Page 9 of The Mark (The Players 2)

Ihauledmy toiletry bag into the bathroom and began to lay everything out on the vanity. Then I wandered back to the bedroom to organize my clothes. If they remained in the suitcase, I’d have to deal with wrinkles. For now, for Ty, my appearance mattered. When I moved to a different hotel and started treating this as a vacation, I’d restrain myself from taking the time to unpack. Yes, I was quite the rebel. My phone chimed almost as soon as I’d finished hanging the last of the items from mygarmentbag.

Ty:Looks like I have time before the big dinner. Want to grab a drink in the bar? Doesn’t even have to havealcohol.

Ididn’t hesitate.After all, we’d been friends long enough that Ty probably could smell how desperate I felt from wherever he was at themoment.

Me:Thank God. See you inafew.

Ithrewa navy blue sports coat over my sensible white polo shirt and khakis. Then I made my way back to Drew’s room. The clerk had been kind enough to give me a key to his room…just in case. This seemed like such a situation. I entered the room and tiptoed to stand roughly five feet from his bed. “I’m going to meet up with Ty. Wanna come?” I whispered so quietly I doubted the CIA could’ve picked it up. “Okay then. See you at dinner. Eight o’clock. Don’tbelate.”

Then I hustled out of the room, holding the door as it closed so there was barely a click when it shut. For the first time in a week, I felt nearly carefree. I danced to the elevator. I pressed the button and the doors opened, a sure sign my luck was changing. When I stepped off the elevator in the lobby, I found Ty a few feet away. He’d apparently just arrived too. I caught his eye and he stuffed his hands into his pockets then shrugged in an effort to appear all relaxed. “Good to see you.” I held out a hand and we did thebrohug.

“I barely recognized you!” His eyes widened. “What made you start growing out the facial hair? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with a mustache and beard. You look very much like…thatotherHarry.” Tygrinned.

I sighed. “My mother would be so proud. She’d finally haveherwish.”

“Yes, she was always a tad obsessed with the royal family.” He snickered. Then he frowned. “So, seriously. Theface.Why?”

I rubbed the back of myneck. “Drew.”

Ty tilted his head. “What about Drew? Is thissomebet?”

“I wish.” I scratched my chin. “See, Drew flew home with me. Then he came home with me. And he pretty much hasn’t left since.” I blew out abreath. “Help.”

“Let’s go grab a drink. That’s a lot to digest.” He shook his head and then directed me towardthebar.

We were quiet on the walk and I began to feel badly for overwhelming him with this after I hadn’t seen him for a week. I started thinking about how I could be a better friend, because he’d always been so good to me. “You know, I show up here after not hearing a word from you in a week. And I never even asked what you’ve beenupto.”

Ty clapped me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. This is moreimportant.”

“Nah. It’s Drew. I’m coping.” I mumbled, “I’ve been coping, but I could use thesupport.”

“We’re friends and I know how challenging it can be to handle Drew alone.” He chuckled. We sat on stools at the bar. Within seconds, the bartender had made his way overtous.

“How are you today, Mr. George?” He set out two napkins. “Can I get you something todrink?”

“I’ll just have a Coke.” Ty turned to me. “What would you like,Harry?”

“Well, I’m not going to drink alone. Make that two Cokes.” Ishrugged.

“Thank you, Stephen.” He nodded as the bartender backed away to fill ourorder.

I shook my head in wonder. “You’ve been here a little over a week and look at how everyone here treats you with such reverence. It’s crazy.” I sighed. Then I frowned. “Hey, where are youstaying?”

Ty stiffened. “What doyoumean?”

My brow furrowed. “I mean, are you in a different room in the hotel? Did you finally manage to get a penthouse suite? I thought it was strange we weren’t given roomsnearyou.”

He cleared his throat. “Actually, I moved out of the hotel. I’m in ahouse…”

A moment later Stephen returned with our drinks. “Here youare,sir.”

Ty pulled a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet, laid it on the bar, and pushed it toward him. “Thankyou.”

After the bartender pocketed it and disappeared, Ty picked up his drink and motioned for me to follow him. Soon we were outside, sharing a poolside cabana. “I thought you might feel right in your element here,” hejoked.

“Yeah, because this ginger can’t get enough sun.” I chuckled. “So now, about theaccommodations.”

“How do you like yours?” He gazed out over the pool and I realized he was being intentionallyevasive.

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