I looked at James and Shawn. “Are you also going to pull out simply because I’ve had a round of good luck?”
“I think you’re cheating,” Shawn accused. “You suck at poker, Lucas. How is it you suddenly became a blank page? I haven’t been able to read your face at all. And when you do frown like you have a bad hand, it’s a good hand. It’s confusing.”
Laughing, I said, “I’m sorry, isn’t that what poker is all about? Come on, one more hand.”
James shook his head. “Nope. I need to walk out of here with my head held high. Losing to you has thrown me.”
“Is it hot in here to you guys?” Shawn asked.
Alex gave him a befuddled look. “Hot? No. It feels good.”
“It’s so hot. I feel like I’m burning up. Do you smell…lavender?”
My eyes jerked up from my winnings. “What?”
“Lavender. I smell lavender.”
“Dude, how many beers have you had to drink?” James asked Shawn.
Shawn wiped his forehead. “The same amount as you. Fuck, it’s so hot.”
“Why don’t we step out onto the back porch?” I suggested as I stood up.
“The back porch? It’s freaking below freezing out there now, Lucas,” Alex said as he stood and placed the back of his hand on Shawn’s forehead. “You don’t feel hot.”
Alex was a registered nurse, so I was confident he would be able to tell whether Shawn was running a fever.
“Do you smell the lavender?” Shawn asked. “It smells like…like her.”
James chuckled. “Like who?”
Shawn looked confused as he answered, “Kristin. It smells like her.”
“Oh, hell,” I mumbled.
James and Alex both looked at me and said at the same time, “What is he talking about?”
“Listen, guys, I think we should wrap up poker night. I think Shawn’s had a little more to drink than we thought.”
James nodded and pulled out some money for my winnings. Alex did the same but kept looking at Shawn who was now pacing.
Alex handed me some money and narrowed his eyes. “You didn’t cheat?”
I laughed. “I swear, I didn’t cheat.”
He pushed the money into my hand, then looked back at Shawn. “Is he okay?”
“Yeah,” I said as I started toward the door, hoping James and Alex would follow. “He just needs to get some sleep, I think.”
“Better give him some Advil before he goes to sleep if he drank too much.”
I squeezed Alex’s shoulder. “Will do. This was fun!”
Alex curled his lip up at me. “I would say beginner’s luck, but since we’ve been playing for ten years, I can’t.”
Laughing, I practically pushed them both out the door. “Night, guys! Talk soon and thanks for your money.”
They both shot me the finger as they walked down the steps as snow fell around them. Shutting the door, I spun around and quickly made my way back to the living room. I pulled out my phone and was about to call Hollie when I ran into Shawn. He had his jacket on and his keys in his hand.
