Gage (Men of Honor 1)

All that was needed was the mousy shit colored hair I’d once had and she would be no different from the person I once was. Timid, insipid, dull; at least that’s what I saw. Assured that she was no match for me I’d set my sights on the delectable Gage but he was proving to be difficult.

I’m still having a hard time accepting that he could prefer her over me. It was the first time in years that someone had looked right through me like I wasn’t even there, and then yesterday his behavior had made me feel like that unwanted little girl from the small town. And it was all that bitch’s fault.

I took a deep breath and stood up from in front of the mirror, my resolve staunchly back in place. I won’t lose to her. She’s the epitome of all that I hate. That well bred moneyed type whose family pampered and sheltered her all her life. Why should she have someone like Gage, when I’d had to sully myself with a man old enough to be my great grandfather?

I shuddered at the memory of all that I’d had to do to get here while she was enjoying a life of luxury without having to do so much as lift a finger. We’ll just see about that.

Donna

* * *

I got myself together putting on one of my best afternoon outfits and made sure my hair and makeup were perfection. With a spritz of expensive perfume behind my ears and in the crease of my elbows I headed downstairs, totally ignoring Lucille the old woman I’d only hired because she was once Gage’s nanny and later his mother’s housekeeper.

She hasn’t turned out to be as useful as I’d hoped, except for sharing some very enlightening stories about Gage, when he was a little boy and teen. Still, it was helpful keeping her around as a last resort. I sipped a half a cup of coffee black no sugar since I’m always conscious of my figure before heading out the door.

My destination was the country club where I know that idiot Holly was due for a tennis lesson in an hour. She got away unscathed the day before but I’ve had the whole night to think and can see where I went wrong.

In our earlier meetings when alone she was like a lamb to the slaughter but with Gage and her mother in law in attendance shoring her up, it was a bit harder. Though I did notice that she was no more vociferous and they did most of the talking for her, especially Gage. Something that still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Like I mentioned before, Gage is the kind of man everyone dreams of having in their bed. He’s hot, young and rich, the trifecta that I’ve come to accept was my due. I’d married the old man for his money which was no surprise to anyone and now it’s time to have someone like him under my belt. I just need to get him to see that I’m a much better fit for him than his less than awe inspiring wife. She probably doesn’t even know how to please someone like him in the sack.

So my confidence was boosted once again as I made my way to the country club. I know her routine is to hit the showers after her lesson and then lunch with her friends who were all members. The country club set, as they’re known reminds me of my daddy’s family back home.

The same high brow bitches who stare down their noses at everyone. Only these women didn’t have the good sense to discriminate. They’re more into this new age crap where they accept everyone no matter who or what station in life they come from. I think that’s taking charity a bit too far.

I didn’t work this hard and come this far to hobnob with the poor or the unattractive. That Tracy girl shouldn’t be allowed to step foot in the country club since it’s obvious that she’s nowhere in the same financial bracket as the other two, and Holly’s only there because she married Gage.

If I have my way that will all change soon though. I may have hit a roadblock yesterday and pretty much every time since I’ve tried in the last few months, but that does not mean that I’m about to give up. I didn’t get this far by throwing in the towel at the first sign of opposition. And besides, I’m well aware that all that’s needed is a well placed push to get Holly out of the way.

She strikes me from all that I’ve learned as the type to go running home to mom and dad if things get too rough. A little competition should do the trick and I’m about to turn up the heat.