Page 78 of The Player's Club
We returned to the hotel but only to change. Sitting on the bed, I watched Mac pace back and forth.
“We can get a flight out of here whenever we want,” I said.
Mac shook his head. “I don’t want to leave yet.”
“Really?”
“I need to get out.” He had a wild look in his eyes now. “Have you ever seen Idaho? I want to show you. Let’s call it another date.”
Despite how tired I was, I didn’t have the heart to tell him no. I changed into comfortable clothes. Mac met me in the lobby, where he’d somehow gotten a car to drive us around.
“There’s a place near Coeur d’Alene that I always loved as a kid,” he explained. “I want to take you there.”
After an hour’s drive, we arrived at a national park. It was a beautiful, mild day. The initial cloud cover had disappeared, and the sun had begun to peek out from under the clouds.
“I always forget that Idaho is part of the Pacific Northwest,” I commented.
“Northern Idaho is.” Mac gestured at me to follow him.
We went to a nearby shop and rented a four-wheeler. Since I’d never driven one, Mac decided I’d sit behind him as he drove us.
We drove into the mountains, the trees getting thicker around us, the air cooling as we ascended. The scenery was gorgeous, and I felt a peace descend on me as we drove.
When we arrived at our destination—a waterfall surrounded by pine trees—Mac stopped the four-wheeler. We took in the sight, and I could feel the tension melt off him in a wave.
“It’s beautiful,” I said in awe.
Mac inhaled deeply. “I love this place. I haven’t been here in years.” His eyes sparkled for the first time since we’d gotten here. “You don’t get to see things like this in LA much.”
I smiled. “This much green? No way.”
Mac took my hand, intertwining our fingers. We watched the waterfall and the birds flying to and from the surrounding trees.At that moment, I felt our connection deepening. And it scared me because I knew that our relationship was always meant to be temporary.
I thought of Judy’s warning. Did I really have the power to break Mac’s heart? I shuddered at the thought. I couldn’t bear the idea that I’d hurt him. But wasn’t I the one who should be guarding my heart, not Mac?
“Caroline never liked nature,” he said quietly. “Once, I tried to get her to go hiking with me, but she refused. Told me it was a waste of time. I’m not sure that woman even owned a pair of hiking boots.”
A tear snaked down his cheek. I leaned against him, hoping I could lend him some strength.
“I’m sorry.” That was all I could think to say.
“We didn’t even like the same things. Well, besides BDSM.” His tone was darkly wry. “She was twenty-five years older than me, yet she had this hold over me. You know, when my mom told me she’d died, I felt relief.”
His gaze caught mine. I could see the pain in his eyes.
“Does that make me a piece of shit?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Your relationship was complicated. And she was sick. I would bet she’s relieved to no longer be in pain.”
“That’s the thing. It wasn’t about her. It was about me feeling free.” He shook his head. “Never mind. I’m talking bullshit. We should go.”
When Mac decided that we should leave Idaho altogether, I didn’t protest. I was also ready to get back home to LA. By the time we got on the private plane, I could feel the tension melting from my own body.
Mac, however, didn’t seem to relax. Instead, he seemed to get even more agitated. He kept pacing on the plane; when he did sit down, he just stared out the window and drummed his fingers against the armrest.When I suggested he read or play a game on his phone, he just grumbled something and kept staring out the window.
It was like watching a caged tiger. I kept expecting him to pounce on me at any moment.
Despite his predatory behavior, I wasn’t wise enough to avoid him. I went back to his house with him, but not before Mac warned me away.