Page 1 of Playing Pretend

CHAPTER1

Piper

“She only wantedto sleep with me because I whispered in her ear that I’d let her call me daddy.”

I take a gulp of wine, trying to calm the blush preparing to heat my cheeks as Rome shares the details of yet another explicit encounter. “You said that to her at a work function? Entirely out of the blue?”

“I’d had a bit to drink.”

Even without alcohol, it isn’t necessarily surprising. Rome has never been a vanilla kind of guy. He’s more like a bag of Skittles dipped in sprinkles, luxuriating in a pool of expensive chocolate.

“Really?” My brother, Everett, raises a brow and reclines in his cushioned outdoor chair, the slight breeze whispering through his hair. “I never took Gillian to be the daddy’s girl type. She’s always so…quiet.”

“She’s far from quiet when it counts.” Rome winks.

“And she’s far from a girl,” I mutter around another necessary sip of alcohol. “If you’re going to belittle women, can you at least address them accordingly?”

“I’m far from belittling. You know I respect the women I sleep with.” His eyes narrow in mock scrutiny. “But you’ve started getting your panties in a twist when we talk about sex lately.”

“No, I haven’t,” I lie.

This is why our weekly Friday night drink sessions on my brother’s balcony are a minefield. Everett and Rome are my closest friends. Mybestfriends. And when both of them are six years older than me, and one of them just happens to be my sibling, it doesn’t always make for comfortable conversation. Especially when racy topics have started to become a default.

If it weren’t for me correcting them on the misguided way they reference women, I wouldn’t be able to participate in the conversation at all.

I’m one hundred percent lacking in relatability when it comes to sex. I’m practically a reclaimed virgin after my last failed relationship.

“Why don’t you share one of your stories then?” Rome asks. “How is that sex life of yours holding up?”

“As much as I’m sure Rett would love the latest sordid details of what I do between the sheets, I’m going to take a hard pass on this one. I’d also like it noted that I’m not here for the riveting conversation.” I kick my feet onto my brother’s polished concrete coffee table. “I’m only here every week for the expensive liquor.”

“Bullshit.” Rett laughs. “You’re here to live vicariously through Rome. Hell, even I am on a bad week.”

I hold Rome’s stare, pretending to be undaunted. “I’m more than happy with my love life, thank you very much.”

Lies. Lies. All lies.

Rome remains quiet, letting the subtle tweak of his lips do all the talking. He can be an arrogant asshole when he wants to be.

Although I’m sure he’d never admit it, I’m positive he’s previously hired a stylist to nail his appearance. Looking that good twenty-four-seven isn’t natural. The perfectly tailored suits. All those dark-shaded ties that accentuate his predatory brown eyes. Even the way he finger combs his hair so it’s that easy, lazy style.

“How are things with that ex of yours?” Rett asks. “Has he stopped calling?”

“No.” I take another sip of wine, needing the additional alcohol before delving into yet another unwanted topic. “At least he hadn’t prior to me blocking his number.”

“You’re still having problems with him?” Rome frowns over the lip of his scotch glass. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Because the relationship was a disaster. One where my ex seemed more interested in Rome and his success than me. “It’s not a big deal. Julian kept calling, so I blocked his number. End of story.”

“That’s harassment.”

“Not anymore it isn’t. I haven’t heard from him since.” That’s the only saving grace to come out of the mistake of dating someone in the same realtor company as me. I’m just glad he works in the office across the other side of L.A. so now we rarely see each other. “He hasn’t stopped me from moving on. I even went on a date last week.” I quickly take another sip. “Is anyone else getting hungry? We should order pizza.”

My brother scoffs.

Rome sits forward, his attention zoning in on little ol’ me as he rests his forearms on his knees. “You’re just going to slip that dating detail into the conversation and hope we ignore it?”

That was exactly what I’d hoped. “Don’t make this a thing. I haven’t told anyone about it.”

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