Stevie Moss was watching the man she deemed her closest friend move round the busy pub. He looked gorgeous, his hair spiking in perfection, a white shirt, with the top few buttons undone and black jeans. All the women wanted him, they were all completely mesmerized by him, but then he was a good looking bloke, something about him just drew people to him, he was confident, outgoing and cheeky, he had a bad boy edge that was clear to be seen but she believed it to be an act, she saw the way he dealt with victims and people who had got themselves into trouble over stupid things and she knew he had a pure heart, he was kind and caring, he just kept it well hidden. "Stevie" her eyes shot to the woman sat next to her at the small table in the corner of the pub "You are watching him again". Charley was her only true friend outside of work, she had known her since she was fifteen, she was her bridesmaid at her wedding six years ago and godmother to her four year old son, Mikey, it wasn't that she doesn't have other friends, just none she would trust quite like Charley. "You told me he is a player"
"He is"
"Is that why you want him?"
"I do not want Dale Smith, do me a favour"
"Really?" Charley's eyebrows shot up her forehead and Stevie sat shaking her head "Every fuckboy grows up and turns it around, one day he will fall in love, maybe it will be with you"
"Will you shut up, he is a friend, a good one but nothing more" she sipped back the remaining drink she had before smiling at her friend "Its your round"
"Okay but you need to meet someone" taking her friends hand and smiling she continued to speak "They aren't all the same, look at Martin, he has been great for me"
"You said he is boring" Stevie quipped, referring to her friends husband
"He is but boring doesn't cheat or treat you like dirt" standing up and grinning she continued "Boring men aren't players"
"I am fine as I am" Stevie was attempting to shut down the conversation
"You will end up on the shelf, you are not getting any younger" Stevie looked genuinely hurt by her friends comments and Charley took hold of her hand "Listen not all men are like the ones you have dated" she leant forward "There is a prince charming out there somewhere". She headed off, leaving Stevie with her thoughts.
It wasn't that she hadn't had boyfriends, she had, but they never seemed right. Her first boyfriend had promised her the world and then beat her black and blue, she was seventeen and terrified, it had been Charley that had got her through it, despite Stevie bring three months older, Charley had always had her head screwed on right. Stevie had then had another boyfriend, who had promised her everything, he had proposed within a month and moved into her flat, he relied on her solely to support him, he convinced her he didn't believe in sex before marriage. Three months later she caught him in bed with her best mate. She had briefly dated another man, he had made her feel worthless and ugly. By the time she had met Rob Towler the damage was already done, she put on an act to everyone, of a sassy, confident and amazing woman, she made all the men in her life believe she was untouchable and way out of their league when if truth be known, she was crying out for anyone to want her.
Charley placing the drink to the table in front of Stevie pulled her from her train of thought. "You know that boy is such a player. He has no shame"
"Why?"
"He is chatting the barmaid up"
"Doesn't surprise me" Stevie pushed forward to grab her drink and took a long greedy sip "He is a good man"
"He is a user Stevie and you know all about them"
"You just said all fuckboys settle down"
"And they do but it doesn't mean they stop screwing around"
"Alright ladies. Long time no see Charley" he placed his drink to the table and gave Stevie his most genuine smile, pulling a small stool from the next table he sat in between the two women
"Yeah, that's a shame isn't it" Charley replied rolling her eyes at him, he laughed leaning forward
"Still married?"
"Still a player?" she asked
"He will always be a player" Stevie spoke and he gave her a cheeky smile before laughing "Some men never change" she continued
"Its all about the game Stevie, women love it"
"But do they all know the rules you play by?" Charley asked
"Men are just as likely to end up hurt, I just keep my feelings hidden. You can't tell him me you have never used people"
"Not everyone has" Stevie answered him
"Yeah alright Stevie, I suppose you are little Miss Innocent now?"
"No but I don't use people"
"Shall we change the subject?" Charley asked
"You know what, I have been used and hurt, it's just the way it goes"
"So that gives you the right to do it to women?"
"Why not? Who made the rules?"
"You do. Because they don't know they are a one night thing"
"It would be two if they're any good" he laughed
"You can be a right prick Smithy"
"Don't hate the player Stevie, hate the game". Stevie rose to her feet and stormed from the pub and Smithy turned back to Charley "What actually just happened?"
"She was upset"
"I got that but what did I do?"
"Probably reminded her of every man she has ever known" Charley stood up "Maybe you should try getting to know the real Stevie Moss, not the mask she hides behind".