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Jay’s mouth twisted in an attempt to hide his smile. “I did say that, yes. But do you remember what happens if you lose twice?”
Chris stalled but eventually gave a quick nod. “Deal the cards.”
“Say it. For the record, that is.”
Chris rolled his eyes. “The loser will do what the winner says for two hours.”
Jay nodded. “Just making sure we’re on the same page. But before I deal the cards…” He held out his hand. “Give it here.”
Chris leaned back. “Oh, come on.”
“You lost. Give me your panties.”
“I’m playing you for another round. I can literally win all my clothes back in two minutes.”
“That’s true, but two minutes is enough time to obey the rules of the game.”
“Goddammit,” Chris muttered, but still pulled down his underwear and handed them to Jay.
“Don’t be like that,” Jay said and spread Chris’s white Calvin Klein’s on the table for us to see, acting like those boxer briefs were a trophy. In a way, they were. A milestone in a plan that was moving quickly toward completion. Only the destination was still elusive to anyone but him.
Jay folded the boxers, showing no hesitation touching the fabric that only seconds ago had been rubbing against Chris’s private parts. “Say, why don’t you stand up and show us the goods?”
“No way.”
Jay leaned forward and rested his chin on his fists. “You see, the point of strip poker isstripping. If you’re going to hide under the table, it’s basically cheating.”
That was rich coming from the man who had spent the entire night cheating.
Chris’s lips turned into a pale, thin line as his eyes looked everywhere but our faces.
“Jay’s right,” Anthony said. “You lost, and you agreed to the rules.”
Chris looked distressed. It made him seem younger. Helpless. It also made me feel unbelievably guilty.
Chris started to pull his chair back, and I found myself blurting, “Stop.” I turned to Jay. “He lost and he’s naked—those were the rules. If you wanted a full show, you should’ve been clearer.”
“Yeah.” Chris pushed his chair forward. “That’s right. Thanks, E.” He patted my shoulder.
Jay looked at me with more confusion than anger, but anger was still there. I turned my gaze away, knowing I had betrayed my promise to follow his lead. But seeing Chris move from distress to relief was worth it.
“Fine,” Jay said with a tight smile. “I should’ve been clearer about the rules. Let’s play.”
As the cards were being dealt, I glanced over at Anthony who seemed anxious, like he was the one at risk of losing. At some point tonight, he had moved from being wary about Jay’s secret plan to being fully on board. I, on the other hand, was stuck on wary.
I rubbed my palms over my legs to prevent them from bouncing. I knew how crucial the following minutes were, and the buildup was torture.
Both Jay and Chris took cards from the deck, and Chris could barely hide his satisfaction once he checked his cards. Jay, on the other hand, didn’t look too pleased. I wasn’t surprised when I felt him touching my leg underneath the table shortly after the game started. My body froze. I couldn’t do it, couldn’t trick Chris and have his final loss on my conscience.
I shook my head and moved my chair a bit further from Jay. From the corner of my eye, I could feel him sending daggers my way, his anger almost telepathic.
“Well?” Chris said. “We’re doing this or what?”
I glanced at Jay. His forehead was a bit damp. He didn’t have the cards he needed, and I couldn’t be more relieved. Normality was waiting on the other side of this twisted game.
“Give me a sec,” Jay mumbled, which made Chris smile. He looked at me and winked. I winked back.
“Ant,” Jay said and leaned forward with his hand stretched, “give me some of your beer.”
