Page 39 of Hold 'Em Tight

She's changed into one of my Dad's old football jerseys and fluffy socks.

She looks almost angelic with the setting sun shining through the windows, but I know the truth.

She's the devil, and the only way to escape her hell is to stop breathing.

“I can't believewe are going to another one of these premieres,” I grumble at Missi, who's currently taking a selfie.

“Lenny, shush, you know Daddy said we had to make an appearance. The star in this film is the daughter of the brother of one of his best clients.”

She pouts and takes another photo. I can't help but think about Rylee and how she would never be this vain.

The limo stops and I wait for the driver to open my door, then paste a fake smile on my face as I step out.

Paps all around us snap photos as I help Missi from the car, and she digs her nails into the crook of my elbow.

“Lennox. Lennox, over here,” one of the paps screams, but I’m not in the mood. I give her a wave, then point at the door with a frown, as if I'm sorry we can't chat right now.

Missi huffs beside me, and I know she's going to be mad that I didn't parade her and let her spread more lies to the tabloids.

It's bad enough that she has everyone believing we are a happy family. The comments under her latest posts made me sick.

I just hope Teo and Rylee don't see them. The only one who was ever really into social media was Donny, and his page has been silent.

“Remember, Lenny, I can end you, and your little friends too, with just the press of a button. Behave tonight, and for fuck’s sake, can't you smile.”

I hiss through my teeth, and fix my scowl into the fakest fucking smile I can manage.

Missi shakes her head, but she must spot someone behind me, because she squeals and rushes off to greet them.

I take the moment of solitude for granted. Tonight is going to fucking suck, and I wish so badly right now that I could walk over to the complimentary bar along the far wall and get a drink.

But I won't. My child deserves a sober father. Though it’s been a challenge all on its own.

I smell her strong floral perfume before she joins me. I swear she bathes in that shit. It makes me nauseous.

I miss Rylee, and how she always smelt like cherries. And Teo… fuck, the way he could work out for hours and make me want to drop to my knees for him.

“Attention, please. The movie will begin in ten minutes. Help yourself to the complimentary drinks and make your way inside to your seats,” a man wearing a red suit announces.

The crowd slowly moves away and I try to follow, but Missi tugs me back.

“Oh, Lenny, Krista was just telling me about the brunch she's having next month, and I think it would be a perfect time to announce our engagement. The press will be there and everything,” she says, and I turn to look at her.

If you didn't look into her eyes, you would never see her true colors. Wearing the tight green dress, with her hair curled and piled onto the top of her head, she looks almost sweet, but her eyes are cold, dead.

Taking a deep breath, I nod, grateful my hands are in my pockets so she can't see how they shake.

This is all for them… for your child.

“Yes, dear.”

“Oh, Lenny, don’t look so miserable. You will see I was always meant to be your wife.”

A shiver runs down my spine as she drags me into the theater. A sense of foreboding for the future if you will. All of the premiers and celebrity events I will be dragged to. I wish I could go back to before, but it doesn’t matter anymore. This is my life now.

Rylee, Mateo, and the guys will always have a piece of my heart, but all they can ever be now is a ghost of my past. It’s better this way—safer.

CHAPTER TWELVE