Play to Win

by Kelly Jamieson

  I’m just doing such a good job acting, I convinced myself things are real. That’s it.

  If Emma still wants him, maybe Théo is happy about that.

  Ugh.

  Well, I can’t hide in here forever. I use the toilet, wash up, and arrange my expression into relaxed and cheerful.

  Théo is standing at the edge of the living room near the front door, talking to his mom and dad. He extends a hand to me as I walk up to them, taking mine and drawing me near to him.

  So confused!

  “Thanks for a lovely evening,” I say.

  “It wasn’t really lovely,” Aline replies wryly. “But you’re welcome. I look forward to getting to know you better.” She moves and hugs me.

  Théo’s dad hugs me too, then turns to his son. “I still don’t understand how you could take a job working for that asshole. He’s the enemy, for Chrissake.”

  My eyes widen.

  “Mark. That asshole is your father.” Aline nudges him.

  “He’s losing his fucking mind,” Mark mutters. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, Théo. It’s a no-win situation. You’ll never be able to run that team. The minute you do something he doesn’t like, he’ll fire you too.”

  Théo grimaces. “Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad.”

  Mark scowls.

  “Théo’s super smart,” I say, even though I’m in shock from what I just saw in the hall. “And talented and hard working. He can do anything he sets his mind to.”

  I feel Aline’s pleasure at my words. Mark gives me a sharp, assessing look and I meet it head-on. He nods slowly.

  Théo slides his hand into mine and squeezes it gently. We say good night and make our escape into the fresh night air.

  “Jesus Christ.” Théo blows out a breath as we walk to his car. “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t apologize. You were the sanest one there. Well, you and your mom.” I pause. “And Chelsea.”

  “Chelsea? Are you kidding me? She’s nothing but a gold digger.”

  I frown as I slide into my seat. I tug on the seatbelt while Théo goes around and climbs in. “I didn’t get that impression of her.”

  “You don’t know her.”

  “True. But…” I trail off. I guess I don’t know her.

  “She married a man twenty years older than her. What other reason would she marry him than for his money?”

  “Maybe she loves him?”

  He snorts.

  “No really. It seems to me like she cares about him.”

  He dismisses my opinion with a shake of his head and turns on his GPS to direct us back to the freeway and his place.

  “And what about Emma?” I ask, annoyance rising. “What were you two talking about in the hallway? Does she want to get back together?”

  “Yeah.”

  I’m stunned into silence. I didn’t really expect that. I sit quietly for a few minutes, as Théo doesn’t offer up any more details. I watch city lights slide by outside the car.

  I don’t think he should go back to Emma. She fucked him over with his own brother. That doesn’t bode well for their future together. I didn’t get a good impression of her tonight, although we barely said two words to each other. I don’t think she’s good enough for Théo. I don’t want him to be hurt again.

  I guess showing up with me made her jealous enough that she realized she wants him back.

  But if that’s what he wants, I’m happy for him. So, I guess I’m not needed here anymore, if they’re going to get back together. My stomach cramps up as I try to figure out what I’m going to do. Obviously, I can’t stay with Théo. That would not make Emma happy. Back to Vegas it is then!

  Pressure builds behind my eyes and I blink tears away, staring out the side window.

  I’m going to have to go back there someday. I have an apartment there, other belongings. My brother, who I’m still worried about. My best friend. It’s probably best if I just pussy up and deal with things. I’m not sure exactly how I’m going to deal with those thugs Chris owes money to, but I’ll figure something out.

  Chapter 15

  Théo

  I don’t think Lacey has ever been as quiet as she has tonight. She didn’t say much at the dinner and she’s gone totally silent now. Ha. As if I know her that well…in four days.

  Wow, it seems so much longer than that.

  I do feel like I know her.

  I glance at her as I drive on the freeway. Her head’s leaning against the window and her eyes are closed. I guess she’s fallen asleep. That’s why she hasn’t said anything.

  What an insane night. What was I thinking, dragging Lacey into my nutso family? No matter she needed to get out of town and I helped her do that, and tried to look after her and make sure she has what she needs—she doesn’t deserve this kind of lunacy.

  I have to admit, she was awesome tonight. She seemed to know when I was getting ready to blow up, and she’d reach out and squeeze my hand or take my arm. Or ask me to look at her like I want to bang her brains out, which honestly is probably the only way I can look at her.

  Weirdly—what I thought I needed her for? JP and Emma? That didn’t bother me at all. It was the rest of the family fucking drama that got to me. Everly and Riley sniping at each other. Dad and Uncle Mark cornering me and bugging me for taking the job with Grandpa. Then Dad on my case because I didn’t get a prenup agreement drawn up before marrying Lacey.

  Which was really fucking stupid of me, in hindsight. Not like me at all.

  And JP…

  I swallow a sigh. I don’t even miss Emma. But I do miss JP.

  We’re not even two years apart in age. We’ve always been best friends. Sure, we’re competitive, but the thing about having a family member who plays the same sport as you is that you push each other to be better. But we’ve always had each other’s backs, and I still don’t know how he could have done that.

  I feel the loss of my brother more than anything, goddammit.

  Even more than the fact that my dad doesn’t think I can do this job. I’m not ashamed to admit I want him to be proud of me, like he was when I was playing hockey and winning championships.

  Fuck me. I lean my head back against the headrest and sigh.

  And Emma…following me to tell me she misses me and she thinks she made a mistake and now that I’m here in California too, maybe we could try again.

  She was at the fucking party with my brother.

  I’m pissed at him, but now I’m really pissed for him because…well, he’s my brother. What the hell am I supposed to do now? Tell him Emma wants to get back together with me? He’d laugh in my face. But am I supposed to just let him stay with her, knowing what she’s like?

  Christ. As if our family wasn’t fucked up enough.

  Lacey talked to some of my family. Everly seems to like her. And Grandpa…he seems really taken with her. Or maybe he was just pissed at JP for showing up with Emma. That was actually hilarious. And Mom loves Lacey.

  And why not? She’s funny and sweet and genuine. Except for the lying-about-being-married part.

  Even Dad gave her a look of respect when she defended me to him, and I…I wanted to grab her and squeeze the breath out of her for that.

  The drive home is faster, the traffic lighter now, and I pull into the garage at the condo and park. I turn to Lacey and gently nudge her shoulder. “Hey, baby. We’re home.”

  “Mmm.” Her eyelashes flutter and she lifts her head. “Oh wow. Already?”

  “Yeah.”

  She sits for a few seconds then reaches for her seatbelt. I jump out and hurry to open her door.

  “I guess I was tired,” she says quietly.

  “I guess so. Don’t blame you. The t
ribe is exhausting.”

  She gives a half-smile. “That they are.”

  In the house she heads straight to her bedroom. “G’night, Théo.” She pauses. “Do you like to be called Theo…” She pronounces it the English way, then the French way. “Or Théo?”

  “Either.” I shrug. “My family always called me Théo, but when I got into major junior hockey everyone assumed it was Theo, and I didn’t bother trying to correct it.”

  “I like the French way. How your mom says it. Your mom’s a doll.”

  “Yeah, she’s okay.”

  “G’night,” she says again, and shuts her bedroom door.

  I don’t move from where I’m standing in the living room. Something feels weird. Probably she hates my family. Understandable.

  Okay, okay, I don’t hate them all. None of them are bad people. Although I’m still not sure what the real story is about the missing money my dad and uncle have accused Grandpa of stealing from them. I can’t believe he would do something like that, but they’re pissed enough to sue him over it. Nothing says “I love you” like a lawsuit.

  Also, did Grandpa really cheat on his wife? I never knew my grandmother; she died before I was born. I’ve only ever known Chelsea, and my parents have always regarded her as “the other woman” who married Grandpa for his money soon after he became a widower.

  Fuck. Why did I take this goddamn job? I should have been looking for a job as far away from California as I could get. If only there was an NHL team in Alaska.

  * * *

  —

  Sunday morning. I could go to the office. God knows there’s enough to do.

  When I come downstairs, Lacey’s in the kitchen, making coffee, wearing pajamas—little shorts and a tank top. I stare longingly at her bare legs. Christ, even her feet are sexy, with shiny purple-painted toenails.

  “Morning,” she says, facing me.

  “Morning.”

  Neither of us are morning people and we both love our coffee. I head straight to the Keurig and get myself a cup brewing.

  Lacey leans against the counter, holding her mug in both hands. “So, I guess we need to talk.”

  “Not until I’ve had my coffee.” I don’t know what the hell she wants to talk about, but she knows I don’t form words until I’ve had at least one cup.

  “Right. Okay. I’ll be out on the deck.”

  Yeah, I watch her walk out there because her ass in those little shorts is fucking hot and…those legs.

  When my coffee’s ready, I grab it and join her on the deck. The morning is foggy and cool, the ocean almost obscured by pearly white mist. I set my coffee on the table then go back inside to grab a blanket for Lacey.

  She gives me a startled look when I hand it to her.

  “What?”

  She just shakes her head. I get it. It’s morning. No words.

  She wraps herself up in the blanket and I take another chair, propping my feet on the railing. I’m wearing sweatpants and a long-sleeved tee, so I’m not cold. It’s kind of cool, seeing the ocean in different ways. I’d love to see a big storm with crashing waves. That’d be killer.

  We sip our coffee silently. Finally, Lacey speaks. “It never stops.”

  “What?”

  “The ocean. The waves never stop.” She takes another mouthful of coffee. “And it’s so weird to think that way, way out there are other continents. Other people.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “You can’t even see them.”

  I nod.

  “And there are whales out there. All kinds of living creatures. We can’t see them either.”

  “That is true.”

  She sighs. “So.”

  Okay, this is it. The talk.

  “I know I have to leave, since you and Emma are getting back together.”

  I spew coffee out my mouth and nose. I choke. I cough. I wipe my face. “What the fuck?”

  “You said she wanted to get back together.”

  “She does. I don’t.” I shake my head vigorously. “Are you kidding me? After what she did? I’d never take her back.”

  Lacey bites her lip. “Are you sure? Maybe you could have a second chance with her.”

  I frown. “I don’t want a second chance with her. That was never what this was about. I just didn’t want to feel like a big loser walking into that gathering with her there and everyone feeling sorry for me.”

  “I don’t think you needed me for that,” she says quietly.

  I tilt my head. “You’re probably right. Having a beautiful woman on my arm doesn’t make me a better man.”

  “You were the better man because you were gracious about it.”

  “But I did need you there.”

  She rolls her head against the back of the chair and looks at me. “You did?”

  “Yeah. I almost lost it a few times. When Dad and Grandpa were barking at each other. When Everly and Riley were snarking at each other. When Dad insulted me. And about ten other times. Having you there calmed me down.”

  She blinks. “I knew you were getting pissed.”

  I huff out a laugh. “Yeah.”

  “So you’re not getting back with Emma?”

  “Fuck no.”

  “I was going to leave today. Since I wasn’t needed anymore.”

  I frown. “No. You don’t have to leave. I…I do need you.”

  She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip and holds my gaze. I can only be honest. I was stupid to think I need a hot wife to feel better about myself with my family, but the truth is, Lacey makes me feel better about myself just by being here and it has nothing to do with my family or Emma and JP. It’s just…her.

  “Okay,” she says. “I won’t go. Yet.”

  Relief flows through me, but still I frown. “Yet?”

  “Well, we both know I have to leave at some point.”

  I nod slowly. “Yeah.” That is true.

  She sits up straighter and shifts in the chair so she’s turned toward me and not facing the ocean. “I have questions.”

  “About?”

  “Your family. Oh my God! They’re crazy!”

  I laugh. “I think I told you that.”

  “What are you going to do about Emma? Are you going to tell JP?”

  “I don’t know.” I rub my jaw. “Still thinking about that. Don’t really want to get involved.”

  “I understand that. But maybe he should know he’s dating a…a…” She flounders.

  “Yeah, I thought of that too. But…I expect he’ll find out himself.”

  She purses her lips. “True. Okay, do you really think Chelsea only married your grandfather for his money? That’s nuts.”

  “That’s what my parents always said. My grandma came from a really wealthy family. When she died, she left a shit ton of money to Grandpa and to my dad and my uncle. Not to mention, he did pretty well with his hockey career, although back then players didn’t make the kind of money they do now. But he owned a hockey team and had lots of money, and then he married this hot woman who was twenty years younger than him, and it wasn’t long after Grandma died, which is why Mark was insinuating that Grandpa was having an affair with Chelsea before Grandma died.”

  “Holy shit.” She sips her coffee. “But they have four kids together. I don’t think a gold digger would have four kids.”

  “Fair point, I guess.”

  “Are your dad and uncle really suing your grandpa?”

  “Yeah. They can’t talk about it though, because the lawyers told them not to.”

  “Because he stole money from them? That’s messed up.”

  “He says he didn’t. They suspect it was actually Chelsea, because they think she married Dad for his money.
So yeah, there are some bad feelings there.”

  “No shit.” She shakes her head. “And what’s with Riley and Everly?”

  “I don’t know. But Uncle Mark and his kids have never liked Chelsea or her kids.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “I like all of them, but when we were growing up, we—Riley, Jackson, JP, and me—knew our parents didn’t like or trust Chelsea.”

  “And your uncle Mark—what’s up with him? Did he cheat on your aunt?”

  “I don’t know.” I grimace. “They got divorced a long time ago and I don’t know the details.”

  “Wow.”

  “I need breakfast.”

  “Of course you do.”

  “Let’s go out.”

  She shrugs. “Okay.”

  We go inside to change then go for breakfast at a Venice Beach café on the boardwalk with a view of the beach and palm trees. Lacey orders an omelet with avocado, cheese, and bacon.

  “I’m going to eat avocado every day while I’m in California,” she announces. “It’s my mission.”

  “Sounds like a worthy cause.” I order classic eggs Benedict.

  “This is lovely.” She picks up her orange juice and leans back in the chair to stare out at the beach. “I love the smell of the air. The feel of it. It’s so soft.”

  I study her across the table, taking in her glowing skin, masses of shiny hair, and luminous smile. “The air is soft?”

  “Yes. Can’t you feel it?”

  I grin. “Sure.”

  “You’re patronizing me.” Her lips curve into a smile.

  “No, I’m not.” I lean forward, wanting to kiss those lush lips. “You’re entertaining me.”

  “So, you’re laughing at me.”

  I shake my head, reading the teasing glint in her eyes. She knows how to push my buttons. Impressive. “I’m laughing with you, and you know it.”

  “Okay. Can we go for a walk on the beach after this? Or…” She hesitates. “Do you have to go to work?”

  I sigh. “I should.”

  I sense she wants to protest, but says nothing. I appreciate that. Emma used to nag me about how much I worked.