Page 3 of King of Players

I hadn’t met Chadwick Niles before, had I? How embarrassing that would be. Did my advancing towards thirty mean that I was soon to start forgetting more important things?

That was ridiculous. My grandmother remained sharp as a razor until the day she died.

“Ms. Bradley,” the guest in question rejoiced at the sight of me. “Please, I was betting my wife here that this trip to Jerusalem wasn’t purely religious. Help me out!”

“Yes,” his wife added. “We’d like to purchase it.”

“Well, it’s a mix of everything,” I explained. “There’s a lot of culture and beauty in Jerusalem. And in a way, you can’t fully appreciate the spiritual without the cultural and the visually stimulating.” Pausing, I examined their impressed faces. “If I were you, I’d snag that baby before it’s taken.”

“Damn it, you’re good.” The man confessed, turning to the usher and saying, “Sold!”

two

She Doesn’t Know

Chad

“Oh, man!” I complained to Abel after the woman left. “Now I get it. Ella Rose couldn’t make it tonight, and you needed an entertainer.”

Lifting up an eyebrow, Abel gave me a dirty look. “When did I say that Ella’s not coming? She’s got two events tonight—a cousin’s birthday party and this. She’s joining us later.”

Dipping my head, I let my tone convey my seriousness. “Really? Why am I even here, for real, man?”

“I thought I already explained it, but your skull seems to be exceptionally thick tonight—”

“You’re not my agent, so you don’t get to tell me that this is good for publicity.”

“But he did agree with me, didn’t he? And that’s why you’re really here.”

Sighing, I knew he was right. My last ex, a supermodel named Dalidah, had been going around telling everyone that I had cheated on her. Even though it didn’t actually happen—and I was only innocently flirting with an old fling at a party—people tended to believe the worst about actors. If word of her rumor got leaked to the media, then I had to be prepared with some appearances that would put me in a good light.

And what was better than a dignified party that aimed at collecting funds for a church youth center?

“Why are you so worked up, anyway?” Abel finally asked. “Is it because she didn’t recognize you?”

“Of course not,” I lied. “It’s pretty clear she lives under a rock. Her ignorance is on her, not me.”

He coolly smirked, looking at the drink in his hand, shaking it, creating little waves inside the glass. “Yet here you are, calling her ignorant. Come on, man. I know you.”

“Spare me the ego talk, please.” I took a sip of my drink—or basically downed it like a shot. “She may be gorgeous and sophisticated, but not unattainable.”

“Excuse me?” He narrowed his eyes.

“I’m telling you; most women like her resort to leaving that stick up their asses, because nothing else is poking.”

Rolling away his head, he slid his hand in his pocket and exhaled in exasperation. “Jesus. You’re unbelievable.”

“Well, it’s better I got this out of my system before your lady arrived, right?”

Smiling, he shook his head the way a disappointed—yet amused—parent would at the antics of their child. “I sure hope you try to make a pass at Kaira Bradley. Some people only learn the hard way.”

He was challenging me, and in the realm of women and sex, I believed that I was unstoppable. It was almost stupid of him—knowing me so well—to provoke such a thought with regard to our hostess. Because he must know that I was going to strum the right chords, hit all the right notes, and create the best symphony on the ruins of Kaira Bradley’s nonchalance. “I guess school’s in session, then.”

Just as calmly, he slowly shook his head and looked back down at his drink, lifting it up only halfway to his mouth. “No, it’s not.” He took a sip.

“It’s a one-man job, Abel. I don’t need you to bless this.”

Turning to me, he kept his expression straight. “Whatever you do, don’t make me look bad. Okay? Mrs. Bradley, Kaira’s grandmother, was an old family friend. I mean it.”

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