Two Can Play This Game
Chapter 51
Phillip’s POV
I can’t believe how this is completely falling apart. What are the odds he would return here on
the day we arrive? I almost wished I had told Addison about Tammy now. She wouldn’t have
never come back if I had. The bad part is that when Garrett showed up, I saw the interest in
Addison’s eyes. Even Corbin, my little buddy, is enamored with Garrett. It was evident that he
already loved his father without even knowing that Garrett was his father.
This was supposed to be when Addison and I were to get closer. That one night, after a few
drinks, Addison would finally allow me to sleep with her. I mean, we are engaged now. She
should allow me to show her I was also worth her interest and that it’s not just Garrett who
could please her. I will have to push my plans up, as I can see that Garrett is not only
interested. He wants to be a family with Addison and Corbin. I can’t allow that to happen.
The fact that her grandmother was the one who shot me down hurt. I know that her
grandfather is still on my side, but after Gwen mentioned Ana, I saw him start to cave. I could
see that he would soon go with Gwen on this. They want Addison to go with her heart and to
hell with what I want or need. I can’t believe they would support her like that, while she is
wearing my ring. That is a betrayal in itself. I wanted to punch Garrett so bad.
His heartfelt words pissed me off. I won’t allow him to do drop–ins; I had already made a
mental note to ensure my security team didn’t allow him to enter the house. That would be
happening over my dead body. He already knew it and had countered by exchanging numbers,
which they were doing now. I would have to work around him, and I knew exactly how I would
start. He isn’t the only one who could make plans. I doubt the dumb jock is going to be able to
outsmart me.
I had gone shopping earlier today, as I was the first to arrive. I couldn’t wait to live with
Addison. I had hoped that during our time together, without distractions. We could naturally
move on to the next level. I wasn’t joking about having waited for Addison. Dina was the last
person I had been with; it had been several years for me. I took care of any rising issues myself. I made it much longer than Garrett managed to make it. I wanted to show Addison
how much she meant to me by waiting until she was ready.
I put a roast into the crockpot, seasoned it, and added carrots, onions, and potatoes. I wanted to show her how it could be between us living as a family. I would share in the household
chores, I am glad that she didn’t eat pizza, either. I tried not to rise to his bait. I knew he
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wanted me to lose it and start yelling, but I wouldn’t play into his hands like that. I am her fiancé. She was wearing my ring, and she had already accepted me. I belong with her, not him,
and I will be sure to remind her of that fact.
Corbin had nodded off, and Garrett was now holding him. I saw him looking down at Corbin’s face. That was supposed to be me holding him, taking care of him. I was supposed to be his father figure. Garrett might not have known about him, but he barely looked for her. I am sure that he will be busy again soon. Getting ready for the next season when he goes back to playing football.
I can be nice and give him some time with his son. After I marry Addison, I will make Garrett concede that it would be in Corbin’s best interest to allow me to raise him. He might love him, but he doesn’t know how to care for a young child. Garrett has also shown that he can’t be trusted. It is only a matter of time before Corbin and Addison see that.
I wanted Addison to give him his walking papers and shoot him down. Instead, Addison surprised me by saying, “We can have coffee and talk, Garrett. But I’m not promising anything. I want you to know not to lie to me again. I’m not the same girl that falls for anything you say
anymore.”
I managed to keep my mouth closed. I would not mention that I had just sent out a text with
his picture. Telling the security lead that I hired not to allow Garrett into her house. I also sent
the photo to my lead. I told him he needed to let me know if he ever saw Garrett in the house.
She fell for his charms again, but we are evenly matched. I almost wished that he hadn’t been
hurt. Then, I could have shown him he didn’t stand a chance against me.
He is a little taller than me but slimmer than I am. He is in good shape, but I have been taking
and now teaching self–defense classes for a while. I am not intimidated by him. I just sat back
and started to devise my own plan. One that allowed me to come out of this, with Addison as
my prize. I was not just going to give up on her because he was sorry about being a jerk. I am
not stupid, and I am not just going to stand by while this pretty boy tries to take my fiancé.
That is not going to happen, not if I can help it. I am going to remind her of his frat boy ways. I
will do it as often as I need, for her to keep him at arm’s length. I held Addison’s hand, and she
didn’t pull away. At least, that was something. I feel anxious, as this was the worst possible
outcome. I wish I had known that Garrett’s injuries had been bad enough to have to come back
and live with his parents. As bad as this whole situation was, his situation was embarrassing
for him.
Finally, it was time for the Dawson’s to return to Dallas. Garrett struggled to get up, with a
sleeping boy in his arms. I stepped in to take him before Addison could. I don’t want her within
arms‘ reach of Garrett. I can already see the writing on the wall between them. Addison was
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visibly tired, even though it was still early. That was fine. I had plans for tonight. I was going to make sure I put my plan into action.
“Phillip, I am sorry if I hurt you, but it needed to be said,” Gwen told me before hugging me. She then got into the passenger seat of the SUV. She had already hugged and privately spoken to Addison. God only knows what she said to her, but I know she is not an ally now. I will focus
on Nash and Alexandra from now on. Alexandra was not on Garrett’s side. She buckled Corbin in and came over to hug me.
“It’s not over, Phillip. You are a good guy, and exactly what Addison needs. She wears your ring. You’ve been very patient, but you are now living together. You need to take advantage of that. You are a good–looking guy. Play it up. Show her what she’s missing. I am sure she will come around. Take care of my niece, Phillip. Don’t let Garrett take advantage of her again,” Alexandra told me. She glanced at Garrett on the porch next door, watching them all load up to leave.
We waved goodbye until their SUV was gone. I could tell how upset Addison was before the SUV turned the corner. This was her first night away from Corbin, and I knew she was upset. I saw the tears shining in her eyes. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and led her back
home. I knew he was watching, and this was just the start. Addison had let me have her mother’s old room. That was fine. She was used to sleeping on her old, full–sized bed. She had slept there for most of her teenage years, and I was too tall for it. Tomorrow, a queen bed will be delivered. The mattress in her room was only a year old, and the last tenant’s ten–year–old daughter had used it. But that room needed a much larger bed in it.
I plan on making sure she knows I am more than interested in her tonight. But for now, I need
to do what I always do and care for her. I could tell that she was emotionally drained.
“I know it will be hard to spend the night without Corbin. I am sorry, Addison. I got you your favorite scents for your bath. I knew it would be hard on you. So you have your choice of what you need already in your bathroom. Just take a hot bath, and dinner will be ready in forty minutes. By then, your aunt should be calling and letting us know they made it home safely,” I
told her.
“Thank you, Phillip. This has been a hard day. You always take such great care of me,” Addison replied. She slowly headed up the stairs, and I froze.
It struck me after Garrett arrived that Addison had never told me she loved me. Never, not
once in all the time we have known each other, has she said those words. I foolishly assumed that her agreeing to marry me had been an admission of that. I know now it wasn’t. Knowing that fact hurts me a lot. I can’t just turn my feelings for her off. I watched Addison try to do that for years over Garrett. I know I have my work cut out for me. Gwen was right. I might love
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Addison, but she doesn’t love me.
I would have gone up for my shower, but I was angry and knew I needed to calm down. I ran
through a few self–defense moves in the backyard to get my focus straight. I noticed a light
coming on in the room across from Addison’s. I forgot that he would be right across from her.
My plan is starting to take shape now. Even if Addison doesn’t love me, she is engaged to me.
She does care about me. I don’t have to prove myself to her. Garrett does.
I just need to keep doing what I have been doing–taking care of my girl. She may not love me. now, but she will one day. We have so much in common and are both so goal–oriented. We
were meant to be together. Garrett had his chance, and he blew it. He thinks that it will be
smooth sailing to get her back, but nothing in this world is easy. I headed back into the house
with a plan in mind.
Garrett was an athlete that girls threw themselves at all the time. I am sure that he would
mess this up on his own. But I couldn’t take that chance. I knew how to get rid of him. I will
apply pressure on him. Addison and I have made out several times but never went too far. I
respected her, and she had been put through so much. I knew that I needed to give her time. I
would continue to make baby steps with her. Waiting for her to be ready to move forward on
her own, like when we first kissed. I just hope Garrett enjoys the show I was about to put on for
him.
