Page 76 of Taking Sides

“What the fuck?” Victor mutters, presumably at me ignoring him.

“Tell Dad I will do my best to be there.” Then I hang up.

NINETEEN

“I’m surprised you showed,” Penn says as I take my seat at the table between him and D-Low.

“Why?” I ask. It’s tradition to do these poker nights at Nick’s house any time we can. It used to be every Saturday night, but between hockey season and everyone’s personal schedules, our get-togethers seem to be fewer and further between.

“Well, the only reason Nick agreed to host is because Ruby is out of town.” He tips his head toward our team captain, who doesn’t even bother defending himself. Then Penn waves one hand toward Travis and Hannah. The two of them sit close, cuddled up like they can’t bear to let even an inch of separation come between them. After our long week of traveling, that’s probably exactly how they feel. I know it’s how I would if Whitney were here. “And Trav’s here because Hannah came along.”

“It’s true. I would have bailed on you boys if she hadn’t wanted to watch me take all your money tonight.” Trav shuffles the cards in front of him, smiling coyly at Hannah. She stares back at him adoringly.

D-Low busts out laughing. “Oh, sweet, sweet delusional love. The only thing he’s taking home tonight is Hannah.”

“Sounds like I’m going to hit the jackpot,” he replies, then kisses her.

“What does all that have to do with me?” I ask, pulling my gaze from the couple now making out at our poker table.

Instead of answering, Penn hits me with another question, “Where’s Whitney?”

“She’s preparing notes and lesson plans for her substitute next week,” I say. “She’s going out of town and wants to make sure her classes are covered,” I admit, then realize I might have included more information than they were asking for.

“Where’s she going?” Galaxy asks.

I don’t look directly at any of them as I say, “Houston.”

D-Low chuckles. “An Aven family reunion. What I wouldn’t give to be there when she tells him about you.”

“It isn’t a reunion,” I say quickly, then have to admit it kind of is. “She’s visiting her dad and brother because it’s been a while since she’s been home. And why would she tell him about me?”

Travis and Hannah stop kissing, and everyone stares at me.

“We’ve only been hanging out for a few weeks,” I say, but D-Low shakes his head.

“It’s been longer than that. Six weeks, at least.”

Fuck. Has it really been that long? When I’m with Whitney, time speeds by. It never feels like long enough.

“Either way. She’s not going to say anything.” I get the feeling she doesn’t want her brother to know any more than I do. Though thinking about that has an uneasy feeling swirling in my gut.

Another moment of silence passes before Travis deals out the cards.

“I still can’t believe she’s related to that jerk,” Galaxy says as he picks up his cards.

“No kidding,” D-Low adds. “She isn’t anything like him though. Thank god.”

I shift uncomfortably in my chair. I don’t like that she’s related to him either, but hating him feels worse the more time I spend with Whitney.

“Things are going well though, right?” Galaxy asks. “You’re seeing her as often as your schedule allows so they must be.”

I look to D-Low. He’s the only one who could have shared that information. He shrugs. “Well, you are.”

“Things are going well,” I reply. “She’s great.”

“She is,” D-Low confirms. “If Shep weren’t in love with her, I might steal her for myself.”

“I’m not in love with her,” I mutter, but fuck, am I? No. That’s . . . we agreed to keep things casual. Her exact words were, “We’re just having fun.”