Page 17 of The Power Play

I chuckle, “Actually I killed him and have the whole place to myself.”

“I don’t think you’re going to get away with that murder, but I’ll always be your alibi.”

“Did the guys leave for their road trip?”

“Yeah, about an hour ago. Do you want to come over to watch any of the games?”

“Maybe, I was planning on some shows, but I can cancel one because I miss you.”

“Aw, I miss you too,” she puffs her bottom lip out dramatically.

We talk a little longer, catching up and her giving me more shit about how it’s inevitable for more to happen between Charlie and me which I brush off completely. There was one kiss and it’ll never happen again, let alone more. Even if the thought of that one kiss has my head spinning.

By the time we hung up, it made me realize how much I missed living with Chandler. Most people hate having roommates and it ruins friendships, but I swear it made ours stronger.

I realize I forgot to grab some toys for my shows, so I throw on some clothes and head to my house. I check the mail and my PO box on the way because viewers will send me things from my wish list, one of the many job perks. I end up having a couple packages waiting for me and a single letter from my grandma. Iscowl at it, debating as always if I should throw it away without reading it or torture myself to see what hatred she’s spewing this time. As always, the curiosity and hope for a good laugh wins out. I bring everything into my freezing townhome to open.

The first is some red lingerie I wanted for the holiday season. It’s mostly lace and sparkles and will barely hide anything which is perfect. The second package I open has a simple note from the sender, which some choose to do, and others choose to remain anonymous. My lips pull into a smile when I see what the note says.

Lacey,

Use this when you want to let me have a little more control.

-Charles

I pull out the packaged toy to see why he says that, and my smile widens. It’s a vibrator that’s controlled with an app and can be used at a distance. I know other girls have them set up so viewers can control it with their tips, but I know Charles wants it controlled by him and only him. That shouldn’t make me as happy as it does, and I try to tamp it down. He’s just a viewer, someone who pays to watch me perform. Just like the rest of them. It means nothing.Thismeans nothing.

Lastly, I open the letter from my grandma. The woman who raised me after my parents lost custody of me when I was six for being horrible people. You’d think I went somewhere better; I was just sent to a different Devil who disguised themselves as a righteous God follower.Isn’t that some shit?

Audrey,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you may consider coming back home. It doesn’t matter what you have done, you can be saved. I want you to be saved. All sins can be forgiven and if you come home, I will help you to cleanse your soul and make room for the Lord once again.

The path you are on now only invites the Devil in, and I don’t want to see my only grandchild being condemned to Hell. I pray for you every night as I always have. I know God will answer my prayers one of these days and steer you back to the right path once again.

With love,

Grandma

I laugh as I do at every letter she sends. All of them say the same shit, different wording. I’ll never go back; she conveniently forgets all thesinsshe committed toward me becauseGodtold her to. Everything she put me through, the control, the isolation. I crumple the letter before tossing it in the garbage.

Erasing the written words from my grandma, I pack up a bag full of toys and outfits I need for shows, including the new one from Charles. I’m hoping he will be on tonight so I can thank him properly. If I’m going to be a sinner and condemned to Hell, I might as well have fun along the way.

10

We got to New York, the first stop on this trip, and checked into the hotel before having a short practice at the arena. Afterwards, some of the guys wanted to go out but I chose to stay in. As much as I don’t enjoy going out, Ireallydon’t like to the night before a game.

I’m lying on the bed flipping through channels on the TV when I get a notification on my phone and my heart rate kicks up seeing that it’s because Lacey is online. I stare at the screen debating with myself on what I should do. I know I probably shouldn’t watch now that I know it’s Audrey. Especially because I know it’s Audreyin my house.That second thought has me more curious than anything.

Will she be in the guest room? The living room? Somewhere else? I tell myself it’s pure curiosity that has me bringing up the website on my laptop and once I know, I’ll exit. I won’t watch the whole show. I won’t have a private call with her. It’s about time I stop this all together and maybe focus on trying to connect with someone in real life again instead of hiding. No matter what, this needs to stop.

My computer screen fills with her video feed and what I see has my heart pounding and my dick hardening. She’s in the guest room and I can’t help my reaction to seeing her in a room inmy house. Surrounded bymythings.Mine.The possessive thoughts slam into me like a truck and I can’t help it. Even though she’s not mine. Lacey–Audrey– isn’t and will never be mine.

I should exit the video now. I saw what I needed to see, but then questions start being asked in the chat, and I find myself curious how she’s going to answer. Someone asks where she is since it’s clearly not her normal space.

“I’m staying at a friend’s house for a little bit while my place gets some work done,” she answers. A friend, I smirk since we are certainly not friends.

Someone else asks more about her friend and if they will be coming home soon.

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