All In: Playing the Fool (Gambling With Love) (4 page)

I finally found the steps and climbed down, heading for the living room to find my dress. Will didn't even follow me or try to stop me as I dressed, then grabbed my things and left his apartment. No, "
Can I get your number and call you sometime
?" Nothing. He didn't even know my last name. I was just a random girl he'd fucked a few times. Why the hell had he even asked me to stay? He should've just kicked me out last night and been done with me. Oh, but then he wouldn't have been able to get in a quick fuck this morning. I can’t believe I’d been so wrong about him.

Waiting for the elevator I pulled my cell phone out from my purse to call a cab and realized it was dead.
Shit
. Used, dismissed and now stranded. It was turning out to be a helluva day
.
My tears started falling before the elevator doors closed.

Will

I laid my head down on the mattress, right where just seconds ago the most gorgeous woman I'd ever met had been lying. Up until I’d opened my mouth and sent her running.

It wasn't like I had a choice. It was already ten o'clock; Dylan and Jules's plane was due in around noon. Besides, I knew Lacy would never date someone like me, especially after she found out I'd lied to her. She could have any man she wanted, so why would she want more than a night with me to get over some other man who had broken her heart? 

I wallowed in my own misery for a few more minutes before I pushed myself up, striped the sheets off the bed, and threw them in the wash. Jules would be pissed if she found out I fucked someone in their bed. I better throw some extra chemicals in the hot tub to clean it from the sex, too. And I'd never be able to get in the elevator in this building without thinking about Lacy. Fuck, fuck,
fuck
.

I cleaned up the apartment, and had just finished putting the clean sheets on the bed when I heard the key in the lock.

"I'm still here," I warned them, when they came in kissing and all over each other. My sister was in Dylan's arms, since he was apparently carrying her over the threshold. And here I was interrupting their moment.

"Shit, Will!" Jules exclaimed. "You scared the piss out of me. Seriously. I'll be right back," she said, as she wiggled out of Dylan's hold then headed quickly down the hall.

I looked back at Dylan, who seemed tanner in his cargo shorts and tee, and like he hadn't stopped smiling in days.

“How was Hawaii?” I asked, then cringed. “Never mind, I don’t want to hear any details about your honeymoon.”

"How have things been going here?" Dylan laughed.

"Your life sucks," I told him.

"My
single
life sucked. My married life is fucking awesome! Did you see the woman I get to spend every day and night with forever?"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

"You're awfully grumpy. Does that mean you didn't get any ass with my Porsche? I thought it was a sure thing," he said, bringing their luggage inside and shutting the door.

"I got some alright. She was so out of my league it's not even funny. Then I fucked it up."

"Well, back to the real world after tomorrow. For all of us."

"You mean you're actually going to work for the first time in your sorry-ass life?" I joked.

"Yeah, I've got a wife to support now," he replied with a big grin.

"Right," I said, rolling my eyes. Dylan had never worked a day in his life. He'd just graduated from Madison, and next week he was going to work as the VP of his dad's company, Daughtry Brewing. I was willing to bet that over the years his parents had never let his trust fund dip below nine figures.

"Whew, I feel better," Jules said when she returned to the living room. Her hair, which was the same plain brown as mine, was braided in pigtails, her normally fair skin was tan, and her green eyes, so similar to mine, sparkled. She looked happier than I'd ever seen her, and I was glad for her. For them. Hell, I wished I had what they had.

"So what've you been up to this week?" she asked.

"Oh you know, work, mostly. I went out to
Sin
with Joe last night," I laughed, remembering how I'd left him. "The man has it bad for his enemy."

"Enemy?" Jules asked in confusion.

"Prosecutor. Apparently one that loves making an ass of him."

"What about you? Did you pick up any gold diggers in his car?" she asked.

I didn't think Lacy had been a gold digger, but she wouldn't have wanted a nobody like me.

"Yeah."

"Then why do you look like someone just ran over your puppy?" she asked with a grin.

"It was just a one-night stand. I don't know her last name, and didn't get her phone number before she ran out of here this morning."

"You didn't fuck her in our bed did you?" Jules asked, having told me more than once I was only to sleep in the spare room.

Heat flooded my face before I could try to lie convincingly.

"You did! You asshole!" Jules exclaimed, jabbing my shoulder with her tiny fist.

"I washed the sheets. Oh, and I put extra chemicals in the hot tub."

"Ew," Jules said with a shiver. "That's the last time you're allowed to stay here while we're gone."

"Was she hot?" Dylan asked with a smile. Jules turned around and smacked him on his chest.

"Hell yes she was. A fucking knockout. Too hot for me."

"What? Why would you say that?" Jules asked.

"Look at me. Average size, average looking, not rich and never will be. Why would a woman who can have anyone want me?"

"Oh, stop putting yourself down. You're a good, sweet guy, and you'll find someone that’s a keeper soon."

"Right," I said, grabbing up my phone and keys. "Well, I'm heading back to my shitty life. You newlyweds have fun. Take care of my sister, jackass," I said, pointing a finger in warning at Dylan.

"Always,” Dylan assured me. “Thanks for not wrecking my Porsche. I've already inspected it."

"Sure. See ya’ sis," I told Jules, then let myself out.

After living Dylan’s filthy rich life for more than a week, walking into my normal size, sparsely furnished, lonely apartment, and climbing into bed alone made me feel even shittier.

…

Lacy

I stepped out of the elevator and almost talked myself out of this again. No, damn it! I've come this far, remembering the code Will entered Friday night to get up to his penthouse. This was for the other half of my favorite earrings, a birthday present from my grandma, which also just happened to be a good excuse to see him again.
But what if he doesn't want to see you
? The bitch in my head asked. Well, then, I'll get my earring and be on my way.

Taking a deep breath I finally stepped forward, knocked on the door and waited.

I sure as hell wasn't expecting a pretty brunette to open the door ... in pajamas. She looked just as surprised to see me on the other side.

"Hi, um, can I help you?" she asked with a frown.

I froze. I hadn't prepared for this scenario. "No, that's okay. I can see Will's busy," I replied, as I took a step backwards toward the elevator.                                                  

"Will?" the young woman asked with a furrowed brow. "He's not here. Did you want to leave a message for him, or do you want me to tell him you stopped by?" She didn't sound jealous, so maybe she wasn't a woman he was seeing. Upon closer inspection, she actually looked like Will. Same mocha colored hair and lime green eyes.

"Are you his sister?"

She smiled. "Yeah, that obvious, huh?"

"Yeah. Um, I was just wondering if he maybe found my other diamond earring. I think I lost it here Friday night."

"Oh. Well, he didn't say anything about it, but come on in and we'll look for it."

I heaved a sigh of relief, grateful that she was so nice and willing to help me find it. "Thanks."

"Chance it's in the living room?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"No, we were only in the, ah, hot tub and bed," I admitted, as my face and hers both turned red.

"Right," she said, and started toward the bedroom. "Dylan? Are you dressed?" she called out.

"Yeah, but I can remedy that in like, five seconds flat, if you're ready to go again," a man's deep voice responded.

"No! Keep your damn clothes on." She shook her head as we walked into the huge bedroom with the enormous bed. A nice looking, and really big, blonde man sat propped up against the headboard, holding a laptop. His eyes widened a second before his jaw dropped.  

"Holy shit! You're the best wife ever! I didn't even know you wanted a threesome, but I'm all in, baby," he exclaimed, pulling his shirt over his head. I looked away after I got an eyeful of his broad and very nice chest and abs.

"Oh my God!" the woman exclaimed, covering her even redder face. "I'm so sorry," she turned and said to me. "My husband can be a real jackass."

"Aww," the man made a noise of disappointment and flopped heavily back against the headboard, making it rattle. "You mean she's not a surprise threesome?" he asked. When I glanced back over, a huge canvas photo above his head caught my eye. I didn't remember seeing it there Friday night. It was of Will's sister. In naughty lingerie? Huh.

"No, and now you won't be having any twosomes either." 

"What am I supposed to think when you bring a random woman into our bedroom?" he asked.

"This is … I'm sorry, what was your name?" she asked me.

"Lacy."

"This is Lacy. Will's … date from the other night. Have you seen a diamond earring?"

"Wow, he was right. How the fuck did Will manage to snag you?" the man asked as he climbed out of bed and opened a dresser drawer. "You were shit-faced drunk, right?"

"Dylan! My brother is a sweet, handsome guy."

"Hold on," I said as all the pieces started to fall into place. "Do you guys live here?" I asked even though I was pretty sure I knew the answer. 

"Ah, yeah," the woman replied, sounding confused. "Why?" she asked then gasped. "Did that bastard pretend like this was his place?"

"Yep. He sure did," I responded, pissed that he'd not only used me, but had also lied to me, apparently about everything except his name.              

The man laughed while the woman looked appalled. "Dylan was right. You are too good for my brother. That lying sack of shit. I can't believe he did that."

"Here you go," the man said when he came over and dropped the diamond stud into my palm.

"Thank you," I sighed in relief.                 

"You found it and didn't tell me?" the woman snapped at the man, Dylan I believe she'd called him, with her hands on her hips. "What if it was mine?"

"I knew it wasn't yours, and I didn't want you accusing me of cheating on you if you found it. So I put it away until I could give it to Will."

Smart man.

"Oh. Well, that was probably a good idea," she conceded.

"I know, I have my moments," he responded. "So, ladies, threesome. What's it going to take to make that happen? Lots of alcohol for deniability?" he asked with a smile. His wife shook her head before leaving the room, and of course I followed.

"I apologize on his behalf. We've only been married a week and I'm already having second thoughts."

"Hey, I heard that! You know you love me!" he yelled from the bedroom.

"Congratulations," I told her. "He seems ... like a handful."

"He is, but he's worth it,” she laughed, obviously head over heels in love despite her teasing. “I'm Julie by the way. Julie Reavis," she said with a smile, offering her hand which I shook. "No wait, I’m Julie Daughtry now!"

"It was nice meeting you. Sorry for barging in on you and your new husband, and thanks for helping me find the earring," I said, holding it up as I went toward the door.

"Did you want to see him again?" she asked. "Will?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but that was before I found out he lied to me."

"I can totally understand that, but my brother really is a nice guy. He told us you were too good for him, so maybe that's why he lied."

"What?" I asked.

"He said you could have any man you wanted, so why would you want him."

I thought he was different...but it turned out I was wrong," I said as I left the apartment, almost as disappointed as the last time, if that was possible.

...

Wednesday was my first day of work, helping out in my dad's office. He was the senior partner at the biggest law firm downtown. Since one of his attorney's legal assistant had unexpected child care problems, they needed help for a few weeks. I was going to give them a hand, albeit without actually getting paid, while I looked for a job with a television station. I was also thankful for the distraction. I still couldn't stop thinking of my one night with Will. His quick dismissal and lies stung like a son of a bitch.

I went straight to my dad's side of the building when I got off the elevator, waved to his assistant, then looked around his office while he finished his telephone call. I was used to waiting on my father. "
Hold on, I have to take this call
," had been a more common saying than "
I love you
" in our house.

A few pictures of me when I was little sat in frames around the office. There were none of him and my mother, but what man would have pictures of his ex-wife in his office? I hated the flicker of hope that I'd held onto ever since I was ten and found out they were splitting up. I'd never let go of the notion that one day they'd get back together and we'd be a family again. It'd be even tougher now that my dad was on his third wife. My mom had sworn off men entirely, preferring the comfort of pills and alcohol instead.