Page 75 of Play Dirty

I’m feeling pretty melancholy when I walk into the house, but there are multiple cars in the driveway, which means Chey and Ivan are entertaining. I’d been enjoying having the house to myself, reinforcing the idea that I need to get off my ass and find a place of my own, but in the meantime, I force myself to smile. I hope it’s not anyone I know, but of course, it is.

“Hey, Stevie!” Chey calls out. “I didn’t think you’d be home tonight but come join us. We’re just having some wine.”

I hesitate, but it’s Canyon and Saylor and Jensen Bang and his fiancée, Bailey Walker. Saylor is one of my besties, and Bailey is an actress I’ve gotten close to since moving to L.A. It would be rude to say I don’t feel like socializing and just go up to my room, so I put down my purse and join them in the family room.

“Where’s Marty?” Ivan asks.

I sigh. “Today was his last day with the kids. Brenna’s picking them up in the morning, and I decided not to sleep over. She didn’t seem happy to see me last time we crossed paths.”

“Wait—you and Marty?” Bailey grins. “You’ve been holding out on us, girlfriend!”

“I knew,” Chey quips, “but it wasn’t my place to tell.”

“How come I didn’t know?” Saylor demands, laughing.

“It’s new,” I say gently. “We’ve been feeling things out, trying to see how things go. We both have a lot going on so we’re staying under the radar as we find our footing.”

“Marty’s such a great guy,” Saylor says softly. “You guys make a wonderful couple.”

“Heispretty great,” I agree. “And the kids are so sweet.”

“How’s Marty doing with regard to the kids leaving?” Ivan asks.

“He’s okay now, but I’m sure tomorrow will be hard on him.”

“We should get together,” Chey says automatically. “Maybe go out somewhere, get his mind off things.”

“That would be nice,” I say. “He’s really worried about the custody hearing.”

“We’ve all got his back,” Ivan says firmly. “Whatever he needs.”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”

“What about you?” Bailey asks. “Do you have any work coming up?”

“I’m trying to keep my schedule simple until we know the date of Damien’s trial,” I admit.

“You don’t have a date yet?” Saylor asks. “I really want to be there for you, but my schedule is going to be super busy now after taking most of the summer off.”

I nod. “I know. It’s okay.”

“It’s not.” She shakes her head. “I know you don’t want to be there alone.”

“I’ll be there regardless,” Chey says. “So she won’t be alone.”

“I don’t start preproduction on my movie until November,” Bailey says, “so I can be there if it’s before that…”

“I appreciate you guys,” I say softly. “But there’s nothing we can do. You can’t all put your lives on hold waiting for a trial date. We’ll see what happens.”

Everyone is quiet for a minute.

“Well.” Chey gets up. “Time to open another bottle of wine. Join us for a glass, Stevie?”

“Sure.” I get up and follow her to the kitchen, grabbing a wine glass from the shelf as she uncorks another bottle.

“How are you really?” she asks softly. “This thing with Marty more serious than you’re letting on?”

“How can it not be?” I ask. “I mean, he’s wonderful. The type of guy I didn’t think existed. And we’ve been…a family. With his kids, at his house—I’m starting to fall, Chey, and I’m terrified.”

---