Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies - Chapter 12: Chapter 12
You are reading Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies, Chapter 12: Chapter 12. Read more chapters of Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies.
I started being myself with Amaury.
No more stalking his Instagram for clues about what he liked. We just learned each other naturally.
Instead of suffering through pretentious foreign films, I made him watch my trashy horror movies after dinner. He'd sit there trying to look unbothered, then jolt awake at 3 AM grabbing for me.
"Baby," he'd whisper when he thought I was asleep, "maybe we could watch literally anything else next time?"
I quit pretending to be sophisticated about wine and dragged him to sketchy dive bars for tequila shots. Poor guy turned bright red after one drink, coughing like he was dying while I cracked up.
When I teased him, he'd get all huffy and formal. Then I found bottles of Jameson stashed around his place where he'd been secretly trying to build up his tolerance.
Dante finally fucked off back to LA. Stopped showing up everywhere I went.
Word was he suddenly got serious about the family business—apparently going to war with all his half-siblings over daddy's money.
Beginning of March, Amaury proposed.
Said he was done waiting, wanted to lock it down ASAP.
Dante somehow heard about the engagement and demanded one last conversation.
I told Amaury and agreed to meet him at the overlook. Ocean spread out below us, waves smashing against rocks while seagulls did their thing overhead.
Dante was leaning on the railing in a black hoodie, beer in hand. He offered me one while eyeing my ring like it personally offended him.
"Seriously? How long have you two been together? And you're already getting married?"
I popped open my beer. "When it's right, it's right. No point dragging it out."
He laughed bitterly and went quiet, staring at the water.
Finally: "So what happens to me?"
"You got what you wanted from me and moved on to your upgrade. Now you're living the dream while I'm just... what? Supposed to be cool with it?"
"Oh please. You've got a whole fan club waiting for their turn. You'll be fine." I bumped his shoulder playfully. When he didn't react, I pulled back.
"Look, Dante, you never actually loved me. If you had, you wouldn't have been screwing around our entire relationship."
"You're just mad because nobody's ever walked out on you before. Your ego's bruised, that's all."
Dante didn't say anything, just chugged his beer.
I handed him mine. "For real though, I hope you find someone who makes you happy."
I started walking away.
I'd made it halfway to my car when he shouted after me, voice cracking:
"I did love you, Katrina! I fucking loved you!"
I kept walking, threw a wave over my shoulder without turning around.
My phone buzzed. Amaury.
"Been hitting the whiskey all week. Ready for our rematch at Tony's tonight."
I grinned, typing back:
"Bring it. Loser does dishes for a month."
Sky stretched endless over the ocean, sun cutting through the clouds.
Spring was finally here.
No more stalking his Instagram for clues about what he liked. We just learned each other naturally.
Instead of suffering through pretentious foreign films, I made him watch my trashy horror movies after dinner. He'd sit there trying to look unbothered, then jolt awake at 3 AM grabbing for me.
"Baby," he'd whisper when he thought I was asleep, "maybe we could watch literally anything else next time?"
I quit pretending to be sophisticated about wine and dragged him to sketchy dive bars for tequila shots. Poor guy turned bright red after one drink, coughing like he was dying while I cracked up.
When I teased him, he'd get all huffy and formal. Then I found bottles of Jameson stashed around his place where he'd been secretly trying to build up his tolerance.
Dante finally fucked off back to LA. Stopped showing up everywhere I went.
Word was he suddenly got serious about the family business—apparently going to war with all his half-siblings over daddy's money.
Beginning of March, Amaury proposed.
Said he was done waiting, wanted to lock it down ASAP.
Dante somehow heard about the engagement and demanded one last conversation.
I told Amaury and agreed to meet him at the overlook. Ocean spread out below us, waves smashing against rocks while seagulls did their thing overhead.
Dante was leaning on the railing in a black hoodie, beer in hand. He offered me one while eyeing my ring like it personally offended him.
"Seriously? How long have you two been together? And you're already getting married?"
I popped open my beer. "When it's right, it's right. No point dragging it out."
He laughed bitterly and went quiet, staring at the water.
Finally: "So what happens to me?"
"You got what you wanted from me and moved on to your upgrade. Now you're living the dream while I'm just... what? Supposed to be cool with it?"
"Oh please. You've got a whole fan club waiting for their turn. You'll be fine." I bumped his shoulder playfully. When he didn't react, I pulled back.
"Look, Dante, you never actually loved me. If you had, you wouldn't have been screwing around our entire relationship."
"You're just mad because nobody's ever walked out on you before. Your ego's bruised, that's all."
Dante didn't say anything, just chugged his beer.
I handed him mine. "For real though, I hope you find someone who makes you happy."
I started walking away.
I'd made it halfway to my car when he shouted after me, voice cracking:
"I did love you, Katrina! I fucking loved you!"
I kept walking, threw a wave over my shoulder without turning around.
My phone buzzed. Amaury.
"Been hitting the whiskey all week. Ready for our rematch at Tony's tonight."
I grinned, typing back:
"Bring it. Loser does dishes for a month."
Sky stretched endless over the ocean, sun cutting through the clouds.
Spring was finally here.
End of Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies Chapter 12. Continue reading Chapter 13 or return to Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies book page.