Page 27 of Biggest Player
“It’s fine, Mom—hepaidme,” my angel-baby child informs me proudly, pulling a wad of cash from her pocket and thrusting it in my direction like a prize trophy. “It’s LEGO cash.”
LEGO cash?
“What? Where did you get that?” I feel my eyes bugging. “I left Grandma and Grandpa sitting at the table because you’ve been gone so long—and I find you here, taking money from perfect strangers? Wyatt Hazel!”
“I just told you—he gave it to me. I was playing a role.”
Dex stands from the table, straightening to his full height, and his napkin falls to the floor from his lap. Somewhat impressed, I watch as he bends to retrieve it.
At least he knows table etiquette.
“You know, it truly is a crime that her middle name is Hazel. The two names don’t go together.” He winks stupidly down at my daughter as if they are in on some inside joke.
She rolls her eyes. “Tell me about it.”
“Excuse me!” I stammer. “Do I need to call the police? Someone better explain what’s going on!”
“I needed her help for five minutes.” His hands go up in mock surrender, finally appearing chagrined. “That’s all. It worked out fine.” He pauses, grinning. “Ma’am.”
I ignore his jab.
He’s being a dick.
“Do you think I’m going to fall for your stupid smile, asshole? Think again.” My chin notches up. “And do a better job explaining—this whole thing is weird.”
I still have my hand on Wyatt’s and give her a nudge with my hip. “Wyatt, give the man back his money.”
“I’d rather not.” Wyatt shakes her head back and forth slowly. “I held up my end of the bargain. We had a deal.”
If looks could kill, my child would be on the groundwithering, but she doesn’t budge, grinning up at her new buddy, and I still have no clue what they’re talking about.
I recognize the look in my daughter’s eyes. It says, “You are not going to win this battle.”
“Wyatt, sweetie, can you go back by Grandma and Grandpa?”
My darling child has the audacity to disagree. “Nah. I’d rather stay here and listen to you argue—Grandma and Grandpa are boring.”
That’s certainly true. Theycanbe pretty boring.
Still.
“This is an adult matter.” I give her another look, needing her to listen for once in her life. “And don’t think we won’t be discussing this later. Tell Grandma I’ll be right there, that I had to use the ladies’ room.”
Begrudgingly, my kid slithers off, but not without watching us over her shoulder the entire way. I’m shocked she doesn’t crash into any other tables, her gaze directed solely on me.
Nosy little shit.
I raise my brows at her before looking at Dex.
“So?”
He plops back down in his chair. “So the story is—I had to get rid of my date and your daughter offered to help.”
Oh I bet she did.“How did the two of you meet?”
“I was coming out of the men’s room, and she was coming out of the women’s room, and I made an offhand comment about my date being shitty, and she leaped at the chance to help.”
“Leaped at the chance?” Sounds about right. Wyatt lives for adventure. “How much did you pay her?”
