Page 59 of Where I Should’ve Been

Tad: Honestly, Betsy, I would’ve thought a New Yorker would’ve been better at bluffing…

I school my face into neutrality, sliding two chips into the pot.

Me: Well, Tom, I think it’s safe to say you’re shit at teaching. Also, I just saw your ass fold pocket queens three hands ago.

Tad: Maybe I just wanted to keep my hands free so I can text you about how fucking delicious your ass looks in those jeans.

Tad: PS: I’ve been imagining your thighs wrapped around my face all night.

Heat rises in my cheeks, but I keep my gaze steady on the table.

Clay flips the river card and reveals a nine of hearts. The table hums with tension as it’s quite clear that anyone holding two hearts in their hands is probably going to win this one. Norah pushes a small stack forward, Josie raises, and Bennett sighs like the tortured artist he is.

Randy mulls over his decision, alternating between cursing under his breath and staring at Josie across the table like he can see into her skull. My hand is utter garbage, and I definitely should fold, but I wait on Randy to decide his move.

Tad: If I were you, I’d cut my losses. You and I both know your hand is shit.

My head snaps up, but his face is unreadable. How the hell?

Me: And how would you know that?

Tad: Because you’ve got “bad hand” written all over that pretty face.

The urge to kick him under the table nearly wins, but once Randy folds on a curse, I follow his lead and fold my cards too, flashing a discreet scowl toward Tad.

Tad: Don’t be mad. I just saved you money.

Me: What if Josie’s hand is shit too?

Tad: It’s not.

Me: And how would you know that?

Tad: Because her knee is bouncing under the table. She’s too fucking excited.

Josie flips over her cards, revealing not just a flush, but a straight flush, and Norah groans when her sister whoops in excitement over her lesser-than flush.

“Jeez, Josie,” Norah says on a groan. “You do remember this is for the kids, right? You’re not pocketing the money.”

“Yeah, but I can be excited for the kids and getting to kick my sister’s ass at poker at the same time.”

Norah sticks out her tongue at Josie, and Bennett chuckles as he wraps his arm around his wife.

“Nice hand, sweetheart,” Clay says, and Josie turns her competitiveness up several notches.

“Oh, honey, you’re next.”

Clay just laughs and starts shuffling the cards, and my phone buzzes in my lap.

Tad: Told you.

I roll my eyes.

Me: It’s a shame your stack of chips over there doesn’t showcase how good you think you are at poker.

Tad: I’m slow-rolling, woman. It’s only a matter of time.

“I’m going to sit out this hand,” I tell Clay as I rise to my feet. “Need a quick bathroom break.”