Fake Lovers

Lottie Collins. That’s me. 22 years old, housekeeper by day, and driver at night. I have to work both jobs to support my 7-year-old brother. Our parents passed away a few years ago. They were hit by a drunk driver, and died on arrival at the hospital. My brother’s name is Devin. He is amazing. I am brought out of my thoughts by my brother knocking on my door.

“Lottie? There is a woman on the phone for you.”

What? A woman? I don’t have any friends or anything.

“Dev, who is it? And what do they want?”

I hear Devin ask the woman who she is and what she wants. He also tells her we don’t have any money to donate to anyone.

“Lottie, she says she needs to talk to you about a housekeeping ad you put in the newspaper?”

I almost forgot I had put that in the paper.

“Ok Dev. Come on in.”

He opens my door and hands me the phone. He sits on my bed with me and waits. I smile at him and hold the phone up to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this Lottie Collins that I am speaking with?”

“Yes, who am I speaking with?”

“Hi there. My name is Kate Sells. I have an inquiry about your job listing. My boss is out of town for a day or so, and I was wondering if you could clean his house before he returns? He works very hard, and of course you would be paid very handsomely for the short notice.”

“Uh, yeah, sure. Give me the details and I will get right on it. Would it be alright if I brought my brother with me, I don’t have time to find a sitter?”

Devin looks at me and mouths “Lottie, I don’t need a sitter. I’m 12.” I put my finger up to my lips and tell him to be quiet. He listens, but pouts about me scolding him.

“Oh, but of course, Mr. Whittmore has a tremendous living area where your brother can watch tv while you work. And he wouldn’t mind a bit.”

Kate gave me the rest of the details and gave precise directions to Mr. Whittmore’s house. I passed his house once on the way here because I didn’t know something this giant could be considered a house. I finally pulled into his driveway and opened my door. As I step outside in the cool spring air, the house looks even bigger. Devin gets out of the car too.

“Wow, look Lot, this house must have at least 15 rooms.”

I growl quietly.

Great. I have to clean this big ass house, and only have a few hours before Mr. Whittmore gets back from his business trip.

“Hush, Devin, and help me get my stuff out of this car.”

Devin helps me and I make sure he is settled and comfortable in the living room before I start working. I figure, I will leave laundry for last, and start with dishes and taking the trash out. I am cleaning the refrigerator when I hear a knock on the door.

Dammit. I cant just open the door to someone elses house, but I also cannot be rude and leave the door unanswered.

I go and open the door. I see a woman in her late twenties standing there holding a purse.

“Uh, yes? Can I help you?”

The woman shoots daggers at me.

“Move. Get out of my way and let me into my house.”

She tries to push her way past me but I stand in the doorway and block her enterance.

“Bitch, I said MOVE.”

I yell at Devin.

“Devin, baby, come here for a minute.”

He rushes to my side and asks whats wrong.

“Nothing sweet pea, why don’t you go ahead and call Kate and have her tell him to come home quickly. His wife is here.”

He nods and runs back inside.

“Ew. Why is that THING in there in Lucas’ and I’s house?”

I growl and set my posture to show her I am not playing.

“Look. I don’t know who you are, but unless Lucas tells me you can come inside, you will stand here on the steps. And oh Lord, lets hope it rains, it might just make you melt.”

As I finish my sentence a nice black car pulls in. A man gets out of his car, I assume it is Lucas. I don’t say anything but the lady hasn’t noticed him yet.

“You bitch. I shou-”

“ALLISON,” the man yells at her. She just smiles, full of venom.

“Oh, Lucas, baby, I am so glad you’re back. This bitch wont let me in my own house.”

She slinks her way to him, teetering in her heels. She tries to grab his arm, but he avoides her touch. He walks straight past her. He is a beautiful man. Muscular and tall. Maybe 6’2. He has pitch black hair, which is short on the sides and a little longer on the top. He has icy blue eyes that make me want to drown in them. I notice he is still walking up to me.

Probably to go inside away from this crazy lady.

He grabs my waist and pulls him to me. I let out a gasp and he winks.

“Shh.”

That is all he says before he presses his lips to mine. At first I don’t move. But then I feel him nudge me with the fingers on my waist. Its like he is signiling me to kiss him back. So I do. I wrap my arms around his neck and let myself melt into him. I breathe in his scent. He smells faintly of lemon and something sweet. Maybe honey and ginger.

The lady gasps and stomps her foot. Mr. Whittmore pulls back, then kisses me once more, just for a second.

“Sorry, Allison, have you met my bride to be, Lottie?”

Her mouth drops open. She stutters and he just grabs my hand and smiles.

“Well, I take that as a no.”

“He turns to face me.

“Baby, why didn’t you tell Allison we were getting married?”

I dig my nails into his hand. He just smiles and waits for me to reply.

“Well, BABE, the thought of telling her didn’t even cross my mind. How was your trip?”

He smiles.

“Go on inside Lottie, and whip up something for lunch. And tell Devin we will have a guest for this meal.”

He wants me to cook for him and this... Hussie? Ugh. Whatever. I better go tell Devin so he plays along.

I start to walk inside and he grabs my hand.

“Arent you forgetting something, my love?”

I shake my head.

“Not that I can think of, darling.”

He pulls me close to him again, this time he slides his hand down to cup my ass, and kisses me. Sweetly. If we were a couple, this is a kiss that would be full of promises of the naughty things we would do to each other. My head is spinning, and when he pulls away I realize I am smiling. Knowing flashes across his face, and he smirks at me. He nods towards the door. I turn to go indise and am surprised when he slaps my ass and says something to Allison.

“Sorry, Allison, I missed Lottie like crazy on my business trip. Come, have lunch with us.”

I cant hear her response, but it doesn’t sound pleasant. I go to tell Devin that Mr. Whittmore is here, and that we have to play along with what he says. Devin understands. Just as I have finished telling Devin this, Mr. Whittmore and Allison come into the living room. Devin runs up to Mr. Whittmore. Mr. Whittmore picks Devin up.

“I missed you buddy.”

Devin smiles and replies to Mr. Whittmore.

“I missed you too. Lottie said you had a work trip, and said you would be back later tonight or in the morning. Are you home to stay, or do you have to go back to work?”

Mr. Whittmore smiles and sets Devin down after giving him a small squeeze.

“I’m home with you and Lottie for a while. It looks like Allison will be staying with us for a few days too if that’s ok with you both. Babe, Devin?”

I feel my mouth drop. I snap it shut and smile.

“Of course, honey. Now, if you will, help me in the kitchen for a minute. You know I can’t reach the wine glasses.”

He frowns but tells Allison that she will be staying in the furthest room on the right, at the end of the hallways. He then follows me to the kitchen. Once we are out of earshot, I put my hands on my hips and tap my foot.

“Well?”

Mr. Whittmore seems nervous and runs his hand through his hair.

“Ok. Well, that is my ex-wife, and her father is in the hospital here, and has nowhere to stay.”

I sigh and walk up to him, cornering him.

“You know good and damn well that is NOT what I mean BABY!”

I make quotation marks at the pet name. He sighs too.

“Look. I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t want her thinking that I regretted asking for the divorce. But there is fifty thousand dollars that has your name on it if you play along for a few days.”