Page 23 of Slashes in the Snow
He snarls like a bull. “There’s no way, Slash.”
“We shall see, Bone.” I urge him to show his cards, and he does. By slamming his hand down on the table, causing everything atop of it to shake like an earthquake just hit. “Two fucking pairs.” He stands, shadowing the green felt in front of him. There lays the fourth king, the king of spades. Part of his hand. Along with a jack of hearts, as well.
“Impressive, Bone.” I calmly turn my cards over one at a time. The two of diamonds first. Bone barks a laugh. He thinks he has me. Poor guy, when will he learn? I turn over my second card and reveal the king, and the table breaks out in rumbles. Three of a kind.
“Fuck no.” Bone slams the table again. “Fucking no.”
“You had a good hand, man, but mine was better.” I collect the large pile of chips haughtily.
Bone lets out a roar. He’s a sore loser. Always has been.
“Drill it down a notch, man.” Breaker pulls at his arm. “It was only the first deal.”
“I’m going to take all you motherfuckers down.” He pulls out a wad of cash from his back pocket and tosses it at Tempest. “Cash in.”
Tempest does as he asks, shaking his head slightly. We are all thinking the same thing. Bone is going to walk out of here broke, drunk, and pissed the fuck off.
’Tis life.
After the first high-flying hand, the next seems to move at hyper-speed. Before I know it, I have a hefty stack of chips in front of me and a nice buzz. This is just what the doctor ordered. Vet wins the next hand, and even Bone gets in on one or two. He still has the shortest stack in the bunch, though.
I check my watch, dreading the time. Quarter after eight. I remind myself to slow down so I can drive, but I really wish I could just stay here and drink my face off with the rest of these guys. None of them seem to be letting up anytime soon.
“Brewski, brewski, brewski, brewski.” Breaker tosses fresh beer cans around the table. I catch mine but put it to the side while Vet, Tempest, and Bone all crack theirs open. My action doesn’t go unnoticed.
“You done drinkin’, Prez?” Tempest fishes. He’s as rugged as Bone, lots of bright, gnarly tats all over his hands, plugs in his earlobes, and dark, slicked-back hair.
“Just takin’ a break is all.” I concentrate on my hand, wanting to avoid the subject at all costs.
An acute silence passes around the table, causing me to grind my teeth. I can hear their judgmental thoughts. They don’t understand what I’m doing. Hell, half the time I don’t even understand it. I just know Kira needed me, and my fucking conscience ordered me to go to her. I didn’t have any choice in the matter. Of course, I wouldn’t tell them that. The Prez not having a choice when it comes to a woman? Preposterous. That would be weak and pathetic, and I am neither of those fucking things.
“How’s pick-ups been, Vet?” I spin the conversation right quick.
“Fine. Better than fine, actually. Envelopes have been heavier the last couple of weeks.”
I nod. That’s what I like to hear.
The table folds, and it’s my turn to deal. I shuffle the cards with all their curious eyes on me. Tempest opened a fucking door, and all six of them scurried inside like the wet rats they are. They have questions. They want info, but I am reluctant to give them any.
I deal the cards, spinning out two to each of them. Tempest and Vet throw in the blinds, and we go around the table. Hawk and Vet call, as does Breaker. Bone folds. I barely see my cards. I fold, as does Tempest.
I turn the flop, and it’s a beautiful sight. A pair of jacks and a queen. Hawk, Vet, and Breaker all sit up and pay a little more attention. Things just got interesting.
Hawk raises, and both Vet and Breaker call. There is some serious tension mounting. I flip the turn card, and it’s an ace. Holy fucking shit.
Hawk raises, and again both Vet and Breaker call. I’m tempted to check my cards because I need to know who has a fucking jack. Hell, even a king. This hand is fucking juicy. I’m pissed my thoughts ran amok and I threw my cards away.
With a pounding heart, I go to turn the river card over when Bone interrupts me. “So, Prez, you gettin’ any of that high-priced pussy, or what?”
All eyes land on him and then me. They are salivating for an answer.
“Seriously, Bone? In the middle of a deal?” I hiss.
“Just upping the ante is all.”
“Is that what you’re fucking doing?” I growl, clutching the cards so tightly in my hand they bend.
“Well, are you?” Breaker adds fuel to the fire.
