Betting On Love

by Danielle Dickson

  I blow out a deep breath. “Jesus Christ, Mac, you could’ve just told me that instead of being cryptic about it and making me worry.”

  He smiles tensely but it doesn’t reach his eyes, his fingers tapping his leg in a nervous gesture. I don’t even think about it, I reach out and grab his hand, entwining our fingers together.

  “What are you so nervous about? If anyone should be nervous, it’s me. Don’t worry, I’m great with parents.”

  He blows out a breath of his own. “You don’t know my parents, I’m only going to this dinner because I promised my sister I would. My mom is… well, just look at all of this.”

  He points out of the window and I realise we’re in front of the most prestigious five-star hotel in the city, but it’s not that that makes my jaw drop open, it’s the number of cameras that are flashing outside taking pictures of the guests arriving. I turn toward Mac and he has a pained expression on his face.

  “Who are your parents?” I ask, but I’m not entirely sure I want to know any more than he looks like he wants to tell me.

  “They’re not celebrities if that’s what you’re thinking. They’re just extremely rich and know a lot of famous people, that’s why they’re here.” He points to the photographers.

  “Shitting hell, a little heads-up would’ve been nice,” I squeak out, smoothing down my hair.

  He smiles apologetically. “If I’d have told you, would you have come?”

  I shrug and look out of the window. “Fuck knows, but we’re here now. We’re going to have to walk out there smiling, aren’t we?”

  He laughs a genuine belly laugh and I smile over at him, glad I could lighten the mood a little bit. “Well I can’t force you to smile, but we need to walk past them to get inside.”

  I square my shoulders and nod at him. “Fine, better get this over with before I lose my nerves.”

  He takes a deep breath before stepping out with a hand raised in the air, waving at the photographers. I ready myself for him opening my door and when he does, I take his hand and paste a smile on my face as I climb out—rather ungracefully—and welcome the hand that snakes around my waist to steady me and making me relax as he squeezes gently, letting me know he’s here.

  It’s a surreal experience having people shout for you to look at them to smile and pose, but I do what each of them says before Mac squeezes my waist again and walks toward the doors away from everyone calling, “Who’s the girl?” and “Is Mac Jennings officially off the market?”

  The sounds are muffled from inside and I finally relax, smiling up at Mac as he pulls me across the hotel lobby and into a lift. I let the smile drop from my face for a minute and blow out all the adrenaline rushing through me. “Fucking hell that was—”

  “Invasive? Unnecessary?”

  “Well I was actually going to say exhilarating, but we can go with yours,” I reply, hoping I can smooth out his serious expression.

  His face is like thunder and he closes his eyes and takes deep breaths to calm his racing heart. I only know his heart is going a thousand times a minute because he hasn’t let go of me since we stepped into the lift; he’s holding me against him like I’m his lifeline and I don’t say anything, content with just letting him have this moment. It does have me questioning why he is acting like this all over a family dinner though. His parents are rich and obviously like a little bit of attention, but that’s nothing to be so aggravated over, he’s normally so carefree and, well... Mac.

  He opens his eyes and smiles down at me softly, seemingly calmer than a few seconds before.

  “Thank you for being here with me, it means a lot. I’m normally wound up ready to snap but just having you here gives me another focus.”

  “Well if this isn’t you wound up then I’d hate to be a fly on the wall if I wasn’t here,” I retort playfully.

  He chuckles as the lift opens into a grand room filled with people dressed in fancy suits, tuxedos, and floor-length gowns. He pulls me by my hand around the outside of the room avoiding eye contact with anyone that tries to talk to him, and heading straight for the bar. “I’m gonna need a pint glass of whiskey, and whatever she’s having.”

  “She is the cat’s mother, and he was only joking about the whiskey, darling. Get us two champagnes and two shots… make that four shots of your strongest liquor,” I reel off.

  “Darling? Who are you?” he laughs out beside me.

  I cock my hand on my hip and whisper, “You’re not the only one that comes from money, I do have etiquette.”

  “I thought you said your dad was a doctor and your mom is a... well, you know. I didn’t think they earned this type of money.”

  “They are, but my dad’s one of the most renowned oncologists in Europe and my mum already came from money before she made her own fortune doing what she does,” I reply nonchalantly. He mumbles something to himself. “Sorry, what was that?”

  He shakes his head. “Nothing. Please just don’t think that all of this is me. I’ve tried my best to stay far away from this life since I was younger.”

  I stroke my hand down his tie, sorting the knot out in the process. “I thought you were trying to make me fall in love with you?”

  He snorts. “That was the bet.”

  “So why do I get the distinct impression you’re scared that I’ll judge you based on your family?” I say in a low voice as I lean into him. When I pull away he has an intense look in his eyes.

  “I’m not scared, I just know you already think I’m an asshole and my family doesn’t bring out the best in me. Wouldn’t wanna lose that bet,” he says with a wink.

  “Macswell Jennings. What a pleasant surprise,” a warm voice rings from behind me.

  A smile lights up his face. “Patricia, believe me, the pleasant surprise is all mine.”

  I turn around and see a short, plump woman with a kind face standing there.

  “Forgive me for interrupting, where are my manners?” She extends her hand to me. “Patricia Adams, co-founder of the charity, ‘Funding Future’s.’”

  I shake her hand and give her a warm smile. “Billie. Very nice to meet you, Ms. Adams. Are you a friend of Mac’s parents?”

  She screws up her face slightly making me question her thoughts on Mac’s family before smiling to cover her scowl. “Business associates would be the polite term. Anyway, Macswell, I’ve been meaning to call. I have another candidate that I think would be perfect for you, I think you’ll gel well and I know he really wants to meet the man that is making all of this possible for him.”

  My face crinkles up in confusion and Mac gives me an embarrassed smile. “I err, I…”

  Patricia chuckles. “Have you heard of the charity, Billie?” I shake my head. “Well, what Mr. Stutter over there is trying to say is that he plays a major part in it. In fact, the idea was mostly all his. You’re looking at the other co-founder, he’s a silent one and acts more behind the scenes, but he still helped get it off the ground.”

  He looks down at the floor and clears his throat. “She’s making me seem like some sort of saint, but I assure you that’s not how it is. I’m a lousy co-founder.”

  “Oh shush, if it wasn’t for this man there would be hundreds of college-aged kids working meager jobs because they couldn’t afford a college education because of the hand that they’d been dealt.”

  I’m in awe, how is this man still shocking me?

  “Mac, that’s incredible.”

  “Sure is,” Patricia says. “Well I’ll leave you two to it. Macswell, I’ll call you to arrange a meeting.”

  He nods at her with a smile and watches her walk off, tensing as he turns to face me again. “Go on then, ask away.”

  He could obviously see all the curiosity built up in my face so I blow out a long breath. “I guess… start from the beginning? It’d save a lot of back and forth.”

  He takes a sip of his champagne. “When I graduated high school, I knew I was going to the local Ivy league college. What I didn’t know—”


  He stops talking when a small squeal sounds out.

  “Macswell! I’ve missed you!” A tall brunette in a conservative olive green, knee-high dress flings her arms around his shoulders and he smiles and wraps his arms around her, lifting her off the ground slightly. If I’m not mistaken, that’s the same brunette that I saw him with the night of his two-woman escapade. I feel the jealousy in me amp up and turn to down one of the shots at the same time as he lets her go and she turns around to greet me.

  It happens in slow motion, I try to swallow the burning liquor making its way down my throat as she smiles and says, “Who is this beautiful woman you’ve brought with you?” And then I start choking and practically spit on her hand to get the offensive liquid out of my mouth. Mac laughs and I desperately try to apologise between coughing fits.

  One of the barmen hands us both a few napkins and she wipes down her arm and I dab at my face, getting my coughing under control finally.

  “Is this your party trick?” Mac asks sarcastically, trying to keep a straight face.

  “Oh my God! I’m so sorry,” I squeak out, absolutely mortified I’ve just spat alcohol over whoever this woman is.

  She’s beautiful. Her brunette hair is in big waves and is pushed over one shoulder, and she has little to no make-up on but still has flawless skin, but it’s her eyes that draw me in. They’re the same as Mac’s and I realise there’s no need to be jealous, this is without a doubt his supermodel slash girl-next-door twin sister.

  She smiles warmly back at me and chuckles. “Well I’ve never been greeted like that before. Did Macswell put you up to it?”

  I laugh out of embarrassment. “I really am sorry, I haven’t ruined your dress have I?”

  She waves a hand in the air. “Don’t sweat it, you’ve already livened up my night. I’m Casey-Leigh, the better twin, but you can call me Casey or Case I don’t mind. I’d offer my hand but I seem to be sticky.”

  My face flushes red. “I’m Billie, Mac’s…” I stammer for a word.

  “Girlfriend,” he finishes off for me and my head reels at his choice of word. I stare at him and he mouths “later” over at me.

  I smile and nod. “Girlfriend, I didn’t know if we were telling people tonight or not.”

  She smiles and punches Mac in the arm. “Got yourself a peach there.”

  He looks into my eyes as he says, “Don’t I know it.” And winks.

  I turn back to face Casey and smile at her. “Shall we go to the bathroom and clean ourselves up? I’d hate to meet your parents smelling of alcohol.”

  She kisses Mac on the cheek then links her arm through mine, throwing a wave over her shoulder as she steers me in the direction of the toilets like we’re the best of friends. I still don’t feel one-hundred-percent comfortable with women since my last best friend fucked me over, but since she’s the sister of my so-called boyfriend for the night, I don’t think we’ll have a problem, so I just go with it.

  “So, you’re from England?” she asks as we run our hands under the water.

  I nod. “Born and bred. My family lives just outside of London.”

  She gets a wistful look on her face. “I’ve always wanted to travel around Europe, but with school then college and going straight into a job, I never found the time.”

  “Never say never, I didn’t think I’d ever be living in America, but look at me,” I say, throwing my arms out. I should’ve looked around me, I manage to hit not one, but two women walking past me. “Shit! I’m so sorry, are you okay?”

  The first woman who reeks of money straightens up and wrinkles her nose before she looks me up and down angrily. “You should watch what you’re doing next time, young lady, you could have broken my nose.”

  “I-I didn’t mean to,” I stammer out. This night is turning into one complete disaster after another and I’m starting to wonder whether I should just go home.

  I turn to the second woman that Casey is talking to but it looks like I didn’t hit her in the face like the other woman; I hit her in her shoulder but she still looks just as mad. “I’m really sorry.”

  She grabs her clutch bag and gives me a dirty look. “I second what your first victim said, watch what—”

  “Hey, she said she was sorry, lady. Move on out,” Casey retorts while pointing to the door. The woman scowls and storms out with her head held high. I look at Casey and she cracks up, laughing with tears rolling down her face. “Girl, you’re a walking disaster.”

  I cover my face with embarrassment. “I know, I never have been good at formal occasions.”

  She puts an arm around my shoulders. “The trick is to not let them intimidate you, especially my parents.”

  I turn to face the mirror and apply a fresh coat of lipstick. “I’m not easily intimidated, I just got blindsided. I’ve never been this clumsy before.”

  She smiles at me through the mirror. “I can see what Mac sees in you. You can stay, I like you. Now come on before he starts worrying that I’m giving you the third degree.”

  I chuckle and follow her out, giving the woman I hit in the shoulder an apologetic look as we walk back into the room.

  I spot Mac standing right where we left him, but he’s not alone and the scowl on his face tells me that the two poised people standing with him are more than likely his parents. Casey squeezes my shoulder that she hasn’t let go of and directs me toward them, but at the last minute, she leaves me walking on my own.

  “Good luck.”

  Mac sees me coming and his shoulders relax slightly as he reaches out a hand and pulls me against his side. I smile over at the man and woman standing in front of me and offer my hand to each as Mac introduces me.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Billie.” His dad shakes my hand limply but his mom looks down at it like I have a disease she could catch.

  “Billie, these are my parents,” he says in a clipped tone.

  I don’t care that they’re looking at me like I’m not even good enough to serve them their meal, I stand up straight, placing a palm on Mac’s chest and offer them a beaming smile, putting on my sweetest voice. “Mr. and Mrs. Jennings, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  His mum lets out a sound in the back of her throat like she’s displeased and looks at Mac. “Macswell, you didn’t tell us you were bringing… a guest,” she says, sweeping her eyes over me again.

  His hand gently rubs at my side and I pat his chest twice, seemingly giving him the courage to stand taller. “I thought it was time I introduced you.”

  “You thought bringing her to your father’s birthday dinner was the perfect time to introduce your new plaything?” she asks, looking down her nose at me.

  Mac’s jaw ticks and I’m gobsmacked. Plaything? “I thought you’d be pleased, Mother.”

  The tension in the air is so thick that you couldn’t even cut it with a sharpened sword.

  His dad clears his throat. “Now, now, Katherine, that’s enough. So where did you two meet?”

  We both look at each other at the same time and he gestures for me to speak, so I clear my throat. “We live in the same apartment building, Mac held the door open for me like a gentleman and admired my peach. We’ve been inseparable ever since.”

  Mac snorts into his drink and coughs to cover his laugh. “That’s right, it was a delicious looking peach.”

  It’s my turn to try to hide my snort.

  “I see, so you’re not one of his many whores?”

  “Mom,” he growls out.

  “What? Surely she knows of your… past.”

  I smile at her sweetly. “I do, Mrs. Jennings, but it has no bearing on him as a person or our relationship from here on out. In fact, I think the fact that he has… explored is a good thing. I mean, he obviously knows what he likes and is more in tune of his tastes, so I suppose you could say I’m the lucky one.” I can feel Mac’s heartbeat increasing by the minute so I stop being sarcastic and take control of the situation before it gets out of hand. “Mac brought me here toni
ght because he thought his parents would like to meet the girl he’s finally deciding to see where things end up with. You strike me as people who care a lot about their offspring…” Mac snorts beside me but I ignore it and carry on. “And that’s very commendable, but I won’t stand here and hear you put this wonderful man down in front of me.” That’s right, I went full on rich-people talk. It’s the only thing they seem to hear.

  His dad clears his throat. “It seems we’ve got off on the wrong foot, shall we start over?”

  I smile and offer my hand to them both again, his dad shakes it again but his mum stares me down furiously. I shrug my shoulders and lower my hand, giving Mac’s hand a squeeze as I step away slightly.

  “What brought you to America, Billie?” his dad asks.

  “A job. I had two days to make a decision and I decided some change in my life would be good.”

  “Struggling actress?” his mum sneers.

  I hear a low grumble come out of Mac’s mouth but I put a hand on his chest again, silently telling him I can handle my own. “Actually, I’m a teacher, Mrs. Jennings.” I wink at her not giving her the satisfaction of putting me down.

  Her face screws up. “A teacher? I wouldn’t have guessed.”

  I nod, trying to be polite. “Yes, well one might look at me and think otherwise but I can assure you that I do in fact work at one of the private schools close to where we live.”

  Her eyes widen and she looks from Mac to her husband then back at me. “The only private school close to your end of the city is Holy Cross Academy.” I nod at her and she seems to instantly change into a different person, her voice going ridiculously high pitched as she tries to suck up to me. “Well why didn’t you say so? I had no idea you were Catholic.”

  Mac raises a brow at me and I smirk at him. “Sure, I love reading my Bible.”

  She looks between us both. “I never thought I’d see the day that you took our advice and finally found yourself a good Catholic girl, Macswell.”

  His hands ball into fists. “I didn’t have you in mind when I first met Billie.” He downs a shot before taking my hand in his. “And I definitely didn’t have you in mind when I got to know her, but as usual, it’s been lovely to chat and I’m sure we’ll get to again a little later, but I want to dance with my woman before we sit down for dinner. Excuse us.”