Anyone who played poker with me knew I sucked at it. I was prepared to drop some bills tonight, so their teasing never bothered me.
Henry and Lucas both laughed. “I think Lucas has come to accept he sucks at poker,” Alex said.
“Is that why you guys invite me? To get my money?” I asked as I tossed my coat over the chair in the corner. I checked my phone before I turned it to vibrate. Nothing from Hollie. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Kristin was most likely already at the house. I looked at Shawn as he laughed at something James had said to him. Poor bastard. I really should warn him.
“I’m telling you, I think you’d like her, Shawn,” James said as he slid the deck of cards over to me to split.
“Like who?” I asked as Shawn handed me my chips.
“Someone James works with, and I already told you, I’m not interested,” Shawn answered.
I narrowed my eyes at Shawn. When he saw me staring at him, he asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Why aren’t you interested in her?”
He blinked a few times, then shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“I’m telling you, dude, she’s not looking for anything but sex. I heard she likes it dirty.”
Alex sighed. “I hate being the only married guy in the bunch.”
“Are you saying you’re not happy with your wife?” Shawn asked.
“Hell, no, I’m not saying that. I’ve never been happier. I just know those days are over. Doesn’t mean I want it. It’s just gone. That sucks.”
I laughed. “Well, you get to go home to a beautiful wife each day. Someone to share your day with.”
“So do you, from what I hear. Sounds like you and Hollie are pretty serious,” James said as he waggled his brows.
“Yeah, we’re serious. I’m actually going to be asking her to marry me.”
“Holy shit, dude,” Alex said as he gave me a clap on the back. “That’s awesome. When?”
I picked up the cards James had dealt and frowned. Fuck, another bad hand. “Um, Christmas night.”
James shook my hand. “That’s great, Lucas. I’m really happy. There was always something about the two of you that screamed couple. I’m glad you both finally saw it.”
I laughed, then coughed.
“What’s so funny?” James asked.
Looking around the table, Shawn said, “You didn’t know? Hell, Hollie put a damn spell on Lucas so he would notice her, but it all went wrong, and she actually put a hex on him.”
James and Alex both looked at me.
“I didn’t know Hollie was into that,” Alex stated. “I need to let Mary know. She’s really been into crystals and shit lately. We’ve been trying to have a baby, and she’s doing everything she can think of. She even gets on her head after we have sex sometimes. It’s fucking weird, but I love her, so I get on my head next to her.”
I was positive we were all staring at Alex with confused looks. “Why in the hell are you getting on your head too?” Shawn asked.
Alex discarded two cards and picked up two new ones. “I don’t know. I feel bad she’s doing it, so I do it with her. I just want her to be happy, ya know?” Alex said with a shy grin. “I’ll dowhatever I have to do to make her happy, and if that’s standing on my head, then so be it.”
I couldn’t help but smile. James nodded, and Shawn grunted in mock disgust. He could act like he wasn’t wanting a relationship all he wanted, but I had a feeling he was ready to settle down. And if my girlfriend had anything to say about it, it would be sooner rather than later.
“Fuck that. No woman is ever going to make me jump through hoops for them. Hell would freeze over before that happens,” Shawn said.
Glancing at the time, I was guessing it was either too early for the spell, or Hollie changed her mind. I was hoping it was the latter. The last thing any of us needed was a woman who just found out she had the power to play cupid with spells.
“You say that now, Shawn,” Alex said as he tossed in more money, “but someday, the right woman is going to come along and turn your world upside down.”
