Page 17 of Game Changer

Chapter7

Zara

The early morning sunlight streaming through the windows casts a serene glow over my bed. I’m in a room in the east wing of the castle and I knew from the position that I’d get a great view of the sunrise. I’ve always loved waking up to the sun and that’s why the house I bought had to have the master bedroom east facing. I didn’t buy it for the house, I bought it for the view.

It’s nice to wake to this today because I had the worst sleep ever last night. I tossed and turned all night and slipped in and out of many different dreams about Buckie. At one point I actually considered going to his room to satisfy the obvious itch I seem to have for him. Although I know how much of a disaster that would have been because I would never be able to give him up again. My brain must have made up every scenario in the book on how we can be together. But they always end with me left heartbroken.

I stretch out my limbs and grab my phone from the bedside table. I have a reports app that allows the managers of all my businesses to upload their reports at the end of the night. It’s where they can report any problems that have occurred during their shifts. And it looks like it was all quiet last night. No problems and no staff absence. At least something went right yesterday.

It's awkward being here and around Buckie. It’s as though I’m giving off some kind of unconscious signal to him. Does he know I’m in love with him? It might be my own fault that he keeps trying. That or he’s sex starved and wants to relieve the tension. Whatever the reason, it’s taking all my resolve to try and keep my feelings down. At least enough not to end up broken again when he leaves.

I’m about to get up when there’s a knock on my door. “Come in,” I call pulling the duvet up around me.

“Morning,” Buckie says, peeking his head round the door.

“Hi.”

“Do you mind?” He nods into the room.

“Of course not.” I don’t know why I’m so bashful around him. We’ve done some wild stuff together, but back then it was different. At first it was fun and exciting. Wild carefree sex on tap whenever we wanted it, no strings attached. But then things changed because it wasn’t only casual sex anymore. We used to spend a lot of time together outside the bedroom — or whatever room we could find. Acting like any other couple. Going to the cinema, to dinner, chatting over ice cream and Netflix. Simply being in each other’s company most days and on nights I wasn’t working. We got comfortable with each other, and I know it was the reason I was heartbroken when he didn’t come back. I lost my best friend, but it also felt as though I had lost my soulmate too.

He comes into the room and sits on the bed in front of me. “I’ve had Shelly organise a stylist for you for the premiere. They’ll take care of everything from a dress to hair, shoes and make-up. I thought you deserved a bit of pampering so you can enjoy the whole experience.”

“A stylist? Wow. Thank you. I’m excited about it you know. Premieres look so glamorous. They’ve always intrigued me.”

“Well they do look like that to anyone watching on TV but they’re as boring as hell for the actors. I love meeting fans, but then there’s all the posing for photos and all the press calls. I have a couple of chat shows lined up this week too. It gets tedious having to answer the same questions over and over again. I suppose it’s all part of being in the industry.”

“Can I tell you something? I’m very proud of you. You set out to do this and you didn’t stop until you succeeded. I’m glad things worked out the way they did for you.”

He takes my hand and rubs my knuckles. “And you. You’re a fucking badass businesswoman now. I always knew you’d go far but I never expected you to own half of Glasgow when I next saw you.”

I slap his hand.

“Oh shut up. I don’t own half of Glasgow. I own five premises. There are some people who do own half of the city. I have a couple of friends who own quite a few properties around Glasgow. I’m a tiny wee fish compared to them. But I don’t need anything else. I’m happy right where I am. My pubs do well. And Crush will do well as long as there are enough people wanting to let their hair down and try something new.”

He nods, a satisfied grin on his face. “Look how we’ve grown babe. Bet you never thought you’d end up in a castle with a mega famous Hollywood actor sitting on your bed.”

“Yeah, I’m such a lucky girl, aren’t I?”

He stands up and smiles in that cocky way he always has when he’s about to say something cheeky. “It’s been a long time since you’ve been agirl.”

“Fuck right off you cheeky shit.” I roll my eyes to the ceiling. “He giveth with one hand, and he taketh with the other.”

He walks out the door laughing to himself, and I throw myself back on the bed. I wish we could go back to the simple life we used to have. With hindsight I would never have got into a friends with benefits relationship with him. I’m awkward around him now and that’s not me. I’m always confident in everything I do. But these feelings I have when we are together now aren’t sitting well with me.

* * *

Buckie’s parents have packed up their motorhome and are heading off to France for a few weeks. I love them dearly. They’ve always had a kind of bohemian vibe about them. Laid back and never letting anything bother them. My parents are the same and I think it’s one of the reasons I get on so well with Karen and Fraser.

Standing at the front entrance of the castle to wave them off, I can feel Buckie’s eyes on me. I turn to find him smiling at me.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing. Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“About how much I’m loving spending time with you again. It’s been too long. Do you need me to take you home right now or would you like to spend the day here with me? I haven’t shown you the rest of the place yet and there’s a room I know you’ll love. If you want, you can stay another night and I’ll drop you home tomorrow before I head to Edinburgh to pick up my kilts.”

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