Page 65 of Tell Me All Your Lies

Brad crosses his arms against his chest.

“She knows about you.”

“What about me?”

“Your past.”

I cross my arms to mimic his pose.

“Will that be a problem? I don’t count cards anymore.”

He laughs in disbelief.

“You don’t get it.”

“No, I don’t. Why don’t you tell me?”

Brad faces me and uncrosses his arms. He stuffs them in his pockets as he rocks on his heels.

“Ms. Miller,” he starts.

Brad clears his throat.

“Cordelia, I should say.”

“Yeah?”

“She’s got connections around here. Is this the life you want back into? Is this why you became my fucking neighbor, Ace? You gotta tell me. I can’t help you if I don’t know what you’re doing here.”

“I want the best life possible for my new wife.”

Brad nods as he considers my confession.

“She’ll want you to count cards Thursday.”

“Why?”

“Outside of the obvious, to make her money,” he begins.

“Yeah?”

“Because it’s more than a game to her. It’s part of how she operates.”

“Does she own the casino?”

Brad lets out a long sigh.

“Come on, Ace. I know you know she does. It’s obvious what’s happening here.”

I won’t disagree, but I need him to say it.

“She’s auditioning you.”

“To work for her at the casino?”

“Not like some dead-end job, man. She knows who you are, and she collects the best in the Carolinas.”

“That would make her…”

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