lined the periphery, clicking photos. Security kept them at bay behind a taped-off fence. The guests poured down the street to reception at a restaurant with a huge backyard party space.

  Her mom fussed with her purse, and her dad argued quietly with her.

  She overheard her mom say to her dad, “I can tell you prefer to be at home, Connell. I want what’s best for you because I love you. If you give me some time, perhaps I can figure out something. In the meantime, we’d really love to have your company for a while longer.”

  As they walked out to the back of the church into the flower garden, she leaned in to whisper to her mom, “Is he having a hard time today?”

  Stress lined her mother’s face. “I don’t think the party is going to happen for him, honey. All these people. He’s had a few lapses today that really threw him for a loop, and I think he’s in a lot more pain than he claims after his fall. He needs the familiarity and routine of home.”

  “Do you want me to take him home? I’ll stay with him tonight.”

  Her mom bit her lip and stared at the wedding party. Laughter and clapping surrounded them when Tori and Noah kissed again. Her mom finally said, “Let’s see how pictures go.”

  After a few pictures, her father twitched with agitation. His face turned blotchy red, and his voice began cracking.

  “Please, Mom. Let me take him home,” Becca whispered to her mother.

  Her mom batted away a tear. “No, I should be the one to go with your father. I don’t know what’s wrong. He’d been doing so well these past few weeks, but in the last two days… You go to the reception so you can dance and eat cake.”

  “You’re needed here and at the reception. Noah needs you. I’m not essential. Really, it’ll be fine if I go.”

  Gratitude passed through her mom’s gaze. “Are you sure?”

  She’d miss the party, but she’d be tortured all night about what she’d done, being there and seeing Jake and Noah. “Yes, Mom. No one will even know I’m not there.”

  “Okay. I’ll see if I can send someone to take over for you after a while, or I’ll come home in a bit to allow you to go to the reception.”

  Jake pressed close behind her. She jumped when he bumped against her.

  “I’ll drive you and your dad home,” he said low so both she and her mom could hear.

  “How’d you overhear?” Becca whispered back, hoping no one else would pick up on the crisis. Her heart pounded at his closeness. He smelled amazing. She stared at his lips, remembering yesterday, but yanked herself out of the distracting memories of last night. She wanted to cross the line and fall for the temptation of Jake again.

  His gaze smoldered as if he knew exactly the effect he had on her. Damn him.

  He said, “Let me help.”

  “We won’t fit in your car.” Her voice came out a higher pitch than normal. Up-close-and-super-personal with Jake right now wasn’t a good idea, not with her emotions still at the boil over point from this morning in combination with disappointment at potentially missing all of the reception.

  “I’ve got Noah’s car. The Toyota SUV. He drove us here, but he’s going to the hotel in the limo after the party.”

  She glanced at her dad. He looked like he was in a lot of pain. Relief surpassed her anxiety. She didn’t want to do this alone, but Jake couldn’t babysit too. He had to give the best man speech. The party. The press. Then whoever he hooked up with afterward.

  “I’m driving you, Becca. No arguing. Let me tell Noah what’s going on.” Jake stepped away.

  After Jake spoke softly to Noah, her brother cast her a worried look. He whispered to Tori. Tori whispered to Emma, who came over to Becca and pulled
her into a hug. She whispered, “Thank you. Noah said to call if you needed anything.”

  “It’ll be fine.” Like hell, she’d call Noah on his wedding night. She cast Noah a tight smile she hoped convinced him all was great.

  “Hey, Dad, why don’t we go home for a little while,” Becca suggested to her father. She hooked her arm through his. “I’m so tired. I could really use a rest. Maybe after a bit, we can see if we feel like coming back.” She forced a smile.

  His glazed stare broke her heart. He finally said, “Well, if you’re feeling tired. Then, that sounds like a good idea. I could handle being off my feet a while.”

  Jake wove through traffic in the silent car. Noah had purchased it only a few months ago, and it still smelled new. What a wonderful smell.

  Finally, Jake said, “Beautiful wedding.”

  Her father grumbled, “I thought the minister would never end his blabbering. Couldn’t even understand what the hell he was talking about.”

  Jake smothered a laugh. “Yeah, me too. My feet were killing me.”

  “You weren’t the one in heels,” Becca said from the back seat.

  Once inside her parents’ place, Jake helped get her dad settled into his favorite lounge chair in front of the TV. When her dad got distracted flipping through channels, she stepped to the front door with Jake.

  Jake’s cell phone dinged. “I’ve got to return. They’re doing the dinner first, which means speeches. I wish you’d be there, but…can I bring you anything?”

  “Can you have someone record the speeches and send them to me tonight?” She smiled through her disappointment.

  “This isn’t fair,” he said. “I’m sorry, and not just for you missing the party tonight. I want you there. I know Noah and Tori want you there. I’m also sorry for what happened this morning. I was an ass, and I feel lousy about it.”

  Her heart pounded so hard between her ears that she could barely think. “Jake, I…”

  Hunger shown in his eyes. Familiar heat swirled between them. The world narrowed as if only the two of them existed. She wanted to kiss him again.

  Hoarsely, he said, “I gotta go. I don’t want to leave, but I have no choice.”

  An hour later, Mom texted: Want me to come back?

  She replied: Stay there. Dad’s asleep.

  Her cell phone rang a short while later. Tori said, “I miss you. Wish you could be here. You doing okay?”

  “We’re watching reruns of Big Valley. Dad fell asleep after ice cream. All is good.”

  Tori cleared her throat. “I was just thinking. Well, watching Jake tonight. He’s solemn. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s broody because you’re not here, but that might just be me being wishful. His speech was pretty great.”

  “He’s not angling to hook up with one of my bustier cousins, is he?”

  “It doesn’t seem like he’s in the game tonight.”

  Becca’s heart flip-flopped. “Are you having fun?”

  “We miss you.”

  “Wish I was there,” she admitted in a small voice.

  “If no one catches the bouquet when I throw it, I’m giving it to you. Maybe it’ll buy you another year’s grace to find your guy. It’ll be fate or something because you deserve all this next.”

  If I survive long enough. “Have fun for me. I’m taking off tomorrow morning and may not see you again…for a while.”

  Tori’s tone changed from humor. “You will call me before you go. I want to know your plane landed okay tomorrow.”

  “I’ll try.” She hung up before she started truly bawling.

  “You okay there, Bec?” her father asked.

  She patted his arm and smiled. “I’m good. This is the best night ever. How long has it been since just the two of us got to hang out?”

  “Ages.” He relaxed back into his chair. “Good to have you home, Bec.”

  Her heart nearly stopped with how much she missed him and this.

  Her mom arrived two hours later. “Honey, you sure you’re okay? You look really tired.”

  “Probably jet lag.”

  With a huge hug, her mom whispered, “Thank you for tonight.”

  She whispered back to avoid waking her father, “I wish I could come home. I miss you guys. We might not have him as the remembering him for much longer.”

  Her mom crumpled, and she wiped at her eyes. She hugged her again.

  “Don’t cry, Mom.”

  “I’d be glad to have you here, but I want you to live your dreams, honey. You said last year you couldn’t find your dreams here.”

  “Nothing in California is my dream. I’ll try to come home as soon as I can.”

  17

  She’d barely changed into a T-shirt and jeans at the hotel when someone knocked at her door. Now what?

  A peek through the peephole. Oh, no. Did he find out she’d done something? She wouldn’t open the door. He’d go away eventually.

  “I can hear you staring at me,” he said.

  She pulled open the door.

  Jake held up a paper to-go bag. “I brought you dinner and cake.”

  “That was thoughtful.” Her heart flipped over itself as she gazed at the bag. A melting sensation started in the dead center of her chest. You will not fall under his spell again, no matter how thoughtful this gesture may be.

  “How’d it go at your parents’ place?”

  “Big Valley rerun heaven.”

  “Now I feel like a jerk. We celebrated while you were in Big Valley hell.” His lips trembled against a smile.

  She shrugged. “Dad needed to be at home. I think he hurt from the fall more than he let on.”

  “Come back to my place. You can watch the speeches. I even have wine. The wine tonight was good, but I’ve got better.”

  “We’re not doing a rerun of last night. Me and alcohol leads to bad life choices.”

  “I’m not here seeking a rerun. I felt bad you couldn’t be at the reception. Everyone missed you, but Noah was thankful you could be with your dad tonight. I think that meant more to him and Tori than anything.”

  “I would like to see the speeches…”

  “We can put it on the big screen at my place if you want. We’ll watch after you eat. Then I’ll drive you back here. Really, no ulterior motive.” He held up his hands, bag in one. “Swear.”

  She didn’t want to be alone. Yet, she didn’t want to be there when someone at NJ Legacy discovered the server breach and exploded his world. What came out of her mouth was, “Okay. My flight leaves at noon tomorrow. Got to be back on Monday morning.”

  Becca followed Jake through the lobby, arms wrapped around herself, trying to get a grip. She was shaking but had no idea why. Was it her heart melting at his kind gesture of cake and food while feeling guilty? Maybe the trembles were over desire for them to explore an ulterior motive. The fact she was tempted to say what the hell and jump back into Jake’s bed scared her.

  That assumed he actually wanted them in bed again. Something Michael said years ago flitted through her mind. Guys only hang around, Bec, if they’re interested.

  She should say goodbye here at the hotel entrance, cry it out in her room, and order a huge bottle of wine.

  Jake opened the door of Noah’s SUV and helped her up.

  She took a few deep breaths, trying to clear the jitters from her brain while Jake walked around to the driver’s side.

  His hot gaze raked down her T-shirt to the jeans before he started the car. He might as well have touched her. She fidgeted and pulled at her shirt, hoping he couldn’t see the peaks of her nipples through the cloth. She fought the urge to cross her arms.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his hand resting on his thigh as he drove. How she wanted him to touch her. If he did, she’d be lost.

  “It was a long night without you there,” he said so softly she almost missed it.

  She picked at her nails. Her bottom lip quivered. She hoped it didn’t signal the onset of tears. Too late. A few l
eaked. She had wanted to sign the guest book and see the first dance, which she’d heard so much about from Tori after weeks of practice. There were a few cousins from Missouri she hadn’t spent time with in years who she’d wanted to see.

  “Don’t cry. I know you wanted to be there.” He touched her cheek. “We should’ve known your father couldn’t make it through the event, not after the fall.”

  “I’m fine.” She forced a smile.

  “Every time you say that convinces me of the opposite.” His large hand gripped hers and tangled his fingers with hers. “You wouldn’t have liked the media. They cornered all of us for interviews multiple times.”

  A smile tweaked her lips. “Did you lose your shirt again during an interview?”

  He let go of her hand to maneuver the SUV into a parking space in the deck for his building. “No. The last thing I wanted was to upstage the wedding.”

  Once parked, he didn’t exit the car. He turned to face her. “I’m sorry for this morning. But, before we get out, I need you to tell me the truth. What the hell’s going on in California with this job that you shouldn’t have?”

  She struggled to hide her fear before she met his gaze but couldn’t stare at him for more than a second. “I can’t do this. Don’t ask me. It’s been a long day. I’m here for cake and to see the speeches. If you’re going to get like this, take me back.”

  He tilted her chin to meet his gaze. “You’re scaring the hell out of me.”

  “I don’t want to do real life right now. You and I are back to normal, which means we don’t do this. Can we leave it at that?”

  He gazed at her, searching her face as if she puzzled him. His turbulent eyes mesmerized her. After a few seconds of staring, she wanted resolution.

  Either kiss me, let’s get out of the car, or drive me back to the hotel.

  She wanted the kiss so much her lips tingled, and her entire body felt as if it would go up in flames if he didn’t. His gaze melted through all her defenses.

  Just when she thought he’d lean in and ease the ache that had taken root in her abdomen, he released her chin, opened his door, and stepped out. He shuffled around to open her door for her and grabbed the bags of food off the back seat.