Struck By You: Players by I.M. Hicks Page B

freak like I think she is?”
    I put the food and coffee on the floor next to the door of my room.
    “Tanner, I’m telling you right now, no it’s not her and walk the fuck away,” I said loudly.
    Just then the door opens. She had a towel wrapped around her and her hair was wet.
    “Mason what’s going on?” she said as she opened the door wider.
    My brother started laughing. “I fucking knew it!”
    She began to close the door but he stepped up and held it open.
    “Hey sweetheart, we’re having a party at my place next weekend and you’re the guest of honor. My bro will fill you in.”
    “Yeah no thanks, not interested,” she replied.
    “Sweetheart, you don’t fool me,” he began. “I know you’re a freak and you’d get down with the two of us. I promise we never disappoint.”
    I grabbed my brother and pushed him against the wall. “Shut the fuck up Tanner!” I yelled.
I heard the door slam shut.

“Did I say something wrong?”
    “Tanner, please just leave us alone.”
    “Us?”
    I pushed him harder, picked up the food and used my key card to get back inside.
         “Riley.”
    She was silent. She was already getting dressed, with her back to me.
“What the fuck was he talking about, Mason?”
    “Nothing, he’s just being prick,” I replied, feeling sick to my stomach.
    “You never disappoint? What, you do this often?” she said turning around to look at me.
    “No, no we don’t.” I needed to figure out a way to finish this conversation – she had a disgusted look on her face.
    “Whatever. I don’t want to know about the things you two have done, but don’t think for a minute I’ll take part in any of it,” she said.
    I shook my head. “I brought breakfast,” I said walking up to her.
         She smiled. “Your brother is an asshole.”
    I agreed. “He’s exactly like my father was, we just look alike. Which is why they never did get along.”
    She nodded. “But you did.”
    “Law was about the only thing we had in common, but even then, it wasn’t enough to win him over. He was a difficult man to please.”
    She put her arms around me and kissed me.  “Are you staying with me tonight?”
    “Yes, but I have the will and testament meeting tomorrow with dad’s lawyers and Tanner.”
    “I have to work in the morning,” she replied kissing my neck.
    “I’m sorry I have to miss class.”
    “There’s a private make-up class at my condo later,” she said biting my earlobes.
    “Check out is in forty-five minutes and I’m feeling filthy.”
    She bit her lip. “Maybe you should hit the shower – water is hot just how you like it and I’m feeling a little filthy as well.”
    Three hours later and a hefty surcharge for staying after check-out time, we were on the road making our way back to Toronto.
     
         Monday morning, after the meeting with the lawyers, I agreed to have lunch with my brother before seeing Riley.
         “So tell me about this girl,” my brother began as soon as our food was served.
    “No.”
    “Oh c’mon Mason, what’s the big deal, you pussy whipped now?”
    “See, that’s exactly why I’m not telling you a goddamn thing.”
    “So she’s okay with your lifestyle?” he asked.
    “I’m not sure I’m okay with my lifestyle.”
    “What the fuck are you talking about?” he replied “We just inherited a shitload of money and you got dad’s business. You’re twenty-eight years old and in your prime. Think about all the pussy that’s coming to us. We should be fucking celebrating.”
    “Celebrate away,” I retorted.
    “She knows nothing about you, does she?” he said smiling wry.
    “She knows enough and I intend to keep it that way, you hear me?” I said.
    He laughed. “So you’re serious about this broad,” he said.
    “Never been as sure about something as I am about her.”
    “Wow,” he rose his eyebrows.
    “What?”
    “Nothing, just surprised is all.”
    “Just say what you mean Tanner.”
    “She’s