Page 57 of The Playboy

“Hey, mate. She’s not there. Stop all the noise,” I say. He turns his attention to me and sneers when Sam pokes her head out from behind me.

“Looks like the whore needs her playboy to fight her battles.” Ben stands directly in front of me, seething.

“Hey, there’s no need to talk to her like that, and yes, if it’s going to keep her safe, I’ll fight whoever I need to. What’s going on that you have to practically break down her door?”

“She lost me my deal with Netflix. I’m not sure how, but they called me and told me they’re going in a different direction. When I asked them why, they said it’s difficult to employ someone who cannot be trusted. What the hell did you do, Sam?” He tries to get around me to her, but I push her farther behind me.

“Back off, Ben. Sam did nothing to make you lose that deal. You did that on your own when you tried to blackmail her into sleeping with you.”

“That’s bullshit!”

“Well, your pictures are false, for one thing. If the release hasn’t gone out yet, it will very soon. I also have friends in high places. You fucked with the wrong man. Next time you try to ruin someone’s career, make sure they can’t outsmart you. I’ll be getting a restraining order against you, so I suggest you leave and never make contact with Sam again.”

“Wow, too chicken to face me yourself. Huh, Sam?”

I bare my teeth at him, and she places her hand on my arm. I look down at her as she produces a small smile, letting me know she is okay and can handle it.

“Ben, what you did was wrong on so many levels. I’m sorry you lost your big break because of this, but this isn’t my fault.Reel Studioscalled us down today to set the record straight, and since Tait is their client, they’re backing him. I’m sorry things have ended this way, and I hope you find something better out there. However, if I ever hear from you again, you’ll suffer more than a broken nose from me. Do you understand? Lose my number. Lose my address. I don’t want to see you ever again, Ben.”

“Yeah, you broke my nose. You’re lucky I don’t try to come after you for the medical expenses.”

“Go ahead and try. You’ll lose more than just a role. You’ll never work in this town again. I’m sure I can find the resources to make that threat come to fruition,” she challenges

The two of them are in a death stare, and I’m about ready to end it when he storms off without saying anything else.

“You were perfect, lass.” I cup her cheeks and pull her toward me for a kiss. She opens in an instant for me, and I waste no time taking what’s mine.

“Gross. You two seriously need to get a room. I can’t handle watching Tait make out with my best friend,” Emily says from the doorway. “You kicked ass, girlfriend. Good job.” She holds her fist out and waits for Sam to pound it, both of them laughing as they drop their hands.

“Well, I think I’ll be splitting my time between here and Tait’s place, so you’ll have it to yourself more often if that’s alright with you?” Sam asks.

“As long as you pay half the rent, you can stay wherever you want.”

“Deal.” She grabs a bag from the living room and hands it to Sam. “I took the liberty of packing a bag for you. I figured you’d want to get back to Tait’s as soon as you can, and I also needed something to occupy my time as Ben tried to break down the door.

“Thanks, Emily, I appreciate it.”

I take the bag from Sam and the girls hug. I know Sam isn’t moving in with me, but I’m hoping I can convince her to stay with me more often than here. In such a short time, she has gotten under my skin. I feel like I can’t breathe when she is around me, and I can’t breathe when she’s not. Who would have ever thought I would fall in love?

Never in a million years did I think it would happen to me, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

The End