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“Paul, you grab the cards and bring them into the game room.”
The game room was a sunporch on the opposite side of the house from the Bunco party. When I walked in, I took a quick glance around. There were about ten or so men gathered around the room.
“Granddad, your poker night has grown,” I said when I spied the two tables set up.
“Think of it as the World Series of Poker, Texas edition. Winner from each table plays the last hand. Winner takes all.”
I nodded and helped Paul put out the cards and chips.
When I looked up, I caught Drake watching me. I smiled, and he lifted his beer in my direction. Okay, well, that was a good sign. As long as he didn’t anticipate busting that bottle over my head later, it seemed that we were good.
Then I saw my father walk in. And behind him was Nick. My heart sank, and I was positive it showed on my face. My father’s brows were pulled in slightly. I tried not to let it bother me how close he was with Nick.
“He’s only a ranch hand, Anson. And Carl’s friend. That’s all.”
It was Drake’s voice that caused me to turn and look.
“What?” I asked as Drake reached out to shake my hand. It felt like the room might have gotten a bit quieter, like it had outside when I spoke to Bristol.
“Welcome home—it’s good seeing you again,” Drake said.
I stared down at Drake’s hand, and he laughed. “Just shake my goddamn hand before everyone thinks we’re going to fight.”
My hand went to his. Two firm shakes and I nodded. “Thanks for the welcome home. And what did you mean a second ago?”
Drake’s eyes went over to where my father and Nick stood.
“Nick.”
I huffed. “I’d say he was a replacement.”
Drake shook his head. “Nah, I don’t think so.”
He handed me a beer, and I took it. “What do you know about him?”
“Other than the fact that I don’t like him?”
That had my attention. “Why not?” I asked as I looked at Drake.
“Call it a gut instinct. Never mind the way he looks at my sister.”
“That so?” I took another long drink of beer. “I heard he’s into my dad’s books. I don’t like that.”
Drake snapped his head and looked at me. “No shit? I’m surprised Carl would let him have that sort of access.”
“Me too. But that’s what my mom said. I don’t know how much his hands are in it, but when he saw me today, he didn’t seem too pleased.”
Drake laughed. “I bet not.”
I took another look across the room, and Nick’s eyes met mine. He grinned, nodded, and then sat down at one of the tables.
“Ah shit,” Drake mumbled.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as I followed his gaze.
“Dude, you want to blow this off and go grab a beer somewhere?” Drake asked.
I instantly felt my hands ball into fists.
“What’s he doing here?” I asked as I watched Josh walk into the room. When his eyes met mine, he looked taken aback.
“What the fuck is he surprised about? This is my grandparents’ house, did he really think I wouldn’t be here?”
“I don’t think he knew you were back in Comfort,” Drake said.
“What?”
“He’s been out of town, working. Wasn’t due back until next week. He must have remembered poker night was tonight.”
I stared at the man who used to be a friend of mine. The same guy who moved in on my girl. The idea that he’d touched Bristol nearly made me want to jump over the table and throttle him.
“How long did they date?” I asked.
“Dude, it doesn’t matter.”
I faced Drake. “I need to know.”
He closed his eyes and sighed. “They dated for about a year. It was the longest relationship she has been in since you left, but they broke up a few times. I think he might have been getting too serious, and she wasn’t ready for that.”
That made my stomach lurch, and I had to force myself not to get sick.
“Sorry to see Josh is here.”
Slowly, I turned and saw Nick standing there.
My eyes went to Drake who looked just as surprised as I was. How in the fuck did Nick know anything about Bristol and Josh?
“Why do you say that, Nick?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I just figured it might be awkward for the two of you. Considering you dated Bristol and Josh asked her to marry him.”
“Motherfucker,” Drake said as he stepped between me and Nick. “He didn’t ask her to marry him and you know that.”
“Wait, what?” I asked Nick. He honestly seemed surprised I hadn’t known this bit of information.
Drake looked over his shoulder at Nick. “Dude, why don’t you go take a seat? You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
Nick looked confused.
“Is there a problem here?”
My father’s voice instantly made my blood cool. I stared at Nick as he turned to my father and smiled. “No, Sir, no problem at all.”
