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Today was more serious as there were no newbies around. Everyone at those three tables were professional players like him. And he knew a handful of them, but Robin had been someone he knew well.
Robin had a killer blank face, and you couldn't call his bluff. Benton had gone against him many times, and there were a handful of times he'd lost. He never knew when to call the man's lies.
He was taken into a room where everyone was seated. He looked around the table, and Robin sat on the other side. He wasn't surprised. He would have to play him sooner or later.
"Well, look who made it to the adult table," Robin said.
He snorted, shaking his head. "Interesting, you took the words right out of my mouth."
The other three glanced at them, each taking their seats. The cards were handed out, and the game began.
He took a steady breath in and looked at each player. He knew three of the four sitting with him. And he'd gone up against them before, and most of the time, he'd won. He wasn't worried.
He glanced at his cards, seeing he had a good hand. He kept a blank expression. He'd learned to do this years ago.
"What exactly are you going to use the money for?" Robin asked, tossing a card to be switched with the house. He watched the way he tapped his cards, looking at him with a quizzical look.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" he said with a half smirk.
"You know, you have more than enough money to retire now. You're starting to get old." Robin waved his hand around his face. "Starting to get some bags under those eyes. Are you stressing about things? Worried you might lose today?"
He knew Robin was trying to get into his head. It was something most good poker players did. He chuckled, shaking his head. "Why are you asking about what I do behind closed doors?" He tossed a card in to trade and looked at Robin. "Besides, why would I retire when I'm clearly sweeping the floor with you?"
One of the guys snorted, and Robin glared. He didn't know what Robin was expecting. Sure, they were rivals, but they were completely different people when they weren't at a table. They could chat and get along. This was all just business.
"Are you ladies done yet?" One of the guys, Triston, piped in. "Because I thought this was the adult table. Doesn't sound like it to me."
The game continued, and he watched everyone like a hawk. He knew that Reese was out. He had a twitch in his eyes that came up when he had a bad deal. Triston was out because he'd switched his card one more time than he usually would. The guy he didn't know was out. So he looked at Robin, and his face was blank.
"Where's the girl you have been spending so much time with?" Robin asked, tapping his cards.
He was talking about Opal, and it wasn't like they were hiding their relationship. There was a chance of her coming up. But he would not let it bother him.
"Why? Your wife put a tracker on you now, Robin? Does she worry about you being around women all the time?"
Robin snorted. "Please, my wife has nothing to worry about."
He wondered if Robin was thinking about his wife. Benton met her once, and she was a lovely woman. It was three years ago, and they had just had their daughter. Robin won the game, and his wife invited him out with them. Robin did everything for her.
He smiled, thinking of Opal. While on day one, he knew it was hard to focus with her in the room, now he thought of her as a way to move forward. He wanted to win for her. He wanted to impress her.
Everyone put their cards down, and he glanced at Robin’s. He smiled, seeing he had the better hand. Robin sighed, knowing he had lost. He looked up at him and waved a hand. "You win, Benton. But I can't say you'll win next time I see you."
He smirked. "Tell your wife I said hi."
Benton pulled himself out of his chair, excited to advance to the second round. He was eager, but he wanted to see Opal. He headed out, finding her talking to the bartender. She saw him and smiled.
"Hey, how'd it go?"
He walked to her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. She seemed shocked, but she didn't pull away. He pulled back and whispered into her ear. "Really well, and I need a little alone time with you."
He slid his arm around and grabbed her ass. No one could see as her back was to the bar, but her face grew beet red at his touch.
"Benton." She glared at him. "We are out in public."
"Then show me a closet." He smirked, kissing her cheek.
She turned, and he followed her, never letting go of her hand. They walked out of the open room and headed toward the bathrooms. Opal pulled a supply closet door open, and she grabbed his shirt, yanking him inside.
