Page 22 of Penalty Zone

The cards swim in my vision.

This is fine.

No big deal.

The rules of poker are easy.

I’ve got this.

I won’t embarrass myself while Leo witnesses it.

I won’t.

“Benz are you betting or not?” Gray nudges me.

Fuck.

I’ve got decent cards, a king, ten, suited, so I raise the bet by a thousand.

Ace, Drake, and Lucky, who are all sitting across from me, fold.

Ace turns the river, and I’ve got nothing, losing the hand to Leo, who has a pair of queens.

The night doesn’t get better.

Every time I’m dealt good cards, they fold.

“We should tell him.” Lucky surveys the table. “Even though it’d be cool for my Sugar to buy me something pretty with his winnings, it’s like taking candy from a baby.”

“I never lose this much at poker,” I complain.

Gray shoots me a sympathetic glance. “Do you play online?”

“Yes?” I say as a question, wondering what that has to do with anything.

“Have you seen your face?” Drake asks.

Leo’s a magnet, and as nervous as I am to face him, my body ignores my mind.

“Everyone has tells you pick up on when you play with them enough. Yours is this.” Leo’s hand circles inches from my face. “Your face lights up or your brows furrow, depending on your cards. You would’ve made a killing as a silent screen actor.”

“Like your teenage years, back before movies had sound,” I lash out, and the guys break into laughter.

“I deserve that.” Leo’s laugh is rich and fills the space between us.

“What can I do? It’s my face.” I scrunch it up and touch it with my fingertips.

“It takes practice. You have a hockey game face and can develop a poker face.” Leo stands. “Switch sides with us so Caleb can see himself in the mirror.” He motions to Drake and Lucky, intent on teaching me. My heart does an ice-skating death drop spin.

When I’ve tapped out on embarrassment, I trip, land at Leo’s feet, and say, “Hey there, big guy, wanna help me up?”

We stare at each other for a beat, and by the time he offers me his hand, I’ve already pushed myself up, knocking into it with my head.

Maybe this is all a stress dream, or I’ve entered an alternate universe. Or maybe an asteroid will hit the hotel and…what am I thinking? I can’t wish death upon my teammates. I’m rackingup so much bad karma. My mom should visit and give me a sage cleansing.

When I sit down, I can see myself in the mirror and I’m beet red.

Leo hands me a small stack of chips. “Take this out of my buy-in.” He eyes Ace and confirms we’re good to play.

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