Page 38 of Don't Bet On It
Doubt crept across Olivia’s face, and I took pity on her. “Have you talked to your doctor about this?” I asked. “Maybe she can help you figure it out.”
“I thought I had it figured out.” Olivia gave Ruby a dark glare. “You just ruined my whole birthing plan. I hope you know that.”
Ruby didn’t appear to feel guilty about anything she’d said. “You’re better off knowing the truth of what’s to come. People painted pretty pictures for me, too, and none of it was true. Get the drugs.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing at Olivia’s outraged expression. I was grateful—and massively relieved—when Ruby turned her attention to me.
“So, how are things in the high rollers lounge?” she asked.
Well, that question was unexpected. Was it better or worse to talk about this? I almost preferred discussing the horror of natural childbirth. “It’s great,” I lied automatically. “It’s … awesome.”
Olivia made a face. “She hates it,” my best friend countered. “I think she’s getting close to quitting, which would be a mistake.”
I shot her an incredulous look. “I never said that to you.”
“You don’t have to say it. I can tell whenever I stop by for a visit. You’re miserable.”
Guilt reared up and grabbed me by the throat. Olivia had gone out of her way to get me this job. I couldn’t seem unappreciative. “I don’t mind the job,” I said. “The tips in the lounge are great. I’m already digging myself out of the trouble I was in.”
I hadn’t meant to say that second part out loud. Olivia had no idea exactly how dire things had gotten for me.
Olivia forgot her fears about childbirth and gave me her full focus. “What does that mean?”
I felt caught and not in a good way. “Oh, well … um.” I squirmed on my seat and downed half my cocktail to give myself time.
“Oh, smooth,” Ruby drawled, rolling her eyes. “That won’t make her suspicious in the least.”
I glowered at her before turning back to Olivia. “It’s not a big deal. I just … might have run up a few credit cards in the months before I was fired.”
All of the color whooshed from Olivia’s cheeks. “What do you mean?”
Guilt threatened to knock me over. I held it together, however. Barely. “I wasn’t getting a lot of good shifts toward the end. Carleton didn’t like me—not that I liked him—and I was having trouble for a little bit.
“It’s better now,” I continued. “Like … way better. I’m not in danger of defaulting on my rent. I sold my car months ago, so that’s not a factor.”
Incredulity dragged Olivia’s eyebrows toward her hairline. “You sold your car?”
Oh, right. I hadn’t told her that part. “I can get around Las Vegas fine without a car.” I sounded defensive, but it was too late to rein it in, unfortunately. “It’s fine, Livvie.” I used my sternest voice. “In a couple months, I’ll be completely out of the hole I dug myself.”
“Which is why you’re still working there,” Olivia surmised. She looked upset. No, she looked disappointed. That was so much worse. “Well, I guess I’m glad that you’re doing okay.” She wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“Oh, that is so passive-aggressive,” Ruby chided before I could respond. “Give me a break. You can’t sit there and hold something like this against her. She was embarrassed.”
“Why should she be embarrassed?” Olivia challenged.
“Because you’re rich,” Ruby replied, not missing a beat.
“I wasn’t always rich. I was in a terrible place before Zach and I got married. It’s the whole reason we got married.”
“Yes, but you’re not poor now.” Ruby wouldn’t back down. “Just … give her a break.” Her eyes moved to me. “What’s going on in the high rollers lounge that you hate so much?”
This was a thorny situation. Ruby had a lot of power when it came to the casino. She was not technically Kyla’s boss. That didn’t mean she couldn’t give Kyla a hard time. “It’s nothing,” I lied, making up my mind on the spot. “Ronan is there now, and that’s uncomfortable because he blames me for his secret coming out. It’s not a big deal, though.”
Olivia looked confused. “Why would he be upset about that? Zach and Rex are fine with it.”
“I’m not sure they really were at first,” I argued. “You saw them. They were convinced he was up to something nefarious.”
“I love how you use the word ‘nefarious’ in normal conversation,” Ruby said with a laugh.
