Page 51 of King of Players

“That’s because the older you get; the less black-and-white life becomes. You understand that there are thousands of shades in between. And it’s not fair to expect perfection out of others when you can’t be perfect yourself.”

“Perfection? I’m talking about fidelity.”

“It won’t count as cheating if we both step into it with a more open-minded agreement, don’t you think? What if I tell you that I would be receptive to the idea of an open marriage, occasionally? To satisfy those needs you’re referring to?”

“Oscar… you’ve changed.”

“I thought we'd established that.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not in the direction that can place us together on a romantic path.”

“Marriage and romance are two different things.”

“So, if passion and romance are out… what are you looking for, exactly?”

“A partner. A life companion. A friend who’ll be there, and knows that I’ll be there, too. For better or for worse.”

A deep sigh embodied all the sorrow I felt for how our first conversation in years was ending. “Oscar… as nice as that sounds in theory, I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s how I want to live my life.”

He smiled, a gentle, fatherly smile as he placed his fist under his chin, leaning forward against the table. Slowly shaking his head, he asked as if rhetorically, “Just when did you develop a palate for romance, Kaira Bradley?”

I smiled, mimicking his gesture as I gazed into his dear eyes. “Somewhere between losing my family to death and spite.”

“Little Wyatt still giving you a hard time?” He sat back, reaching for his glass.

“Well, I had to cave. I foolishly gave him his share, thinking that it would fix things between us.”

“However?”

I sighed, leaning back in my seat, suddenly feeling the weight of loss heavy on my chest. “I never knew gratitude could be so cold. I haven’t heard from him or his fiancée in four months.”

“I heard they’re planning for the wedding to be in Paris. Not a cliché at all.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I am yet to receive an invitation.”

“Well, if I ever do… you’ll be my plus-one just to see the look on their faces.”

I chuckled, glad that we could still talk the way we had long before we’d ever slept together. “So, now what?”

Clearing his throat, he fidgeted in his seat. “Well, I know that should’ve come before I made a fool of myself, but… how’s the romance front?”

“Uh—” I said with a sigh, fixing my gaze on a random spot over his shoulder. “I’m still young. Still got time, right?”

“Whoever he is… he’d be lucky to have you.”

“Don’t say things like that.”

“I mean it. No hard feelings. I just hope you find what you’re looking for.”

Nodding, I gave him a sincere look of gratitude. “You too, Oscar.”

After spending the rest of the evening catching up, and avoiding memories of what used to be, we ended the evening on a sweet note. Oscar walked me to my car and gave me a kiss on the cheek, telling me to drive safely.

But as soon as I settled into the driver’s seat, the urge to drive as recklessly as I possibly could took over. Blasting some music, I clutched the wheel with both hands, willing myself to look at caution in the rearview mirror.

I drove on, maneuvering through traffic and taking an exit onto the highway. Opening all four windows, I pulled the clip out of my hair and let it fly about my face, the cool air and my wild tresses hitting my skin, as if to slap me into feeling alive.

An immense sense of liberation seeped through my body and mind, as if I had been waiting to confirm who I truly was through a conversation with Oscar. I hadn’t realized that our relationship still had a hold on me until I saw him—until we talked.

---