Playing For Love

by J. C. Grant

  “The stop light up there?” he tried again.

  “You got it, The David.”

  I couldn't help but laugh at the way Tara said “The David,” and how annoyed David was by it.

  “So Tara,” David started, “what exactly do you two do on girls’ night?”

  I shouldn't have been surprised with his audacity, but I was.

  “Ohhhhh. We go—”

  “David, just drive,” I interrupted.

  “Did you have a bachelorette party?” Tara asked excitedly.

  “No.”

  “Yes,” David corrected.

  “I’m throwing you one, with strippers and everything!”

  “Fuck, no!” David interjected. “Austin, I’m—”

  Ringing flooded the car.

  “Is that my brother?” Tara leaned forward to read the name. “It's Mathew. Answer it.”

  David gave me a look I couldn't read as he pushed answer.

  “Are you back in town?” Mathew asked, not waiting for a hello.

  I assumed he was talking to me, considering Tara's phone wasn't programmed to our cars, but she was too drunk to remember that.

  “I didn't go anywhere, Mathew.”

  “Tara? Where's Austin?”

  “Oh, my God! Does it ever get old? Where's Austin? Is Austin with you? Do you know where Austin is? Have you talked to Austin? Are you and Austin doing anything tonight?” She made an exaggerated, guttural sigh noise. “We all know you're in love with her.”

  “Tara, where is she?” Mathew sounded annoyed.

  “Oh. My. God. You can't help yourself.” Then she started drunkenly interrogating Mathew. “How often do you jack off thinking about her? Have you ever come from just looking at her? I mean, sometimes I see you staring at her so hard I think you must be fucking her in your mind.” She paused. “Have you ever come in your pants thinking about her?”

  David looked over his shoulder at me, that eyebrow lifted saying, I fucking told you.

  “Why do you have her phone?” Mathew demanded.

  “I don't. I'm in a Range Rover with her and The David. Why are you calling at three in the morning?”

  There was a long moment of silence.

  “They returned yesterday. Austin told me Monday. I asked her to call me when she got back and I couldn't believe she would lie to me intentionally.” His tone was accusing and almost snide.

  David responded before I could. “I told her to tell you Monday. I want some time alone with my wife.”

  “I don't want to talk to you,” Mathew snapped. “I want to talk to Austin.”

  “Too fucking bad. You're talking to me.” David's voice was low and dangerous.

  “Oh shit!” Tara whisper-yelled. “He has the dominance to back up that huge dick.”

  I loved Tara more in that moment.

  “Mathew,” Tara said, being drunk-loud. “She married him. He has a huge dick. It's so over. You are never going to get her. Not that she ever noticed you. But it's game over, buddy.”

  Part of me felt bad for Mathew. Tara doing this in front of David seemed wrong, but part of me was happy to have it out in the open, especially after this new behavior of his.

  Eventually, we heard, “Austin?”

  “Yeah. I'm here.”

  “Call me when he cheats on you like Zach did,” he spat. “I'm guessing maybe two months—at the most.”

  Before any of us could respond, the line disconnected and the music cut back on.

  “You have two I have to deal with. I just have the one,” David grumbled quietly. “At least you don't have to know what she looks like. I know what both these fuckers look like.”

  “Excuse me? I don't think either of them compare to her. She calls more than—”

  “That was such a pussy move.” Tara's too-loud voice drowned us out.

  We pulled into Tara's neighborhood a minute later. Directing him to her house without incident. I moved to the front seat when she got out. He looked over at me as we waited for her to get inside.

  “We're not letting these people come between us.” He said it like a statement, but it was definitely a question.

  “No.”

  “Nothing has changed between us. I've been yours since the moment I saw you, and you're mine. The only thing that has happened, is we have people who don't want us together. That's all this is. Right?”

  I knew he was still insecure about Zach, even though I still didn't understand it. The hot sex allowed me compartmentalize, shut off my feelings about the Dawn situation for now.

  “Right.”

  He looked into my eyes for a long moment, searching. Then he looked away and huffed out a breath.

  “Well, we're over here. And I'm awake now. You want to go to Bob's for pancakes?”

  “Yes! I haven't been to Bob's in forever.”

  I loved Bob’s Big Boy, it was a relaxed old fashioned diner. After the stress and drama, I really needed low-key.

  He pulled out of Tara's driveway and expertly got us back to the main road. As we drove in silence, I turned my head, watching him. I couldn't imagine him cheating on me, but that's how those things got past you, right?

  “What, sweet girl?” his deep voice purred.

  “Just trying to decide if you could really cheat on me.”

  He looked over at me, his hand gripped mine, entwining our fingers. He looked back to the road and swallowed thickly. “It fucking hurts more than you know that you could ever question that.”

  “Is there anything else you're keeping from me?”

  “Just your wedding present. I'm picking it up Monday.”

  “Nothing else you're hiding?”

  “No. I promise you. And you have access to my phone anytime you want.”

  His hand held mine tight during the short trip to Bob's, like he thought I would slip away.

  The parking lot was eerily empty as he parked by the front. He climbed out and was opening my door before I finished checking my unwashed sleep face in the visor mirror.

  “You're fucking gorgeous, sweetheart,” he rasped softly. The sincerity in his voice soothed the deep ache inside I was trying to ignore. “Come on.”

  He helped me out of the truck, then wrapped a heavy arm around me, tucking me close as we entered the historic establishment—historic for LA, anyway.

  An older woman approached us, immediately leading us to a booth in the back. It was obvious she recognized him, but she said nothing, which was why I loved this place, they treated everyone the same.

  As I scooted into the curved booth, David ordered.

  “Can we get coffee and two orders of pancakes? And two waffles, both with sausage.”

  He slid into the booth in one deft move, bumping into my side.

  “Want strawberries?” he asked suddenly.

  “Mmm. No, but I want whip cream on my waffle.”

  He was up, walking after the waitress before I finished my sentence.

  Seconds later, he came back with a little bounce in his step. He looked so cute and carefree, like Thursday when we were alone—the day after our wedding. It was surreal, we had barely been married seventy-two hours, hadn't even been back in LA for two days yet, and I had already given divorce serious consideration. It was still a valid option.

  “Whip cream on the waffle, coming up.” He slid back in next to me. “Who's the best husband ever?”

  I huffed out a laugh, his carefree mood was contagious.

  “Am I fucking up the husband job?” he asked quietly, suddenly serious. Obviously, picking up on my mood.

  I didn't want to discuss any of our drama—specifically, Dawn. We'd be dealing with it soon enough.

  “No. Definitely not.” I wrapped my arms around his thick bicep, leaning against his shoulder, wishing our baggage would disappear. His lips pressed to my head a second later.

  “I'm sorry things have been so fucked up since we got home, sweetheart. I didn't think it would be this bad... You wanna buy an island and eat carbs all d
ay?”

  I couldn't help but smile at that.

  “Can that be our backup plan?” I asked, looking up at him.

  “Hell yeah, it can.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Austin, wake up. You need to eat and call Elaine.” David woke me abruptly Monday morning.

  My eyes squeezed tight. From his tone, I knew today was not going to be a day of laying around and napping like yesterday was.

  While I ate, David explained what Elaine wanted for social media and that he was considering switching agents. David seemed to think keeping his current one would invite problems into our relationship, and we currently had more than we could handle. Neither of us were talking about it. Mathew hadn't called again, but Zach and Dawn weren't slowing down. I was amazed how well David seemed to be handling it, but that was starting to bother me too. I wanted him to be more upset than he was—at least as upset as I was.

  With David's constant prodding, I got ready in record time. He was impatient this morning, excited to pick up my wedding present. I still had no clue what it could possibly be.

  Once we were on the road, he was dialing Elaine.

  She answered almost immediately, informing me about the three magazines that had inquired about interviews and strongly suggested that I accept any offers at this point.

  “What do I have to do for the interviews?” I asked.

  “They're over the phone, but they all want a photoshoot and they want them soon. They want the interviews tomorrow.”

  “That's not a problem,” David answered for me.

  “They all want photoshoots within the next five days.”

  I struggled with the reality of giving up my independence as they discussed my schedule like I wasn't there.

  He's the reason it's happening, let him deal with it.

  “I don't want her overwhelmed, Elaine. We have a lot going on at home, and you may have to do something about that,” David insisted.

  “What's going on?” she asked solemnly.

  “Dawn and Zach Stone,” David said flatly.

  “Oh, shit.” There was a long pause. “Is Fergus aware?”

  “Yeah, he's going to be with Austin whenever I'm not. I filed a restraining order against Dawn for both of us.”

  I heard her sigh heavily. “Okay. I'm on it. You haven't talked to her, have you?”

  “No!” David barked, getting angry. “I did text Zach back.”

  “David. Do not interact with him.”

  “I'm not just gonna sit back while he tries to steal my wife!”

  “David,” she sighed. “Calm down. She is your wife now.” The way she said it, I felt like I was missing something.

  David looked over at me, his intense eyes pinning me, his expression unreadable. “Yes, and I'm going to make sure it stays that way,” he swore solemnly.

  There was nothing but silence. Then she said, “Austin, I'll text you the schedule and some guidelines. I'll get it to you before five.”

  “Okay, thanks.” I was a bit overwhelmed and bewildered with everything she threw at me, not to mention the inside conversation they seemed to be having under my nose.

  *****

  My hands pressed to the white marble wall as I willed my inner turmoil and anxiety to wash away with the hot water pounding down on me. I was really struggling with my independence today or lack thereof. I had to get used to it, I knew that when I married him. We had enough to deal with without my issues kicking up, and I didn't want handling me and identifying my triggers to be his full-time job. I tilted my head into the water, letting the conditioner rinse free.

  David dropped me off after the gym, saying he would be back soon. He was giving me whiplash today. Angry. Excited. Domineering. I tried to shake it off as I finished my shower and went through my morning ritual—just later than normal. I tossed on some cute short-shorts and a tee. Then I checked to see if Elaine had sent the interview and photoshoot schedule.

  I found two texts from Tara, one which had been read by David.

  Tara: Let me know what your

  schedule is like. BACHELORETTE

  PARTY!

  11:15 AM

  Tara: Thanks for last night.

  Congrats on the hubs!

  3:08 PM received on Sunday

  This isn't going to work

  Austin: Find a way so that my

  texts still show up missed

  on my phone after you

  check them. Like Tara’s

  12:02 PM

  David: Sorry. Consider it done.

  12:09 PM

  Huh... that was easy. Too easy.

  I laid on the couch and turned on the TV, then stupidly, but intentionally, accessed his phone—his too agreeable behavior making me uncomfortable. There were forty texts from Dawn and forty-six missed calls. And that was just from Sunday. I felt like the breath had been knocked out of me. My stomach knotted as I opened one.

  Dawn: I miss the way your dick

  pounds into me. I need you.

  Please come over, I promise I

  won't tell your wife. ;)

  1:45 PM Received on Sunday

  Dawn: I've done things to you,

  your wife will never do.

  2:15 PM Received on Sunday

  A new text came in from Dawn and I opened it.

  Dawn: I'll be home if you still want

  to stop by for a quick suck&fuck.

  12:02 PM

  What?

  My stomach dropped and twisted violently.

  I opened another. And another. The more I read the more I felt like he had cheated—was cheating. I knew it was irrational, he had been with me nearly every minute since we got home. But my emotions were drowning out any rational thoughts.

  What's he really doing right now? A quick suck and fuck before he brings my wedding present home? Did he really have a photoshoot Friday?

  I didn't know how long I had been laying there torturing myself when I heard the door to the garage open. Then I heard David speaking softly.

  “Come on. It's okay. Come on.”

  I popped up, looking over the back of the couch, waiting to see who he was talking to. David backed into the kitchen and my heart skipped.

  He was coaxing a massive black dog into the house. I was scared to speak; afraid I would startle the obviously fearful animal.

  “Austin, come here,” David called as he shut the door to the garage.

  “David—” I whispered as I approached them. “This is my wedding present?”

  “Yeah,” he answered excitedly.

  I looked at the dog for a moment. His size was intimidating. Then slowly, with cautious steps, the giant beast approached me and pressed his large head into my thighs. The gesture was profound coming from the timid creature. The emotion I felt was shocking. I slowly lowered to my knees, hesitantly petting him. He buried his head against my chest and my arms wrapped around his thick neck.

  Abruptly, the dam burst.

  Tears fell freely down my face. I couldn't explain it or even understand it, but his sweetness broke me. Everything I had been keeping inside came flooding out.

  “Sweetheart?” The concern in David's voice made me sob harder into the neck of this dog. Several minutes into my emotional display, I heard David ask softly, “What do you want to call him?”

  Shutting my emotions off, getting myself together, I asked, “What is he? Where did you get him?”

  “Mastiff Rescue. He's a pit bull/mastiff mix. He was evidence in a cruelty case. He lost thirty percent of his eye sight in his left eye, but everything else healed fine. I thought he would be a perfect fit for us—with his scars, both emotional and physical.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded, looking into the beautiful creatures pale green eyes. I could see a few scars on his head that his hair was mostly covering.

  “Chance?” I asked the dog and David.

  “I think it's perfect,” David rumbled his agreement.

  “What do you think?” I asked again. �
�Chance Taylor.”

  David

  I watched as Austin ignored me completely and focused on the dog, her emotions flowing. I knew all this had been building up—her mother bailing after the wedding, Dawn, the media, Zach, Mathew. I just wanted her to open up to me, let me take care of her, but the stress was mostly my fault, so why would she?

  My eyes closed in frustration as I realized, I just gave myself more competition for her attention.

  Going out to the truck, I got all the supplies for Chance—if that's what they decided on, since my opinion didn't seem to matter. They continued to ignore me as I made trip after trip with dog supplies, including his custom, human-size dog bed, which I needed to put together.

  When I entered the house with the last load, they were nowhere to be seen.

  “Austin?” I called into the empty room.

  Nothing.

  I finally went to the bedroom and found Austin coaxing him onto the bed.

  “Austin?”

  “Hey, babe. He's scared to get on the bed.”

  “Yeah. Cause he knows it's mine,” I complained.

  She turned, glaring at me.

  “I got him his own bed,” I quickly added. “I'll put it together later. I wanna walk him around the property. Come on.”

  She crawled off the bed, her sexy ass swaying back and forth in those tiny little shorts, tempting me to yank them down and fuck her.

  Something had been bothering her at the gym. But her energy was off now, something had happened since I'd dropped her off. And there was only one way I knew how to get her to open up.

  I waited as she put on shoes, then led them out to the far edge of the patio to the stairs.

  Austin hesitated taking in everything. “Wow.”

  “That's the guest house and the pool is on the other side,” I explained, pointing down the steps.

  “You have a pool?” she asked excitedly.

  “We have a pool and guest house.” I stepped down, tugging on her hand until she followed, the big beast right on her heels.

  “So we have, like, a huge property,” Austin muttered once we reached the bottom of the stairs.