Page 45 of Deuce

I pulled out a pair of gray yoga pants and the pink sweatshirt with the paw print on it.She was right about the yoga pants.They had enough stretch in them, I could gain twenty pounds and still get them on.They also had the bonus of a cell phone pocket on the side.These could easily become my go-to outfit for lounging around the house.

I gave Willow a little snuggle and left the door to the room open slightly when I headed downstairs.If she woke up and wanted out, she’d be able to nudge it open.

The kitchen was deserted.I poured myself another cup of coffee.I could hear the murmur of voices from down the hallway, and I recalled seeing a games room yesterday when Deuce had given me a whirlwind tour of the clubhouse.I followed the noise and found myself looking at a poker game.The twin girls were there.I couldn’t remember their names, but they grinned and motioned me to come join them.

I wandered in and took a seat behind the players.Poker wasn’t a game I’d spent much time playing.I knew the basics, but I was a little hazy on which hands were the best and what beat what.

“Want us to deal you in?”Rattler asked.

I shook my head.“No, thanks.I think I’ll just watch for a bit and see if I can remember how it goes.”

The twins exchanged glances.

“What?”

“We’re trying to decide if you’re really don’t know or if you’re trying to hustle us.”

“Hustle you?”

“Yeah.Like you’re actually really good but you pretend not to be, so we take it easy and then you skunk us.”

I held a hand over my heart.“You’re safe.I promise.I can’t remember if it’s better to have all one suit, all one kind like kings, or a run of numbers like one two three four five.”

“In that case, care to join us and make a small wager?”Jake asked.

“No, thanks.I’ll just watch while I drink my coffee.”

“Too worn out from gymnastics with Deuce last night?”Rattler smirked.

“The walls around here are pretty thin,” the one twin explained.

I felt my face getting flushed.“I’ll keep that in mind.And no, I’m not too worn out.”

“So, Deuce didn’t satisfy you?Because my room’s right next to his and you were both pretty noisy.Multiple times.”The medic, Joker, pretended to study his hand.

“Deuce did just fine.Can we change the subject now?”I looked over at the twins.“I hate to admit it, but I’m not good with names.I remember you two are twins, and your father is Beast, but I can’t remember your names.”

“I’m Jasmine.”The taller of the two, a lithe brunette, spoke up.“My sister here is Jewel.”

“Thanks.I’ll try to remember but I make no promises.”

“Fair enough.There’s a lot of us, and it can get confusing.”Jewel put two cards face down on the table in front of her.

I gave her a grateful smile and settled back to watch the game.Money did change hands, but the amounts were small and the game seemed friendly.

My phone chirped, and I pulled it out, hoping to hear from Deuce.He had said he’d be about an hour so he should be done soon.Amazing how I could be missing him already.

I didn’t recognize the number, so I sent it to voicemail.Probably a request for me to sub in for a sick teacher, and that wasn’t likely happening until we got this abduction thing sorted out.

A few minutes later, it chirped again.Same number.The bookings clerks could be annoying at times, trying to find someone willing to sub in if the class was known to be difficult.I wasn’t up to dealing with a class full of hooligans right now, so I hit the decline button again.

I drank the last mouthful of my coffee and stood up.“I’m going to get a refill and let Willow out for a bit of a run.”

Rattler looked up from his cards.“Have fun, but keep in sight of the clubhouse.”

“No problem.Her legs are only six inches long, so a run isn’t exactly miles and miles.”

I headed to the kitchen, pulling out my phone to check and see if whoever phoned had left a message.

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