David Clark [Clark - Playing for Keeps

Game MASTER

Playing for Keeps

David Clark

Game Master: Playing for Keeps 2019 by David Clark. All Rights Reserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
David Clark
Visit my website at www.authordavidclark.com
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing: July 2019
Frightening Future Publishing

CONTENTS

Robert made another misstep and once again showed the grace of a drunken walrus. Ever the professional, he recovered gracefully and smiled half-heartedly at his adoring crowd. With significant damage to his ego, but his job done. He and his partner departed the spotlight. Cheers emerged from the peanut gallery seated at the front table as he left the stage.

Bravo, said Christopher. Ive never seen someone who can leap from one burning platform to another with such grace, but look so awkward dancing at his own wedding. Luckily your beautiful wife saved you there.

Amy took a quick and deserved bow, Thank you, I didnt have much to work with out there, but I did what I could.

Robert put on a sheepish smile and took the kidding rather well. He would never confess he was more afraid of the first dance at his wedding than any challenge Christopher put before him. He spent six weeks taking lessons in various styles. Each one started with him walking in confident he would pick it up quickly, but ended with the painful suffering of his teachers toes. Luckily it appeared Amy fared better than his teacher. The smile on her radiant face made it worth it.

Here let me show you how you do it. Christopher held out his hand to Amy, Madame, care to join me.

Of course, kind sir. Amy took his hand, and the two headed to the dance floor. Robert took a seat beside Michelle and wiped the beads of sweat from his brow with a napkin.

You werent really that bad out there. She tried to hold it in, but still laughed. So did the rest of the table.

Damn, dude, why did you take some dance lessons?

Like you could have done any better, Doug. We have all seen your victory dance, Robert chided back.

Jill, eyes focused on the dance floor as she said with a dreamy tone, Neither of you stand a chance next to that. She pointed at the dance floor where Christopher guided Amy around like Fred Astaire.

Damn 007. Robert looked at Christophers glass at the table and asked, Is that a martini? Shaken, not stirred? He sat back and watched his beautiful wife have the time of her life twirling around the dance floor like a princess. Her white sequined gown catching every light and flash in the place, accentuating the magic of the moment. Why shouldnt she get to enjoy that? This was her dream wedding, and she had never looked happier. In fact, Robert had never felt happier. Just over two years ago he met a great group of friends that changed his life forever. He made a great living doing what he truly enjoyed. It enabled him to provide the life he felt Amy enjoyed. Theyd just bought a beautiful house in Del Mar Heights. The two-story Mediterranean, with the infinite edge pool behind it, was way too big for just the two of them, but they had plans for a family down the road.

Come on. I am not going to let them have all the fun. I have been known to cut a rug in the past. Doug grabbed Michelle and the two friends sprinted to the floor.

Jill looked over at Robert and asked, Recovered yet?

With a pant, I guess.

They headed to the floor, but before they stepped on the wood surface, she gave him one warning, If you fall, dont pull me down with you like you did last time.

Robert rolled his eyes and wondered if she was ever going to let him live that down.

The night rolled on with dancing, jokes, and conversation among the friends. Before the party wound down completely, Christopher asked them all up to a terrace that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. Amy thought the wedding venue looked like heaven on earth. The lush canopy of trees and the live fragrant flowers everywhere. A large mission-style club house behind and lights strung across every inch of the space.

All that beauty was nothing compared to the large tiled terrace with dark green grass between each tile and a stone wall. The hues of a pink and orange sunset cast a calming and mystical light over the entire landscape. A single table sat in the middle, with a bottle of champagne iced in a silver bucket. Seven crystal glasses with golden rims encircled the bucket and a tuxedo adorned matre d stood at the ready.

Christopher gave a single nod and asked his friends to join him at the wall. As they did, the matre d popped the cork and filled the seven glasses. He carefully arranged them on a tray before he walked over and presented each of the friends with a glass.

Christopher stepped out in front of the gathering, So, I have a toast to make, something more private, that I want to keep between us. I have been at this for several years now. Lots of groups have come and gone, but never have I met a group like you. Ones that I instantly knew it was not just a business arrangement, but a friendship. One built on trust, love, and mutual admiration. You have all enhanced my life, and from my view, the lives of each other.

He stopped and turned toward Robert and Amy, the rest of the group moved in behind Christopher, Robert and Amy, you were the last two to join us, and I speak for all of us when I say you both fit in on day one, and without you, none of us would be the person we are today. You, your personalities, your willingness to always help one another, has pulled us closer together more than we ever believed possible. It fills my heart to say that, despite Roberts quirky humor," a few of the group laughed and Michelle made a face at Robert over Christophers shoulder, Iwewell, you made us a family. The always confident and together Christopher appeared choked up slightly as he finished the toast, To our family.

The group clinked their glasses together and each took a drink. Christopher placed his glass down on the stone-capped rail of the wall and pulled an envelope out his coat pocket. Now, we all chipped in to get you something. It is not much, but we couldnt let our friends have just any honeymoon, so Jill took the liberty of canceling your trip to Cabo and we got you one better.

He handed the envelope toward the happy couple. Robert put up a modest objection, Guys, that is really too much. We cant accept.

Bob said, Yeah, we knew you would say that. Why do you think we had Jill call your travel agent and pretend to be Amy? Plus, how do you know it is too much? You havent opened it yet. It could be coupons to the burger joint up the road.

Amy took the envelope and opened it, Oh my, is all she said as she opened it and read what was inside.

You need to read the tickets closer, Amy. Your departure time is nearing.

Amy glanced at the two plane tickets in the envelope, Oh my god, we leave in about two hours. We havent packed or anything.

Doug walked forward and said, Good thing we thought all that out for you guys. There is a Jaguar E-Type parked in the drive outside the clubhouse. Your suitcases are in the back, all packed and ready. He handed a set of keys to Robert.

Now go, before I grab those tickets and take your place, Michelle said with a smirk.

Wait, how did you get in our house? asked Robert.

Doug threw his arm around Christopher and said, Do you think we really need a key?